Wednesday December 3rd 2025
Westfield Court, Edinburgh
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
A decision on whether to demolish the Westfield Court flat block in Edinburgh has been delayed, with city housing staff sent off to explore a range of issues raised about the proposal.
Councillors made the decision at Tuesday’s housing committee meeting, where they quizzed council officers over the sudden change of plans for the building.
Up until last month, the long-running plan for the 73-year-old building was to undertake renovation works to bring it to a state of good repair.
But in a report to councillors, housing officers said damage to waste outflow pipes in the building has reached a critical state.
Labour councillor and housing convener Tim Pogson said: “We’ve heard of the very significant physical risks of this building. Things will deteriorate, that is clear. Certain elements of that fabric will deteriorate. It’s how, when, all these unknowns.
“None of us know what will happen through the next few months and beyond what will happen to this building.”
Graeme Reid, head of high rise management and investment, described to councillors how temporary repairs applied to outflow pipes in recent months had already started to break down.
He added: “This is probably the most complex subject matter I’ve come across in my career. I don’t think we’ve got a technical or practical solution to fixing the soil vent pipes.
“It’s my professional opinion that the long-term future of Westfield Court is not good.”
Earlier in the day, a number of protesters disrupted the same meeting, demanding councillors fight back against the proposal to demolish it.
Several surveys in recent years have found a litany of issues with the building, including issues with the cladding, the roof and the building’s heating system.
Another officer, Peter Watton, discussed a condition report published in June 2025.
He said about the building’s cladding: “That report says, ‘the condition will degrade and will put at risk the primary concrete frame, and may result in the external panels not adequately being supported.’
“That’s six months ago. I don’t need to remind committee that we closed 17 schools immediately and indefinitely over concerns around insufficient wall ties.
“Whilst we discuss that, and go through with whatever we decide to do, that building will deteriorate.”
Independent councillor for Sighthill/Gorgie Ross McKenzie said: “Was it reasonable for you as a committee to be asked to approve a process that will lead to demolition?
“Do you actually think the report makes a clear and strong case for demolition? The whole thing needs to be approached more humanely.”
He also highlighted that some tenants had learned about the demolition plans through reporting in the press.
SNP councillor Lesley Macinnes also mentioned local media, saying it was ‘being the pot-stirrer’ in relation to discussion of the building.
Councillors backed a combined SNP, Green and Liberal Democrat position to have officers explore several issues raised about the demolition.
A conservative motion which would have supported the position of officers to move ahead with demolition of the building, while supporting owners of flats inside the block, was defeated.
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