Westfield Court Owners Trapped Between Heritage Protection and Demolition Plans

Residents of Westfield Court in Edinburgh find themselves in a precarious situation as a potential historic listing could derail demolition plans and leave them financially stranded.

The residents of Westfield Court in Edinburgh are facing an uncertain future as a potential historic listing threatens to derail their plans. The eight-storey building, known as “the original banana flats,” has been plagued by numerous issues, including heating system failures, leaking sewage pipes, cladding problems, fire safety concerns, and flooding.

The Edinburgh council which owns 32 of the 94 flats, announced last year its intention to demolish the building and replace it with new social housing.

Christopher Spall, a retired engineer and technology teacher and his wife Kathleen have lived in Westfield Court for five years.

They have been trying to sell their flat to move closer to their daughter but find themselves “completely trapped” by the current situation. The council’s initial offer to buy back the privately owned flats was withdrawn due to the potential listing, leaving residents in limbo.

The Impact of a Potential Historic Listing

The application for listing with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has put a halt to the council’s buy-back process. While some residents welcome the prospect of listing as a way to halt demolition, others like Christopher Spall argue that it could have severe financial consequences. The estimated cost to reinstate the building to an acceptable standard is a staggering £48 million or £500,000 per flat.

Spall expressed his frustration, stating, “We cannot see how ordinary people could ever afford them.” He and his wife feel trapped in a flat that is part of an unsafe building, cannot be properly insured, and faces ever-increasing costs. “This is not how we expected to spend this stage of our lives,” Spall lamented, highlighting the uncertainty and constant change they are facing.

The Architectural Significance of Westfield Court

HES has described Westfield Court as of special architectural and historic interest noting its innovative curved plan form and distinctive design features. Built in the early 1950s, the building is Edinburgh’s first post-war venture into mass multi-storey flats. The carved panel by celebrated sculptor Hew Lorimer adds to its design interest. However, the Edinburgh council has described the block as “architecturally unremarkable” and plans to oppose the listing.

Lisa Cockburn, a member of the Westfield Court Owners group acknowledged the importance of protecting Scotland’s heritage but urged HES to consider the exceptional circumstances. “We hope HES gives equal weight to the impact any decision will have on the people who own and live in the building,” she said. The decision to list or not will significantly affect the lives of the residents, leaving them in a state of uncertainty.