Latest news with #EnergyEfficiencyStandardforSocialHousing
Scottish Sun
30-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Inside £69m plans to transform ‘neglected' Trainspotting tower blocks
Under the plans, the landmark 10-storey buildings, would see a £69 million investment to make the homes safer and more energy efficient. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PLANS to transform a tower block made famous by Trainspotting have taken a major step forward, with a planning application being submitted by architects. The iconic Cables Wynd House and Linksview House in Leith, made famous as Sick Boy's home in the cult classic, will see a £69 million investment to make the homes safer and more energy efficient if the plans get the green light. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Major plans have been lodged to improve the iconic flats, which were built in the 1960s Credit: Euan Cherry 3 Cult classic film Trainspotting featured the 10-storey towers, which then went on to gain A-list status by heritage chiefs Credit: Alamy Built in the 1960s, the iconic 10-storey flats - known as the "Banana Flats" due to its distinctive curved design - have served generations of residents living in the 310 flats, the majority of which are owned by the Council for social rent. Back in 2017, they were given A-list status by heritage chiefs, meaning they ranked as one of Scotland's finest structures alongside the likes of Stirling Castle, the Forth Road Bridge and the National Wallace Monument. The huge proposals represent a significant investment in securing their future as safe, high-quality homes and is being driven by the need to meet the Scottish Government's Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing – EESSH2. This will mean substantial upgrades to both the building fabric and mechanical systems for the buildings, and wider improvements in general by the council, in a bid to bring the buildings in line with modern new-build standards. Key elements of the proposal include energy efficiency upgrades - including improved insulation, window replacements, and energy-efficient heating systems to meet EESSH2 standards - and fire safety enhancements including the installation of sprinkler systems, smoke ventilation, a new fire-fighting lift, and improved fire compartmentalisation in communal areas. The removal of legacy bin chutes and inclusion of internal waste management facilities will also enhance the fire safety of the buildings. Just last month, residents of Cables Wynd House - except for two households - were evacuated after a huge inferno engulfed and believed to have destroyed one flat. Thankfully, nobody was injured in the blaze on June 6, which started around 11pm and saw nine fire crews in attendance. Proposed plans to ensure the safety and security of residents are also mentioned, with upgraded internal and external lighting, CCTV and improved access control throughout the buildings. The refurbishment project also presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the outdoor environment surrounding both towers, with new play areas, external seating and wildflower meadows being proposed, as well as the implementation of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), and a full review of parking and waste facilities. Fire crews rush to Leith banana flats as huge blaze engulfs Trainspotting tower block Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: 'I am delighted that the proposals for the council's £69 million investment in Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have now been submitted to the CEC Planning Service, setting out our plans to make our residents' homes safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient. Dua Lipa 'splits the G' in popular Dublin pub 'Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents have long campaigned for this much needed and substantive investment in their homes to happen. Their influence and input into our consultation sessions have shaped these proposals and is hugely valued. 'I look forward to continuing this positive engagement with Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents and Leith Ward councillors as the project progresses.' Carl Baker, an architect and certified Passivhaus designer for Collective Architecture, said: 'Collective Architecture is proud to be working with The City of Edinburgh Council on the retrofit of Cables Wynd House and Linksview House. Our proposals place residents at the heart of the process, aiming to provide greener, warmer homes, while celebrating and sensitively enhancing the unique character of the Category A listed buildings. 'As part of a just transition, our carefully considered interventions will improve the thermal and environmental performance of the iconic structures - boosting energy efficiency and alleviating the risk of fuel poverty. 'As with many of our projects, meaningful resident engagement has been central to the design process and will remain a key focus through the final design stage and into construction.' Subject to planning approval, the council says it will continue to engage closely with residents throughout the design and construction process, ensuring their needs remain at the heart of the project.
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Plans submitted for £69 million renovation of iconic Edinburgh 'Banana Flats' blocks in Leith
The City of Edinburgh Council's retrofit project has taken a major step forward this month with the submission of a planning application by Collective Architecture. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Built in the 1960s and now designated as Category A listed buildings, Cables Wynd House and Linksview House collectively provide 310 homes, the majority of which are owned by the Council for social rent. Under the plans, the iconic 'Banana Flats' as they are known by locals would see a £69 million investment to make the homes safer and more energy efficient. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad These landmark buildings have served generations of residents, and this project represents a significant investment in securing their future as safe, high-quality homes. The proposed works are being driven by the need to meet the Scottish Government's Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing – EESSH2. Achieving compliance will require substantial upgrades to both the building fabric and mechanical systems. Alongside this, the council has identified the opportunity to deliver wider improvements that will bring the buildings in line with modern new-build standards. An artist's impression of Linksview House after the retrofit works. | City of Edinburgh Council Key elements of the proposal include: Energy Efficiency Upgrades: Improved insulation, window replacements, and energy-efficient heating systems to meet EESSH2 standards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad - Fire Safety Enhancements: Installation of sprinkler systems, smoke ventilation, a new fire-fighting lift, and improved fire compartmentalisation in communal areas. The removal of legacy bin chutes and inclusion of internal waste management facilities will also contribute to enhanced fire safety. - Resident Safety and Security: Upgraded internal and external lighting, a comprehensive review of CCTV systems, and improved access control throughout the buildings. - Landscape and Placemaking Improvements: The refurbishment project presents a unique opportunity to reimagine the outdoor environment surrounding both towers. Proposals include new play areas, external seating, wildflower meadows, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), and a full review of parking and waste facilities. Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: 'I am delighted that the proposals for the council's £69 million investment in Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have now been submitted to the CEC Planning Service, setting out our plans to make our residents' homes safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents have long campaigned for this much needed and substantive investment in their homes to happen. Their influence and input into our consultation sessions have shaped these proposals and is hugely valued. 'I look forward to continuing this positive engagement with Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents and Leith Ward councillors as the project progresses.' How Cables Wynd House will look after the works are carried out in Leith. | City of Edinburgh Council Carl Baker, architect and certified Passivhaus designer for Collective Architecture, said: 'Collective Architecture is proud to be working with The City of Edinburgh Council on the retrofit of Cables Wynd House and Linksview House. Our proposals place residents at the heart of the process, aiming to provide greener, warmer homes, while celebrating and sensitively enhancing the unique character of the Category A listed buildings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'As part of a just transition, our carefully considered interventions will improve the thermal and environmental performance of the iconic structures - boosting energy efficiency and alleviating the risk of fuel poverty. 'As with many of our projects, meaningful resident engagement has been central to the design process and will remain a key focus through the final design stage and into construction.' Subject to planning approval, the council says it will continue to engage closely with residents throughout the design and construction process, ensuring their needs remain at the heart of the project.
The National
22-05-2025
- General
- The National
Residents in Edinburgh suburb ‘forced to pay £40k for retrofit scheme'
The retrofit scheme, dubbed MTIS (Mixed Tenure Improvement Service) was originally proposed in 2018 to address the poorly insulated and maintained housing stock in Lochend within mixed-tenure buildings. Many of the homes are reportedly in a state of disrepair, with damp and mould among the issues. The scheme – which residents initially celebrated – was meant to insulate and repair homes in Lochend and Restalrig, making them more energy efficient and easier to heat – bringing them up to the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH2). READ MORE: Wales to host major conference of Europe's independence movements But the joint ownership of affected buildings between council properties and private flats has resulted in the affected homeowners being hit with very high bills for the work, Living Rent has warned. According to the tenants union, some homeowners have received estimates of over £40,000 – with initial communications about the project advising people to use their savings, or apply for loans with the council's Scheme of Assistance payment plan, which offers interest rate loans of 4-6%. Living Rent says that many residents do not have thousands of pounds in savings, nor do residents consider it fair to pay interest on a loan they might have no choice but to take out. (Image: Freelance) At yesterday's event in Lochend, tenants' union members presented a report on their experience of the retrofit scheme, making the case that lessons should be learnt from its rollout. Members of the tenants union also presented the report to the Just Transition Commission, an independent advisory body to the Scottish Government responsible for providing scrutiny and advice on putting justice at the heart of climate action. Laura Dalgetty, Living Rent Lochend campaigns officer said: 'We have campaigned tirelessly to make this building scheme a fair deal for our community: homeowners, council and private tenants alike. "We invited MSPs and councillors to hear how this work is affecting our lives and what we think could be done to make this a positive experience for other communities. Their absence tonight is deeply felt. For retrofits to work and actually involve the community, our politicians would do well to start by taking our experience and expertise seriously.'
