Plans for the future of the blocks
Due to their age and condition, the multi-storey blocks at Inchmickery Court and Oxcars Court in Muirhouse need significant investment and repairs to bring them up to modern standards.
After gaining planning permission to carry out significant repairs and improvement work to both blocks, we began a procurement process to identify a contractor to develop more detailed plans and do the work, and to get a clearer idea of the estimated costs involved.
Initial plans estimated that the work for both blocks would cost around £53 million. However, it became clear through the procurement process that the works are more complex than first thought due to the way the blocks were originally constructed. Unfortunately, this resulted in significantly higher than estimated costs of £86 million. This is £33 million over budget.
Following discussions with residents and , councillors decided at the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee on 2 December 2025 that the costs are not viable and agreed to demolish both blocks and redevelop the site for social housing.
Information for Oxcars and Inchmickery residents
We’re at the very early stages of developing the demolition strategy and have contacted affected residents to update them on the planned redevelopment and the next steps. We understand that this may be an upsetting or unsettling time. This is your home and your community, and we know that many people have lived at the blocks for a long time. Please be assured that our priority is to continue to provide you with a safe, warm and comfortable home and tenancy.
To make sure we find you the most suitable new home and so that your move goes as smoothly as possible, please make sure you respond to housing officers when they get in touch. They may be in touch in a variety of ways including letter, emails, phone calls and visits to your home.
If you have questions and concerns about your home and future housing situation please get in touch with the Locality House Service on 0131 529 7679 or with your Housing Officer directly. Our local Concierge Team can also support residents who are still at the blocks and can be contacted via telephone on 0131 336 2705 We’re organising more information events to take place in the new year to discuss tenants' current and long-term housing requirements.
