'We can't wait five years': Neglected 'banana flats' residents say council breaching their rights 3

‘We can’t wait five years’: Neglected ‘banana flats’ residents say council breaching their rights

'We can't wait five years': Neglected 'banana flats' residents say council breaching their rights 4

Residents of Leith’s famous “banana flats” claim Edinburgh City Council is breaching their human rights after persistent issues with toxic black mould, faulty lifts, drug dealing, and problems with rats and mice. 

A new report by the campaign group residents have formed alleges that the council, which owns all but four of the flats, has failed to invest in the building, depriving those in the block of their human right to decent housing.

Cables Wynd House – known as the banana flats due to its curved shape – is an Edinburgh landmark made infamous as the home of Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson from Irvine Welsh’s 1993 novel Trainspotting

Built in the 1960s in the brutalist architectural style, it was category A listed in 2017, which means it is considered to be a building of national or international importance.

Last summer the group successfully petitioned the council over its failure to repair lifts. Now it has released a report revealing over half of residents experienced dampness and mould last year. The report is based on three years of research, with residents surveyed in 2022 and 2024.

Residents fighting back

Fifty-three per cent of residents reported problems with mould and 63 per cent said they had problems with pests such as mice, rats and pigeons. Four in ten said the problems with their home negatively impacted their mental health.

In August 2022 Edinburgh City Council announced it was planning a refurbishment of the flats. But residents, while welcoming the news, insist that their views must be at the heart of plans. They are concerned about the length of time that it may take and have called for action on the most pressing issues by July this year. 

Kirsty Chatwood, who has been a resident of Cables Wynd House for 22 years, said living in the flats had positives such as great views and neighbours. “But there are downsides too, such as the lack of maintenance and the impact that has on all our lives,” she added.

A previous refit of kitchens and bathrooms did not work out as planned and the group are determined that this time they will get the housing that they are entitled to under human rights legislation. 

Issues like black mould that won’t wait for five years. We need those sorted. We’re doing this not only for residents here but for those in similar situations across Scotland.

Kirsty Chatwood, resident

“Last time we were promised the moon and back. But that’s not how it worked out. The council has been completely irresponsible. So there’s a lot of fear and anxiety about how successful this next planned refurb will be,” she added.

“Issues like black mould that won’t wait for five years. We need those sorted. We’re doing this not only for residents here but for those in similar situations across Scotland.”

When Stacey Panda moved in with her baby 10 years ago she had previously been homeless and was grateful for somewhere to stay. But soon the mice and drug dealing in the building started to wear her down. 

“To be honest, I would happily leave, but it is so extortionate to rent privately and hard to find anyone to swap,” she told The Ferret. “So I want to fight to make it better. Some people have just given up. I want to do this for them too.”

Cables Wynd residents have lived with substandard housing for too long. The health and wellbeing of 250 residents is being impacted by housing failures.

Lorraine Barrie, Making Rights Real

Lorraine Barrie of human rights campaign Making Rights Real, who has been supporting the residents group, said: “Cables Wynd residents have lived with substandard housing for too long. The health and wellbeing of 250 residents is being impacted by housing failures.

“With the millions of pounds being invested by the council it is vital monies are well spent and the best outcomes are achieved – by listening and involving residents.  Their report is an impressive collection of the experiences of residents young and old. This is true grassroots community participation in action.”

The report was also welcomed by the Scottish Human Rights Commission who said alll the issued raised by residents were “basic human rights” ones.

City of Edinburgh council’s housing, homelessness and fair work convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: “The council is committing a significant investment of £69m in Cables Wynd House to address the concerns of our tenants, as set out in this report.

“Our commitment to our tenants is to make sure everyone is kept informed about when the works start and importantly, what it means for them. Our priority as a council and as a landlord must be and is that all our tenants have a safe, comfortable, and well-maintained home.”

Cover image thanks to Tom Parnell

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