empty flats/houses/commercial; British Property Scandal

[Porty bella]

Anyone been watching The Great British Property Scandal Channel 4?

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the- ... t-petition

It's basically a campaign to get the hundreds of thousands of empty flats/houses/commercial state and privately owned property back into use - a scandal when there are so many homeless people needing somewhere to live.

Does anyone know of any in Porty / Joppa area and the story behind it?

The Newsagent shop near the Joppa/Musselburgh border (where Milton Road and the Beachfront Road meet, Eastfield I think the area is called) has been empty and rotting for at least 7 years, maybe more. There is probably a flat behind it too that is wasting away. It's not up for rent.

What about the scabby looking flats which look like old shop frontages in Bath Street a few doors up from the Espy?

Who owns and what's happening with that huge commercial office block in Porty High Street next to the Doctor's surgery which used to be council offices? Someone said that's been empty for years.

[seanie]

An international language school had been moored for the office block on the High Street. My understanding was it was quite complicated to set up but don't know if it's still being progressed.

[Bob Jefferson]

Moored? I didn't realise the tide came that far in. There's a boarded up house at 11 Rosefield Street looking for a little TLC. Excellent neighbours I understand.

[Bazza]

Yeah, it's currently in North Berwick harbour, waiting to be towed over to the High Street.

[Porty]

The language school got off the ground. Building was partially fitted out and occupied for about 6 months.Staff employed etc. Then things went awry, visa issues and unfulfilled promises. Building is/was privately owned. It is a massive space. Could easily convert to homeless accomodation. are they allowed to inhabit a conservation area? As far as im aware the college is dead in the water, not moored.

[Porty bella]

From what I've heard Portobello Baths own a house in Pittville St Lane that is sitting empty? I understand Edinburgh Leisure is a non profit organisation which the council subsidises (correct me if I'm wrong!) It seems a waste of money having a house sitting empty which could be renovated and rented out or sold and the funds put back into the Baths. Esp when the Baths budget is being cut each year and with the likes of Leith Waterworld closing this is a concern.

[SoupDragon]

I dont know if its a house as such. It used to be the laundry for the baths where the corporation towels were washed. I remember huge big sinks ans washing machines, maybe a drier or two later on.
The towels could be hired when people went for a swim, a bath, aerotone or to the Turkish
I dont know if the water tower next to it is still used, it used to be the settling tank for the sea water when the baths still used salt water ( the inlet pipe being one of the low tide mystery objects )

There was a flat let by the council to Baths staff but it was in Bellfield Street-Melville Street when my grandparents lived there

The old range rover garage is lying empty in Portobello Road

I think you'll find the "scabby looking flats" have people living in them. I know a poster on here used to live in one.

The other old shops are used as storage I think

[SoupDragon]

The " house "at the back of the Baths is where the pictures of the flying pigs comes from if I remember correctly.

[Porty]

A few years back there was talk of the Water Polo club leasing the "baths" building to use as a clubhouse/meeting place. However, i think the renovation and ongoing costs put them off.

[Porty bella]

Apologies didn't mean to offend and be unclear - the flats I mentioned - I was thinking of the old shops I think. Pity they can't be leased out / sold? Think there are a few threads on here about there being a need for reasonable retail rents and it's a great location. Or converted to flats?

Thanks for interesting info about the house / old laundry in Pittville St Lane. Is that what you are trying to look at or did you mean Bath St loos? Interested to hear more!