 Midlothian Council spent £3,000 on lighting and £10,000 on security between 2004 and 2007, leading to criticism from local Conservative and Green Party politicians.Prior to the decision to demolish, the council had believed it was near an agreement to sell the property (2007)  to Taylor Wimpey to convert the building to 63 flats, together with 110 new flats on the site.Taylor Wimpey withdrew their planning application in February 2008 and their intention to purchase in March 2008 citing asbestos contamination as the determining factor.