The controversial demolition of four Glasgow tower blocks can go ahead.
A years-long legal battle came to an end today when a council decision to allow the tearing down of the Wyndford buildings was ruled lawful.
The local authority was subject to a judicial review after it greenlit the demolition of 151, 171, 191 and 120 Wyndford Road without an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Local campaign group Wyndford Residents Union has been fighting the decision since it was announced, saying that there were more than 300 homes still in liveable condition which could have been used to house rough sleepers.
Wheatley Homes Glasgow however, said the flats are no longer liveable and all have now been stripped in preparation for demolition.
The Court of Session ruling means that the work can now go ahead.
READ MORE: Alex Salmond opposes Wyndford flats demolition plan at local meeting
Wheatley Homes Glasgow has confirmed that their intention is that the demolition will take place later this year.
Explosives will be used on three of the tower blocks while the structure under 120 Wyndford Road will be brought down using "TopDownWay' technology, for which a planning application has already been submitted.
This means the building will be removed floor by floor, from the top.
This will be part of a huge £100m redevelopment of the area, by Wheatley Homes Glasgow and the council.
It will include the creation of 386 affordable homes, 85% of which are planned for social rent and will encourage families to relocate to the Maryhill area.
A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said: “We note this verdict by the Court of Session which fully supports the earlier screening opinion taken by Glasgow City Council.
“The overwhelming majority of tenants are fully behind our plans to invest £100 million in Wyndford and transform the community for the better, not only for the people who live there today, but for families and generations to come.”
The landlord said 85% of the people in the area backed their regeneration plan.
The opponents however said they had conducted a poll showing 75% of Wyndford residents were against demolition.
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “We are satisfied with the court’s decision today and means the decision not to require an EIA still stands.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel