A campaign to save residential tower blocks in the north of Glasgow from demolition has been given a boost.
Four towers at the Wyndford estate, Maryhill, are facing being razed to the ground and replaced with 300 new homes by owners Wheatley Homes Glasgow.
The social landlord described the flats as "no longer fit for modern day living nor meet the type and quality of housing people have a right to expect and demand" in a letter issued to residents informing them of the plans in December 2021.
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Wyndford Resident's Union is opposing the demolition of the four blocks on Wyndford Road and has now received backing from International Committee for Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites, and Neighbourhoods of the Modern Movement and two prominent architects.
Alan Dunlop of Alan Dunlop Architect Limited has said that it could be possible to add new social and affordable homes to the site without demolishing the existing ones.
He said: "It is possible that many new social and affordable homes can be added to the site, without the destruction of the high flats and the demolition of 600 viable homes on this remarkable and unique site.
"All that's needed is the will to do it and the recognition that this is a site and community worth saving. The Wyndford estate has a very special ambiance, which is much sought after but is hard to achieve and replace."
In his objection submitted to Glasgow City Council, he outlined that "no alternatives to demolition have been proposed by Wheatley Homes".
He also added that the "high flats, landscape and setting are unique, more than any other in the west of Scotland, and therefore have historic and architectural importance" and that they "also look to be in good condition and are loved by the residents".
Kate Macintosh, a retired architect, and campaigner for the retention and maintenance of social housing, said in her objection that demolition runs counter to environmental concerns and accused Wheatley of not fully exploring retrofitting as an alternative.
Objections added to the planning portal have so far been removed but it is anticipated that a further application will have to be submitted by Wheatley Group after the council decided that Prior Approval will be required for the work to go ahead.
Historic Environment Scotland, the body responsible for the protection of Scotland’s historic buildings, is currently considering whether to granted the towers listed status.
A report, due out later this month, could place another obstacle in the way of developers and further boost the campaign launched by a fraction of the tenants.
A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said: “We are currently assessing the four high-rise blocks at Wyndford Road, Maryhill for listing following a request from a member of the public.
“We are aiming to publish our report on this case in January.”
A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said: “An independent consultation ran in November 2021 to January 2022 where every tenant in Wyndford was asked to give their views. We also held a series of drop-in events where local residents and businesses could have their say.
“The results showed 85% of Wyndford tenants back the regeneration plans, with 87% of tenants living in the four blocks earmarked for demolition also supporting the proposals.”
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