Councillors are to be asked to give the ‘green’ light to an affordable housing scheme just yards from Celtic Park.
In doing so, they will have to overrule their own planning officials, who blocked a new residential development in a part of the city with a chronic need for social housing.
Parkhead Housing Association said they have 617 applicants on a waiting list for a home. Yet, during the covid lockdown period earlier this year, planning officials turned down the plans to build 24 affordable flats, with almost a third earmarked for homeless people and a further two for wheelchair users.
Read more: Tenants in Sighthill newbuild development made homeless weeks before Christmas
The site is a former bowling green belonging to Belvidere Bowling Club, which dates from 1861. Club chiefs say that dwindling membership numbers mean only one bowling green on the site can be sustained and hope funds from selling the disused one can keep the club afloat.
Now, Glasgow City Council’s planning review committee are to meet on Tuesday in the hope that the development bordering London Road, around 500 yards from Celtic Park, finally gets the go-ahead.
A spokesman for Parkhead Housing Association said: ”Our board predominantly consists of local tenants, who live in the Parkhead area. They are eager to have this site developed and for PHA to own these homes.
“We are a community anchor and it will be our properties and tenants that overlook the proposed development.
“To date, we have had no negative feedback regarding the proposed development.”
Sim Building Group, the development company involved, said they had consulted people in 143 neighbouring properties – with only on objection.
As part of their appeal against planning permission refusal, they have claimed officials mistakenly believed that the clubhouse of Belvidere Bowling Club would need to be demolished to make way for the development.
However, in a letter to the council, the company state: ”The clubhouse and the Club’s remaining green which is still in use will not be demolished or removed.
“In fact, quite the opposite will occur. The proposal results in funds being available to upgrade the remaining club facilities to help ensure their long-term future.”
Sim have also challenged another reason given by officials for turning down the scheme, a shortage of car parking spaces.
In reply, Sim say 60 per cent of Parkhead residents have no access to a car.
Local councillor Greg Hepburn said he was aware that the proposal had not come before councillors until now.
He added: "I hope any outstanding issues are resolved to the satisfaction of all parties and to the local community.”
Glasgow City Council were approached for comment.
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