No replacement homes have yet been built on the site of the demolished Red Road flats and another razed plot in Sighthill after a decade a councillor has pointed out.
Councillor Graham Campbell, SNP, has voiced concerns about the delay in making more housing available on empty land as there is a “massive demand” for homes.
The politician said he and other tenants had to leave their flats at Sighthill’s 32 Pinkston Drive 11 years ago and “not a brick had been laid for the promised new social housing on that part of the site.”
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Pointing out a similar situation at Red Road, he said: “Likewise the Red Road flats were demolished 10 years ago - there has been slow progress and a lack of information coming to communities.”
Red Road demolition began in 2012 and took place in phases.
Raising the delay at a council committee last week, he said “residents have empty space for a decade in the middle of their community.”
He said: “My concern is how long it is taking us between the decision to demolish and redevelop and actually getting that housing commissioned.”
Speaking at the economy, housing transport and regeneration city policy committee, he said: “I arrived in Glasgow 20 years ago - I was able to get a flat and therefore settle. If I arrived today I may have problems doing that.”
The future of Red Road forms part of transformation regeneration schemes being delivered by Transforming Communities Glasgow (TC:G) under a partnership between the Scottish Government, the council and Glasgow Housing Association (Wheatley Group). It involves regeneration and development in eight Glasgow areas.
Commenting after the committee meeting, Councillor Campbell said: “I think it’s unacceptable this Transforming Communities: Glasgow (TC:G) process should take so long and the three partners in the eight TC:G sites - Scottish Government, Wheatley Group and the Council - must find ways to speed things up and ensure sufficient social rent new build.”
Highlighting work that has taken place in the Sighthill area, he said: “Lots of good stuff has been done there - the new school campus, new St Rollox church and new youth centre - plus the footbridge and road reconnecting Sighthill with the city centre. All things asked for by the local community. They must meet our demands for early engagement on the Red Road site - and unlike Sighthill - not wait until after building work has started to begin meaningful community design input.”
Some homes have been built in the Sighthill area, including 141 housing association homes. There are to be 198 homes for mid-market rent and 628 for sale.
Councillor Campbell added: “If we in Glasgow managed to build the entire Commonwealth Games village homes at Dalmarnock within five years why not Sighthill and Red Road?”
A council official responded to concerns raised at last week’s meeting regarding progress.
The officer said: “We are just starting the process at looking at timescales to activate the last two transformational regeneration areas. We will be putting a plan in place in terms of timescales for working through those with the Wheatley Group.
"I absolutely take your point about the community engagement aspect particularly in the areas that haven’t been activated. I will certainly take that back to colleagues to discuss how we engage with communities in all the transformational regeneration areas - certainly in those ones that aren’t activated. That is a fair point.”
More information is to be presented to councillors with additional detail looking at forward plans.
The issue came to light as councillors discussed the draft local housing strategy for 2023 to 2028.
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