Residents trying to protect trees that are hundreds of years old in Glasgow have successfully delayed plans by developers to fell them.
Work to cut down the mature trees at the former Ruchill Hospital on Bilsland Drive was halted after an agreement was reached.
Planning permission was approved last year to turn the brownfield site in the north of Glasgow into 403 new homes - including 243 houses and 160 flats.
Residents and a local councillor questioned the developers over permission to fell mature native woodland at the former Ruchill Hospital in order to facilitate the work.
We previously reported that council bosses confirmed an investigation has been launched.
However, Glasgow City Council later confirmed developers Bellway Homes had produce appropriate documentation to prove this permission had been granted but Bellway had to failed to notify the council that felling had begun.
The council granted planning permission to developers Bellway Homes to remove trees in order to build the properties on the site.
But the felling work has been suspended after an agreement was reached to preserve the trees.
Taking to Facebook, Paul Sweeney MSP wrote: “I visited the site of the historic former Ruchill Hospital today with local Councillor Robert Mooney. Derelict land is being prepared to build 243 houses and 160 flats.
"Neighbours had raised concerns about unnecessary felling of mature trees. Happily we have secured an agreement to preserve the trees.
“We have also ensured that the category-A listed water tower will be floodlit as a landmark feature for the north of Glasgow, that heritage stonework salvaged from the old ward buildings will be reused on site, and I will also work with Bellway to conserve and restore the cast iron railings that front the site along Bilsland Drive.”
Agnes Roger, who lives across the road, has said it is “heartbreaking” watching the trees being destroyed. Ms Roger, 68, said that she ran down to the site when she was told of the trees coming down.
She told Glasgow Live: "They had earmarked a 200 year old Aclass Sycamore with a numbered tag on it to be felled, but it's now been saved along with the others.
"If they keep to the agreement its wonderful."
