Concerns raised over Wyndford tower blocks demolition by SNP Glasgow councillor

A councillor has voiced his concerns about the planned demolition of four Wyndford Tower blocks over fears about losing social housing during a home shortage in Glasgow.

Councillor Graham Campbell, SNP, had to leave his housing association home in Sighthill and said there are still no replacement homes on the razed plot at 32 Pinkston Drive a decade later.

He also pointed out there has been a delay in erecting homes where the Red Road flats were pulled down.

Wheatley Group, which is planning to knock down the towers in Maryhill, said 90% of tenants in the blocks have already moved or been offered a home in another area.

The housing association also said it will build 300 new homes, 255 of which will be social housing, which will offer at least 600 bed spaces, the same number as the tower blocks.

It also pointed out the majority of tenants are behind the regeneration plans.

Prior approval from the council is needed before the site can be razed, which covers the method of demolition and the treatment of the cleared plot.

Councillor Campbell attended a protest alongside Wyndford Residents Union and other organisations this week at George Street and explained his experience in Sighthill when he and other tenants left their homes following a battle to stay.

Wyndford campaigners have been demanding an environmental impact assessment is carried out to look at the impact of the plan on local wildlife.

Councillor Campbell said: “Maryhill faces the same prospects as Sighthill and Red Road and experiencing the net loss of social rented homes at a time of acute housing shortage and increased demand.”

“I share the concerns of Wyndford tenants that mass demolition will be followed by inadequate reprovisioning of new build social rent homes and could take way too long. That’s been exactly my own experience from Sighthill. Too often ‘regeneration’ is something done to working class communities, not with them.”

Tenant chair of Wheatley Homes Glasgow, Bernadette Hewitt, said: “Tenants have made their voices and feelings very clear. The overwhelming majority of local tenants are fully behind these regeneration plans and are very excited about creating a bright new future for their community.

“These plans will see £73m invested in Wyndford, building around 255 homes for social rent and 45 for mid-market rent. These homes will use the latest building technology to create one of Scotland’s leading net zero developments.

“A report by a leading UK environmental and sustainability architect has made clear there is little or no basis to argue for the retention of the existing blocks on the grounds of either energy efficiency or CO2(e) emissions. Also, a report by structural engineers demonstrated cutting through the thick concrete walls would compromise the structural integrity and stability of these buildings.

“Tenants will continue to work alongside award-winning architects to shape the new-look community, which will include more green spaces for the community, larger family-friendly homes which are more energy-efficient and will help tenants reduce their energy bills.”