Residents in Maryhill, Glasgow, occupy flats to stop demolition by Wheatley Group housing association

A sit-in protest is under way at flats in Glasgow – where residents are trying to halt a demolition.

Housing association the Wheatley Group wants to raze four blocks to the ground at Wyndford, Maryhill.

But the residents say the flats – a well-known local landmark – should be refurbished instead of destroyed.

Nick Durie, from the Wyndford Residents Union, said: “We’re very keen that we retain these blocks.

“We understand they can be retrofitted, renovated, to be brought up to a net-zero standard and tenants wouldn’t even have to pay for heating.

Nick Durie from Wyndford Residents Union. STV News

“That can be done as cheaply as blowing them up and starting again and building half as many houses.”

Despite the demolition being in the early stages of the planning process, many living in the flats have already been rehomed.

Local resident William, who is is preparing to move out, said: “It’s terrible. If they knock down all these flats, it’s going to pandemonium for many years up here.

“There will be dust and concrete everywhere, the noise will be unbelievable.”

Six people have been arrested and charged with vandalism offences over the protest.

A spokesperson for campaign group the Young Communist League said: “We were encouraging the residents to not leave until they were given a deal that suited them.

“We don’t want people pressured to move to other areas of the city or to leave just so Wheatley can pull these buildings down.”

Those in favour of keeping the flats fear they’d be an historical loss which would also have an environmental impact.

Architect Alan Dunlop described the flats as “architecturally remarkable, very refined buildings unlike any other residential environment in the west of Scotland”.

Protests are being held by the remaining residents. STV News

A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said: “The vast majority of tenants in Wyndford are overwhelmingly in favour of our £73m regeneration plans.

“These protests are in the main by a very small group of activists.

“Tenants have told us in their hundreds they are excited about the plans to build 300 fantastic, new energy-efficient, family-friendly, affordable homes and create more green spaces.

“We’re doing absolutely everything possible to support tenants moving out of these blocks. So far more than 90% of tenants in the four blocks have already either moved or been offered another Wheatley home in an area of their choice.”