Trees to be felled for new housing estate at historic derelict villa in Glasgow

A developer has paid £5,400 compensation for permission to chop down a tiny oasis of woodland in Maryhill to build new homes.

A total of 93 trees will have to be felled to make way for the new housing estate at Acre House, a derelict 19th century villa.

The ruined building on Acre Road will be converted into three new houses and its former stables demolished and two new houses built as replacements. While in the wider grounds, a total of 64 flats will be built.

The mature woodland is home to oaks, Scots pines and sycamores and has been protected by a tree preservation order.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed the £5,400 sum was paid by developers for cutting down trees in Glasgow during 2022.

PMW Capital Invest lodged the plans to construct homes on the Acre Road site – and agreed to pay the sum to fund new replacement tree planting elsewhere in the ward

Along with the 93 trees being cut down at the 100 Acre Road site, another 44 in poor condition are recommended for removal. Trees are to be planted within the site but overall there will be a ‘net loss’ of 18 trees.

Another location on council-owned land has been identified for replacement tree planting in the local area.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “The proposal involves some loss of trees, and some re-planting within the site boundary.

“The council’s planning team was satisfied that the applicant had maximised the opportunity for re-planting within the site boundary, however the development results in a net loss of 18 trees. “

They added: “A suitable location was identified for replacement tree planting on council-owned land in the local area.

“A S69 legal agreement was used to secure £5,400 from the applicant to mitigate for the net loss of mature trees on site by funding replacement tree planting and maintenance for a minimum of 18 extra heavy standard trees within Maryhill Park.”

Work on the housing development has not yet begun, according to the council.

Councillor Martha Wardrop, the Green group spokesperson for nature, said: “It’s right that developers are having to pay up to compensate the city for the damage being done to our green spaces with new developments, and we will be talking to officers to ensure this money is spent on replacement native trees.

“However, in terms of carbon impact, biodiversity and preserving community green spaces, we know that it is better to protect existing trees in the first place.”

“Glasgow’s Green councillors will be working with the council administration to ensure the city’s new planning policy and development plan protect our city’s green spaces and natural environment.”