Former Catholic monastery set to make way for flats, say planners
A FORMER Catholic monastery site will be transformed into flats in the South Side.
Westpoint Homes will demolish the old St Dominic’s Monastery to make way for 24 three-storey homes.
Planning chiefs granted approval for the development despite the plot sitting within the Pollokshields West conservation area.
Community leaders have voiced concerns about how the flats will impact the neighbourhood, with some accusing Westpoint of over-development.
After the application was approved, Councillor Jon Molyneux said: “It’s disappointing. It has been quite a protracted application.
“The main consideration that we brought up to the committee was the feeling that the elements of the Pollokshields West conservation area weren’t really considered.
“All the buildings in the area are set back 14-and-ahalf metres from the development wall. This will break that line and it’s a concern for residents.
“It will have a visual impact but there is also a neighbour who lives close to the demolition work who has health concerns and is on oxygen.”
The development will include two blocks of flats with three stories and dormers within the roof forming an extra storey.
In the first block, facing on to Hamilton Avenue, there will be four flats per floor and two within the roof space, including one with a terrace.
The other block, facing Sutherland Avenue, is to have three flats per floor with one in the roof space.
Many of the buildings within the conservation area are deemed as having special architectural or historic interest.
But in their design statement, architects Sheppard Robson, acting on behalf of Westpoint Homes, claimed that the existing building was of little value to the area.
The company said: “The scale, massing and layout of the building is inappropriate when considered within the locale and historic character of the conservation area. The building, therefore, makes a negative contribution to the conservation area.
“The proposed redevelopment will preserve and enhance the character of the conservation area.”