Site row as council is asked to back sell-off for car park plan
GLASGOW councillors are being asked to back a controversial call to sell off a fiveacre site in Possilpark.
Property chiefs put forward a move to the sell the Torr Street site to Allied Vehicles Ltd, who plan on turning it into a 150-berth mobility car park, in March last year.
But they came under fire from councillors who felt the plot, next to Ashfield Stadium, should be considered for affordable housing.
Now, after discussions with the potential buyer and Hawthorn Housing Co-operative, officers at Glasgow City Council are asking contracts and property committee members to support the £240,000 sale. In a report to the committee, Pauline Barclay, managing director of City Property, said: “Committee expressed concern at the proposed off market transaction on the grounds that the site could have been one which provided affordable housing.”
Council officers met with the co-operative to discuss housing provision in the area.
Ms Barclay added: “It was advised that current new build developments within the area supported by the council’s affordable housing support programme would contribute approximately 1194 units at a total estimated cost of £130 million.
“This meeting concluded with a joint understanding that Hawthorn Housing Co-operative would not be allocated the Torr Street site for the development of affordable housing.”
However, Hawthorn Housing Co-operative said it was disappointed over the level of community engagement before councillors were asked to approve the sale in March.
It also raised concern over the impact of the proposed use of the site on the local environment.
And, at a public meeting in August, worries over noise and air pollution, site security and lack of consultation were voiced.
Members of the community also said they wanted to retain the site as green space.
At a November meeting, Allied Vehicles managing director agreed to more public engagement in the future.
Ms Barclay said: “He confirmed the site would be used only for the storage of vehicles and that he did not consider that environmental noise would be an issue as vehicles would be stored with their engines off and noise levels would be kept within statutory requirements.
“He advised that he was a major employer and that many of his employees live locally. He confirmed that he had invested substantially in the area and that the purchase of this site was essential for the expansion of his business.”
She also said he reported the company was at full capacity and would need to relocate if the purchase doesn’t proceed.