Stand-off looms in vacant city housing site row
THE struggle over a vacant housing site could come to a head next week. Land at Collina Street in Maryhill, known locally as The Valley, has been derelict for decades.
The site has been marketed by Glasgow City Council as part of an ongoing wider Transformational Regeneration Area (TRA) plan.
The plan is for 125 “new low-cost home ownership properties”.
Last November, the deadline for bids was extended to allow developers more time due to Covid restrictions.
The Glasgow Times understands the new deadline for bids will be at the end of next week.
The council says there is a demand for low cost home ownership in the area
Campaigners want the land retained purely for social housing and have begun an occupation of the site and are preparing for a stand-off.
Norman Cunningham, of Wyndford Tenants’ Union, said: “The occupation is to raise local awareness of what’s going on with the land. We’ll be here until the bulldozers turn up. We will be here until the council agree to sit down and consult with the community.”
The Tenants’ Union want to prevent the sale to any private developer. Their argument is land that was previously social housing should only be used for social housing in the future.
Meanwhile, the council says that mixed tenure is the successful model that supports sustainable communities across the city.
SNP councillor Kenny McLean is the City Council Convenor for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm. He said the plan is in keeping with a successful model developed across the city, which prioritises social housing and has community support.
Mr McLean said: “When the TRA is complete there will be almost 300 units of new social housing with the potential for a further 70, by far the biggest sector and underlining the commitment to affordable homes leading Maryhill’s regeneration.
“So far, five phases have progressed, delivering new social rented, self-build, lowcost home ownership and private sale homes.
“The sixth phase includes the Collina Street part of the masterplan.
“A marketing exercise, extended due to the impact of Covid, is underway to find a partner to deliver the community’s aspirations.”
“Collina Street can’t be seen in isolation. Old social housing is being replaced across the immediate neighbourhood and indeed increased throughout the wider Maryhill.
“The clear desire of local residents to own their own home in the Botany and Valley is also a major consideration. Furthermore, it is not the place of the council or its TRA partners to undo what the wider community has told us over several years.”