Bid for listed status for tower blocks
ACONTROVERSIAL tower bl o ck de ve l opment earmarked for demolition could be saved if it is given listed status. Historic Environment Scotland, the body responsible for the protection of Scotland’s historic buildings and their heritage, is due to make a decision on the Wyndford estate in Glasgow’s Maryhill this month.
Wyndford Residents Union is opposing the demolition of four post- war modern design blocks on Wyndford Road.
Owners Wheatley Homes Glasgow revealed they are planning to pull down the 600 high rise properties to create a mixed- used development of around 300 homes.
A spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland said: “We are currently assessing the four highrise blocks at Wyndford Road, Maryhill for listing following a request from a member of the public. We are aiming to publish our report on this case later this month.”
The flats are on the site of the former Maryhill barracks and were designed by Ernest Buteux who was thought to be influenced by the designs of Le Corbusier – the father of modern architecture.
Leading architects, including Professor Alan Dunlop, have argued the Maryhill blocks are of “historic importance”.
As campaigners pin their hopes on good news from HES, they were left bemused by a decision by planners at Glasgow City Council.
They lodged more than a dozen letters of objection to the demolition but were informed that they were not applicable at this stage.
A letter from city planners said: “The prior notification process does not allow the planning authority to consider the principle of demolition or to refuse permission to demolish buildings.”
Among those objecting was Professor Dunlop. He said: “One interpretation could be that the planning officers have read and taken heed of the objections and require Wheatley now to make a formal application to demolish with more detailed information regarding their plans.”
Nick Durie, of the Wynford Residents Union, said: “This just does not make sense. You have 600 homes which are at risk of being demolished and more than a dozen objections which will now not be considered.”
Our objections will now not be considered