Rising from the ashes Homes set for Columba Club land

Blantyre’s Columba Club could be turned into a new housing development if plans are approved by South Lanarkshire Council.

Developers have submitted a planning application to build nine semi-detached and terraced houses and a three-storey block of 15 flats on the site of the former social club.

The popular club on Carlowrie Avenue closed its doors in October 2017 after the cost of repairing the building became unviable, before a devastating fire 18 months later left the site derelict.

Blantyre councillor Bert Thomson, who sits on the planning committee, had hoped the Columba Club could be resurrected one day.

He said: “It was more than a club, it was an institution that I attended and it was a great charitable cause.

“I always hoped that there would be something happen and that it could open again, but I guess that is not going to happen now.”

As a member of the planning committee, the Labour councillor was unable to say much about the proposals but he did want “something worthwhile” rather than “seeing place lying derelict”.

He added: “I always investment in Blantyre.”

For 44 years, the Columba Club was owned and operated by the Knights Of St Columba, Council 490, Blantyre, a Catholic men’s charitable organisation, until it closed in 2017 and was sold on to a developer.

Submitted on December 13, the application by Mr James Shirazi of Quarter would see two rows of houses the welcome leading up to the block of back of the site.

Maureen Chalmers, SNP councillor for Blantyre, welcomed the news as it would be “good to clear up the site”.

She added: “The Columba Club owned the ground and sold it to a developer.

“It is my understanding that part of the agreement to sell the club was to use the land for social housing.

“If it brings social housing to Blantyre, it is most welcome.” flats at the