Fears derelict pub site plans could be left in cold storage
Councillor wants local authority to pursue purchase
THE owner of the former Talisman pub is being urged to work with the local community to transform the site which has lain derelict for years.
The Springburn eyesore is currently being demolished but there are fears in the community that the work will not be completed as it has taken the council several years to reach this stage.
Now local authority bosses say they want assurances the full demolition will be carried out.
The council previously decided to seek a compulsory purchase order (CPO), which is now on hold.
A CPO that has been authorised empowers an acquiring authority to purchase property, or an interest in property, without the owner or tenant’s consent.
SNP councillor Graham Campbell still thinks the local authority should pursue the CPO in case the demolition work is abandoned.
During a public meeting of the Springburn/Robroyston area partnership on Wednesday, he said: “We are all delighted to have reached this stage, but we need to decide whether we support the idea of continuing with the CPO.
“How necessary is it to produce the CPO, in the likelihood that the owner may come up with any longterm plans for the site.
“He wants to purchase the land the council owns but I am not sure he is the right person to redevelop this land.
“I think the CPO should be considered and that the community should still have a say over what happens to that bit of land.
“The community has a plan, and the owner should be entering into a plan with them to create something we all agree on.
“I do think we should keep proceeding with the CPO.”
The building has lain vacant for years and in that time Glasgow City Council had made repeated efforts to engage with the owner without success.
Council officers then initiated discussions with the agent of owner Ameen Mirza’s.
This was with a view of the council acquiring the
Balgrayhill Road property order to demolish it.
They were unable to agree terms and therefore in December last year the contracts and property gave authority officers to prepare the case for a CPO (compulsory purchase order).
The owner has now sought and been granted a warrant to demolish the building which is now underway. The proposed CPO has been suspended pending the demolition work.
Daniel Frank, from the Springburn/Robroyston area partnership, said: “From what I have read in terms of the length of time this has taken, I don’t see why we are still negotiating with this person.
Mr Frank added: “I think the council needs to stop dealing with an individual who doesn’t seem to have the community in mind.”
We told previously how news of the demolition was widely praised.
The Glasgow Times made attempts to contact Mr Mirza for comment. completion of
I am not sure he is the right person to redevelop this land