Some words on development from M

Personally, I have nothing in principal against modernist buildings. I’m right into all that space age stuff. I love looking at those drawings. As they exist in the mind of the architect. But then there’s wee Mrs McLean and her shopping trolley, popping doon to the Eileen’s local shop for a couple of well-fired rolls, an Evening Times and a natter. Except it takes her half an hour to traverse the car park and the futurist street furniture, and when she gets there Eileen’s offski, and the wee shops been turned into a deli and Mrs McLean isnae a big fan of ciabata.
Picture: http://www.futureglasgow.co.uk/Demolition/Anderston.jpg

Yes, we know you like your homes, yes we know theres a waiting list to get them, yes we know there’s nothing wrong with the fabric of the building, but, well, we’ve got plans for your area, and your homes kind of get in the way. They just don’t look nice enough. They’ll lower the tone of the new area. And the new residents in their trendy new penthouses, we have to think of them now, don’t we. Anyway, we know what’s best for you. We’ve got a masterplan”. Whats that you say? Just tidy the area up a bit, a bit ofgreenery? Are you mad? We’ve got £50 million to spend!


A majority of tenants voted to transfer management of their homes from the Scottish Homes quango in March 2005. Sanctuary Housing Association promised a “regeneration solution for over 480 properties on the Anderston estate which includes new housing for all tenants and residents who want to remain in the community.” Presumably those who don’t want to be regenerated can just bugger off.
http://www.sanctuary-housing.co.uk/New+Developments/

From Scottish Housing News, 02/02/06 www.scottishhousingnews.com
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GO-AHEAD FOR £50m PLANS IN GLASGOW

A £50m project that will see the demolition of almost 500 flats to make way for 478 new homes has been given the green light from council planners in Glasgow.

Th scheme, developed by Sanctuary Housing Association, will replace the 1960s dwellings with modern homes as part of a five-year programme.

Around 150 local residents protested against the plans for the former Anderston Cross, claiming there is no need to demolish their homes. A spokesperson for the residents said: "We know our homes are wind and water-tight and are habitable and do not need to be demolished."

However, a report before the council's development and regeneration sub-committee said: "A number of people have objected to the proposal on the grounds that it would be a waste of public money.

"Despite the problems of persuading all residents of the merits of the proposal, it is considered that the masterplan represents a sound basis for the physical redevelopment of the area."

A spokesman for Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association added: "We have submitted exciting proposals which we believe will improve the lives of the Anderston community."

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By the way, ever check out skyscraper city? Occasionally interesting news on construction/demolition in Glasgow on this thread:

<http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=212764&page=1>
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=212764&page=1

And then theres:

http://www.futureglasgow.co.uk/Demolition_Summary.html