TOWER BLOCK OBJECTIONS
By CATHERINE LYST The Glaswegian May 26 05
RESIDENTS are fighting plans for 60 flats in a conservation zone which they fear will destroy the unique character of the area.
More than 130 people in Hyndland have objected so far to the Adam (Scotland) Ltd proposal to build three towe-blocks and 12 townhouses 01 the former Queensborougl Motors site in Hayburn Lane.
Hyndland Resident Association is mainly concerned at the height of the tower blocks which they sa; will have a negative visua impact on the area.
The association also claim: the flats will be "shoehorned into a lane and is concerned about the danger to children from increased traffic.
Association spokesman Davic Mullane said: "We want appropriate development, not towers rising two storeys above the existing buildings.
"Hyndland is a propertj hotspot and trying to squeeze houses in is going to destroy the main vista and the things thai people love.
"It will be a tragedy if towers terminate Queensborougl; Gardens where there is i grassy, tree-filled bank."
He added: "The city plan says the entrance and exit to a con servation area should be in keeping with the rest of the conservation area. I cannot see how putting tower blocks there will be doing that."
MSPs Pauline McNeill and Robert Brown are backing the residents.
Mr Brown, Liberal Democrat MSP for Glasgow, said: "I think we should be very careful about giving planning permission in an extremely built-up area like this.
"Any development would have to be compatible with the surrounding area and deal properly with issues like parking. This development appears not to do either of these." Ms McNeill, Labour MSP for
Glasgow Kelvin, said: "My main concern is that the proposals are not in keeping with the rules for conservation zones.
"The height of the buildings is way above the height of the adjacent tenements. "They are also trying to squeeze a lot of flats into a very small area."
David Nelson, director of Adam (Scotland) Ltd said he was "particularly pleased" with the plans. "They incorporate both contemporary and sympathetic design (real sandstone) with the surrounding tenement properties," he said.
He added that the design included landscaped terraces and integrated car parks, which had proved popular at his firm's other properties in the west end.