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Glasgow Times
19-07-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
'We need more action to protect Glasgow's tenements'
Sited at the corner of Albert Drive and Kenmure Street, the building had been a burned-out shell since a fire took hold in the roof space back in 2020. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but for those forced from their beds in the middle of the night and told to evacuate, this will have been traumatising, in some cases twice over. Right now, those affected have no idea when they will be able to return. It may be many months. I was once in a similar situation following a tenement fire, so I know only too well the kind of challenges this throws up daily, and how the uncertainty and financial pressure can be hugely stressful. My heart goes out to everyone who has been affected by this. The hurt is also felt by the wider community. READ MORE: 'Could happen to anyone': Owner in block of flats that collapsed shares inside story The opposite corner was also hit by a fire and a total collapse a few months earlier in 2019. That site remains vacant and 'protected' by an increasingly shabby and unsafe wooden hoarding. Both corners were beautiful B-listed sandstone tenements which housed busy shops and the local pharmacy as well as people's homes. It feels like the heart of the community has been ripped out. The immediate priority is for the council's building control team to complete its work and decide what needs to happen to make the neighbouring blocks and the surrounding streets safe. Through this time, I and other elected members will be working to assist affected residents however we can. But this case must also be a spur for more action to protect Glasgow's tenements, which have lasted for over 100 years and are fundamental to the city's character. While tenements can pose some challenges, they can and do often provide better quality homes than much of what developers have thrown up in the city since. READ MORE: Glasgow tenement which collapsed 'was weeks away from being saved' I'm currently doing a long-distance walk around Glasgow, and I have been struck by how buildings which may only be 10 or 15 years old are weathering really poorly in comparison to their older stone neighbours. Maintenance is key, but in East Pollokshields, up to 40% of closes don't have an appointed factor. The local housing association has had some recent success in buying up flats in buildings that need communal repairs done, so they can be factored, but this is piecemeal and depends on funding being available. That's why whoever forms the next Scottish Government must also deliver legal reforms to address the challenges that multiple ownership presents. That should include making owners' associations, sinking funds to help with repairs, and whole-block buildings insurance mandatory. The Scottish Law Commission has been tasked with drafting this update to tenement law, but its work needs to be given greater priority. Our tenements matter to people and communities. We must fight to protect these homes and ensure they are fit for the future.
Edinburgh Live
29-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
New plans for former Edinburgh law building to be demolished for student flats
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info New plans to demolish a former Edinburgh law building for student flats are to be submitted after previous proposals were unsuccessful. In June 2024 the Development Management Sub Committee refused permission for 174 student beds at 140 Causewayside, the former Scottish Law Commission building. Despite council planning officers recommending approval, the development was refused permission and a subsequent appeal was dismissed by the Scottish Government. According to the council, the block of flats would have had an "adverse impact on the setting of the adjacent listed tenement" as well as resulting in an "excessive concentration of student accommodation." The decision notice added: "The proposals have failed to demonstrate that the existing building cannot be reused contrary to NPF 4 Policy 9.5. The proposals fail to deliver the provision of outdoor space with access for all. "The proposed development will have an adverse impact on amenity of adjacent residents and future occupiers." Despite the refusal, Balfour Beatty Investments has submitted a pre-application notice to the council for the demolition of the existing building and erection of purpose-build student accommodation with associated works. More details on the number of beds and alterations to the previous application are expected in the coming months. The rejected application would have resulted in 174 student bedrooms rooms in total. The accommodation included six cluster flats, each containing six, eight or nine bedrooms with shared kitchen/ lounge facilities providing 48 bed spaces (28 per cent) and 126 studio rooms (72 per cent) of which nine will be accessible studio rooms. Internal amenity space was proposed including an informal communal lounge area at ground floor level which would have faced onto the principal Causewayside street frontage. Additional communal amenity space is provided at lower ground floor level, comprising of a general amenity space and quiet study area, which was also included in the proposals.
