ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners believe Glasgow tower blocks earmarked for demolition should be retrofitted.
Friends of the Earth has highlighted the link with the environmental impact of high rises in Maryhill being pulled down and the city’s commitment to the way Glasgow uses materials.
It has criticised the proposal saying the demolition plans by Wheatley Homes Glasgow, and supported by Glasgow City Council, go against the council’s climate commitments.
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Four tower blocks on the site of the former Maryhill barracks would be demolished with 600 homes replaced with 300 mid-market rented development as part of a £54million project.
Wyndford Residents Union has been fighting the case to have the flats retained as they say it will break up a community.
Four tower blocks in The Wyndford are earmarked for demolition. Photograph by Colin Mearns.
Operated by Scotland’s largest social landlord Wheatley Homes Glasgow, GHA, four blocks – Nos 120, 151, 171 and 191 Wyndford Road – are expected to be demolished.
However, it’s the city council’s position which Friends of the Earth believe is particularly important.
Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “Glasgow City Council has made a strong commitment to transform the way the city uses materials. Moving to a circular economy, by doing things like retrofitting rather than wasting materials, will help limit the environmental damage that’s caused by extracting more.
“Glasgow City Council must stick to these promises and consider the option to retrofit the Wyndford Estate tower blocks rather than demolish them.”
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Wheatley Homes Glasgow is the largest social landlord in Scotland, managing 40,000 homes across Glasgow, including Wyndford estate. It told tenants about the plans to demolish the blocks to make space for new homes at the end of last year, explaining that they would be rehoused.
Friends of the Earth said neither Wheatley Homes Glasgow nor the council have considered the environmental case for retrofitting rather than demolition, but numerous architects and tower block specialists consulted by the Wyndford Residents Union suggest this is possible, preferable and more sustainable. They argue retrofitting is a more sustainable, lower carbon strategy than demolishing and rebuilding because it uses less materials and energy.
Four tower blocks in The Wyndford are earmarked for demolition. Photograph by Colin Mearns.
Gloria Lo, from Architects Climate Action Network Scotland, said the cycle of demolition and new build is wasteful and polluting the planet.
She added: “It is never the right choice in a climate emergency and fuel poverty crisis. Wyndford Estate should not be demolished when the greener, better and sensible option to retrofit is so readily available. We need our existing housing and communities protected and cared for. Architects and built environment professionals are leading with Retrofit strategies in other areas of Scotland - Glasgow should be no different.”
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The council is absolutely committed to a sustainable, circular economy as part of our work to address the Climate Emergency. We will work with our partners to support the retrofitting of homes and properties where this is appropriate – but it should be recognised that this is not the best approach in every case.”
The tower block at 151 Wyndford Road, Maryhill. 151 is one of four tower blocks in the Wyndford that are earmarked for demolition. Photograph by Colin Mearns.
A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesman said the four blocks are no longer fit for modern-day living nor meet the type and quality of housing people have a right to expect and demand.
He added: “The regeneration will see hundreds of new energy-efficient, affordable homes built on the site and also wider investment, including better car parking and bin stores; internal upgrades to tenants’ homes, and new lighting and CCTV.
“We are absolutely committed to the green agenda. Only last year we launched our ‘Greener Homes, Greener Lives’ campaign which will see £100m invested in sustainability initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and help eliminate fuel poverty.”
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