RESIDENTS in Garnethill are demanding answers over a private school's plans to build a sports complex in their area.

Garnethill Community council and locals in the area have accused St Aloysius' College of missing out key information about parking at their development site on Hill Street.

As reported by the Evening Times, the prestigious school submitted a planning application to build a sports centre next to the Art School's Reid Building.

Construction workers moved in on June 22 to start preparation work, with the project completion date set for August 2016.

Locals say the application states no parking spaces will be affected with the new facility, but claim the space is regularly used by drivers attending evening events at the school.

They are also contesting the development on the grounds it will block the windows of nearby flats.

Bosses at the private school, which costs up to £10,908 a year to attend, say they are working to develop a "transport strategy" for the area to help cut down the amount of traffic coming in to the area.

A report to the city council planning committee said the lack of sports accommodation was a major issue for the school, with pupils currently travelling to Millerston and Stepps to use shared facilities.

They approved the application on April 21.

William Beckett, secretary of the Garnethill Community Council, said: "The notification to the community council was very short, and we had limited time to submit our objections.

"Looking at the planning application form, it looks like there have been lies on the form. We are shocked that it has been passed, particularly around how many car spaces on the existing grounds.

"It says there are none on the application, but we have counted up to 30 vehicles in there.

"The local residents at the end of the block will also have a set of windows blocked which go into rooms.

"These will all have sunlight blocked off, and they will open their window and see a brick wall. It is completely outrageous."

Abedah Mahmood, another resident in Garnethill, said: "I have three rooms looking on to the sports complex and right now we have a beautiful view, light, the trees in the park.

"This monstrosity is going to go up and we'll have nothing, we'll be in darkness.

"It's absolutely absurd."

A spokesman for St Aloysius' College said: "The College is working on a transport strategy, which includes a coach initiative for pupils to reduce the number of vehicles entering Garnethill.

"This would be implemented in line with the start of the new school year in August and feeds into the Sauchiehall Group, for which the Council is taking the strategic lead for development of the area.

"The College welcomes the opportunity to meet with the Chair of the Community Council to discuss the concerns of residents."

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk