RESIDENTS fighting a multi-million pound development at one of Glasgow's most prestigious addresses have lodged a competing planning application - for a community garden and visitor centre.

A-listed Park Quadrant in the city's West End is considered one of the finest examples of town planning in Europe.

But the Charles Wilson designed Victorian development, overlooking Kelvingrove park, was never finished.

Glasgow City Council agreed to sell the sought-after land to Leeds-based Expresso Property for £6.3 million.

The developer last week lodged a planning application for full permission to build 98 luxury homes in the site - a scheme understood to cost around £35 million.

But the Park and Woodlands Heritage Group (PAWHG) who are fighting the plans, have lodged alternative plans.

They say the proposed Charles Wilson Pavilion and Gardens is "more in keeping with the historic buildings that surround the site".

It would be built and managed by a charitable trust and they say funding is "expected" to come from the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as from private donations.

A spokesman for the Park and Woodlands Heritage Trust said: "By regenerating the Park Quadrant gardens, we will not only provide a community and visitor asset, but will maintain the integrity of the site and the setting of the wider, world-class conservation area for future generations.

"We’re seeking to develop a facility that will tell the story of our history and attract visitors who will use the pavilion and gardens and its facilities.

"We anticipate offering spending opportunities in the proposals to allow us to generate funds to maintain the garden and pavilion on an ongoing basis, ensuring community access into the future."

Asked if they were in a position to buy the land, which now has an agreed sale price of £6.3 million, the group said: "Our position is that the council should not have compulsorily purchased the land from the community and should, therefore not be in a position to sell it."

A spokesman added: "At present, we don't have a finalised cost for the project.

"Much will depend on detailed planning requirements so it would not be possible or desirable to produce a figure."

The plans will be displayed in St Silas Church Hall in Woodlands tomorrow.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "I can confirm that a planning application has been lodged."