A HISTORIC building left to fall into disrepair is to be razed after being deemed dangerous.

The Evening Times told earlier in May how locals were calling for someone to step in and save 47 Nithsdale Street.

Pollokshields Heritage, the Strathbungo Society and local politicians all spoke up in defence of the building.

But now council bosses have said it is beyond saving and its private owners must have it demolished.

Local Green Party councillor Jon Molyneux described the outcome as “hugely disappointing”.

H e said: “This is hugely disappointing for Strathbungo and is yet another body blow for all those passionate campaigners who fight to preserve Glasgow’s unique built heritage.

“I’ve written to the new City Convenor asking him to consider what lessons can be learned so this building is the last to be lost through neglect and against the clear wishes of the local community.

“The SNP manifesto commits to developing a Historic Glasgow Strategy to protect and restore the city’s built heritage.

“The ambition for Glasgow to be leading European city will fail unless we stop the decay of our older buildings and start putting civic and community interests over private ones.

“Now is the time to firmly say ‘no more’.”

It was believed the Strathbungo building was designed by Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson but is now thought it was used by his firm as an office.

Local heritage groups contacted Historic Environment Scotland but were told the building had lost too many of its original features.

Strathbungo has several examples of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson architecture, such as nearby Moray Terrace and the Salisbury Quadrant tenement block.

This year is the bicentenary of the famous Glasgow architect’s birth and hundreds of historians and architects are expected to gather in the city next month for a conference in which ‘Greek’ Thomson will be a main feature.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman emphasised that the building is privately owned but said the council has agreed with the owners the building must come down in the interests of public safety.

It is believed the works will be carried out as early as next week.

When the building was deemed dangerous earlier this month, part of Nithsdale Street was cordoned off to protect motorists and pedestrians.

The owner has not been available for contact.

Mr Molyneux added: “For Strathbungo, the fight goes on, as planners must now give assurances that whatever goes up in place of this building must be consistent with the area’s protected status as a conservation area.”