THE campaign to protect a much-loved Glasgow lane from developers has been given a short reprieve.

Otago Lane Community Association have been campaigning to save the lane since a planning application to create four townhouses and 45 flats was on the land was lodged in 2012.

As previously reported by the Evening Times, the group raised concerns over the installation of concrete barriers on the lane on September 9.

It was claimed that the concrete anti-tank barriers were restricting access for residents, emergency services and cleansing vehicles.

One resident claimed their car forcibly removed from the lane by landscapers hired by Otago Street Developments Ltd, owned by Hugh Scott.

The concrete barriers have since been removed following backlash.

A spokesman for the community association, said: “Those who live and work on the lane are both surprised and overjoyed with the new situation and believe Mr Scott may have had a rethink of the action that had been carried out the previous week.

“Though they have been offered no explanation by the developer’s team the community believes that it is possible that Mr Scott who is reaching retirement age, intends to leave a legacy of benevolence and goodwill to be remembered by.

“The community were quick to show their gratitude by presenting Hugh Scott with a big thank you card.

“Now it appears clear that Mr Scott intends to respect and uphold the integrity of the community and to work with it in good faith.

“This show of kindness may indeed be in order to aid the sale of the land which surrounds the mews building.

“For the time being, however, the community is back to normal – save for the presence of the four concrete slabs in a parking space.”

Otago Lane has been at the centre of a long running feud between developers since Glasgow City Council granted planning permission for the homes to be built on the land which is popular with independent businesses.

More than 3,000 letters of objections were lodged as part of the campaign to save the lane.

A number of local councillors including Martha Wardrop, MSPs Patrick Harvie and Sandra White and MPs Alan Reid, Jo Swinson and Alistair Carmichael also opposed the plans on the grounds that it may encroach on current residents privacy and contribute to overcrowding and flooding issues.

Councillor Wardrop commented: “I have visited the lane since the concrete bollards were installed. This is an awful situation for the businesses to face.

“They have asked for questions to be raised with planning officials about the developer’s actions and this may be a breach of the site’s planning conditions.

“I am pursuing their concerns about access to car parking spaces with planning officials, this week.”

Otago Street Developments Ltd was approached for a comment but did not respond.