Hundreds join protest to save West End lane

Monday 1 March 2010

Hundreds join protest to save West End lane

Opponents of a developer’s plan to build a massive housing complex in Glasgow’s West End have stepped up their protest.

Hundreds of campaigners joined a mass demo in the area’s Otago Lane to highlight how many extra people will be crowded into the area if the proposed development goes ahead.

Members and supporters of The Save Otago Lane Campaign, including Glasgow North MP Ann McKechin and Glasgow Kelvin MSP Pauline McNeill, came together on Saturday afternoon to show their support against the planned five-block development of 142 flats. Speaking to the campaign supporters who had gathered for the event, Ms McNeill said: “This is the umpteenth campaign I’ve been involved in to try and save the character of the West End against the planning of Glasgow City Council.” She added: “When is a lane not a lane? When a nine-storey building is planned, when the city plan clearly states it should only be two? “As a local member I’m quite clear about this and if they think they are going to break the rules I will take this to the Scottish Parliament.” Last week, a blueprint for the development of flats in the lane was unveiled, after months of consultation with local businesses and residents. At the unveiling of the project – masterminded by Otago Street Ltd – furious locals claimed their demand for changes to the original plans had been ignored. Local residents claim the development will be too large for the area, and they fear access to the lane will be blocked during construction, forcing the small businesses based there to move out or go bust. A spokesman for the Save Otago Lane Campaign said: “Despite strong objections from local residents, the final plans for the massive development is likely to be submitted to the council within the next two weeks. “This protest is a vital step in ensuring that the council cannot ignore the wishes of local people. If the development goes ahead, a local conservation area will be lost forever, including green space along the banks of the River Kelvin and the disruption would force several local businesses to close.” The developers are expected to submit their final planning proposal to Glasgow City Council in the next two weeks.

Commenting & Moderation

We moderate all comments on Evening Times on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.

Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.