TESCO was today facing calls to pull out of Glasgow's West End so the land can be used for low-cost family homes.

TESCO was today facing calls to pull out of Glasgow's West End so the land can be used for low-cost family homes.

The plea came after the Evening Times yesterday exclusively revealed Glasgow City Council is set to sell a piece of land - essential to Tesco's current plans - in Beith Street to Glasgow Harbour.

The £4.1million sale, due to be finalised by councillors today, scuppers the retail giant's plan for a massive development dubbed Tesco Town.

Tesco needs the land to access 900 student flats they want to build at the foot of Byres Road.

The firm has admitted if it cannot buy the land it will have to scrap its housing plans but insists it will press ahead with a much smaller development which will just involve a supermarket.

Glasgow Harbour refused to comment on the land sale today or to reveal details of what they plan to do with it.

But Kenny McLean, SNP councillor for Partick West, urged the supermarket giant to "do the decent thing" and pull out completely.

Mr McLean insists a new superstore is not needed in an area where many local traders are struggling to survive.

He said: "If the land is sold to Glasgow Harbour, I would very much hope they would build housing, including affordable social housing."

Campaigners fighting the Tesco Town development also called for the supermarket to pull out of Partick.

Gordon Bickerton, of Stop Tesco Owning Partick, said: "Housing is on our wish list for the land - housing with landscaping to the river so people could make good use of the river frontage."

Tesco is awaiting the decision of a public inquiry into two planning applications it lodged for Partick.

One is for a superstore and flats and the other for a stand-alone superstore.

The firm told the Evening Times: "We have not yet been formally notified by Glasgow City Council of their decision to sell land at Beith Street, Partick, but remain hopeful that our bid will be successful.

"However, if our offer is not accepted then our intention is to proceed with our application for a stand-alone supermarket at Partick."

Mr McLean added: "We are still waiting for the Reporter's decision on the stand-alone site but from my reading of the plans I don't see how Tesco can possibly go ahead with their plans as they stand.

"To have lost this land pretty much puts the kibosh on Tesco's plans.

"I would be very disappointed if they go ahead regardless. I believe they should bow to the wishes of the people, sell up and move on."

Aileen Colleran, Labour councillor for Partick West, was not available to comment.