STUNNING architecture and acres of glorious parkland are highly prized assets which make the West End special. Residents - who include influential members of society - are fiercely defensive of what they see as their heritage.

STUNNING architecture and acres of glorious parkland are highly prized assets which make the West End special. Residents - who include influential members of society - are fiercely defensive of what they see as their heritage.

So when, in 2007, a plan was submitted by millionaire businessman Stefan King to create a nightclub in the old Botanic Gardens railway station, voices were raised.

The plan was seen by many as a step too far, a move that would have wrecked the peace and tranquillity of the park.

West End society seemed to mobilise itself against Mr King's G1 organisation - and after months of bitter wrangling the opposition won the day.

Solicitor David Howat, whose office is on Byres Road and who lives on Great Western Road - across from the Botanic Gardens - spearheaded the campaign.

He said: "There would have been a very large-capacity nightclub in the Botanic Gardens with a smoking area outside, and we really thought it would have changed the character of what is a very peaceful oasis in the West End.

"I think a lot of Glaswegians walk past the front door and are surprised when they come in at just how incredibly peaceful and beautiful it is in here.

"It took an awful lot of work on the part of an awful lot of people. but the upshot was that the plan was shelved, which was tremendously satisfying."

Mr Howat is now a committee member of the umbrella organisation Friends of Glasgow West which tries to preserve the amenities and architecture of the West End.

The group scours all planning applications and objects to the ones it doesn't like.

Mr Howat added: "I think we have a tremendous asset here and a lot of that has to do with the architecture of the area.

"We obviously have a tremendous legacy of mainly Victorian architecture which makes the city unique and very beautiful.

"There are a lot of amenities for the people that live here, and for other Glaswegians. but it particularly attracts tourists.

"The Kelvingrove art gallery which has been refurbished at huge expense is in the West End, as are the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

"Glasgow was the home to some very notable and famous architects, and we are fortunate enough to live with the visual result of their work and talent.

"Obviously that has to be preserved because other wise we would lose a huge asset.

"You do feel a bit like King Canute trying to constantly push back the tide of development.

"One of the problems is that because this is such a desirable area to live in, any piece of land or old building has huge value as a development.

"There are hundreds, if not thousands, of developers who would love to be able to knock something down and build flats and sell them on, so there is a constant pressure to develop, particularly residential property."

Mr Howat said any building which has fallen into disrepair or disuse immediately becomes "vulnerable", and cited the historic Arnold Clark garage in Vinicombe Street as an example.

"They would like to turn it into restaurants and flats," he said. "In fact, it's an architectural gem."

Mr Howat said one of the big problems the area faces is that there are many buildings - especially churches - which no longer fulfil their original function and are ripe for being taken over.

He is also very aware that the ability and resources of West End residents to fight planning battles is not something available to other parts of the city.

He added: "I was very conscious of this when we had our Save the Botanics organisation - that there were financial resources and people willing to do all sorts of different jobs.

"I think that really enabled us to punch above our weight and to get our message across very effectively and directly influence the people who were capable of making decisions.

"I was acutely aware of the fact that other areas of the city might not have those resources and that troubled me, to be honest.

"But, at the end of the day, the issue here was extremely important and had to be taken on.

"I learned a few valuable lessons about the way local politics works, about how you bring a serious matter to the attention of the councillors and about how you can, if you try hard, be a thorn in their side.

"If you really try hard, you can influence their decision, which is tremendously satisfying, but that's not necessarily something that everybody would be able to do."

The downturn in the property market has, Mr Howat said, kept property developers at bay, but he knows they will be back when the economy changes.

He said: "Long term, I think it will be a constant struggle to try to push back development and preserve the character of the area.

"Fortunately there are a lot of people who care enough about the area that they are willing to fight that battle."

Residents object to second-storey plan

By Iain LundyRESIDENTS in one of the West End's most desirable streets are fighting development plans they say would ruin its character.

St Vincent Crescent in Cranstonhill is an A-Listed row of 19th Century houses which is regularly compared to the famous Royal Crescent in Bath.

It dates from the mid-1800s and is one of only two examples in the city of architecture by Alexander Kirkland - the other is the suspension bridge across the Clyde linking Clyde Street to Carlton Place.

In 1975 the street was designated a conservation area by the former Glasgow District Council. Now a firm of architects, Archial, wants to build a second storey on its existing building at 26a St Vincent Crescent.

Home-owners and former residents have now banded together to campaign against the plan.

Actress Sheena Penson, who lives in nearby Minerva Street, is one of the committee members of the Save The Crescent Action Group.

She said: "A few years ago we had to fight a planning application by Scottish Power to build a block of flats.

"We developed a good rapport with them and they listened to what we had to say and altered their plans accordingly.

"This application would totally destroy the open aspect of the conservation area.

"The building in question used to belong to one of the bowling clubs here and there was a stipulation that no more than one storey should be built on it.

"At the moment it is unobtrusive but it would affect the Crescent greatly if they built another storey."

Ms Penson said it was time Glasgow "took stock" of its heritage and protected it against unsuitable development.

Among those who are active in the current campaign are resident Harriet Buchan, who played Taggart's wife in the TV series, and veteran TV personality and folk musician Jimmie MacGregor, who used to live there.

Actress Daniella Nardini lives in the street and former residents include actor John Cairney and Harriet Cruickshank, daughter of actor Andrew Cruickshank.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the application had been lodged and was being processed.

He confirmed that neighbour notification had been carried out and a number of objections received.