A GROUP of Glasgow residents have been told they can keep a set of gates they put up to keep out vandals.

A GROUP of Glasgow residents have been told they can keep a set of gates they put up to keep out vandals.

There were fears the gates, put up in Cardonald, would have to come down because of planning rules.

But Glasgow City Council has assured the residents the gates, which have brought them "peace and tranquillity", can stay after the Evening Times highlighted the issue.

The move has been welcomed as a "victory for common sense".

Residents built the gates three years ago to block off a back lane which runs past 60 properties on Invergyle Drive, Wedderlea Drive and Hillington Park Circus.

The 7ft-high gates were put up to keep out gangs of teenage vandals, who were using the lane for underage drinking, graffiti, drug taking and sex.

But concern was raised last month when the council received a complaint the residents had no planning permission to build the gates.

The council wrote to residents telling them they must seek planning permission. It added that, if permission was granted, a stopping-up order would also need to be granted to close off the lane.

But this week a senior council source said: "There is no way the council is going to compel these people to take down their gates.

"We were legally obliged to write to them to point out they needed planning permission, but I confidently predict that paperwork will never make its way to the top of anyone's to do' list.

"It's in everyone's interests that the gates stay."

Local councillor Alistair Watson, who had pledged to stand up for the residents, said: "This is a victory for common sense and good news for the people of Cardonald.

"The council had to understand the reason this was done was that people were prepared to stand up for their rights."

Resident Pat Bermingham said: "This is great news. People were a bit worried because there was a chance they may have to take the gates down, but common sense has prevailed."