A controversial plan to build flats in the West End has saw locals and developers clash once again.

Police were called to the latest dispute, which came as work to fell all trees on Otago Lane began on Tuesday.

Campaigners claimed that the move could be disastrous for local wildlife due to the trees forming part of the Kelvin Conservation Area.

The group, made up of residents and business owners, vowed to fight the felling and held a protest at the site.

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Queensberry Properties took possession of the site in 2018.

Glasgow City Council previously granted planning permission to developers to build 45 flats and four townhouses on the lane, which backs on to the River Kelvin at Hillhead, despite over 3,000 objections being submitted.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed they were called to the scene and issued advice to those there.

In the years since permission for the development was granted, tensions have flared on several occasions, including when workers blocked resident parking spaces with concrete blocks.

In October last year, one of the developers was arrested for verbally abusing residents living on the land.

The 62-year-old was caught on camera directing a homophobic slur at a local business owner who had parked his car on the lane.

Police were called to the scene and arrested and charged the man with a homophobic breach of the peace.

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A spokesman for the Save Otago Lane group accused the developers of not obeying their planning conditions.

He added: "All the trees are to be felled by Friday this week, starting from this morning.

"There has been very quick progress, with machinery taking five minutes to cut down 30-year-old trees - this includes all the trees that form the Green Corridor, Kelvin Conservation Area.

"This has been proven to be habitat for otters, kingfishers and rare species of bats etc..

"The community is outraged as there has been no community notification.

"In a tactic that has become typical of the new developers, Queensberry (based in Edinburgh), the neighbouring inhabitants and businesses have been ridden rough shod over by the contractors, leaving the community in no doubt that this is a strong sign of things to come."

A Queensberry Properties’ spokesperson said: "I can confirm we are removing certain trees in preparation for concluding our site investigation.”