Campaigners have accused the developers of a West End site of not following proper procedure before recommencing tree removal works on Thursday. 

Members of the Otago Lane Community Association, as well as local residents and business owners, claim that Queensberry Properties have not fulfilled the conditions put on them by Glasgow City Council last month after work was brought to a halt. 

The issue, which has been ongoing for more than 10 years, centres around concerns about the environmental and local impact of the building of new flats on Otago Lane. 

In January, Glasgow City Council intervened to stop the cutting down trees on Otago Lane as part of a controversial housing development, serving Queensberry with a Temporary Stop Notice. 

Protestors gathered again on the lane on Thursday morning as heavy machinery was brought in to help with the removal of tress from the Green Wildlife Corridor alongside the River Kelvin. 

However, those affected by the works have claimed that multiple conditions of the stop notice were not fulfilled by the developers, including prior notice being given and insufficient parking provided for those living nearby. 

READ MORE: Success for Otago Lane protestors as council orders all tree cutting to stop

With work to remove tress already carried out, those opposing the building of flats on the site say they would like to see a gesture of trust from developers. 

A representative from the Otago lane Community Association added: "Queensberry being a well-regarded developers cannot have this as a stain on their reputation. We need to force them to work with the community. 

"We have asked for a gesture of faith,either the removal of anti-tank blocks blocking parking spaces or the halting of work on the wildlife corridor. Only then the community would be more minded to co-operate with the building project. But I think this can be overcome. 

"Until this is shown, we take that as severely cynical. We are not against development but we are against unsympathetic development which works against residents and the environment."

Campaigners have now suggested more tree felling than originally planned has been carried out on Thursday. 

As much as three quarters of the visible tree population in the wildlife corridor now appears to have been removed, affecting local species of birds, bats and otters. 

Politicians are now pushing for work to again be halted. 

Green councillor Martha Wardrop said: “I am pushing for the developer to preserve all of the trees within the designated Green Wildlife Corridor at Otago Lane.

“This site at Kelvinbridge is an area of outstanding beauty and a significant part of a biodiversity network.

“These trees are highly visible from the opposite bank of the River Kelvin and the nearby cycle and pathway which is part of the green highway connecting the Botanic Gardens and the Kelvingrove Park.

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“By removing these trees, the wild nature of the path and cycle way is substantively lost between Kelvinbridge Underground and the Gibson Street bridge.

“This wildlife corridor is green infrastructure needed more than ever to help reduce flood risks and to support efforts by the local community to stop climate breakdown.”

A petition of more than 5,000 names opposing the works has been presented to both the developers and Glasgow City Council asking for more sympathy and thought be given to the community and local environment. 

However, developers say they have worked within the planning consent given by the council and are continuing to act responsibly. 

A Queensberry Properties spokesperson said: “Following detailed and positive discussions with Glasgow City Council, work has re-commenced at Otago Lane from Thursday. 

"As a responsible developer, I can confirm we did, as a matter of courtesy, distribute a letter on Monday, February 11 to local residents and businesses to explain the necessary works that are being undertaken, all of which are in line with the Council approved planning consent. 

"The tree removal is in full accordance with the conditions attached to the consent granted and the work being undertaken is supported by an arboricultural survey and a full ecological survey. 

"The timing of the completion of this work is time critical in order to preserve the natural wildlife habitat.

“There is currently undefined car parking for up to six cars, however at present, we have no control on how cars are parked or how the spaces are utilised. Parking will be formalised by way of six demarcated spaces during the construction process.”

Glasgow City Council have been approached for comment. 

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