VANDALISED containers at a Glasgow industrial estate have been demolished following claims the eyesore would have a damaging effect on the value of nearby properties.

Residents sought advice from an estate agent who suggested the units, which were covered in graffiti, outside 1 New Albion Industrial Estate in Yoker, could reduce the value of their homes by £30,000 making them harder to sell.

They would like to see the empty building - unit 1 on Halley Street leased to someone responsible to prevent this issue from re-occurring.

Locals challenged Glasgow City Council to “take action” and address the problem by submitting a petition, with 131 signatures, in January this year.

Entitled Proposed Rectification of Vandalism and Neglect regarding Unit 1, New Albion Industrial Estate, Yoker, the petition asks the local authority to look at some of the fears highlighted by home owners.

It is still expected to be heard at tomorrow’s wellbeing, empowerment, community and citizen engagement city policy committee.

It states: “The petitioner and his neighbours are becoming increasingly concerned about the eyesore which exists in relation to the unoccupied unit 1 at New Albion Industrial Estate, Yoker.

“They wish action to be taken by the council to ensure that the impact the unoccupied unit is having on the amenity of the surrounding neighbourhood is addressed.

“The problem is resulting in house prices in the surrounding area being significantly reduced in value and potentially unmarketable.

“Having taken the advice of estate agents, the petitioner and his neighbours have been advised that their properties are desirable and would normally sell without any great problem when viewed online.

“However the unit across the street would have a detrimental effect and the property could take some significant time to sell.

“If and when a sale was achieved the sale price could be reduced by up to £30,000 or even more.”

Last Friday the council’s planning enforcement visited the site and removed three portable buildings.

The team also found tyres inside as well as other fly-tipped items which had built up as a consequence of people using the site as a dump.

Councillor Ken Andrew, chairman of wellbeing, empowerment, community and citizen engagement city policy committee, said: “This piece of land and the lack of action by the owner, allowing it fall into a state of  disrepair and neglect, has clearly been causing problems in the local area for a number of years.

“The petition process is  one of the most direct ways for citizens to engage with the council and I’m pleased that on this occasion we had the power to take direct action and clear the site to solve the issue. We will now seek to recover the cost of carrying out the work from the owner.”