Housing developers in Glasgow's West End have deliberately misled the public about their plans for a historic lane, campaigners claim.

Members of the Otago lane Community Association (OCLA) have hit out at housing developers Queensberry Properties over their clearance of a vital wildlife corridor next to the River Kelvin.

Bosses at the property company have recently lodged a new planning application that would see four blocks of flat built in Otago Lane.

Previous planning applications included buildings overlooking the riverbank, requiring clearance of the greenspace. However, these are not part of the updated plans.

READ MORE: Otago Lane: Plans revealed for flats in Glasgow's West End

Works carried out in February wiped out as much of a third of the ecological site, and residents claim that bosses misled the public by continuing with the clearance despite their plans changing.

In the ongoing application, developers cite a lack of "buildability" in the previous plans which has been rectified following objections lodged by SEPA, both of which were known before removal of Greenspace in February.

A spokesman for OCLA said: "Works to prepare the ground for building were done after the developers concluded they could not build, meaning the work was carried out without good reason, and without relation to development.

"Because of this there is no acceptable mitigation strategy for the loss of trees and habitat. The entire public have been misled.

READ MORE: Otago Lane: Campaigners slam developers after work restarts on site

"Our take is that is illegal and they have carried out damage unconnected to the previous planning application."

Residents also have concerns about the height of the proposed buildings.

The spokesman added: "It is completely indefensible to have seven storeys. There is no logical argument for building this and it is purely a financial argument from developers, they are just trying to get the most out of a tiny area."

Politicians from the area have also weighed in on the dispute.

Hillhead Green councillor Martha Wardrop said: "The previous development here was described as a monstrosity, and there are concerns that this will be a similar monstrosity.

"Residents have expressed concerns to me of the rising scale of these plans. It will over dominate the area, encroach on privacy and generally compromise the area.

READ MORE: Otago Lane: Protestors halt felling of trees at site

"The works will disturb the wildlife corridor and I am not quite sure how easy it will be to protect.

Developers have also been penalised for failing to inform all of the relevant stakeholders of the new planning application, with an extension of two weeks added to the objection period.

Locals now have until April 12 to communicate their views.

Already campaigners have gathered 50 letters arguing against the proposals and a petition opposing this has garnered around 45,000 supporters.

A Queensberry Properties’ spokesperson said: “Queensberry Properties have no comment to make at this time”.

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