Glasgow MSP welcomes Sighthill Youth Olympics investment

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Friday, 07 September 2012 15:49

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  By a Newsnet reporter

Responding to reports a new Games Village will be built at Sighthill, SNP MSP Bob Doris said that while this was a welcome investment, assurances must be given to residents living in the flats that are to be demolished to make way for the village.

Building on its successful bid for the Commonwealth Games, Glasgow City Council plans to redevelop the entire area, irrespective of whether the city is successful in its bid for the games, due to be held in 2018.

According to the plans unveiled this week, private firms could build up to 700 homes on the site, currently occupied by high-rise flats.  The new homes will include a mixture of rental accomodation and low-cost privately owned properties. An additional 130 new rental properties could also be built by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) on the site of the demolished Fountainwell high-rise flats.

Three other multi-storey blocks of flats on the site have been earmarked for demolition, and Glasgow Council plans to re-house existing tenants.

If the city’s bid is successful, up to 6000 athletes will be housed on the new development for the duration of the Games.

The MSP for Glasgow said:

“I am keen to see much-needed investment in and regeneration of Sighthill, and it is exciting to see the commitment of both Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to invest in the area.

“However, as recently as May residents of two multi-story flats were told their homes were secure. There will be understandable anger by some to now discover they will be demolished to make way for the village.

“Given that, I am informed there will be 600 new homes built – 200 of them for social rent.

“I will be seeking assurances over the priority local residents in these flats will be given for securing any new build rented or owner occupier properties.

“I have had initial discussions this morning with the GHA who inform me there will be new properties built for local people as part of re-provisioning works ahead of the Games and that the Scottish Government will be financially supporting this.

“I will meet with residents shortly to discuss how to take these matters forward.”