COUNCILLORS have approved plans for a housing development on the site of the former Garscadden Primary School.

The city’s planning committee has taken the decision despite almost 80 objections from nearby residents.

The Wheatley Group, which applied for the permission, can now build 42 flats and 28 houses for mid-market rent on the land at Hurlford Avenue.

A planning report states: “The area has a high demand for housing due to its open, suburban character and relatively close proximity to the city centre, with good connections by road, bus and train.”

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But neighbours fear the three-storey flats won’t fit in with the surrounding area and would reduce their privacy.

They also believe more could be done to preserve the old school building, which has been on the site for around 90 years, and raised concerns about traffic congestion and a lack of parking and bike lanes.

Complaints also stated there wasn’t enough space allocated for children to play in the proposed designs. But planning officers had recommended the scheme should go-ahead.

A report found the applicant had shown the height of the buildings “would not be inappropriate” and officers did not believe there would be privacy issues.

“Consideration was given to retaining the existing school and incorporating it into the design,” the report added.

“However, the current condition and siting of the buildings did not result in a positive design for the site.”

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They also believe there will be sufficient parking for bikes and cars.

The “development would not result in a significant level of congestion in the area, particularly in the context of its previous use as a school”, the report stated.

Demolition work began on the site earlier this year and is “substantially completed”.

The council has acknowledged the level of open space included in the plans is “deficient”. If the space isn’t provided, a developer contribution of almost £7,500, in lieu of allotments/community gardens and children’s play areas, will be ­required.

The school was closed in 2017 and declared surplus to the council’s operation requirements, with pupils moving to Clyde Primary where they merged with the former Yoker Primary.

St Brendan’s Primary and Yokerburn Nursery make up the rest of the Clyde Campus.

The council approved the sale of the Garscadden Primary site to Glasgow Housing Association, part of the Wheatley Group, for £196,000 in February.

A public consultation event, before the planning application was submitted, was held at Knightswood Community Centre on November 7, last year.