PART of the original Bellahouston Academy site can be turned into flats after Glasgow councillors approved a planning application.

The city’s planning committee ruled 36 homes can be built on the land, which includes the school’s former swimming pool and gym, despite opposition from nearby residents.

AS Homes Scotland applied for the permission to develop the North Gower Street site, which is bounded by Clifford Street and Paisley Road West.

An application to demolish the B-listed annex was approved by the council in 2017.

There will be two four-storey blocks, incorporating 18 one-bed and 18 two-bed flats, and a communal space, including a children’s play area.

Glasgow Times:

However, a £12,936 contribution from the developer will need to be agreed as the required levels of amenity space, community gardens and children’s play have not been met.

Councillor Jane Morgan raised concerns about the lack of amenity space.

“We are asked to accept that amenity space should be less than appropriate, in an area that is generally deficient, because the option of fewer housing units is not pursued,” she said.

A council officer said the “more you reduce the number of units, you can end up with an inappropriate built form” – with the surrounding area “characterised by tenements”.

There were 26 objections to the redevelopment plans, with concerns over height, design and the impact on privacy.

Issues raised also included reduced daylight within neighbouring flats, increased noise and disturbance and inadequate parking proposals.

Glasgow Times:

Some neighbours believe the listed building should be reused rather than demolished.

However, a council report states, although the proposals would “appear slightly higher than neighbouring tenements”, they would “not be detrimental to the visual character” of the area or on neighbouring amenity.

It adds the development would be in a “high accessibility area”, with buses, a Subway station and cycling routes nearby, and there would be 21 car parking spaces.

The report also states, when permission was granted for the demolition of the listed building, the landowner “demonstrated at that point the existing buildings were in such poor condition they were beyond economic repair”.

The original Academy complex is divided into three plots, one is used as a business centre and another as Masjid Madressa Al Arabia Al Islamia Mosque. The third plot is the development site.