WORK will start on a council proposal to buy the derelict Talisman pub in Springburn after a proposed demolition did not get under way.

Glasgow councillors have agreed legal preparations for the compulsory purchase (CPO) of the Balgrayhill Road site should begin.

Discussions will continue with the owner about a voluntary sale while the CPO is developed.

The council’s building control team were advised by the owner’s agent that demolition work would start last week.

READ MORE: Work set to start on compulsory purchase plans for eyesore Talisman pub in Springburn

But a council officer said work had not begun when he updated councillors at a meeting on Thursday.

He reported the demolition contractor is awaiting agreement with their client on the removal of asbestos and does not expect the “main demolition contract” to start for another two to three weeks.

The pub has been an eyesore in the area for almost 20 years, with community representatives calling for it to be demolished. Previous talks with the owner, who has now been granted a demolition warrant, have broken down.

The council reports he is “not inclined to sell” and has “stated an intention to redevelop the site”.

The council officer said as the building is “not in danger of falling down”, the authority cannot issue a demolition order.

He said the council hopes to acquire the property voluntarily but if that failed would use compulsory purchase powers.

The owner “may in the interim demolish the building himself and has stated that is his intention, but at the moment hasn’t done so”, the officer added.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, chairman of the contracts and property committee, which considered the plan, said progress on a CPO was “very positive news for the community”.

“I am cautiously optimistic that we may see the demolition of this building in the very near future,” he said.

“There has been a huge amount of work behind the scenes to bring this paper to the committee and it shows that with a bold approach, that puts the community’s wellbeing at the heart of decision making, the council can tackle issues that were once thought too difficult or complicated.”

He added: “The demolition of the building and the redevelopment of the site would be a key contribution to the area’s regeneration.”

READ MORE: Call for speedy Springburn derelict pub demolition

Councillor Christina Cannon, who represents Springburn, said: “I’m over the moon that this paper has been passed by the committee.

“The City Government has made demolishing this building a priority, ridding the people of Springburn of this eyesore they’ve had to endure of decades.”

Councillor Stephen Curran said there had been “sustained and continued efforts” by the council to make progress at the site since 2003. “It’s come to a head and I welcome the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

The committee asked for an update on progress with the CPO to be presented in the first quarter of next year, following a request from Councillor Jon Molyneux.

He said Springburn Community Council had asked for a concrete timescale to ensure work progresses in a “timely fashion”.