Crumbling Glasgow

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Fae ET,


Demand for wider probe after latest flats collapse

by Deborah Anderson

SAFETY fears are growing for hundreds of city tenements after families were forced to flee their homes following a partial collapse.

Five flats were evacuated on Monday night after a ground floor landing sunk into the basement of a block in the South Side.

Now there are calls for an urgent inspection of hundreds of tenements across Govanhill.

The collapse happened at 271 Langside Road and came six months after a similar problem on the opposite side of the street.

Local councillor Danny Alderslowe said he wanted a survey of South Side tenements.

"We need a survey to see just how safe these buildings are and to prevent a major disaster from happening.

"With a similar problem across the road only months ago, questions have to be asked.

"It is devastating for residents having to leave their homes. Every one of these tenements should be scrutinised and investments made in them."

One resident returned home from work to discover a crater in the landing of 271 Langside Road and raised the alarm.

Neighbours said they heard a loud bang and looked out to see cracks and a gaping hole in the ground.

Police were called to the incident around 6.30pm on Monday and the area was cordoned off.

Residents were moved into temporary accommodation overnight ... escaping the building by walking across a make-shift bridge which had been laid across the floor.

One owner is on holiday in New York and will return to find she has been made homeless - possibly for months.

Although the homes are privately owned, Govanhill Housing Association stepped in to help secure the close.

Janice McEwan, chairwoman of the housing association, said: "We do not own any of the flats but were delighted to be able to help.

"Our housing services manager Alan McDonald was there helping to secure the building.

"The association is waiting for the results of a full technical and social survey of the unimproved tenement flats in Govanhill - 750 in total.

"We will be presenting the results to make a case for funding and support for the improvement of tenements in the Govanhill area."

Last October residents were evacuated from 276 Langside Road after the ground floor collapsed and families have only recently been able to move back in. It was thought dry rot had weakened vital supporting structures.

Glasgow City Council recently announced it is to spend £500,000 on ground consolidation work at 132 flats in Govanhill.

Huge amounts of ash and concrete will be pumped into underground mine shafts to stop properties collapsing in Langside Road, Dixon Avenue, Allison Street and Annette Street.

[M_Riaz]

From this Document

Published 27 April 2009 09:49 AM

BC30/08/00004

638-646 Govan Road/3-7 Napier Street/ 35 Clydebrae
Street Glasgow

Re-instate the structural integrity of the
building OR Demolish building to underside of
foundation

Served
01/12/2008

This Document published today.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR PERIOD 22nd APRIL TO 28th APRIL 2009

Reference: 09/00867/DC Community Cnl: Govan East
Address: 638-646 Govan Road/3-7 Napier Street/ 35 Clydebrae Street Glasgow
Proposal: Demolition of listed building
Date Received: 14.04.2009 Date Valid: 14.04.2009
Applicant
Details:
Glasgow City Council
Agent Details:
Ward: Govan
Type: Listed Building Consent incl Demolition
Case Officer: Ms S Connelly, 0141 287 6095
Listing: Cons Area:
Map Reference: (E) 255788 (N) 665521

[M_Riaz]

BBC

Concern over crumbling buildings

A quarter of Scottish council buildings are in "poor or bad" condition, according to a spending watchdog.

Audit Scotland said many were unsuitable for the services delivered from them, despite £136m spent on maintenance last year.

The cost of tackling the repairs backlog has reached at least £1.4bn.

Local authority representative body Cosla accused the Accounts Commission of demanding a "Rolls Royce service" for the price of a bus fare.

[M_Riaz]

Flickr

Napiers House being demolished i'm sad to see this building go.
image hosted on flickr

[Fei Jie]

half these ole' tennement would be kept if nthey were in london...its a joke.

[Objekt.]

That's a complete travesty. I think my distaste for destroying old things is well documented in this forum, but I couldn't be anymore angrier with a planner's decision to take something down with potential to be something great. Let's just pray that they don't throw up some ugly ass roughcast Etap hotel-esque block in its place.

[tommygunn]

Originally Posted by Fei Jie

half these ole' tennement would be kept if nthey were in london...its a joke.

Be worth about 15 million that block in London its a shame.

[jim.st]

As I walked past the old Odeon on renfeild st today I started to wonder when the "mysterious fire" will happen!!!

[commandlinegamer]

Originally Posted by jim.st

As I walked past the old Odeon on renfeild st today I started to wonder when the "mysterious fire" will happen!!!

I though there was a full scale redevelopment plan for that site, with a glass tower office block behind the original facade. So I presume the brick construction would be demolished as a matter of course.

Off-topic, with the loss of the last of the big old cinemas it feels a bit that the city-centre is becoming less of an entertainment destination, unless you count the pubs and clubs.

[Gap74]

The Odeon scheme was cancelled indefinitely because of economic conditions.

[RapidTaco]

Originally Posted by commandlinegamer

I though there was a full scale redevelopment plan for that site, with a glass tower office block behind the original facade. So I presume the brick construction would be demolished as a matter of course.

Off-topic, with the loss of the last of the big old cinemas it feels a bit that the city-centre is becoming less of an entertainment destination, unless you count the pubs and clubs.

I wouldn't say so really. There are numerous bars and clubs as you point out and there is Jongleurs the Comedy Club, quite a few Theatres, the Concert Hall, George Square etc

[M_Riaz]

Bit late in the day for the likes of Napiers House but never the less.

Item 11( 9 pages)

Progress Report On Condition of Listed Buildings In Glasgow

Purpose of Report:
To advise Committee of progress in the Buildings at Risk Strategy approved by the Development and Regeneration Services Committee on 17 March 2005.

Recommendations:
Committee considers the content of this report and seeks the development of a Heritage Assets Strategy for the City Council.

1. BACKGROUND
1.1 This report provides a progress update on the Buildings at Risk Strategy presented to
Development and Regeneration Services Committee as part of the ‘Survey of the Condition
of Listed Buildings in Glasgow report on 17 March 2005. The survey was undertaken during
the summer of 2004 and the situation at this time is summarised in the table below.

1.2 The statutory list of buildings in Glasgow comprises around 1822 entries; this breaks down
into approximately 6900 individual buildings or structures. For example, a terrace which is
counted as one historic building entry by Historic Scotland; in the statutory list, this may
comprise of 20 individual addresses, and therefore would require 20 separate records to be
completed. Each of these has been surveyed to establish its condition, occupancy and
use.
1.3 The principal issues addressed in the Action Plan which will be updated following the 2009
survey will be as follows:
• To generate increased funding and investment for Glasgow’s historic environment in
partnership with government
• To help owners and occupiers understand how to best maintain their properties
• To focus this investment where the need is greatest
• To continue the city’s successful efforts in promoting the re-use of historic buildings as
a means of securing the future of Glasgow’s historic environment
• To extend the use of statutory powers in specific cases where this is appropriate
1.4 The intention from the first Action Plan was also to carry out a re-survey every five years,
and in this regard, the first five year survey is now underway and nearing completion. This
work is being carried out once again by students enrolled on conservation based courses in
Scottish Colleges. As before, every listed structure in the City will be surveyed to assess its
external condition in terms of the roof, windows, doors, walls, rainwater goods etc, and
levels of occupancy and current use at the time of survey.
1.5 From this information gathered, a ‘risk’ category is then given to each listed structure using
a methodology well established in England and Wales. This provides an indication of the
relative degree of action required on the basis of condition and occupancy for each
structure, and will help guide the City Council’s response.

[JohnnyFive]

Anyone know whats happening with this building in Kinning Park?

It would seem a shame for it to be lost to fire or the bulldozers as per so much or Glasgow.

[Objekt.]

Ahhhhhh you scaremonger!

My heart was racing there at the thought of another one of Glasgow's building falling tae bits!

I would like to see this being restored for future use. It has a lot of potential going for it.

[M_Riaz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFive

Anyone know whats happening with this building in Kinning Park?

It would seem a shame for it to be lost to fire or the bulldozers as per so much or Glasgow.

There was a proposal for this a while back.

FG

Planning ref. -
Developer - Loft Office Ltd
Architect - TPT Associates
Usage - Commercial
Materials -
Height - 8 floors
Floor space - 46,142 sq/ft
Cost -
Location - 126-136 Stanley St
Status - u/c
Start date -
Completion date -

[JohnnyFive]

Originally Posted by M_Riaz

There was a proposal for this a while back.

FG

Planning ref. -
Developer - Loft Office Ltd
Architect - TPT Associates
Usage - Commercial
Materials -
Height - 8 floors
Floor space - 46,142 sq/ft
Cost -
Location - 126-136 Stanley St
Status - u/c
Start date -
Completion date -

Yeah I seen that a while back but it is the building next door to the left shown as being developed.

This smaller building is is off to the right on the render and is not shown in any detail.

It looks to be cordoned off due to falling masonry but hopefully is part of this development.

[M_Riaz]

Tenement Building to be demolished on london Rd.


Thursday 03 May 2012

GCC

Dangerous building on London Road to be demolished

A tenement block on London Road is to be demolished after it was found to be in a dangerous condition.
Following evacuation of the buildings earlier in the year, owners of the block - which takes in 590-598 London Road and 2-8 Landressy Street - were served with a notice to either repair or demolish the building. That notice lapsed on 27 April, 2012.
Building control officers from the council have assessed the building again this week and have recommended that the only option left to maintain public safety is to demolish it. All owners have been informed of this decision by registered letter and the demolition will begin next week.
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “The block on London Road and Landressy Street is in a very dangerous condition and continues to show concerning signs of movement and deterioration since the evacuation.
“While we are fully appreciative of the distress this decision may cause, we hope owners and tenants will understand that public safety is paramount and the demolition of the entire block is now essential.
“We expected that the process of demolition will begin next week. Roads will remain closed until the work is completed. We will endeavour to reopen London Road as soon as possible.”
In January, council officers were called in by people living in the tenement when large cracks appeared inside the building overnight. It was also found to have existing and extensive cracks elsewhere and there had been movement in the façade and internal structure.
Residents were evacuated for their own safety and London Road was shut while investigations were carried out. However the building has continued to show significant signs of continued movement and deterioration. As the block was in an unsafe condition, the council then informed residents and owners that a dangerous building notice was to be issued requiring repair or demolition.

Derelict Glasgow