A DERELICT school is set to be demolished after lying empty for almost two decades - but local representatives hope some of the original building can be saved.

At a meeting last week, council bosses made the decision to knock down the former Haghill Primary School building on Marwick Street in Dennistoun after structural engineers made the call.

The B-listed schoolhouse has deteriorated since it closed in 2003.

There are no confirmed plans for what might go in its place but Councillor Allan Casey who represents the Dennistoun ward has hopes that social housing will be built at the site with some original architectural features remaining in place if they are able to be salvaged.

Glasgow Times: Cllr Allan Casey (SNP Dennistoun) pictured on Duke Street. In the background is the former Bellgrove Meat Market... Photograph by Colin Mearns.28 January 2021.For GT, see story by Lauren Gilmour.

However, Councillor Casey said the building should never have been allowed to get into its dilapidated condition. He said: “This building should never have been allowed to get into this condition and it is extremely disappointing that it was effectively abandoned in 2004 with no plan and has been a blight on the local community ever since.

“Whilst the demolition of the school is extremely disappointing it will pave the way for the opportunity for much needed social housing to be built on the site.

“It should be noted that in advance of demolition works a survey will be carried out to identify what potions of the building can be salvaged for incorporation into a future housing development to retain some of the architectural heritage of the building.”

Glasgow Times: Scottish Parliament election count at the Emirates arena, Glasgow. Labour's Paul Sweeney who has become a Labour MSP on the Glasgow list Photograph by Colin Mearns 7 May 2021

Paul Sweeney MSP will also be campaigning to ensure that as much of the original architecture is retained. He said: “An engineering-focused site visit will take place this week that will attempt to establish the maximum feasible facade retention strategy, with demolition contract thereafter.

“A similar facade retention strategy was recently employed by Linthouse Housing Association with Grant Murray Architects at the former Drumoyne Primary School, so hopefully we can still achieve a similar solution at Haghill, short of full demolition. I’ll continue to press for it.

Haghill was originally earmarked for redevelopment in 2006 which included potential plans to redevelop the site, however, no further action was taken.

Since then, there has been an increase in dampness and vegetation growing at the site.

The victorian era school was constructed in 1904 and has been on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland since October 2002.

There are several other buildings across the city on the list including former schools such as Greenfield Primary School in Govan and St James Primary School in Calton.

The Glasgow Times understands that there will now be a survey undertaken in order to see what parts of the school can be salvaged.

Councillor Casey added: “It should be noted that in advance of demolition works a survey will be carried out to identify what potions of the building can be salvaged for incorporation into a future housing development to retain some of the architectural heritage of the building.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council confirmed that they will be looking for ways to retain any features from the original building. He said: “We will be demolishing the building with a view to keeping as much of the architectural heritage as possible for inclusion in any future development on the site.”