A fire-hit former hotel near Glasgow Green can be knocked down as part of plans to build 37 flats.

The developer, LAR Housing Trust, plans to retain the B-listed building’s facade but intends to demolish the rest of the old Inn on the Green hotel before constructing new homes.

Fire crews reported the blaze in 2014 was started deliberately.

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It destroyed the roof of the Greenhead Street building.  The property had been empty since the hotel closed in 2006, and Glasgow City Council’s planning team has now approved the redevelopment proposal, which was submitted in February last year.

A report lodged with the council by the developer states previous owners did not carry out maintenance work, which has resulted in irreparable damage.

There had been plans in 2012 to demolish the building, with facade retention, but these did not progress, and the report states it is believed a hotel operator could not be secured.

The report said: “At the time of this planning approval for demolition with facade retention, the building was still weathertight, undamaged by fire, and is thought to have been in reasonable structural condition.

“Since 2012, the building has been severely structurally damaged. In 2014, the roof was destroyed by fire. No repair works were carried out by the previous owners and this has resulted in long term severe water ingress, which has irreparably damaged the interior and internal structure of the building.”

The report said there is “evidence of further fires in the building, including a basement fire which has destroyed the ground floor structure”.

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Under the approved plans, LAR Housing Trust, a charitable organisation, will provide homes at mid-market rent. It is planning a car-free development, with bike storage provided.

“This proposal provides an opportunity to bring a derelict sit back into use, securing the future of a severely damaged and critically at risk listed building,” the application stated.

It added the plan will “bring much needed affordable housing to the area.”

The application said: “The site has had planning permission for over 15 years but the original previously approved schemes were not built due to the unsuitability of the listed building for conversion to alternative uses.

“The long-term dereliction of the building has now resulted in fire and water damage, putting the building on the Buildings at Risk register at a critical level with severe damage.”

LAR has promised to provide affordable housing, at mid market rent, for “people in housing need, who live in the local area or have local connections and are unable to find or afford suitable market housing which meet their needs”.