GLASGOW'S biggest social landlord has hit back over claims surrounding the planned demolition of four tower blocks in the city.
The Glasgow Times has reported on the ongoing situation of the 600 flats, in Wyndford, due to be demolished this year and replaced with 300 low rise homes.
The plans have been met with opposition from a number of people who live in the area and campaigners from outside and some architects have also said they should and could be retained.
READ MORE:'These flats are not coming down': Campaigners occupy high rise blocks
However, Wheatly Homes Glasgow, formerly GHA, has said those who have spoken out do not represent the community.
Bernadette Hewitt, Wheatly Homes Glasgow tenant chair, in a letter published in full in the Glasgow Times letters page, said she wanted to “set the record straight” and claims the balance of media coverage has been tipped in favour of this “small group”.
READ MORE:Glasgow's Wyndford flats could undergo £54m regeneration with residents' input
She said: “With respect, your coverage to date has been heavily weighted to reflect the views of a small group of activists and a never-ending flow of myths and half-truths.
“One thing’s certain: these people don’t represent the 94% of tenants who’ve successfully and happily moved out of the tower blocks into much more suitable, attractive and quality homes and communities of their choice.”
Ms Hewitt said the tower blocks are “unpopular and unsustainable” and they cannot be retrofitted, as the campaigners argue.
She said the protesters are ignoring “the facts" ... "for their own interests”.
The chair said: “A comprehensive report by one of the UK’s leading authorities in such matters concluded categorically retrofit would compromise the structural integrity and stability of the buildings. Case closed.”
READ MORE:Tenants back demolition of Wyndford tower blocks say housing bosses
She said the proposals for the area represent better housing and are supported by 87% of tenants in a consultation.
She added: “These dated, no longer acceptable units will be replaced by 300 affordable homes, 255 of which will be for social rent. The houses and flats will be attractive, fuel-efficient and of the highest quality, offering the same number, if not more bedrooms.”
The environmental arguments, she said were “spurious” and a bid to have the blocks listed was “conclusively rejected”.
READ MORE: Listed building status bid for Wyndford multi storey flats fails
The Glasgow Times has reported extensively on the plans as far back as 2021, when they were first revealed, to recently, including the campaigners staging an occupation, the results of the tenant consultation carried out by Wheatley Homes and the bid for listed building status and the subsequent rejection by Historic Environment Scotland.
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