A DERELICT building that has been a blight on a busy Glasgow high street for almost five years is to be torn down, the Glasgow Times can reveal.

The former social care building, which sits on the corner of Paisley Road West and Corkerhill Gardens in Cardonald, has been overrun by gangs of youths since Glasgow City Council workers moved out around 2019.

The site has been a sore point for residents and business owners who have begged for it to be torn down as the youngsters' anti-social behaviour escalated to dangerous antics, such as throwing chunks of brick from the roof.

Glasgow Times:

As previously reported by the Glasgow Times, teens have set fires, damaged and vandalised the property.

New owners Peakquote have not been able to be reached for comment by either the Glasgow Times or Craigton Community Council, which has been leading the campaign to flatten the rundown building, for several months, leading to confusion over what stage in the demolition process it had reached.

However, the Glasgow Times has now confirmed a contractor has been assigned to carry out the demolition and work is now underway to prepare scaffolding to carry out the job.

Glasgow Times:

Coatbridge-based firm MacWilliam Demolition Ltd confirmed after a long wait for the electricity and gas supply to be turned off work can now finally commence.

The company confirmed there is no timeline for the demolition process to begin thus far, however, a letter from Glasgow City Council’s neighbourhood, regeneration and sustainability department confirmed it could be as soon as the summer.

The document, which was seen by the Glasgow Times, was sent out in response to concerns raised about the ongoing issues with the building by Craigton Community Council, Chris Stephens MP and baillie Jim Kavanagh.

It reads: “I have contacted the agent for the building warrant application again and have been advised that all of the services have now been disconnected.

Glasgow Times:

“They are waiting for confirmation in writing with regard to this. They have also advised that they are now in the process of obtaining the design of the scaffolding which will be erected in order to carry out the demolition.

“They have assured me that they are moving on as quickly as possible with the above and hope that the demolition will commence within the next two months.”

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council added: “It is the building owner's responsibility to maintain or prevent access to the building.

Glasgow Times:

“The owners had previously indicated their plans to demolish the building but so far have yet to provide any details of timescales to building control.

“Whilst an eyesore, unfortunately as the structural frame of the building is intact, we have no legislative powers to insist on its removal."