Caledonia Road flats in Glasgow's Gorbals to be demolished

The tower blocks on Caledonia Road in Gorbals, will be demolished over an 18-month period, starting in the coming months. 

The Glasgow Times previously reported residents of the high-rise block were first informed of the possible tear-down back in 2020, and now with plans to hand over to the demolition contractors in place, Fraser Stewart, chief executive of the community-owned New Gorbals Housing Association has spoken about what's next for the site.

Speaking exclusively with the Glasgow Times, he said: "The flats are being demolished as they are not up to the modern safety standards, and it would be unaffordable and unsustainable to do them up and modernise them.

"It will be a sad day for people who have had a wonderful life in these buildings, but that time has come to an end and that's life, it moves on.

"In terms of redevelopment, 150 units will be erected for social rent. I want to stress that no private sector will be coming into place here. 

"The plans are well advanced, and we hope to have the new homes ready within the next three years. 

"It's all going well so far, we don't anticipate any difficulty."

Though the Glasgow Times previously reported that some residents were devastated at the possible demolition and separation back in 2020, Mr Stewart said 'not one complaint' has been launched since plans were recently confirmed. 

He said: "88.5 per cent of all tenants opted to move into other housing, so the popular option was to leave. 

"We did not receive one complaint and only six households expressed a preference for recladding and modernisation. 

"No one seemed unhappy with the decision, and the tenants have been superb throughout.

"It's been a huge amount of disruption and pressure on staff and residents, but I'm delighted by the way it's gone and the patience of everyone involved."

Mr Stewart also confirmed that the vast majority of residents have been rehomed locally after the move began in Spring 2021, with many moving to new build homes funded by the Scottish Government.

Jean Miller, New Gorbals Housing Association’s chairperson, added: "We are delighted that the rehousing process went so smoothly and I would like to thank our staff for their great efforts, and the tenants for their excellent cooperation and patience throughout the whole exercise.

"Nearly every tenant has now been happily rehoused. In some ways, it is a great shame that these blocks are coming down because they have provided excellent accommodation over the decades, and many Gorbals folk have very happy memories of living in them.

"However, they are no longer fit for purpose and we have agreed a strategy with Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government that will allow the blocks to be demolished and replaced with new housing throughout the Gorbals.

"We have already built over 120 new homes since we took the decision to demolish, and we are working on fantastic proposals for 150 socially rented homes on the site after demolition."

There is no firm date for the demolition, but housing chiefs hope the demolition and site clearance will be complete by Spring 2025.

No final decision has been taken on the method of demolition.