Dozens of Glasgow residents gathered to stand up against a plan to demolish a well-used gym to create housing.

Over 30 gymgoers linked arms outside Nuffield Health Centre in Finnieston which could be pulled to the ground to make way for 391 flats.

Locals are outraged and emotional about the proposal which they said would rid the community of a one-of-a-kind asset.

(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) Vicky Simpson, a member for 20 years, explained: "We have 2700 plus members.

"But it also works as a central hub. A lot of other people come from outside the city to use it when they're working.

"It is also the only local pool in the area and around 100 babies come through this gym every week to learn how to swim which is super important.

"You don't even need to be a member to come here. 

"These are all important aspects of the space that would be lost. There's no replacement for that."

Besides an opportunity to work out, the gym also offers classes and houses a creche, a cafe, saunas, and more.

It functions as a social hub bringing people together and providing a space to combat loneliness and improve mental health.

She added: "There's a huge number of people from different cultures and walks of life who come here and meet who would never have crossed paths in any other way in Glasgow.

"To take that away, I am getting upset just thinking about it."

Cathy Ford, from the local residents' association, said: "From a net zero point of view, you can't be demolishing functioning, well-used buildings to change their use for no reason.

"That's completely against all the policies to try and overcome the environmental challenges we are facing."

The original bid for the redevelopment was submitted in 2021 and got the green light but work never started.

(Image: Newsquest)

(Image: Newsquest)​(Image: Newsquest)

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David Johnson, member of the residents' association, added: "This was during the first period of Covid. The gym was empty, everyone was locked in their houses.

"Nobody was aware of what was going on.

"For whatever reason, the council decided to approve that application and that was completely out of keeping with their own city development plan.

"We are totally opposed to it."

Following a redesign, the improved documents were handed in in September this year.

This is still being considered by city officials but the local uproar was immediate.

To date, there are 93 objections to the planning application.

Keith Trotter, a member of the gym for over 10 years, said: "There are hundreds of comments and messages which reinforce our point that it went under the radar the first time.

"We've spent a lot of time talking to people who come to the gym and the human element is amazing.

"We have people ageing from toddlers to 70 plus years old and from all walks of life.

"I've never seen anything like it. 

"And for them to say that the other, the other gyms in the area, well, there are simply not because they can't accommodate us and they are not community gyms by any means.

"A lot of our people wouldn't go there."

(Image: Newsquest) Proposal (Image: GCC) (Image: Supplied)

The group vowed to keep fighting to stop the development which is spearheaded by Redevco.

The real estate firm is asking for approval to build two blocks of one, two and three-bed homes.

A decision is expected by Wednesday, November 29 and the last day for comments is Monday, October 21.