Get the Glasgow stories that matter to you sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Glasgow City Council are under fire after selling the former site of a school in Dennistoun to a property developer with a conviction for fraud.

The B-listed building used to be the site for Golfhill Primary School and is set to be turned into flats by William Roddie's Spectrum Properties (Scotland).

Roddie, the controversial owner and property tycoon, unsuccessfully attempted to sue newspapers in the past after articles highlighted his previous conviction for fraud.

It has been revealed that the council has sold all 3.58 acres of land, including the B-listed school and the janitor's house, for £550,000 - the sale for which was agreed last year.

Under new plans, the southern facade of the former school will be retained and converted into flats, alongside new builds, to make 145 new homes.

Kim Long, Scottish Greens candidate for Dennistoun, has hit out at Glasgow City Council following the announcement of their plans.

The council candidate spoke out ahead of a local meeting tomorrow on plans for the site.

"This used to be a beautiful old building at the heart of our community," the prospective councillor said.

“Unfortunately, it's been left to rot by Glasgow City Council.

"It's an eyesore and I know local residents struggle to sleep with the racket from birds now nesting there after years of neglect.

“It is an absolute scandal that the council has sold all 3.58 acres of land, including the B-listed school and the janitor's house, for just £550,000.

“The truth is the property was in such a state after years of neglect that there was only one offer and the council will take anything just to get rid of it.



The community worker was also concerned about the apparent lack of due diligence carried out when selling off the land and has called for people to come together to hold the council to account.

"The council has a duty to steward public funds well, but instead they've run the place down and sold it for a song.

“The developer will make a tidy profit, and, once again, the public purse loses out.

“With budgets this stretched, this is exactly the kind of mistake we cannot afford to keep making.

“They've left our community at the mercy of a property tycoon.

“We need to hold the council accountable for its failure to look after our community assets.”

The public meeting on the new housing development is to be held on Wednedsay April 5 at Milnbank Community Hall.