Dozens of abandoned Glasgow tenement flats to be transformed after sitting empty for two decades

THREE abandoned city tenement buildings with 23 boarded-up flats are to undergo major repairs as concerns are raised about them lying empty.

The buildings on Stonyhurst Street in Glasgow’s Possilpark –  owned by housing association NG Homes – have been vacant for more than two decades.

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The homes on Stonyhurst Street have been left abandoned for more than 20 years Credit: James Chapelard

The homes could soon see new life Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

The redbrick-style building once housed dozens of proud homeowners who cared for the southside properties.

But for over 20 years they have been empty and have been left to rot into a boarded up eyesore.

Rubbish has also been left piled up in the back gardens of the homes.

Outraged locals complained about the properties going to waste amid a housing crisis across the city.

Business owner Linda Dempster is among those excited to see fresh life brought to the “eyesore” properties Credit: James Chapelard

The windows of the flats have been boarded up Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

The tenement will be refurbished with cash from a grant Credit: James Chapelard

It is hoped the work refurbishing the abandoned homes can start soon Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk

Cash to renovate the derelict homes has now been made available from a council grant.

It is hoped the work refurbishing the abandoned homes can start soon.

Local business owner Linda Dempster is among those excited to see fresh life brought to the “eyesore” properties.

She said: “This building’s been empty for 20 odd years and it’s been in a terrible stat

“It’d be nice to see it all done up and people living here. It’s been a long time coming.

“It’s great to hear it’s going to get work done to it now.”

She added: “They were all bought houses. It was beautiful, they all had their blinds and that, they all took pride in their house and it was lovely.

“But now it’s just an eyesore. I’ve complained so many times and nothing’s been happening, but now it’s happened.”

Housing convenor Ruairi Kelly, SNP, said: “With funding from the Scottish Government for acquisitions we will be supporting NG Homes with up to £2.7 million to bring 23 flats in these traditional tenement buildings back into use.

“Not only will this provide much needed housing in the area, it will also address the dereliction that has blighted this stretch of street for years.”

Reform councillor Audrey Dempsey blasted it as “unacceptable” for homes to be falling into disrepair while local councillor Robert Mooney said the condition of the buildings has been a worry.

The councillor added: “The buildings have been a concern for some time. 

“I believe MSP Paul Sweeney has been lobbying to try and get funding to save it.”

Councillor Dempsey – who had been campaigning in the area as part of a Holyrood election bid – said: “In the middle of a housing crisis, it is simply unacceptable that buildings, homes and properties capable of being lived in are sitting empty and falling into disrepair.

“At a time when we are spending close to £55 million of taxpayers’ money every 10 months on temporary accommodation like hotels and B&Bs, this approach is not just inefficient, it is unsustainable.

“Responsibility does not sit with councils alone. Every housing association and social landlord has a duty to ensure their properties are brought up to standard and used to house people in need.”

Labour councillor Fiona Higgins said: “I’m pleased to see money being invested in these buildings so they can be brought back into use. We need to bring all buildings back into use to meet the housing needs of the city.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The three tenement buildings in 106, 110 and 116 Stonyhurst Street (all in NG Homes ownership – 23 flats) are to be the subject of comprehensive repairs. Grant funding has been made available by our Housing team and works are due to commence on site shortly.”

NG Homes had put out a contract to tender for the repairs in order to bring the homes back into use.

NG Homes said they were not in a position to comment.