Campaigners have called for a full environmental impact assessment to be carried out into the controversial demolition of four tower blocks in Glasgow over fears about the amount of asbestos in the buildings.
Wheatley Homes, Scotland’s largest social landlord recently won planning consent from Glasgow City Council to proceed with a controlled explosion of the Wyndford flats in Maryhill.
READ MORE: Wyndford estate flats: residents appeal to Scottish Government
The battle to save the 26-storey buildings has been ongoing for years and campaigners recently received legal aid to fund a judicial review to examine the decision to push ahead with what would be one of Scotland's biggest-ever demolition projects.
Wheatley Homes plans to pull down the flats and build 300 new homes. However, Wyndford Residents Union believes the buildings can be retained and retrofitted.
The campaign to save the flats has drawn widespread support from architectural experts including leading architect Professor Alan Dunlop who has described the flats as “historic”.
Asbestos was a popular material for house builders between the 1950s and 1980s, and is not dangerous if sealed safely and in good condition.
The only risk is when it is broken and fibres are released into the air. Over 5,000 people currently die in the UK each year from asbestos related diseases.
READ MORE: Court action over moves on Wheatley Wyndford flats demolition
Wheatley said strict controls were in place and licensed asbestos contractors would follow all recommended procedures for carrying out any work safely.
An Asbestos Demolition Survey carried out on one of the tower blocks by ACS Physical Risk Control Limited, found Chrysotile and Amosite in the commons areas of the building.
A risk register - released through Freedom of Information - for the demolition states that the “volume of asbestos in the flats is unknown” at present.
A screening opinion of the application by the council, asks if the decommissioning of the building could lead to the production of “hazardous or toxic wastes”.
The answer on the form is “Yes - Asbestos.”
Nevertheless, the council says the planned demolition “is unlikely to have significant effects on the environment” and therefore there is no need for an Environmental Impact Assessment.
One of the key arguments being made by the Wyndford Residents’ Union in their judicial review is that this lack of assessment means both the council and the Scottish Government have acted unlawfully.
Counsel for campaigners believe that it is a breach of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 2017 (EIA) established to protect people's surroundings by ensuring that councils are fully aware of any significant effects that a proposal may have.
Sean Clerkin, of Scottish Tenants Organisation, said: “Our argument at judicial review for a full Environmental Impact Assessment of the proposed demolition of the four Wyndford tower blocks is fully justified given the recent revelations that The John Wheatley Housing Group have stated in a recent freedom of information response that they do not know the volume of asbestos in the four Wyndford tower blocks to be demolished.”
He added: “This mass demolition must be stopped and instead the 600 flats contained in the four tower blocks could be saved and retrofitted to house homeless people and Ukrainian displaced persons during the current housing and homeless emergency in Glasgow.”
READ MORE: Wyndford flats not fit for purpose, report claims
A spokesperson for Wheatley Homes Glasgow told the Glasgow Times that a full investigation will happen once all tenants have been moved out.
They said: “The facts are this material was commonly used by housebuilders across the UK from the 1950s to the 1980s.
"As is common practice, an initial asbestos inspection was carried out, which identified very low risk. This will be followed - when the buildings are empty - by a full investigation and report."
"A licensed contractor has been engaged to remove and dispose the material in full compliance with health and safety regulations, ensuring no-one is at risk at any stage.
"No-one should be misinformed by a handful of activists seeking to scaremonger."
Wyndford estate was designed by Ernest Buteux, chief technical officer for the Scottish Special Housing Association from 1959-78. He was thought to be influenced by the designs of Le Corbusier – the father of modern architecture. It was built on a 55 acre site at the old Maryhill barracks.
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