Over 40 trees have been chopped down to make way for two new drive-thrus sparking backlash from locals.
Both mature and young trees were torn down at Thornwood roundabout, between the Clydeside Expressway and Glasgow Harbour, where work is ongoing to build a Burger King and Starbucks.
Residents of Thornwood, Partick, and Whiteinch have accused Glasgow City Council of destroying local greenspace without consulting the community.
A local campaign has been formed to fight the development with local MP Carol Monaghan, local MSP Bill Kidd, and local Councillor Feargal Dalton all raising objections to the plans. They say the development will increase pollution in the already 'highly polluted' Partick area, and will also increase competition for food and coffee businesses.
One member of the Love Thornwood campaign said: “I live right next to the expressway and I’m horrified by this development. The area is already thick with dirt from cars and buses. It gets inside the houses.
"That they ripped up 50-odd trees beside me is heartbreaking. They will be replaced by cars with running engines – isn’t that against the law or discouraged and fined? The additional noise, pollution, and litter it will bring will ruin this area.”
Another added: "I think it needs to be stopped. I doubt any domestic households were consulted, or anyone. About 50 trees have gone. They helped an area historically illegally above legal pollution levels.”
Planning permission for the development was granted after a revised plan for a single-storey Burger King and Starbucks as opposed to a two-storey KFC and Starbucks was submitted.
The applicant began clearance on the site on the basis of existing consent, which included the removal of the trees. McInally Associates said that the site was clearly marked in 2001 as a development site under the Glasgow Harbour Masterplan and that it will “create a welcoming safe and pleasant environment for people”.
We previously reported how around 18 million trees will be planted in Glasgow over the next decade to tackle climate change.
Ten trees will be planted for every man, woman, and child in the Glasgow City Region as part of the new urban 'forest'.
Glasgow City Council was approached for comment.
