Sighthill, Glasgow

Last updated

Sighthill
Glasgow UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Sighthill
Location within Glasgow
OS grid reference NS601665
Council area
Lieutenancy area
  • Glasgow
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town GLASGOW
Postcode district G21
Dialling code 0141
Police Scotland
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament
List of places
UK
Scotland
Glasgow
55°52′17″N4°14′15″W / 55.8713°N 4.2374°W / 55.8713; -4.2374

Sighthill is a neighbourhood in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated north of the River Clyde and is part of the wider Springburn district in the north of the city. It is bordered to the north by Cowlairs, to the east by the Springburn Bypass road and the Royston neighbourhood, to the west by the Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Line (running into Queen Street Station) and to the south by the Townhead interchange of the M8 Motorway.

Contents

The district is primarily residential and from the mid-1960s consisted of a housing estate split into two sub-areas – Pinkston to the south and Fountainwell to the north – each with five 20-storey 'slab' tower blocks, plus seven 5-storey maisonette blocks and five rows of tenements in between. Most of these buildings were demolished during the early 21st century and replaced by new housing with associated infrastructure and landscaping. [1]

History

Plaque on the site of the former St. Rollox Chemical Works Plaque on site of former St Rollox Chemical Works - geograph.org.uk - 852369.jpg
Plaque on the site of the former St. Rollox Chemical Works
The Pinkston area of Sighthill as seen from Townhead Sighthill from South.jpg
The Pinkston area of Sighthill as seen from Townhead

Sighthill formed part of the Springburn Comprehensive Development Area (CDA), and was one of the 20 CDA's around the city where slum housing was completely demolished and replaced by new concrete housing estates based on contemporary architectural practices. Designed by Crudens Ltd, the housing scheme was built by Glasgow Corporation Housing Department between 1964 and 1969 as part of the city's housing replacement programme – the existing housing in the area itself, consisting of tenements on Springburn Road and just off it at Huntingdon Place, was demolished in the process. [2] [3] Much of the land used for the Pinkston sector was known as the 'Soda Waste', derelict ground on which the United Alkali Company's St Rollox Chemical Works, founded by Charles Tennant and at one time the largest chemical manufacturer in the world, [4] used to dump waste chemicals (particularly hydrogen sulfide, a byproduct of the Leblanc process) until its closure in 1964. The Chemical Works was located on the north bank of the Monkland Canal, immediately east of Port Dundas. The Fountainwell sector was built on a farm of the same name, to the south of Sighthill Cemetery which opened in 1840. [5] [6] Within it stands the memorial to John Baird and Andrew Hardie, the leaders of the 1820 Radical War otherwise known as the 1820 Insurrection. William Mossman and his sculptor sons are buried here.

The Pinkston power station, which had supplied power to the city's tram system and the Subway, was closed in 1975, and its signature cooling tower which dominated the city's skyline was demolished in 1977, with the rest of the complex being removed the year after.

The Sighthill estate later suffered from stigma, as high-rise living went out of fashion. It suffered from low demand since the mid-1970s, despite its proximity to the city centre. [7] Because of its low occupancy rate, Sighthill (along with nearby Red Road) was selected in the late 1990s as a temporary housing location for refugees and asylum seekers. As a result, the neighbourhood had one of the most diverse ethnic makeups in Scotland.

In 2005, letting was suspended in the Fountainwell side of Sighthill as new landlords, Glasgow Housing Association considered the estate's future. The decision was eventually made that Fountainwell should be demolished. The first two blocks were demolished in July 2008 [8] with the three remaining blocks following in November 2009. [9] Sighthill Primary School was also demolished after the tower blocks due to an arson attack shortly after it closed.

The fate of the five remaining Pinkston blocks was debated further. After a campaign by local residents, at least two of the blocks were to be retained and refurbished by Glasgow Housing Association, with three being demolished or sold to private developers. [10] [11] However, Glasgow then bid for the 2018 Youth Olympics and were added to the hosting shortlist, but the successful city had to have its Athletes Village prepared – this resulted in the total demolition of Sighthill's towers to accommodate a new low-rise redevelopment. [12] The bid was lost, but regeneration continued. The Sighthill 'Transformational Regeneration Area' includes a new school campus, landscaped green areas and better connectivity to the Forth and Clyde Canal, [13] [14] [15] in addition to approximately 1,000 new housing units for sale, private rental and social rental (much of it marketed as 'NorthBridge' by developers Keepmoat). [16] [17] Sighthill Bridge over the M8 Motorway, first planned in 2018, opened in 2023. The bridge replaced an earlier smaller pedestrian bridge and is known locally as Rusty Bridge due to the use of Cor-Ten steel in its construction. It has a weight of 1,000 tonnes, a span of spanning 74m (80yds) and has been landscaped with thousands of plants and seating areas. [18] [19]

There is also an active Community Council consisting of several committed residents who aim to deal with issues affecting the Sighthill neighbourhood.

Sighthill stone circle

A photo of Sighthill Stone Circle SighthillStoneCircle.jpg
A photo of Sighthill Stone Circle

Sighthill hosts the first astronomically aligned stone circle built in Great Britain for 3,000 years, guided by Duncan Lunan. Built at the highest point of Sighthill Park, the stone circle has a vantage point over the surrounding areas. [20] There are 17 stones in the circle – with 16 forming a circle 30 feet (9 metres) across, and the largest four-tonne stone in the centre. [20] The Sighthill megalith was intended as a tribute to both the ancient megalith builders and the scientists who discovered their significance. [21] It was renovated in the late 2010s along with the rest of the district. [22] [23]

Tower blocks

Each block contained 228 flats (i.e. 2,280 residences in total across the 10 blocks); essentially each block was two towers, each with 19 habitable floors of six flats in a mirror-image of the other and a separate communal entrance, joined together at a central wall. They were 57.6 metres (189 ft) tall. [24] [25]

Fountainwell

In order of Demolition

Pinkston

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryhill</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Maryhill is an area in the north-west of Glasgow in Scotland. A former independent burgh and the heart of an eponymous local authority ward, its territory is bisected by Maryhill Road, part of the A81 road which runs for a distance of roughly three miles between Glasgow city centre and the suburban town of Bearsden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Townhead</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Townhead is a district within the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is one of Glasgow's oldest areas, and contains two of its major surviving medieval landmarks – Glasgow Cathedral and the Provand's Lordship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anderston</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Anderston is an area of Glasgow, Scotland. It is on the north bank of the River Clyde and forms the south western edge of the city centre. Established as a village of handloom weavers in the early 18th century, Anderston was an independent burgh of barony from 1824 until it was incorporated into the City of Glasgow in 1846.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toryglen</span> Inner–city district of Glasgow in Scotland

Toryglen is a district in southern Glasgow, Scotland, falling within the Langside ward under Glasgow City Council. It is approximately two miles south of the city centre, bounded to the west by Mount Florida, the north-west by Polmadie, to the north-east by the West Coast Main Line railway and the M74 motorway the south by King's Park, and immediately to the east by the town of Rutherglen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Springburn</span> Inner-city district in Scotland

Springburn is an inner-city district in the north of the Scottish city of Glasgow, made up of generally working-class households.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowlairs</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Cowlairs is an area in the Scottish city of Glasgow, part of the wider Springburn district of the city. It is situated north of the River Clyde, between central Springburn to the east and Possilpark to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garthamlock</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Garthamlock is a suburb in the north-east of the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated north of the River Clyde. Provanhall is the nearest neighbourhood to the east; Craigend is directly to the west with Hogganfield Park and Ruchazie beyond. Garthamlock is separated from Cranhill and Queenslie to the south by the M8 motorway. An area of open ground is to the north. The local landmarks are two water towers, which are illuminated at night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germiston, Glasgow</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Germiston is a neighbourhood in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, north of the River Clyde.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royston, Glasgow</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Royston/Roystonhill is a district in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It was previously known as The Garngad and is still known as such by residents that have a familial link and is still displayed in local shops and bars. It is notable for its large population of immigrants, mostly of Irish Catholic descent and African.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruchazie</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Ruchazie is a neighbourhood in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated to the north-east of the city, bordered by Craigend and Garthamlock to the east and the open ground of Hogganfield Park and Lethamhill Golf Course to the north. Ruchazie is separated from Cranhill to the south and Riddrie to the west by the M8 motorway, previously the route of the Monkland Canal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glasgow Works</span>

Glasgow Works, formerly the St Rollox Works, is a railway rolling stock heavy maintenance and repair works established in the 1850s in the Glasgow district of Springburn by the Caledonian Railway Company, and known locally as 'the Caley'.

Sighthill is a suburb in the west of Edinburgh, Scotland. The area is bordered by Broomhouse and Parkhead to the east, South Gyle to the north, the industrial suburb of Bankhead and the Calders neighbourhood to the west, and Wester Hailes to the south. It is sometimes included in the Wester Hailes area, while the Calders, Bankhead and Parkhead are sometimes considered parts of Sighthill. Administratively it has formed a core part of the City of Edinburgh Council's Sighthill/Gorgie ward since 2007.

The Bruce Report is the name commonly given to the First Planning Report to the Highways and Planning Committee of the Corporation of the City of Glasgow published in March 1945. It influenced an intensive programme of regeneration and rebuilding efforts which took place in the city and surroundings from the mid-1950s and lasted until the late 1970s. The author was Robert Bruce, Glasgow Corporation Engineer at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charing Cross, Glasgow</span> Road junction in Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Charing Cross is a major road junction and area within the centre of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated north of the River Clyde at the intersection of Sauchiehall Street, St George's Road, Woodlands Road, North Street and Newton Street, as well as being at a major interchange of the M8 motorway. Charing Cross marks the notional boundary between the City Centre and the West End of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port Dundas</span> Area of Glasgow, Scotland (UK)

Port Dundas is an area of Glasgow, Scotland, located 1 mile (1.6 km) to the north of the city centre. It lies to the north of Cowcaddens, and to the west of Sighthill, with Hamiltonhill and Possilpark to the north-west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Housing in Glasgow</span> Overview of housing in Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, has several distinct styles of residential buildings. Building styles reflect historical trends, such as rapid population growth in the 18th and 19th centuries, deindustrialisation and growing poverty in the late 20th century, and civic rebound in the 21st century.

Keepmoat Homes Ltd is a housebuilding company in the United Kingdom that provides private homes for sale. Its headquarters are in Doncaster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Springburn/Robroyston (ward)</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Springburn/Robroyston is one of the 23 wards of Glasgow City Council. Created as Springburn, in 2007 and in 2012 it returned three council members, using the single transferable vote system. For the 2017 Glasgow City Council election, the boundaries were changed, the ward increased in size and population, was renamed Springburn/Robroyston and returned four members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennistoun (ward)</span> Human settlement in Scotland

Dennistoun is one of the 23 wards of Glasgow City Council; used since the 2017 local election, it is one of two created from the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland's 5th Review. The ward returns three council members.

References

  1. ↑ In Pictures — Transformation In Progress At Sighthill, reGlasgow, 15 July 2021
  2. ↑ Glasgow, 1-15 Huntingdon Place, Tenements, Canmore
  3. ↑ Photos of Old Springburn 9, Reminiscences of Springburn
  4. ↑ John Tennant (Mitchell Library, The Bailie), The Glasgow Story
  5. ↑ Sighthill Cemetery Gates (Glasgow School of Art Archives), The Glasgow Story
  6. ↑ Glasgow, 225 Springburn Road, Sighthill Cemetery, Canmore
  7. ↑ "Disappearing Glasgow: documenting the demolition of a city's troubled past". The Guardian . 22 April 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 "Towers razed in overnight blasts". BBC News. 13 July 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Not built to last?". Disappearing Glasgow. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  10. ↑ "Don't knock our homes down!". Evening Times . Glasgow. 24 February 2009. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  11. ↑ Hurley, Frank (4 June 2009). "Pinkston Highrises Saved As Residents Force GHA Retreat". Daily Record . Glasgow. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 "Before and after: The radical transformation of one of Glasgow's housing schemes". Evening Times. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  13. ↑ Sighthill TRA, Glasgow City Council, retrieved 1 December 2020
  14. ↑ Here's how Sighthill is being transformed in £250m regeneration project, Glasgow Live, 7 January 2019
  15. ↑ Work on Sighthill regeneration project resumes after lockdown, Glasgow Times, 22 June 2020
  16. ↑ Welcome to NorthBridge, Glasgow, Keepmoat Homes, retrieved 1 December 2020
  17. ↑ Work begins on transformational development of over 800 new homes in Sighthill, Glasgow Housing Association, 22 January 2020
  18. ↑ "'Street in the sky' bridge planned for M8 at Sighthill". BBC News. 22 November 2018. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  19. ↑ Scott, Katy (28 March 2024). "How a rusty bridge changed lives in Glasgow". BBC News. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  20. 1 2 "Scots Stonehenge shoogly admits creator". www.deadlinenews.co.uk. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
  21. ↑ Duncan, Lunan (2013). The Stones and the Stars: Building Scotland's Newest Megalith. New York: Springer: Science & Business Media. p. 262. ISBN   978-1-4614-5354-3.
  22. ↑ "Plans to rejuvenate 'Glasgow's answer to Stone Henge'". BBC News . 2 June 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  23. ↑ Campsie, Alison (2 June 2010). "Good Heavens... astronomer bids to rejuvenate stone circle". The Herald . Glasgow. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  24. ↑ "Tower Block UK: Sighthill Phase 1A". University of Edinburgh . Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  25. ↑ "Buildings in Glasgow: Sighthill". Emporis. Archived from the original on 28 February 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  26. ↑ "Bulldozers move in to bring down Sighthill flats". Kirkintilloch Herald. 16 April 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.