EXCLUSIVE: Anderston Residents Fight to Save 50-Year-Old Tree at Former Police Station Site
Hornbeam Faces Axe for New Flats
EXCLUSIVE By Gary Fanning
A beloved 50-year-old hornbeam tree in Glasgow’s Anderston district faces imminent removal as plans for a new housing development move ahead—unless a last-minute intervention can save it.
The tree, located outside the now-vacant Cranstonhill Police Station at 945 Argyle Street, has become the centre of a passionate community campaign.
A petition organised by Janine Neil, chairperson of Anderston Community Council, gathered 400 signatures, though city council regulations counted them as a single objection. The petition, which was started on change.org, can be signed here.
Despite their efforts, Glasgow City Council approved plans for the redevelopment in September.
The project, led by Westpoint Homes Ltd in partnership with Police Scotland, will replace the disused station with a six-storey residential and commercial complex, including 62 flats and six ground-floor retail units.
Ward Councillor Christy Mearns, of the Scottish Greens, said: “It’s important that all efforts are made to protect this cherished tree in Anderston, which will otherwise be lost to new development, like several others nearby.
“I’ve been arguing for the Hornbeam to be moved to Kelvingrove Park which has lost many trees to the recent storm. This is the least that should be considered to compensate the community for the loss of this mature tree, alongside a robust planting plan for the new development which improves the public realm for local residents."
The existing police station building was vacated in 2018.
The Hornbeam tree is contained within a raised planter at the corner of Argyle Street and Finnieston Street. It is not protected by a TPO (Tree Preservation Order)
A Symbol of Resilience and Community
But campaigners this week argue the tree’s removal would be a significant loss for an area already starved of green space.
“It’s more than just a tree—it’s a part of our community’s history,” said Ms Neil, who spearheaded the petition.
“The community tried to save the tree or to ask for it to be moved to another location.
“We got over 400 signatures however when it was submitted as an objection, it only counted as one objection.
“So the tree is going to be felled.”
An Appeal to the Developers
As demolition looms, residents are making a final plea to Westpoint Homes Ltd : reconsider the fate of the tree before it’s too late.
Local groups are urging the developers to explore options such as:
Relocating the tree to another part of the development or nearby green space.
Allowing time for cuttings to be taken this spring so the tree’s legacy can live on in new plantings.
A Conditional Compromise
While the council approved the development, it imposed a condition that the tree’s wood be repurposed if it is felled.
The wood could be reused within the new building or offered to local organisations for creative projects such as sculptures or benches.
However, for many campaigners, preserving the tree itself would be the most meaningful legacy.
Ms Neil added: “I thought it would be a meaningful legacy story showing the tree as a sapling and now 50 years later its going to be cut down to make way for flats.”
Residents say they are unsure whether cuttings can be taken in time for the next planting season.
“We are trying to get cuttings to grow other hornbeam trees but I think time is against us,” added Ms Neil
“It’s a beautiful tree and it will be sad to see it go
“We thought some kind of sculpture or bench would be good
“One of the local green space groups would like to take some cuttings from the tree to try and grow other trees but the cuttings need to be taken in spring so I wasn’t sure it was too late.”
Planning bosses considered that its removal is outweighed by the significant townscape improvements that would be achieved by the proposed building.
The hornbeam requires removal to allow the development to proceed.
The applicant has indicated that five replacement trees could be planted along Argyle Street. These trees would be subject to an agreement under Section 51 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended) and agreed separately with the Roads Authority and are therefore not part of this planning proposal.
Broader Environmental Implications:
Glasgow’s tree cover has become an increasingly important issue in the city’s push for more sustainable urban living. With less than 10% tree coverage in the Anderston, City & Yorkhill ward, it falls well short of the city’s ambitious target to reach 20% tree cover by 2034.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “A planning application for the erection of flats on the site (reference 23/02812/FUL) was approved at the Planning Applications Committee on September 17, 2024.
“This included the removal of the tree as part of the redevelopment.
”A condition (condition no. 50) about reusing the wood from the tree was agreed at the committee.
“Prior to the complete removal of the existing hornbeam tree the applicants shall submit a report on its condition and potential for reuse of resulting wood. Where reuse is possible, the applicants will submit a method statement illustrating how the materials will be used either within the development or offered to local organisations for reuse for the written approval of the Planning Authority.
“The wood shall then be used in accordance with the details of the method statement.
“In terms of the tree cover and greenspace in Ward 10, please note that through the work of the Avenues programme and the Glasgow Tree Plan, there is much more of both coming to the area.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said they have sold their property and this would be a matter for the developer to comment.
Westpoint Homes Ltd has not yet made a decision regarding the tree’s future and will keep Anderston Community Council informed with any updates.