“I don’t want Glasgow school’s tennis courts turned into monstrous housing - parking would be even worse”

A Glasgow resident fears a private school's tennis courts could be turned into ''monstrous'' housing.

The courts in a “distinguished residential district" of the city were owned by nearby Hutchesons’ Grammar School.

They were listed for sale for an undisclosed fee "as part of the school's wider reinvestment strategy". The move comes after it sold its B-listed primary school campus earlier this year.

The courts are part of a package "suitable for development" that also includes a house and garden in Glasgow. It sits in approximately 0.42 acres in the West Pollokshields conservation area - "an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".

Savills, who have listed the property, have described the area as "suitable for development," and note that the lot also includes a small existing house on the land. But residents of a neighbouring building have expressed concern over the sale, as they worry that construction of luxury flats could have a negative effect on the area.

A resident, who moved to the area last summer, said: "It's so quiet here - the only noise you hear are just kids on the street. Everything is really quiet - that's what we were looking for."

They described hearing about the sale from their neighbours, stating: "There was speculation between us all, but we only knew about it because someone saw it on Rightmove.

"I think we're pretty much all in agreement that it would be a shame if it turned into housing. I'd be concerned about how it looks. If it were in keeping with the rest of the area, then fine. I'd prefer to see something like this tenement building - I don't want something monstrous and large looming over the area.

"It used to be allotments before the school came in, so if that happened again, then brilliant, or something communal - but property is money and money talks."

The resident also raised concerns over the availability of parking, noting: "I think the big change would be parking. It gets really busy with the schools, between certain hours in the morning and afternoon, it's impossible to park. Pretty much everyone in this building has a car and needs parking, and adding 20 more people next door would make it even worse."

The property went to closing on 22 April, but details of the sale have not yet been released.

Estate agents Savills told The Herald: "Collectively, these assets provide a significant and adaptable footprint within an area characterised by grand family homes and landmark residential architecture, offering scope for sensitive redevelopment or reconfiguration in keeping with the surrounding environment."

"The property is owned by Hutchesons’ Grammar School and is being released as part of the school’s wider reinvestment strategy. The opportunity follows the successful sale of the former primary school campus at 44 Kingarth Street.

"The existing detached dwelling, which extends to 1,011 square feet, is set well back from the road behind mature trees and established planting, ensuring privacy from surrounding properties. While currently let on a short‑term basis and maintained in good condition, the house is considered secondary to the overall opportunity afforded by the site’s scale, setting and development potential."