Clydebank/Dalmuir Tenements:
Sited in the Dalmuir area, far west of the city centre on the north side of the Clyde in the G81 postcode area are these three blocks of flat roofed tenements. These last three blocks are phase three of a three phase demolition of 292 'obsolete' tenements of this type and new build project in the area, comprising of 128 houses and flats in the first two phases. Phases one and two have been demolished and a good quality of new build built in their place, these are more spacious and energy efficient in comparison to the older small tenements. Phase three however has been cleared of tenants, but the demolition has appeared to have stalled (site visit in late 2012 showed a few tenants remaining, re-visit in late 2013 sees that the flats still stand). The plans for phase three are according to the Clydewaterfront website "not being developed at this time".
(www.clydewaterfront.com/projects/clydebank--erskine/housing/dalmuirregenerationproject)
Hence to the author it appears the area now has the blight of derelict housing, incidences of vandalism and fire-raising can be seen and the final three buildings photographed here, whilst appearing stable and largely secure are deteriorating apace.
The three blocks are typical of later tenements seen along the north side of the River Clyde from Whiteinch, through Scotstoun and onto Clydebank and Dalmuir. These are generally brick built three storey blocks with a smaller set of proportions to their earlier turn of the century counterparts. These later tenements were typically built post WW1 in the 1920s and 1930s. Faced on the front elevation with red sandstone typically, these particular three blocks in Dalmuir unusually have flat roofs. Flat roofs can be found in use in Scotland since the early 20th century, so these could be contemporary. However in Glasgow there are few instances of this use of flat roofs on such tenements so a determination can not be safely said at this time.
When the decision was made to refurbish or rebuild at these sites the Clydefront website states that: "Extensive investigations" were deemed to show the tenements blocks were unfeasible to refurbish - it is assumed by the author that this is related to the extensive and costly work necessary, e.g. typically on projects such as this comprising of: exterior insulation (encasing the traditional red sandstone to the front, removal of the render to the rear and encasing the brick rear elevation - internal insulation is far more difficult in comparison), new fit out internally and a pitched roof (with implications for loading onto the front/back walls) would seem the logical final component. It should also be noted that all of these parts of refurbishment must comply with current building regulations. It should be noted that refurbishment costs are hampered by the VAT levy applicable, something which doesn't apply to new build. This is an absurdity of UK government policy which effectively discourages refurbishment and encourages new build. Whilst new build benefits from a freer hand for the developers and boosts headline figures of 'new' houses built, it flies in the face of the deteriorating condition of much of the UK's existing housing stock the UK possesses, some 80% of which is predicted to be still standing in 2050 (westminster.gov.uk). Perhaps without the VAT levy, refurbishment in conjunction with new build would be a more attractive proposition. Currently the wholesale demolition of existing stock to be replaced with lesser numbers of new build is typical in Glasgow, compounding the inescapable fact Glasgow is currently in the grips of a major housing crisis.

street address: 709 715 721 727 Dumbarton Rd, 9 15 21 27 33 French St, 6 12 18 24 Roberts St, Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, G81
Latitude / Longitude: 55.910571,-4.429523 (sourced using Google Maps)
Site visit dates: 19 October 2012 and 11 October 2013

North elevation onto Dumbarton Road, looking up the final easterly bay window of the front tenement block (11/10/2013)

North elevation onto Dumbarton Road from the green space to the north (11/10/2013)

North elevation ground floor flat, sealed and vacated (11/10/2013)

Dumbarton Road signage (19/10/2012)

North-west elevations, onto Dumarton Road and looking south down French Street (11/10/2013)

looking north halfway up French Street with the rear rendered rear elevation of the Dumbarton Road block visible ahead (11/10/2013)

The west side square elevation of the Dumbarton Road block and rear rendered elevation with stair to the close (11/10/2013)

Rear elevation stair into the close (11/10/2013)

Vandalised interior of a ground floor flat (11/10/2013)

Fire-raising has been occuring across the site as is typical in such abandoned buildings and their grounds (11/10/2013)

Multiple smashed windows at the rear west end of the Dumbarton Road block (11/10/2013)

Head-like silhouette smash pattern of a window (11/10/2013)

View looking west along the rear of the Dumbarton Road block towards some of the new build (11/10/2013)

Signs of previous occupation (11/10/2013)

Smashed sanitary ware in the rear gardens (11/10/2013)

Nature beginning to reclaim the lands (11/10/2013)