The controlled explosive blowdown of the high-rise buildings at Tarfside Oval in Cardonald forms part of a major regeneration of the Glasgow community.

If given the go ahead, GHA could begin work in late 2016.

A fourth multi-storey on the site at Tarfside Oval is being demolished using an ultra high-reach machine due to the close proximity of nearby homes.

Alex McGuire, director of property for GHA’s parent company Wheatley Group, said: “The demolitions will allow us to breathe new life into the community and transform it for future generations. The new homes planned will make a massive difference to the lives of tenants and to the wider neighbourhood.

“We are committed to playing a major role in changing the face of housing in Glasgow for the better and delivering high-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes in which people want to live. We’d like to thank the residents and businesses for their patience and support during this major regeneration work.”

The decision to demolish all four of the blocks was taken in 2014 following an extensive consultation with the community, including face-to-face visits and surveys. The blocks had become unpopular over the years and expensive to maintain.

Around 340 neighbouring properties were temporarily evacuated to allow the three 22-storey blocks – 60 metres tall – to be safely demolished.

Over 6000 individual charges and around 180kg of explosives were used to bring down the three blocks. The bottom six storeys of each of the three blocks will be demolished as planned using machinery.

Tenants who previously lived in the blocks were rehoused in new or upgraded GHA homes or in properties with other registered social landlords.

GHA tenant Anne-Marie Boyd lived on the eighth floor at 60 Tarfside Oval for 13 years.

Anne-Marie said: “I loved staying there. I remember feeling so lucky when I got the flat. It was so big and I had great neighbours.

“I’ve been watching them pull down the first block and it’s quite emotional. It’s the end of an era.”

The demolition work was carried out by Dem-Master and Safedem.

Dem-Master director Richard McCulloch said: “Dem-Master is delighted to be working in partnership with GHA and to be involved in such a major regeneration project. Our thanks go to the residents and community in Tarfside for their co-operation, patience and understanding.

“We will continue to work with the community as we bring the demolition and clearance of the site to a close over the coming months. I would also like to thank the teams at Dem-Master and Safedem for delivering this stage of this technically-challenging project safely and to programme.”

@GlasgowHousing