Anger has greeted the news that a historic Glasgow building is being converted into student flats, the Glasgow Evening Post has reported.

Demolition work has started on the former Scottish Ballet headquarters in West Princes Street to make way for a controversial 103-room development.

Councillors agreed to the scheme in May but residents near the site objected to the change.

Next-door neighbor David Sillers said an army drill hall at the rear of the site should be saved.

The hall dates back to 1912 but is destined to be demolished in the redevelopment.

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Mr Sillers told a reporter: "The military drill hall was built before the surrounding tenements and is of major architectural interest. They could have turned it into a military museum because we don't really have anything like that in Glasgow."

The site, which has been empty for three years, changed hands in May when CCG Scotland bought it from Noah City Developments.

Two four-storey accommodation blocks will be built and the red sandstone building will be converted into student rooms.

Contractors have begun stripping furniture and fittings from the building in preparation for demolition work set to begin in July.

The redevelopment has been designed by Elder and Canon Architects.

Darren McCann of CCG Scotland responded to concerns by saying: "We've been working with the community to show them the plans and ask for feedback. Once they all see what we're doing they'll see we're planning to make a difference."

(NE/GK)