An action group has been formed to protect an iconic site in Glasgow from a proposed development.

The group is concerned neither the public nor their elected representatives had any input in the development plans for Park Quadrant in Glasgow's West End.

The A-listed Park Circus, near the proposed development site, was created by architect Charles Wilson in the 1850s.

The site was acquired by the city council through a compulsory purchase order in 1981.

The council's property organisation, City Property Glasgow, put Park Quadrant up for sale in October 2014.

The organisation received 11 bids, which was narrowed down to a shortlist of four. All four bids presented their proposals to planning officials before being reviewed by the Glasgow Urban Design Panel.

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A bid from Leeds-based developer Expresso Property was chosen and subsequently approved by Glasgow City Council's Executive Committee.

However, the action group is concerned the 11 bids were not originally put forward for public consultation.

Tom Johnstone, a spokesman for the Park and Woodlands Heritage Group, said: "We are outraged. The decision to sell Park Quadrant to Expresso Property who intend to build 111 flats was taken behind closed doors before members of the public had a chance to get involved.

"Park Circus is a conservation area of international importance. It's ludicrous that Glasgow is celebrating its built heritage with a week-long Doors Open Day festival while at the same time rushing through a potentially unsuitable development in one of the most architecturally significant areas of the city."

He added: "We are deeply concerned about the planning process which appears to have fundamental flaws and has resulted in just one proposal going before our elected representatives. We've used Freedom of Information legislation to try to understand the decision making process but our requests have been repeatedly blocked.

"We urge Glasgow City Council to go back to the drawing board and have a full and frank public debate about how the land should be used."

(LM/CD)