Robroyston, a suburb of Glasgow, is experiencing a significant housing boom with approximately 2,000 new homes being constructed. However, residents report a severe lack of essential amenities, including doctors' offices, dentists, and new schools, despite initial plans that suggested such infrastructure would accompany the development. Eamonn McCloskey, a long-time resident, stated that the area is "bursting at the seams," yet the influx of new residents has not resulted in commensurate investment in the community.
Residents feel that housing developers sold properties based on promises of incoming schools, shops, and amenities. Instead, they describe a situation where the necessary infrastructure has not materialized, leading to disappointment. The area, historically rural and known for its association with William Wallace's capture in 1305, saw the closure of Robroyston hospital in the 1970s. Following this, housing developments began, initially slowly in the 1980s and then accelerating from the late 1990s onwards.
In 2009, the city council designated Robroyston and nearby Millerston as a community growth area, with a masterplan to increase housing and accompanying infrastructure. The initial plan listed around 1,600 homes, but this number is now estimated to reach approximately 2,000, with additional homes being built outside the scope of the original masterplan. Residents have voiced their concerns to BBC Scotland's Your Voice, highlighting a disparity between the rapid housing expansion and the absence of community benefits.