A FORMER convent which boasts its own ghost is being turned into more than 80 executive homes.
The development in Victoria Crescent Road and Bowmont Gardens in the west end of Glasgow went on the market last year with a price tag of around ?10million.
The 110-year-old building, which is five attached properties, was snapped up by an English developer who will now turn it into flats.
Originally home to the Notre Dame order of nuns, which ran a teacher training college, the building in Dowanhill was later turned into offices for the education body Learning Teaching Scotland.
The Evening Times told how cleaners Ellen Bradley and Nan McDonald claimed a terrified guard dog once attacked a security guard at the building then dropped dead from fright after apparently being confronted by a ghost.
The phantom is believed to the spirit of a French nun called Sister Campion.
Despite the unusual resident, the Surrey-based firm plans to restore it to its former glory.
Agent Martin Wilson, of J Martin Wilson Associates in Botanic Crescent in Glasgow, said he was unaware the building was haunted but claimed he was not concerned.
He said conversion of the sandstone buildings - which include a former chapel - is expected to start in a couple of months and take two years to complete. The flats are expected to sell for more than ?200,000.
Access to the development runs between Notre Dame primary school and its playground.
A total of 60 objections were lodged by neighbours and parents of pupils at the school concerned about the safety of the youngsters.
But planning officials insist action will be taken to ensure pupils are safe when using the playground at break times.
A spokesman said: "In the past, at break time, the children were supervised when they went to the playground and we have agreed this arrangement could still work."
Notre Dame uses one basement as a gym.
But the school is due to close in summer 2009 as part of the city council's programme of closures and mergers.
Planners say alterations to the outside of the five buildings will be minimal as they are located in a conservation area.
Development and regeneration director Steve Inch said: "We feel this is a good use of the buildings and it will mean they will survive."
Hyndland councillor Ruth Simpson said neither she nor Kelvinside community council had objected to the plans.
Source: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/print/news/5054165.shtml
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