'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan

Glasgow Times

2 days ago

It comes as the Glasgow School of Art has said the Sauchiehall Street plans put the rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building 'at significant risk'.
Locals and heritage organisations in the city have also mirrored calls for a rethink of the design for the mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site.
Stuart Robertson, director of The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said: "It's all so depressing! The GSA 'Mack' has enough problems!
"Glasgow seems to have lost its way, lost its mojo, there is a lack of vision, our built heritage deserves much better.
"We would appeal to Glasgow City Council to refuse this planning application and request that the applicant re-submit a design that is sympathetic to an A-listed building of such world importance."
'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan (Image: Vita Group)
READ MORE: Mack rebuild 'at risk' from ABC warns Glasgow Art School
Stuart's feelings have been mirrored by Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust.
He said: "The result of these plans is a generic building which could be anywhere.
"As a matter of urgency, the architects should look again at Glasgow's great classical tradition of commercial buildings, as they need to learn from them.
"They are building in the most fantastic setting next to buildings by two Glaswegians who were absolute masters of Architecture.
"A first-rate architect would rise to that challenge - but are we getting that here?
"I don't envy the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee their jobs in considering this application next week.
"However, I would ask that they remember the debate the committee had over the previous student housing proposal for the ABC site, which they refused in 2017.
"It was the best example I have experienced of local democracy in action.
"The committee weighed the matter and, such was the sensitivity of the site, decided to refuse a smaller scaled proposal than the one currently being considered.
"I hope this application receives the same degree of scrutiny."
The Mackintosh building (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns)
READ MORE: Plans for Glasgow O2 ABC recommended despite 'negative impact'
The Garnet Hill neighbourhood watch, representing local residents, has specific concerns regarding the proposed developments.
Chair Bill Beckett said while they are "very keen to see the site be developed", they believe it "needs to be done in the right way."
He added that their overall stance is a "resounding no" to the current plans.
Bill also said that residents expressed a strong desire for social housing to be prioritised, noting that there is a "crisis going on in homeless social care and social housing."
Many residents would prefer to see an independent music venue put back in place for entertainment, aiming to "bring back the old days."
The current site has been branded an 'eyesore' (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns)
READ MORE: Historic Glasgow venue is an 'eyesore' say furious locals
Dominic d'Angelo, chair of the Alexander Greek Thomson Society, said: "It's concerning because the proposal appears to completely override the objections both on light levels and the two A-listed buildings beside it.
"It'll be significantly larger than everything around it.
"We should not be selling the past in a desperate attempt to get more student accommodation into the city.
"There's an agreed need, but it should not come at the cost of, and be detrimental to, the cityscape we all live and work in.
"The fact that the site is derelict should not be a factor that allows them to build whatever they want - the current proposal will not 'add value' to the street and the area like they claim."
Niall agreed that an approval for this site would set a 'dangerous' precedent: "It risks sending out a message that Glasgow is happy to let its heritage be walked all over for the sake of commercial gain."
Stuart added: "The proposal is clearly contrary to development plan policy and supplementary guidance.
"In its current form, it cannot be justified except as a departure from said established policy and guidance.
"I cannot understand how this proposed redevelopment meets any of the criteria."
The Mack's rebuild is under threat (Image: Newsquest)
READ MORE: Pictures show how new plan for Glasgow's O2 ABC will look
If successful, the proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street.
Over eight floors - including a basement - House of Social would include student accommodation, as well as a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym and more.
The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage.