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The National
20-07-2025
- Business
- The National
'Misinformation' row around demolition of historic Glasgow building
Paul Sweeney, who represents the Glasgow region at Holyrood, questioned assessments that said the entrance arch of the C-listed ABC cinema at 292–332 Sauchiehall Street could not remain standing. Historic Environment Scotland described the arch as a 'dominant full height Classical Modern entrance' built by renowned cinema architect CJ McNair in 1929. The agency said the 'dramatic' arch formed part of a 'striking and unusual streetscape elevation which is an important feature of one of Glasgow's principal streets'. The entrance arch of the former ABC cinema, installed in 1929 by CJ McNair and demolished in 2024 (Image: Richard Sutcliffe/Geograph) In August last year, Glasgow Council served the arch and surrounding facade with a demolition notice and it was subsequently torn down. The local authority then approved Vita Group's plans for the site in June, green-lighting student flats along with a ground-floor food hall, a pub, a takeaway and various landscaping works. However, the plans were 'called in' by Scottish Government ministers last week, who will now make the final decision on the development. Sweeney said that SNP ministers should send the proposals 'back to square one', but lamented that the arch and facade had already been destroyed. 'A shipping-container stack of student flats with a food hall at the bottom of it. I think we can settle for a better deal than that for Glasgow,' he said. Sweeney claimed that the McNair arch was 'essentially a concrete pillbox', adding: 'It was structurally sound, and one of Scotland's top structural engineers advised that it was perfectly salvageable in situ.' READ MORE: 'Glasgow deserves better': Heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans A Glasgow City Council spokesperson refuted the claim that the arch did not require demolition. 'After six years of being fully open to the elements, the deteriorating condition of the building was one which could no longer be tolerated in terms of public safety, and that is why a Dangerous Buildings Notice was served for the facade and the relevant structure behind,' they said. 'Public safety is the first and over-riding priority for our officers in such cases, who make decisions from fully informed positions.' A spokesperson for the Vita Group said any suggestion they had an influence on the decision to demolish the arch was 'entirely untrue'. The developers said they had provided 'no input, advice or recommendations regarding the [demolition] notice'. A report on the structural condition of the ABC cinema – seen by the Sunday National and prepared in 2019 by the engineering firm Narro Associates – assessed claims made in separate reports prepared for the 'planning application seeking demolition of the entire site'. The 2019 document refuted many assertions made in the earlier reports, notably about the impact which fires in 2014 and 2018 had had on the structural integrity of the building. It concluded: 'The main building framing and concrete floors behind the front section would … not deteriorate to the point of demolition being the only viable option available. We therefore do not consider full demolition of the building is necessary at this point.' Sweeney alleged that the assessments arguing that the arch could not remain in place therefore amounted to 'disinformation'. Niall Murphy, the director of the Glasgow City Heritage Trust, said he believed the front arch could have been incorporated into the new plans for the site. 'What had been said at the consultation was it [the front arch] was just made out of plasterboard and plywood, it was just a kind of 1930s movie stage set and it was never meant to last,' he said. READ MORE: Charles Rennie Mackintosh building 'at risk' from O2 ABC plan 'I was like, 'I'm pretty sure that it's got two lift shafts either side of the arch – they'll be very robustly built – and it'll have concrete floor slabs in it, because that's the type of technology you'd be using at the time. Also, it's got this huge cast-iron Saracen screen in it which would also be pretty robust. I don't really think it's going anywhere'. 'It was frustrating then seeing the demolition contractors' guys on site taking it down with jackhammers. If it was made from plasterboard and plywood, why would you be using a jackhammer? 'They were waving at me as I was taking a photograph, the guys on site were actually waving at me. If it's so unsafe, why are they up there being so cavalier? If it was genuinely unsafe, I just thought that was weird.' He added: 'The sad thing is, having taken it down, you can see straight in and you can see posters up … they've not been touched by the fire.' Pictures taken for the Sunday National on July 17 show the posters Murphy mentioned untouched by fire, behind where the entrance arch previously stood. Image showing posters on the wall of the former ABC cinema, directly behind where the entrance arch stood (Image: NQ) Both Sweeney and Murphy said that the development of the site should be more sensitive to the architectural history of the area, especially given it borders the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed School of Art, which Murphy called 'the most important building in Glasgow'. Sweeney suggested public ownership of the site as a possibility, arguing it could be developed into a commercially viable, multi-use cultural venue that also incorporates elements of both student and social housing. A spokesperson for Vita Group said: 'Vita Group is committed to delivering a transformational regeneration project on [[Sauchiehall Street]], bringing approximately £70 million of investment to Glasgow city centre. Our plans for the site include much-needed student accommodation, a public food hall, a courtyard and an events space. This would deliver benefits that extend well beyond the student community and help to revitalise the wider area. 'We fully understand the sensitivities of the site and the importance of heritage considerations. Throughout the planning process, we have worked diligently to ensure that our proposals are viable, appropriate and informed by meaningful engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders. 'To be clear, any suggestion or implication that Vita Group was involved in the issuance of the Dangerous Building Notice is entirely untrue. Vita Group does not currently own the site and was not involved in the decision to demolish parts of the ABC building, providing no input, advice or recommendations regarding the notice. Any suggestions to the contrary are wholly false and without foundation.'
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Scottish ministers to review Glasgow O2 ABC redevelopment plan
Plans to redevelop the fire-damaged O2 ABC site on Sauchiehall Street have been called in for review by the Scottish City Council was informed the decision had been taken due to the potential impact on the "nationally important" A-listed Glasgow School of Art (GSoA).The city's planning committee last month approved urban regeneration development firm Vita Group's bid to replace the music venue with a public foodhall and student the art school said the scheme would put the rebuild of the fire-hit Mackintosh building at "significant risk" - a position supported by the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) also objected to the proposal as it believed the planned nine-storey development would obscure important views of and from the 'Mack' building, As a result of HES's objection, Scottish ministers had to be notified of the ruling and had 28-days to decide whether to call-in the application and make their own Tuesday a letter was sent to Glasgow City Council which confirmed the "application has been referred to the Scottish ministers and that the decision of ministers will be final".A reporter will be appointed by the government to assess the case who will then submit a report with recommendations for ministerial ABC venue was damaged by a fire at the Mackintosh building in 2018 and, along with the former Jumpin' Jaks nightclub, has been vacant since.A dangerous buildings notice was issued by the council in July last year due to "immediate threat" and parts of the ABC, including its façade, have now been demolished. OBARCS (ABC) Ltd, the owners of the site, previously accused GSoA of "standing in the way of progress". The company and property investment firm Urban Pulse said the school was attempting to block a "viable, respectful development plan".James Patterson, director of Urban Pulse, speaking on behalf of OBARCS, said there were no concrete plans or a timeline for the refurbishment of the Mackintosh the plan was approved, Prof Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the GSoA, said the art school had been "clear and provided evidence" that the project would "fundamentally compromise" the 'Mack'.She added: "We hope that ministers, taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh building is unacceptably compromised." Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, also urged the Scottish government to "step in and overturn this decision".He said: "This approval places the commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh building at significant risk and will set a dangerous precedent for our built heritage."Vita Group's 'House of Social' project includes 356 student beds as well as a publicly-accessible foodhall, which would become an events space at at the council had recommended the approval of the reported the proposal would have a "negative impact on the historic environment".But they added the current "derelict" site was having a "negative impact… on the viability and vitality of the city centre as a whole".At the planning meeting on 17 June there were requests for a hearing, where those for and against the proposal could have made their councillors voted 6-4 in favour of making a decision on the day. They then voted 8-2 in favour of granting planning permission. Story by Local Democracy Reporting Service reporter Drew Sandelands.
Glasgow Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans
They've also called on the Scottish Government to reverse the approval, which will see the building of a nine-story mixed-use development. The Glasgow School of Art has also called on Ministers to refuse the plans, stating that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17, and a vote of eight to two approved the plans. Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said, "I am really disappointed by the Planning Committee's decision to allow this proposal to go through. "It is a very poor design, and I feel the developers have pushed boundaries, submitting revised plans that, while seemingly minor, collectively have created a situation where the planning department had little option but to approve this development. Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans (Image: Vita Group) "The Committee seemed to have reservations about the proposals, but were more concerned about leaving the area undeveloped. "Glasgow City Council has missed a trick here. There was an opportunity to create something truly special on this site. "The Scottish Government needs to step in and overturn this decision. "Mackintosh and Glasgow deserves better." READ MORE: Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation READ MORE: 'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan READ MORE: O2 ABC site owners clash with Glasgow School of Art Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, echoed Stuart's disappointment at the approval. He said: "Given the acknowledged negative impact on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's Grecian Chambers (now the CCA) and the Glasgow Central Conservation Area more broadly, I think this is a disappointing outcome for Glasgow's heritage. "Nevertheless, we live in a democracy, and the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee decided that the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street was more important to Glasgow. I must respect their decision. "Given the issues of national significance raised by Historic Environment Scotland, it will be interesting to see if Scottish Ministers call it in." The approved proposal (Image: Vita Group) Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, also called on the government to reverse the approval. She said: "The objection by Historic Environment Scotland does now require the approval by Glasgow City Council to be referred to Scottish Ministers. "We hope that Ministers taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh Building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh Building is unacceptably compromised." Stuart Robertson previously told us that the proposal was "so depressing" and was not swayed by anything said in today's meeting. Stuart added: "As highlighted in my previous comments, this development is vastly over-scaled and does not meet development plan policy. "This approval places the commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk and will set a dangerous precedent for our built heritage. "Look at the M&S development. After securing planning permission, the developer puts it on the market. We could see the same happen here. "The student housing sector needs to have a more robust public oversight. "Rather than relying on speculative delivery and developer-led policy formation, it may be time to reassert a civic-led approach that places the needs of communities, students, and heritage on an equal footing." The cast iron pieces will be displayed in the new building (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Niall found a silver lining in one of the conditions set: that part of the portico of the O2 ABC would be displayed to the public in the development. He said: "On the positive side, I welcome the amended condition to see the incorporation of the Walter Macfarlane cast iron screen from the former ABC Cinema within the proposed development. "It will be interesting to see how the screen will be respectfully installed given the constrained height within the new building; however, it is a significant artefact with regards to Glasgow's cast iron technologies and has strong social value too. "Therefore, it being back on public display once more is worth celebrating."
The National
17-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Glasgow heritage groups hit out over plans for 02 ABC site
They've also called on the Scottish Government to reverse the approval, which will see the building of a nine-storey mixed-use development. The Glasgow School of Art has also called on ministers to refuse the plans, stating that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17, and a vote of eight to two approved the plans. Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said: "I am really disappointed by the Planning Committee's decision to allow this proposal to go through. "It is a very poor design, and I feel the developers have pushed boundaries, submitting revised plans that, while seemingly minor, collectively have created a situation where the planning department had little option but to approve this development. Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans (Image: Vita Group) "The committee seemed to have reservations about the proposals, but were more concerned about leaving the area undeveloped. "Glasgow City Council has missed a trick here. There was an opportunity to create something truly special on this site. "The Scottish Government needs to step in and overturn this decision. "Mackintosh and Glasgow deserves better." Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, echoed Stuart's disappointment at the approval. He said: "Given the acknowledged negative impact on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's Grecian Chambers (now the CCA) and the Glasgow Central Conservation Area more broadly, I think this is a disappointing outcome for Glasgow's heritage. "Nevertheless, we live in a democracy, and the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee decided that the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street was more important to Glasgow. I must respect their decision. "Given the issues of national significance raised by Historic Environment Scotland, it will be interesting to see if Scottish ministers call it in." The approved proposal (Image: Vita Group) Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, also called on the Government to reverse the approval. She said: "The objection by Historic Environment Scotland does now require the approval by Glasgow City Council to be referred to Scottish ministers. "We hope that ministers taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh Building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh Building is unacceptably compromised." Stuart Robertson previously told us that the proposal was "so depressing" and was not swayed by anything said in today's meeting. Robertson added: "As highlighted in my previous comments, this development is vastly over-scaled and does not meet development plan policy. "This approval places the commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk and will set a dangerous precedent for our built heritage. "Look at the M&S development. After securing planning permission, the developer puts it on the market. We could see the same happening here. "The student housing sector needs to have a more robust public oversight. "Rather than relying on speculative delivery and developer-led policy formation, it may be time to reassert a civic-led approach that places the needs of communities, students, and heritage on an equal footing." The cast iron pieces will be displayed in the new building (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Murphy found a silver lining in one of the conditions set: That part of the portico of the O2 ABC would be displayed to the public in the development. He said: "On the positive side, I welcome the amended condition to see the incorporation of the Walter Macfarlane cast iron screen from the former ABC Cinema within the proposed development. "It will be interesting to see how the screen will be respectfully installed given the constrained height within the new building; however, it is a significant artefact with regards to Glasgow's cast iron technologies and has strong social value too. "Therefore, it being back on public display once more is worth celebrating."
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Plans approved for student accommodation on O2 ABC site
Over nine stories, including a basement, House of Social would include student accommodation, a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym, and more. The councillors first deliberated over whether the proposal contained enough information to make a decision today, and a motion was offered to take the proposal to a hearing. A vote was taken, and the motion for the hearing was refused, with a vote of six to four. Then, after questions between councillors, the plans were approved by a vote of eight to two. The new proposed development (Image: Vita Group)Councillors were told that the proposal was made "as compact as it can viably be", despite the "admitted negative impact on the heritage buildings in the area." Ahead of the meeting, we reported that the Glasgow School of Art said the Sauchiehall Street plans put the rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building 'at significant risk'. And that locals and heritage organisations in the city mirrored calls for a rethink of the design for the mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Councillor Sean Ferguson spoke up during the meeting about the rebuild of the Mackintosh building. He said: "What context are we to consider this in? In no other situation would we be considering the impact on a burnt-out ruin of a building. "Although the global significance of the Mackintosh is understood. "If we don't take this opportunity to approve this proposal, we may see it lie derelict like it has for a decade." The site was ravaged by fire in 2014 and 2018 (Image: Newsquest)Councillor Eva Bolander refuted claims that the Glasgow School of Art had no concrete plans to rebuild the architect's work. She said: "The Art School have never stated any other intention than restoring the Mackintosh Building. However, after satisfying some of the questions the councillors fielded, they came to the vote. The chair of the meeting, Councillor Ken Andrew, approved. He said: "It's with some regret that I will support this. "On balance, I think that the benefits of developing the site outweigh the negatives." The proposal promises an open area to admire the Mackintosh building (Image: Vita Group) Part of the meeting's appeasing of some concerns was the notion that the approval would be subject to conditions. One of the conditions set was that the Macfarlane cast iron screen, which formed part of the portico of the O2 ABC, would be displayed to the public in the development. The other conditions include a Section 75 order, which will require the developers to contribute to the area through the council. The proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. 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.
