Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation
The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17.
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)
READ MORE:'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan
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)
READ MORE: Mack rebuild 'at risk' from ABC warns Glasgow Art School
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."
Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, responded to the claims made in the meeting.
She said: "We have been clear and provided evidence that the now approved proposals fundamentally compromise the Category A listed Mackintosh Building, something that was agreed with in both the Officers Report and in the objection by Historic Environment Scotland.
"Equally, the suggestions made today in the Planning Committee that this proposal is acceptable because no planning application is currently submitted for the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building fails to take into account our stated commitment, and the work currently being undertaken by Reiach and Hall Architects with Purcell, for the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a working art school.
"This approval places that commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk."
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)
READ MORE: ABC owners say Glasgow School of Art 'ignored fire warning'
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation
The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17. 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) READ MORE:'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan 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) READ MORE: Mack rebuild 'at risk' from ABC warns Glasgow Art School 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." Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, responded to the claims made in the meeting. She said: "We have been clear and provided evidence that the now approved proposals fundamentally compromise the Category A listed Mackintosh Building, something that was agreed with in both the Officers Report and in the objection by Historic Environment Scotland. "Equally, the suggestions made today in the Planning Committee that this proposal is acceptable because no planning application is currently submitted for the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building fails to take into account our stated commitment, and the work currently being undertaken by Reiach and Hall Architects with Purcell, for the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a working art school. "This approval places that commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." 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) READ MORE: ABC owners say Glasgow School of Art 'ignored fire warning' 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.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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."
