4 days ago
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.
