Latest news with #TallBuildingsDesignGuide
The National
09-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Glasgow's skyscraper vision sparks split over city's skyline future
Last week, Glasgow City Council revealed its Tall Buildings Design Guide, which outlined areas in the city like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens as potential sites for taller buildings. The guide, which marked a departure from decades of previous rules where building heights were restricted, also provided expectations for building quality, design, and aesthetics. Norry Wilson, who is behind the popular social media account Lost Glasgow, which aims to document, discuss, and appreciate the city's architecture and its community from the last few centuries, is skeptical of the new guidelines. READ MORE: Former SNP MP's critique of UK defence review was a missed opportunity He claimed that there is 'no clamor from developers to build skyscrapers in Glasgow' and that he doubts any plans to build any will ever come to fruition. However, Labour MSP for the Glasgow region, Paul Sweeney, who has a keen interest in the city's architecture, welcomed the guidelines as he hopes the change in policy will help address the growing need for housing. 'Glasgow has not built as many tall buildings as comparable British cities in recent years, and there is a pressing need to repopulate its urban core – which is the least populated of all major British cities,' he said. 'At present, Glasgow has no buildings taller than 100 metres, while Manchester has 26 with eight more under construction.' Sweeney added that whilst the principles outlined in the tall buildings design guide are of a 'high level,' he would like to see more of a 'house style' developed for Glasgow. (Image: Newsquest) He said that the guideline does try to address some 'fundamental deficiencies' that have 'plagued previous generations of tall buildings' in the city, such as slab form, lack of ground floor activation, isolated locations, and a lack of elegance on the skyline. Sweeney added: 'I hope these principles will now be robustly implemented and provide greater certainty for architects, developers, and local communities on what Glasgow expects in the design of such buildings. 'We certainly must never repeat that atrocious design of the Clayton Hotel and Virgin Hotels on Clyde Street, which saw their designs diluted to cut costs, resulting in cheap, clunky-looking cladding, a removal of a feature crown structure from the roof design, a blank facade facing Union Street and poor-quality landscaping at the base. 'Perhaps the design guide could also benefit from a rogues gallery of what hasn't worked well in Glasgow as well as examples that we are rightly proud of.' However, Wilson has said that he has 'absolutely no idea' where the demand for skyscrapers is coming from, as most people would rather live in family homes instead of massive buildings. The freelance journalist pointed out that back in March, three tower blocks dating back to the 60s at Wyndford Road were destroyed using controlled explosions to make way for nearly 400 new homes. (Image: Robert Perry) The four 26-storey blocks and several smaller high-rise buildings at one point provided homes for around 6000 people but were deemed by the owners, Wheatley Homes housing association, as not fit for purpose. 'It's a very strange one because, as far as I'm aware, there is no clamor from developers to build skyscrapers in Glasgow,' Wilson said. 'I mean, even in just the last few weeks, Glasgow's just demolished pretty much the last of our own skyscrapers at Winford and Maryhill because there's no demand for skyscrapers in Glasgow.' He added: 'I've got a sneaking suspicion this is really just a sort of paper exercise.' Wilson, whose father and grandfather were architects who contributed to Glasgow and the greater area's skyline, explained that the city's historic height restrictions were implemented by the fire department. He said that because the water pressure from their hoses could only reach about six or seven stories, they implemented a building height restriction so that fire crews could reach any possible blazes. Wilson said that he hasn't noticed many people discussing the need or want for skyscrapers in the city on any of his Lost Glasgow pages. He said: 'Most folks that looked at it think it's the council talking shop again, and unless it gets rubber stamped, it's not going to change anything.' He added: 'Everyone piles into Lost Glasgow and says, 'why don't they build more social housing' and you've got to point out, well, Glasgow doesn't build social housing anymore. 'That's the job of housing associations and all the rest of it. 'Where the demand is for skyscrapers, where that demand's coming from, I have absolutely no idea.'
The Herald Scotland
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
NHS provides wonderful treatment. Increase taxes and fund it properly
This has returned me to a functioning state only requiring continuous supervision; I can only guess at the cost of the chemotherapy, the 22 units of blood I've received, the constant blood tests and the care. Herein lies the problem for the NHS; when I was a medical student all those years ago acute myeloid leukaemia was fatal within a very short timescale. However, thanks to all the wonderful treatment I am still here and am now on a number of NHS waiting lists. My ageing prostate requires investigation and treatment; my routine "free" eye test revealed a cataract, so onto another waiting list; the haematologists put me onto a chiropody waiting list because of the risk of infections; breathlessness needs to be checked out by a cardiologist. So that is four waiting lists I'm contributing to as well as my "routine" haematology appointments. As an addendum I had a marvellous experience with a knee replacement at the Inverness National Treatment Centre two years ago. It is not the NHS that is failing but the huge increase in demand as old c like me are given wonderful treatment. Finish building the National Treatment Centres, increase my taxes and fund the NHS properly. A friend, who recently had an operation, said to me: "I never believed in angels until I had my knee replaced; now I know they all work in the NHS." I can't stress enough how lucky we are to have our Health Service. Iain McNicol, Port Appin. Read more letters Dear Glasgow: think smaller Glasgow is the Dear Green Place – a city of science and invention, of strength, music, humour, class, and difference. It has given the world steam power, radical thinkers, antiseptic surgery, art movements and fierce working-class and community solidarity. So how has Glasgow ended up imagining an urban future as one of lookalike towers in glass and concrete ("Change to Glasgow skyline on horizon as tall buildings policy agreed", The Herald, June 4)? The city council's new Tall Buildings Design Guide may offer developers clarity, but it offers the public little vision. These towers will be high enough to disrupt the best of what Glasgow has built – its tenements, its laneways, its layered civic history – but not high enough to create something distinctively new or transformative. Not radical. Just rentable. We've seen this elsewhere. In Adelaide, Australia, where I live, one of the world's best low-rise, planned cities is now facing a proposal for its tallest-ever skyscraper: a 160-metre commercial tower to be erected next to the modest but magnificent 30-metre South Australian Parliament. That building is where, in 1894, full women's suffrage was first legislated. Now it risks being cast into permanent shadow. The lesson is this: once the high-rise model takes hold, private developers will not stop. Height becomes ambition. Overshadowing becomes inevitable. Distinctiveness is lost, and sameness rises in its place. Glasgow still has a choice. It can honour its green character, its historical depth, and its civic soul. It can grow with distinction, not duplication. Capture of government by property developer interests becomes normalised. Let Glasgow not be remembered as the city that forgot who it was in the race to be what others already are. Stewart Sweeney, Adelaide, South Australia. Lynx are not a danger to humans Wild animals they may be but lynx were killed off by man armed with nothing more sophisticated than sticks, spears and arrows; the bulk of their extinction may be down to habitat destruction, which only needed the ability to light fires and use an axe. These animals are to be pitied, not feared. Malcolm Parkin (Letters, June 5) is indulging in solipsism much as those influenced by the book and films of Jaws falsely labelled sharks as malevolent killers rather than relatively harmless apex predators that humans would do well to give a wide berth to. In the wild lynx and wolf avoid contact with humans; we should return the favour if they are ever reintroduced to Scotland. The main hazards in the US are hunters with maybe bears a distant second, as Tom Lehrer sang: "People ask me how I do it And I say, "There's nothin' to it You just stand there lookin' cute And when something moves, you shoot!" And there's 10 stuffed heads in my trophy room right now, Two game wardens, seven hunters, and a pure-bred Guernsey cow." David Bradshaw, Kilcreggan. Should the lynx be reintroduced to Scotland? (Image: Getty) First off the tee Kristy Dorsey writes well about The Golf Lounge ("Behind the scenes at Scotland's original indoor golfing facility", The Herald, June 6). Whether it is Scotland's first indoor golf facility is, however, open to doubt. Sixty and more years ago, Lumley's in Sauchiehall Street employed Bill Jessiman, a well-known professional, who was available for tuition in the Golf department, pupils hitting balls into nets. I also recall, perhaps about that time, using a golf simulator in the old Central Hotel in Glasgow. That facility was short-lived. Why is there always such a desire to be first? David Miller, Milngavie. Below the belt Recently some readers have complained about the inappropriate timing of television adverts for bowel medication and incontinence products being shown around teatime. The latest adverts for 'Low Body Spray' are really offensive. It seems anything goes these days. Eric Macdonald, Paisley. A matter of priorities Well said Stuart Neville (Letters, June 5) regarding tourist buses in Glasgow. Mazing my way through all the city centre road closures today, it struck me that while there seems to be plenty of money to spend on projects which are not much liked by Glaswegians there seems to be none available for those such as The People's Palace which we really love. Dave Henderson, Glasgow.
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Pictures show how new plan for Glasgow's O2 ABC will look
However, locals have called the plan 'detrimental', saying it will 'wipe out' views of historic buildings. The plan, submitted by Vita Group, the site owners, shows a mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. A concerned local, Christopher Bowen, has created a render of the plans to show how the proposed development would look. Heritage organisations have criticised the plan, saying it will 'overshadow everything on the street'. The site has recently been branded an 'eyesore' by locals (Image: Colin Mearns) READ MORE: Here's what could replace Glasgow's O2 ABC as plan submitted Chair of The Alexander Thomson Society, Dominic d'Angelo, said: "The current proposal is substantially larger in height and therefore in volume than the proposal that was rejected eight years ago by the council on the grounds that it was too big." "The new proposal completely overshadows the historic buildings in the area. "The size of the building right next door to Alexander Greek Thomson's Grecian Chambers, which are currently largely occupied by the Centre for Contemporary Arts, is a big concern. "It also completely hides the back of the Mackintosh School of Art, which is currently visible, even though shrouded in scaffolding, from the south." 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. Pictures show how new plan for Glasgow's O2 ABC will look (Image: Christopher Bowen) A new guide launched by Glasgow City Council this week has identified areas in Glasgow suitable for skyscraper development. The Tall Buildings Design Guide outlines regions like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens as potential sites for taller structures. READ MORE: Historic Glasgow venue is an 'eyesore' say furious locals The O2 ABC site is outside of these areas, and while the plan doesn't qualify as a skyscraper, Dominic says the proposed height is too high. He said: "The council risks completely breaking up the scale of buildings along Sauchiehall Street. "Building huge blocks of buildings in the middle of the street actually just starts to overshadow everything on the street frontage. "The proposal that was rejected eight years ago by the council on the grounds that it was too big." (Image: Christopher Bowen) "It's inappropriate to the nature of the street, and it's overscaled. It's unnecessarily large and detrimental to the overall impact of the street. "Shops don't like operating in darkness, people won't want to sit on the new benches and areas that have had so much money spent on them if they're always in the shadows. "It also wipes out any view from the south of the School of Art, meaning that views from, say, Blythswood Square, looking north across the city past the School of art, would be lost." READ MORE: I was given a tour of Sauchiehall Street by the council team who redesigned it The proposal includes a 'back garden' between the new building and the School of Art, but Dominic, who lives across the street, says this isn't a replacement for obscuring the view. He said: "Visitors would stand at basement level and look, craning their necks up to the back of the building, which was never intended by Mackintosh to be seen from that vista. "It's false to claim that it's a cultural advantage. It would make much more sense if any viewing platform were at a higher level so they could appreciate the upper reaches." The O2 ABC in Sauchiehall Street when it was still open (Image: Archive) The Glasgow Times previously reported that locals branded the historic Glasgow music venue an 'eyesore'. The half-demolished O2 ABC site has been dormant for months after initial demolition works were completed at the end of last year.
Glasgow Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New guide shows where skyscrapers could be built in Glasgow
The Tall Buildings Design Guide outlines regions like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens as potential sites for taller structures. The guide also provides expectations for building quality, design, and aesthetics. There is a focus on mixed-use developments, recommending street-level retail and leisure spaces. This marks a departure from previous decades when building heights were restricted. Glasgow, unlike other Scottish cities, has room to expand upwards. The guide anticipates a shift in the city's skyline, aiming to achieve the city centre population densities typical of European cities. This density is seen as essential for enhancing productivity and growth in the UK. The guidance was developed based on feedback from initial consultations with architects, designers, developers, and amenity organisations, as well as a public consultation that received more than 270 responses. The design principles and location suggestions in the guide are set to play a crucial role in determining planning applications. The guide also took into account the experiences of similar-sized European cities and the evolving development priorities in the UK and Europe. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for development and land use at Glasgow City Council, said: "Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment. "Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city. "Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city then we need to build it." The guidance will be presented to the council's City Administration Committee for final approval.
The National
04-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Glasgow set for skyscraper boom as new planning rules to come in
The Tall Buildings Design Guide outlines regions like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens as potential sites for taller structures. The guide also provides expectations for building quality, design, and aesthetics. There is a focus on mixed-use developments, recommending street-level retail and leisure spaces. This marks a departure from previous decades when building heights were restricted. The guide anticipates a shift in the city's skyline, aiming to achieve the city centre population densities typical of European cities. The guidance was developed based on feedback from initial consultations with architects, designers, developers, and amenity organisations, as well as a public consultation that received more than 270 responses. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for development and land use at Glasgow City Council, said: "Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment. "Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city. "Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city then we need to build it." The guidance will be presented to the council's City Administration Committee for final approval.
