Latest news with #TownandCountryPlanning(Scotland)Act1997
Glasgow Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Government called on to intervene in Glasgow O2 ABC plans
It comes after Glasgow City Council approved the proposal for a nine-storey block of student accommodation on June 17. The approval was conditional on a pending referral to the Scottish Ministers due to a formal objection from Historic Environment Scotland. We reported that heritage groups slammed the decision and that the Glasgow School of Art stated that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk." Now, MSPs have raised a motion that asks to review the plans which are of 'national interest'. The new proposed development (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE: Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation The motion, submitted by Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, calls on the Scottish Ministers to intervene in the planning application, which proposes a nine-storey student accommodation block at 292–332 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. The motion highlights concerns that the development would obstruct key vistas to and from the adjacent, 'internationally significant', Category A-listed Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art, as well as from the nearby Category A-listed Centre for Contemporary Arts. The proposal promises an open area to admire the Mackintosh building (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE: Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans The Glasgow School of Art has also objected, stating that the proposals "fundamentally compromise" the Mackintosh Building and place its restoration at "significant risk." The motion urges the Scottish Ministers to exercise their powers under section 46(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 to call in the application and review its potential impact on the Mackintosh Building, a structure of national architectural significance. Sweeney's motion has been supported by fellow Labour MSPs Foysol Choudhury, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Pauline McNeill and Mercedes Villalba. The Art School say the plans put the Mack's rebuild 'significantly at risk' (Image: Colin Mearns) READ MORE: Mack rebuild 'at risk' from ABC warns Glasgow Art School Paul Sweeney MSP said: 'I share the concerns of Glasgow School of Art and Historic Environment Scotland that the proposal to build a nine-storey block of student flats on the site of the former O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street would put the rebuilding of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Art School building at risk. 'It is clear from the plans that the block of student flats would obstruct key vistas and compromise the Art School's rebuild. 'The Mack is Charles Rennie Mackintosh's magnum opus and is arguably one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Scotland. "That is why I have called on the Scottish Government to exercise its powers and review the conditional planning consent granted by Glasgow City Council so that it can safeguard the rebuild of The Mack.' Furious locals have branded the site an 'eyesore' (Image: Colin Mearns) READ MORE: Historic Glasgow venue is an 'eyesore' say furious locals The half-demolished O2 ABC site has been dormant for months after initial demolition works were completed at the end of last year. The former cinema-turned nightclub had lain derelict since the second Glasgow School of Art fire spilt over onto its roof in July 2018. A row erupted between the Glasgow School of Art and the owners of the O2 ABC ahead of the planning meeting. The owners of the fire-ravaged Sauchiehall Street building hit out at the Art School over their objections to new plans for the derelict site. A document shared with the Glasgow Times said that the Glasgow School of Art (GSoA) haven't been engaging in discussions and that they're 'acting almost like authoritarian-like dictators rather than neighbours'. The site was ravaged by fire in 2014 and 2018 (Image: Newsquest) READ NEXT: Pictures show how George Square's £20m makeover will look next summer The GSoA told us that the plans for the O2 ABC site put the rebuild of their historic Mackintosh building at 'significant risk'. During the planning meeting, 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." 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.
Edinburgh Live
24-06-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Plans for Edinburgh garages to be demolished for student housing development
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info New plans to demolish Edinburgh garages and industrial buildings for student accommodation have been submitted after proposals were withdrawn by the applicant last year. In April 2024 we reported how the development, on Ratcliffe Terrace, was recommended to be refused by planning officers as the application was subsequently withdrawn by SDR Property Developments Ltd. The firm has since returned with a new application covering 27-29 and 31 Ratcliffe Terrace as well as 4 South Gray Street. The development would see existing buildings, including a motor repair shop and a laser imaging equipment shop, demolished to make way for three blocks of student flats. It also includes associated cycle parking, landscaping and access arrangements as the three blocks would be linked through a series of communal outdoor courtyards, providing a pedestrian link between South Gray Street and Ratcliffe Terrace. The previous application proposed a block of 59 student beds. However, planning officers said the development would "fail to accord with the Development Plan and associated guidance." The site consists of four industrial buildings and a stonemasons yard to the rear. The two and a half-storey building on Ratcliffe Terrace is currently used as office space and three others are industrial, occupied by Causeways Garage. The newly submitted plans include a total of 66 student flats comprising a mix of 8 per cent studios and 92 per cent cluster units. Four of those would be accessible and the cluster units range from four-six bedrooms. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community hereand get the latest news sent straight to your messages. The existing buildings on the site would be demolished and a five storey block fronting Ratcliffe Terrace would be built. The block to the rear would be four-storeys in height. The main entrance would be located on Ratcliffe Terrace and the proposed development consists of external and internal shared amenity space on ground floor level. An external roof terrace is also proposed at site B, located on the rear block. Amenity space indoors would include a reception and student lounge, with another area located to the rear of the site facing onto an external courtyard acting as a games hub and lounge. A detailed planning statement concludes: "With the aid of a suite of supporting documents the Planning Statement has assessed the application against the Development Plan in accordance with Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) and found the application to be in accordance. "The Design Statement submitted with this application addresses the design narrative and solution and should be read in conjunction with this Statement.6.4 The proposed development represents a high quality, innovative and respectful proposal for the redevelopment of a brownfield site which is compliant both with the Development Plan and other material considerations." The full application and supporting documents can be found here.
The National
16-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Scottish ministers recommended to allow Flamingo Land appeal
A report released on Friday, May 16, by the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) has given notice that the reporter in charge of the case is minded to allow their appeal. In September 2024, the Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land Ltd, had their planning permission in principle rejected after all 14 board members of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Planning Authority. READ MORE: Flamingo Land developers accused of using 'distortion and disinformation' The £40m proposals could create more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops, and more on the site called 'Lomond Banks'. Planning permission in principle will be subject to a legal agreement being reached. The final decision has therefore been deferred for the period detailed in the Notice of Intention to allow the conclusion of that agreement. The report reads: "This indicates that planning permission will be granted provided an agreement under Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 is reached between the planning authority and the appellant. READ MORE: Reform 'becoming opposition' to SNP, says Farage after Scottish by-election surge "The planning permission will not be issued until that agreement is reached and registered." The 80-page document gives 417 reasons why the reporter is minded to grant the appeal. The new target date for a DPEA decision is November 27, 2025.
The National
16-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Scottish ministers set to allow Flamingo Land appeal
A report released on Friday, May 16, by the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) has given notice that the reporter in charge of the case is minded to allow their appeal. In September 2024, the Yorkshire-based theme park operator, Flamingo Land Ltd, had their planning permission in principle rejected after all 14 board members of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Planning Authority. READ MORE: Flamingo Land developers accused of using 'distortion and disinformation' The £40m proposals could create more than 100 holiday lodges, two hotels, a waterpark, a monorail, 372 car parking spaces, shops, and more on the site called 'Lomond Banks'. Planning permission in principle will be subject to a legal agreement being reached. The final decision has therefore been deferred for the period detailed in the Notice of Intention to allow the conclusion of that agreement. The report reads: "This indicates that planning permission will be granted provided an agreement under Section 75 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 is reached between the planning authority and the appellant. READ MORE: Reform 'becoming opposition' to SNP, says Farage after Scottish by-election surge "The planning permission will not be issued until that agreement is reached and registered." The 80-page document gives 417 reasons why the reporter is minded to grant the appeal. The new target date for a DPEA decision is November 27, 2025. More to follow.
