Hotel plan to demolish B-listed Glasgow building rejected
The meeting heard it was impossible to save the façade of the former McCorquodale's Printers building
- Published
Plans to demolish a B-listed former printworks in Glasgow and turn the site into a 19-storey hotel have been rejected.
The derelict former McCorquodale's Printers building on Maxwell Street would have been replaced by a Radisson Apart Hotel, which supporters said would enhance the area beside the St Enoch Centre and make it feel safer in light of regular anti-social behaviour there.
But objectors raised concerns about losing historic properties and the scale of the proposed hotel, which was slated to have 236 rooms and create 75 permanent roles.
A planning committee meeting heard the building had been on the market for over 18 months at a price point of £1 but had generated no offers.
The meeting also heard it was impossible to save the façade of the former McCorquodale's Printers building as the stonework had been covered in cement and restoration would not be economically viable.
Chartered surveyor Dr John Boyle said the hotel plan was "the only one on the table" due to viability issues with the building.
Replying to questions from councillors at a planning committee on Tuesday, Jay Singh of applicant Regent Property, said: "These buildings were on the market for over 18 months at a price point of £1 but nobody came forward.
"It is unfortunately the dilemma we are all in in Glasgow with these old buildings that are really struggling. It is really difficult."
Concern over hotel being 'overly large'
The meeting heard how there had been extensive efforts to figure out a way to save the property.
Five councillors opted to refuse the plans at the planning applications committee while four wanted to approve the bid.
Chairman Ken Andrew said he had sympathy with both sides of the argument and chose to reject the proposal.
"I hate to see listed buildings and buildings within conservation areas coming down," he said.
"I am persuaded that it looks as though this building is not able to be saved in any economic way. I absolutely get that when you put concrete render on stone buildings it absolutely ruins them. It is just not allowed now and rightly so."
Pointing out concerns over the proposed look of the hotel, he added: "I think the design presented to us looks to me to be overly large and overbearing. I'm concerned about the proximity to other buildings – it is a narrow street and narrow pavement and that concerns me."
Supporting the plans, councillor Imran Alam said developers had exhausted all options.
He said hotel rooms are limited in the city and more are needed for major events.
He added denying developers the chance to invest in the city is a "lost opportunity" and the development would have created jobs and boosted tourism.