Bid to build homes on Finnieston bowling green refused

Hundreds of residents opposed Nixon Blue’s efforts to erect apartments at St Vincent Crescent, and an appeal, which called for permission to knock down the old clubhouse, has now been rejected.

An independent reporter, appointed by Scottish Ministers, ruled the demolition of the Corunna clubhouse without planning permission for a future development in place could detract from the character of the St Vincent Crescent conservation area.

However, the applicant has another chance to secure support when a separate appeal, against council planners’ decision to reject a proposal for 20 flats, goes before Glasgow’s planning review committee.

Opposition

Cllr Angus Millar, who represents the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward, said he hopes that committee “follows in the footsteps” of other decision-makers and turns the appeal down.

“Building flats on this site would see a loss of designated green space and detract from this area’s heritage,” he said.

“This latest planning decision makes clear that just letting the green languish and deteriorate would also have a negative impact on the conservation area.”

More than 300 objections to Nixon Blue’s third bid to develop the bowling green land were submitted to the council, and planners decided to reject the application in July last year.

They said the site was protected open space and contributes to the “character and appearance” of the conservation area. Planners also believed Nixon Blue had failed to show the club was incapable of repair and re-use.

Defence

The applicant, which scaled back the proposal from 36 flats to 20, argued the “fresh approach” would have a “positive and transformational effect”.

It appealed to Scottish Ministers, for complete demolition in a conservation area, arguing the demolition may be “justified in isolation from any ‘replacement’ development as its removal would enhance the character and quality of the conservation area”.

What did the reporter say?

Alasdair Edwards, an independent reporter, was “satisfied that the proposed demolition would not harm the setting of the A-listed terrace on St Vincent Crescent”.

However, he added: “I find that it is desirable to preserve the bowling club building and green in the absence of any consented redevelopment proposal for the site.

“This is necessary in order to avoid harm to the character and appearance of the St Vincent Crescent conservation area.”

The reporter believed the clubhouse has a “neutral impact” on the conservation area, but, without planning permission, there “is a risk that the site is cleared and left vacant”.

This “could be, depending on how it was left and managed, visibly significant and detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area”, Mr Edwards added.

‘Stands firmly against these proposals’

The hundreds of objectors to the plans have included the local ward councillors, including Glasgow’s Lord Provost Philip Braat, as well as Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council, the Corunna and Minerva Residents’ Association and the Friends of St Vincent Crescent Conservation Area.

Allison Thewliss MP, Pauline McNeill MSP and Kaukab Stewart MSP have also objected.

Cllr Millar, one of the local councillors, said: “This is the umpteenth time these plans have been rejected either by the council or by the Scottish Government reporter, and it is clear that the local community stands firmly against these proposals.

“The developers in this case should accept what was clear several years ago — that these proposals should be a non-starter — and they should let the community develop alternative options for retaining and using the green.”