Stand-off on Sauchiehall Street as Glasgow Art School clashes with developer over ABC building plans

Concerns have been raised as to whether plans to build a more than 350 bed purpose-built student accommodation building could cause "permanent degradation" to the neighbouring Mackintosh Building, according to Glasgow School of Art. Later this month, two hearings will be held to decide the future of the site, with a Scottish government appointed reporter hearing evidence from both developers Vita Group and the Glasgow School of Art.

Evidence will also be heard from Glasgow City Council, who approved the plans in June, and Historic Environment Scotland, who previously objected to the plans. The public body responsible for investigating, caring for and promoting Scotland's historic environment, said that the PBSA would block views of the Mackintosh Building.

That objection from Historic Environment Scotland meant that Scottish Ministers were required to review the application and a letter was sent to Glasgow City Council in July.

The plans were first submitted to Glasgow City Council in 2019, and saw substantial objections from both the public and heritage bodies. As many as 130 were lodged to the council’s planning portal.

Those objections, and the concerns raised by Glasgow School of Art in the month following the decision to approve the development, has seen claims the art school is “standing in the way of progress”, James Patterson, director of property investment firm Urban Pulse.

Speaking in 2022, Professor Penny Macbeth said that the Mackintosh Building’s historical significance must be”permeable, useful, and contribute to the success of the GSA. It cannot become a museum, a historical curiosity”

But in making their decision to approve plans, councillors contested that it could take 15 years for the art school building to be rebuilt. That along with a desire to bring an area of a street which has come in for much criticism in recent years back into use, saw councillors vote 8-2 to proceed with the development.

However, planning consultants Porter Planning, on behalf of the art school, said that the art school is working towards funding and that a rebuild could begin.

They said: "Regeneration cannot come at the cost of the permanent degradation of the city's most significant cultural asset."

It claims the development introduces "an oppressive sense of enclosure, fundamentally altering the character of the Mackintosh Building".

For their part, property consultants Iceni Project, on behalf of House of Social, which is part of Vita Group, say that the damage is already done to the building following the fires.

A final decision on the future of the site will be made following the 20 January hearings.

To see how we ended up at this point, here’s a timeline of images, starting with the first fire at the Art School in 2014.