Proposal to demolish historic A-listed industrial building in North Glasgow squashed by MSP

Plans to demolish a large part of the former North Locomotive Company HQ in Springburn have been withdrawn for now following intervention from a Glasgow MSP.

Built in 1909 by architect James Miller, Labour and Co-Op MSP for Glasgow Paul Sweeney called the building one of the finest in Glasgow, and has been on a campaign to save the building from partial demolition.

A statement within Listed Building Consent submitted to Glasgow City Council planners read: “The rear sections have a more industrial finish and are generally in poor condition.

“The property to be demolished is 20 per cent occupied despite efforts to attract new business. The removal of empty rates concession for the unoccupied portions of the building has resulted in charges far higher than income.

“It has been demonstrated that despite a long period of operation and marketing, the space considered for demolition cannot be filled by the present commercial uses or the charges for empty rates are too high to permit ongoing sporadic renovation as has been the case in the past when demand arose.

“A request on 29 April for an emergency meeting to find solutions with the planning department has had no response.”

Owner of the building Marcus Dean, had applied for listed building consent to demolish part of the building due to concerns surrounding business rates.

First broaching the issue last month on May 23, Paul Sweeney wrote to Twitter: “The A-listed North British Locomotive Company HQ in Springburn is one of Glasgow's finest buildings. “Its owner Marcus Dean wants to demolish James Miller's beautiful terracotta quadrangle, which reflected light into the drawing offices. “I will strongly object to this vandalism!”

Following a conversation between the MSP and the owner of the building, plans have been withdrawn as the pair now work together towards a new plan - which seems likely to retain the façade of the historic building as a social enterprise centre while converting the space further into the complex into student flats.

Paul Sweeney is known in Glasgow for his campaigns in the retention and restoration of Glasgow’s historic buildings, most recently leading the outcry over the demolition of the India Chambers on Bridge Street.