Decision to be made on proposed £95million Argyle Street development

Developers will find out if they have been given the green-light to demolish empty listed buildings in the city centre to create new office space.

Glasgow City Council’s planning department will discuss the application to tear down the historic buildings at 335-345 Argyle Street, 80-92 York Street and 321-333 Argyle Street to make way for an office block, retail space and a restaurant.

Osborne + Co want to flatten a C-listed Victorian sandstone building which has fallen into serious decay as well as a B-listed former warehouse which has been empty for 20 years.

The applicant also requested permission to knock down an unlisted building on that site which is part of the central conservation area.

Plans to invest £95 million on a 16 storey steel and glass structure at Argyle Street between Robertson Street and York Street was previously submitted to the local authority.

But planning officers raised concerns that the new block, with a metal grid structure inspired by the Heilanman’s umbrella at Central Station, did not fit in with the surroundings.

A further artist's impression of the proposed development (Atelier 10)

Developers were told to change the design and lodged a second application. If approved the new building will be 14 storeys and made of a masonry grid construction.

The basement would accommodate 12 car parking spaces, accessed from Robertson Lane, space for 352 bikes, showering and changing facilities.

Since the original proposals emerged, there have been 18 letters of objection and one letter of support for the development.

Among the objectors are Lord Provost Eva Bolander, councillors Christy Mearns and Angus Millar.

They have raised concerns about the loss of historic listed buildings and the lack of action to prevent the loss of the buildings as a result of poor maintenance.

They also feel the development will have an adverse impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area while reducing air quality.

But developers are adamant this is a “rare opportunity” to regenerate the area and attract businesses to the city.

A decision on whether this development will be allowed to proceed is expected to take place this morning.

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