Objectors urge council to save listed Sawmill building from demolition plan

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland is among around 30 objectors to plans to demolish the Art Deco building at 380 Bearsden Road, the former Temple Sawmill.

Developers CCG (Scotland) Ltd want to knock down the old Canal Bar and Restaurant and replace it with almost 50 affordable flats.

Partick Housing Association and Hanover Housing Association would then manage the properties.

READ MORE: Plans submitted to transform site of former Glasgow sawmill

The architectural society believes the C-listed building has been “disgracefully neglected” and is calling for a “sensitive restoration” to be integrated into a new development.

In a letter to the council, Iain Wotherspoon, from the society, said: "Since the closure of the restaurant and microbrewery in 2005, the building has been disgracefully neglected to the point that the owners appear to be claiming it is beyond repair.

"This - as so often in such cases - must be taken with a pinch of salt, as the owners stand to make much more money by its demolition and redevelopment of the site than by sensitive restoration and the building's integration into any new development. The latter must be seen as the best-practice solution for this building.

"Glasgow has lost so many listed buildings to what is colloquially known as ‘intentional dereliction’; this may not be the case here, but we would urge the council to ensure that everything that can be done is done to protect our heritage."

How the new homes could look

A planning statement submitted on behalf of the developer states a survey found the building is in “poor” condition.

The survey states this is “primarily as a result of penetrating dampness from failing roof coverings and rainwater disposal systems which is adversely affecting the interiors.”

“Extensive repairs, including complete re-roofing, new rainwater disposal system and major structural works are required externally throughout, together with a full internal refit, to make the property safe, secure, watertight and useable,” it adds.

The building has been on the Buildings at Risk register since 2008 and has been “vacant and boarded up since then”.

CCG director Calum Murray previously said the company’s design team had “tested and exhausted every avenue to retain the building – a part of which is category C-listed”.

“Our assessment evidenced that, because of the significant state of disrepair, the retention of the building in any form was not economically viable.”

Current owner G1 Group has considered a number of uses since the building closed in 2005, the planning statement adds. It was openly marketed for lease or sale in 2010.

“A number of direct approaches were made to leisure operators for a range of uses over a period of 10 years, however no viable interest was identified.”

The developer's proposal

Among the objectors is former Labour MP Paul Sweeney, he has urged the council to refuse the application or grant with a condition ensuring the listed building is retained.

He described the building as an “important and rare surviving example of 1930s industrial Art Deco in Glasgow”.

One objector added: “Demolition of this unique part of Glasgow’s architectural heritage and history would be a tragic loss.”

A new development should “incorporate the original structure” and “preserve this unique building”, they added.

Another complainant said: “The character of Glasgow cannot haemorrhage any further and requires decisive government of developers. Plans have to compliment and not obliterate character."