Brass foundry in Glasgow's West End could be demolished

Developer Nevis Properties Ltd submitted a planning application last October to convert the building at 131 Minerva Street, in Finnieston, into a 10-storey residential development.

While planners are still to approve the development, Glasgow City Council confirmed it granted a building warrant application for demolition.

It comes after objections from more than 50 residents, as well as disapproval from local politicians.

Despite not being listed or part of a conservation area, they argue the brass foundry would be an important part of the city’s ship-building heritage.

Local residents and politicians argue the brass foundry is a remnant of Glasgow's industrial past.

However, the developer said the project would create significant economic benefits, adding £2m per year to the city’s economy, and more than £2.6m to the regional construction industry.

Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said: “The decision to allow the old foundry in Finnieston to be demolished is just the latest hammer blow to Glasgow’s heritage.

“There is absolutely no excuse and as far as I am aware there are no concerns about the structural integrity of the building or its current use as office studios.”

The MSP stated that the developer “would rather demolish it and build soulless flats than renovate it”.

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He added: “[It’s] the last example of its type in the city and an icon of our shipbuilding heritage. It’s perverse, and we need a serious rethink at all levels of government as to how we stop it from happening.

“Enough is enough, it’s time for Glasgow’s politicians, those who are supposed to protect and enhance our built environment, to stand up and show leadership in defence of our city's built environment.”

The Finnieston brass foundry building had been converted into offices in 1991.

In a letter sent to Glasgow City Council last December, Mr Sweeney outlined the building’s history.

Quoting from John R. Hume’s Industrial Archaeology of Glasgow, he said the building was “constructed in 1869 for J&W Young, ships, plumbers and brassfounders” and “has survived largely intact”.

He added the brass foundry was successfully restored and converted into offices in 1991 and has been in continuous active use.

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The letter continued: “It is one of the only surviving Victorian industrial buildings in the immediate environment.”

Scottish Greens councillor Christy Mearns had also objected to the development, with a letter sent to planners stating there was “no justification” to demolish it in its entirety.

An artist's impression of the proposed flatted development by architects HAUS Collective.

Councillor Mearns added: “It is the last surviving marine brass foundry building in Glasgow, once a vital part of Glasgow’s ship-building past.”

Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council had voiced the residents’ concerns about the loss of the historic building, as well as fears the 10-storey building would “over-dominate” the neighbourhood.

The development would include 64 flats of one, two, and three bedrooms, with 64 cycling parking spaces and 21 for cars.

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A spokesman for Nevis Properties said: “When the building was converted into an office building in the early 1990s, many historic features were removed or replaced.

“Among a host of significant changes, approximately 50% of the original building’s footprint to the rear was demolished, as was the original brick wall to West Greenhill Place, together with the original stairs.

“Consequently, much of the authenticity of the brass foundry has been lost.

“As part of a heritage, townscape and visual assessment, completed by Iceni Projects, it was concluded that the heavily altered remnant of the brass foundry had negligible historic and architectural significance.

“Our sustainability ambitions would have been difficult to realise while maintaining the existing building.

“Our plans will create much-needed quality sustainable housing in a prime urban location, using energy-efficient materials and green technologies to meet Glasgow’s Gold Standards in sustainability.”

When approached, the developer said there was no imminent date for demolition.