RESIDENTS have objected to a proposed development in the city centre.

Plans have been submitted to Glasgow City Council to demolish the existing building at 19 Cambridge Street in Garnethill and erect an apart-hotel on the site.

The planning statement, which was submitted to the council by Porter Planning Ltd. on behalf of PMI Developments Ltd., states the proposed 18-storey building would contain 55 small studios, 75 large studios, and 31 one-bedroom apartments, with secure cycle parking and refuse and servicing access.

The apart-hotel would be operated by the Wilde by Staycity brand.

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However, on Tuesday (May 16) a group of around 25 residents from Garnethill made their way to the city chambers to hand in their objections to the development.  

So far, more than 40 objections to the development have also been submitted through the council’s online planning portal, as well as three comments in support of the plans.

While local residents have said they would like to see the site developed, as the current three-storey building has lain vacant for several years, many feel the development would overshadow surrounding buildings including the Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow Film Theatre.

Glasgow Times:

Speaking on behalf of several residents, a spokesperson for Garnethill Multicultural Centre said: “We want to preserve the heritage of the heritage of Glasgow.

“The built heritage of Glasgow is slowly being eroded and I think as a community we need to highlight this. 

“We don't want Glasgow city centre to turn into a high-rise kingdom.”

They added: “I think the general feeling is it would be good to have something on that site, but just not to the scale and massing that they are proposing.”

The group of residents decided to hand the letters in by person, as many older residents were not able to submit their objections online.

The spokesperson explained: “We've got quite a lot of older adults that come along to activities within the centre, and there was quite a lot of chat within the groups and they just felt that maybe they should take action.

“They thought about doing a protest outside the chambers, but we thought let's just do objections and we'll walk down and hand them in because a lot of the older adults don't have e-mail, they don't have access to the internet, so they couldn't do the online application.  

“So, the letters were drafted up and they all signed them and said that they wanted to hand them in.”

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Ian Wright, who has lived in the area for almost 20 years, says he believed the development could be a “disaster” for the area if approved.

The 78-year-old said: “The average height in the conservation area is four storeys high because the majority of it are tenements, and this building is going to be well above the normal skyline for Garnethill.  

“It's only approximately 175 metres to the east of the art school, so it's really going to end up towering over it, and as you know that school’s world famous and we don't really want to have anything that is going to affect the look of it because lots of tourists come there.

“And there's also the Glasgow Film Theatre, it's going to completely overlook that, and again, it's an icon and lot of people come and photograph that as well.” 

Mr Wright also believes there are already too many large developments proposed in the area, and that the city centre could become “polluted with demolition” if they are approved.

A spokesperson for the building owner said: "We are keen to invest in Glasgow city centre and the ongoing regeneration of Sauchiehall Street. 

"This site has been derelict for a number of years which has encouraged anti social behaviour in the area. 

"We are in discussions with a premium aparthotel operator who has a strong track record in running well-managed hotels throughout the UK. 

"The new hotel will create jobs and will bring additional footfall and spending to Sauchiehall Street.

"The building design has been carefully considered to ensure it complies with council policies on privacy and daylighting. 

"The council also recognises that tall buildings are appropriate in certain locations.

"We will carefully manage our construction process and a construction management plan will be put in place ensuring disruption is minimised.  

"We appreciate that proposals for change can be a concern for communities.

"We’ve met with the local community council and are keen to work positively with them and be a good neighbour."

You can view the plans for the proposed development at 19 Cambridge Street on the Glasgow City Council website HERE.