Calls to retain parts of historic Glasgow building up for demolition

The Glasgow Times reported last week that the former Sir John Stirling Maxwell School in Pollokshaws will “sadly” be “demolished on the grounds of public safety”.

Local MSP Paul Sweeney described it as a "beautiful piece of Glasgow's municipal heritage" and is urging the council to preserve the parts of the property, which are still intact after the roof caved in.

Paul Sweeney (Image: Newsquest)

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He said: "I visited the Sir John Maxwell School on Saturday and it's frustrating to see a further roof collapse has brought down part of the northeast facade.

"This follows a previous partial collapse on the northwest side in 2021. The main decorative north and south frontages remain intact, however, and I'm seeking an urgent meeting with Council officers to find a way to retain them.

"The John Hamilton-designed arts and crafts style building, constructed in 1907, is one of the few remaining historic features left of the old Pollokshaws Burgh, so every effort should now be made to avert full demolition after 12 years of dereliction."

In 2021, the politician worked with Glasgow City Council and Milnbank Housing Association to preserve the main facade of Haghill School as the rest of it was demolished.

He also suggested the incorporation of parts of the Sir John Stirling Maxwell school to the nearby Shawbridge Arcade development and "in so doing, fund an interim facade retention scheme until a detailed design for residential conversion can be completed and submitted for planning consent."

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “The council and other interested parties have for a considerable amount of time been trying to bring the former Sir John Stirling Maxwell School building back into productive use. 

"As part of the work to do this, a feasibility study looking at potential uses for the building was carried out, and officers were reviewing the study in the hope of finding a sustainable use. 

"Very sadly, there was recently a significant collapse of the roof structure - following an earlier collapse in 2021 - which means that the building is now structurally unsafe and requires to be demolished on the grounds of public safety. 

"Immediate work to provide short-term protection was carried out, but demolition must now take place as the funding required to make the building structurally safe is unattainable.

“This is very disappointing for everyone involved, but officers from the council’s Heritage team will work with the demolition contractors to save architecturally important features of the building where possible.”