A controversial bid to pull down a former Glasgow convent has been delayed for a public hearing.
Almost 80 people have objected to Surplus Property Investments’ bid to demolish the two-storey villa – previously part of the Bon Secours Hospital site in Langside – and build 16 flats.
Planning officials recommended the project could go ahead as the building isn’t listed, doesn’t lie within a conservation area and restoration isn’t “financially viable”.
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However, following a request from Cllr Holly Bruce, who represents the Langside ward and objected to the plans, councillors will visit the Mansionhouse Road site before holding a hearing, where the objectors and developers will speak.
Surplus Property Investments argued it was “unviable to retain and develop the existing building”.
The firm wants to build a five-storey development with 14 two-bed and two three-bed apartments for private sale, a garden and a roof terrace.
“The proposed development would see a brownfield site brought into use as a high-quality development,” the application added.
However, there were a total of 78 objections, including from Cllr Bruce and Langside, Battlefield and Camphill Community Council.
As well as opposition to the demolition, concerns include overshadowing, the impact on traffic and drainage, over-development of the site and the lack of amenity space proposed.
Cllr Bruce’s objection stated the development would have a “significant adverse impact on the historic environment and character of the local area”.
A council official said the planning department was “satisfied” that the developers had demonstrated it is “not financially viable” to bring the building back into use.
He added: “It’s worth noting that if the landowner decided to demolish the building, without a redevelopment proposal, they wouldn’t require planning permission to do this.
“They would require a prior notification application and through this the council would only be able to control the method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the site.”
An initial viability letter, submitted in January 2022, had said costs to repair and reinstate the building to an occupiable position would be between £335,000 and £435,000, excluding VAT.
Council officials requested an update and have reported a new letter, which is “commercially sensitive”, showed a “significant rise in costs and a drop in value” which demonstrates the “costs very likely would exceed the value of the property on renovation”.
Officials also reported the proposed development is “predominantly five stories within an area predominantly characterised by three to five storey flatted and tenemental properties”.
It would “not have a significant impact on the adjacent residential properties in terms of overshadowing or loss of daylight”, they said.
The firm would need to pay the council £34,000 as “a contribution for off-site play facilities” as none are included in the proposal.
In 2020, a previous application for 20 flats was rejected, and the site was sold to the current applicant.
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