A decision on the future of Paisley’s Kelvin House has been delayed after elected members hit out at demolition plans.
Renfrewshire Council wanted permission to flatten the C-listed building in Marshall’s Lane – arguing that it would not be “economically viable” to keep it.
The local authority wanted to knock it down, along with the former depot, to pave the way for a potential development on the site and facilitate the restoration of the adjoining B-listed Forbes Place.
However, councillors were less than impressed with the proposals, which sparked public opposition in the form of a petition launched by retired conservation officer Duncan Macintosh and signed by almost 700 people.
Councillor John McNaughtan, an SNP politician for the local Paisley East and Central area, told Tuesday’s planning board: “It’s incumbent on us to conserve the best of our built environment for present and future generations.
“In a climate emergency, we should remember that existing building reuse is far greener than demolition and new-build due to the carbon expenditure and it’s construction already used.
“This proposal for demolition ahead of a firm planning application for redevelopment is just premature.”
He asked for the item to be continued so officers can examine the potential for façade retention on the building – a call which was agreed upon by fellow board members.
Councillor Kenny MacLaren, an SNP representative for Paisley Northwest, described the plans as “simply not good enough” in a furious rant.
He said: “It would be sheer hypocrisy of this board and utterly shameful if we were to let this demolition go ahead. Kelvin House is a fine example of the work of architect James Steel Maitland.
“Even according to council papers, we have it listed as one of the three most famous buildings he designed. It’s of regional importance and it’s one of the 28 key buildings out of the 107 listed buildings in town centre.
“That is on council paperwork, council brochures, promoting the history of Paisley and Renfrewshire; and to think we want to pull this down without the promise of anything replacing it. It’s simply not good enough.
“Pull it down and then hope for something better? I’m sorry, we shouldn’t be acting that way.”
A letter on the application signed by George Hunter, the council’s chief economic and regeneration officer, was published at the end of October.
The document acknowledged loss of the local heritage asset would be “regrettable” but said retention was not possible.
Mr Hunter said: “It is not economically viable to retain Kelvin House due to its severely dilapidated condition, demonstrated lack of interest, anticipated development value and lack of a suitable reuse option.”
He added that knocking the building down would deliver “significant benefits” to the wider community.
The senior officer also attributed restoration of Forbes Place, activation of a long-standing “neglected site” and removing a “derelict” building to improve the living environment for neighbours as factors.
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