Anger has erupted over plans to demolish the B-listed Dumbuck House Hotel – with calls made to protect the historic building.
Agent Gateside Design has submitted an application to West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) to bulldoze the property on Glasgow Road.
It has also emerged that a bid has been made to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to delist the former hotel, which is thought could date back to the 18th century.
It comes two years after Devilla Property Services bought the iconic venue, which operated as a restaurant, bar and hotel before shutting down during the pandemic.
Councillor David McBride said he would be “appalled” if approval was given to remove its category B-listed status and said he is strongly opposed to demolition.
He commented: “Dumbuck House Hotel is a category B listed building and there has been a recent application to WDC for a demolition warrant submitted under the building regulations.
“There has been no application submitted for listed building consent.
“A request to review the listing designation has also been submitted to HES. This request is at an early stage and will be subject of consultation in due course.
“I would be appalled if there was any change to the listed status of the building and will make my views known to WDC and HES that I strongly oppose the demolition of Dumbuck Hotel.
“While the hotel has struggled in terms of trade in recent years, the building must be protected for future use and I am convinced there is a successful future ahead with the right level of investment and hospitality expertise. The wedding and events market is thriving and Dumbarton can surely support another quality venue.
“Dumbuck Hotel has had proud history of quality service. It has been the venue that many Dumbarton residents have marked all sorts of celebrations, particularly weddings, my own included over 30 years ago. It would be a dreadful lost opportunity to Dumbarton in the future.”
Residents have also reacted with fury at the plans for the building, which was built for Colonel Andrew Geils in either 1798 or 1824. Jim Crosthwaite urged people to raise their concerns with the council and said he was “very sad” with the proposal, stating: “Hopefully there will be enough local concern that this will be refused.”
One resident replied: “It was where I had my wedding reception in 1980 and was a fantastic venue for lots of other things.
“I will definitely be rejecting the plans to demolish it – too many memories for so many local people and I bet it could be a thriving business again if someone had the heart and soul to revive it.”
Another told how they had married there, writing: “Dumbuck Hotel was always a very special place to visit, so much so that we had our wedding reception there in April 1962 and many anniversaries, birthdays and family gatherings over the years. Will definitely be opposed to its demolition.”
Another said: “Outrageous that such a historic building should be demolished – it’s a big part of the local history of the town. I’m not sure how dilapidated it is inside, but surely it is not beyond the imagination and wallet of a developer to restore/upgrade this wonderful venue into a thriving hotel again.”
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie said she hopes the council will take the views of residents into consideration and make the right choice for the community.
She said: “It would be a really sad day for Dumbarton if the Dumbuck House Hotel is demolished. I understand why local people are angry and concerned about the potential loss of this historic building.”
Devilla Property Services lodged plans in 2021 for the hotel to be turned into holiday let accommodation with hot tubs but the application was later withdrawn.
And last year, the firm applied for planning permission for a change of use from hotel to form six flatted dwellings and associated alterations. There was also a listed building consent bid to demolish a flat roof side extension and retrospective permission for the erection of extensions to the existing building for the flats. In response to that, council chiefs said they were “seriously concerned about the visual impact” of an extension built at the hotel and at the time warned that enforcement action would be taken if any further work took place.
A spokesperson for HES said: “We are reviewing the Dumbuck House Hotel in Dumbarton having received a request to remove the listing. Following a visit to the site in January of this year, we are now in the process of considering the available information to make a decision as to whether the building should retain its listed status. West Dunbartonshire Council is aware that we are reviewing the listing and we aim to reach a view by early Spring.”
