Community groups and local residents have welcomed a move by the Scottish Government to halt a controversial housing development in the Merchant City.
Glasgow City Council's planning committee previously gave the go-ahead for more than 100 flats with a roof terrace to be built on a car park on Ingram Street, despite concerns that threaten the future of a popular music venue.
Over 140 objectors, including Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC), opposed the proposal to build the apartments opposite the ‘A’ listed Ramshorn Church.
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However, the plans were given the green light with the help of a casting vote by planning chairman, Cllr Ken Andrew, who represents the Hillhead ward.
Now the Scottish Government has written to the council to require the planning application be referred to them for determination due to the possible impact on the adjacent City Halls and Old Fruitmarket venue.
Ministers said the proposal “potentially raises issues of national significance regarding development proposals within the vicinity of existing art venues.”
It comes after an acoustics expert told the planning hearing that residents of the new flats would have legitimate grounds for complaint about noise from the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket, which host well over 200 events a year, and that this could put their continued existence at risk. The City Halls are home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Any decision made by the Government-appointed reporter will be the final decision on the plans that come following a four-year fight by locals to turn the car park into green space.
MCTCC Chair Tam Coyle said: “The future of the site and our dream of Merchant City’s first community park now rests with the Scottish Government. While we cannot prejudge the Reporter’s decision this is a remarkable victory for local residents, at least in the interim.
“Glasgow Council’s decision, waved through on the casting vote of one person, sent absolutely the wrong signal about Glasgow Council’s long repeated mantra of wanting a greener environment for its citizens.”
Local Councillor Christy Mearns, who campaigned against the development proposal, added: “I am delighted that the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) has called-in the decision to approve a residential development next to one of Glasgow’s finest music venues.”
She added: “The Merchant City community has fought this for many years in order to realise their long-held ambition of bringing forward the area’s first play park and multi-purpose outdoor space for the benefit of local people and visitors and in line with the city’s nature and climate goals.
“As well as destroying any hope for a meaningful public open space here, we were also concerned this would result in a significant threat to the Fruitmarket and City Halls, given how close the new flats would be to these key music venues.”
Community Councillor Peter Hayman said: "This site with its trees and mural has had a way of preserving its destiny after many decades. Hopefully after more than four years of campaigning for the green public open space so lacking in this area we may be able to join with Glasgow Council to realise what is both our and their wish for a welcoming, vibrant city centre."
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