School of Art concerns over ABC redevelopment plans

Regeneration plans for the fire-damaged O2 ABC in Glasgow cannot go ahead if it comes at the cost of "permanent degradation" to the nearby Mackintosh building, the city's School of Art has claimed.

Developers hoping to replace the music venue with a public foodhall and student flats claim the special character of the Glasgow School of Art building has been "irretrievably lost" following two fires.

Glasgow's planning committee approved urban regeneration development firm Vita Group's plans earlier this year, but the decision was called in by the Scottish government.

Two hearings are to be held on 20 January by a reporter, who has been appointed by the Scottish government to consider the case.

The ABC venue was damaged by a fire at the Mackintosh building in 2018 and, along with the former Jumpin' Jaks nightclub, has been vacant since.

A dangerous buildings notice was issued by the council in July last year and parts of the ABC, including its facade, have been knocked down.

The proposed project would include 356 student beds as well as a publicly-accessible foodhall, which would become an events space at night.

The art school previously said the scheme would put any rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building at "significant risk". the owners of the site accused the art school of "standing in the way of progress".

Stuart West, the reporter, will consider the potential impact of the plan on the Mackintosh at the hearings, which will be attended by agents for the developers and the art school as well as council representatives and Historic Environment Scotland officials.

Planning consultants Porter Planning, on behalf of the art school, stated: "Regeneration cannot come at the cost of the permanent degradation of the city's most significant cultural asset."

It claims the development introduces "an oppressive sense of enclosure, fundamentally altering the character of the Mackintosh Building".

It added that the art school is working towards a funded and phased pathway for rebuilding.

Property consultants Iceni Project, on behalf of House of Social, which is part of Vita Group, say the fires have already destroyed the fabric of the Mackintosh building.

The statement adds the effects of the proposal on "the Mack" are limited, saying it is already badly lit.

Iceni Project also said there had been no facts provided showing the Mackintosh can be restored, or whether it could be rebuilt in the same style as before.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) previously objected to the redevelopment, as it believed the planned nine-storey building would affect the setting of the School of Art, obscuring important views to and from it.

It claims the art school would therefore become "visually divorced" from Glasgow.

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society has said the juxtaposition of the proposed student accommodation with the art school is "jarring".

However, Vita Group say the plan would positively enhance the setting of the School of Art while also addressing the long-term dereliction and townscape harm created by the loss of the ABC.

Glasgow City Council stated no approach had yet been made to the planning department over restoration work at the Mack.

Story by Local Democracy Reporting Service reporter Drew Sandelands.