Appeal lodged over lack of decision on Glasgow student accommodation tower
23/10/24
The developer behind plans for a 19-storey student accommodation development in Glasgow city centre has appealed to the Scottish Government over the failure of the local authority to make a decision.
About this development:
- Authority: Glasgow City
- Type: Residential
- Applications: 24/01219/LBA
- Team: Varsity Developments (developer), Cooper Cromar (architect)
Submitted by Cooper Cromar on behalf of Varsity Developments in May, the proposals would entail the full demolition of a tenement at 70-72A Waterloo Street and partial demolition of the B-listed Distillers' Building at number 64.
In its place, there will be 350 student homes and amenity provisions including a sports hall, greenhouse room, gym, cinema room, karaoke, e-games and VR rooms, podcast and sensory rooms, plus a number of roof terraces.
A design document included with the new application by Cooper Cromar states: "The proposal to retain the front part of the Distiller's Building, noted for its high heritage significance, while demolishing the rear part reflects a balanced approach to heritage conservation and urban development, aiming to safeguard the building's cultural legacy while fostering sustainable growth and revitalisation in the surrounding area."
Varsity Developments has appealed to the Scottish Government as it says no feedback has been received.
It states the application is classified as "major" and therefore has "a statutory determination period of four months". The application was declared valid on May 3.
"Glasgow City Council has failed to determine the application within the relevant statutory timescales," the company added.
The appeal has been submitted in "light of the fact there has been no meaningful feedback or engagement on the application… and they have provided no indication as to when the application may be determined".
Varsity Developments claims there is "no material consideration" to indicate that planning permission should not be granted and has urged an independent reporter, appointed by the Scottish Government, to allow the appeal.
The reporter has requested a response from the council and is expected to make a decision by late November.
A spokesman for the council said they were unable to comment on a live appeal.