ReGlasgow

B-LISTED Former School Buildings To Make Way For New Flats

21 October, 2020 | Residential, Listed / Historic Buildings

THIRTY-six flats have been approved for part of the former Bellahouston Academy site in Cessnock.

Councillors on Glasgow’s planning applications committee approved the proposal by AS Homes Scotland to develop land bounded by Clifford Street and Paisley Road West on North Gower Street.

The site forms part of a wider campus associated with the old Bellahouston Academy main school building.

The B-listed former swimming pool/gymnasium will be demolished to make way for two connected four-storey blocks. The one and two-bedroom flats — 18 of each — will be for social rent by Home Group.

The swimming pool which fronts Clifford Street was constructed in 1875 at the same time as the original school building. The gymnasium, was later attached to the swimming pool and fronts onto the corner of Clifford Street and North Gower Street.

Listed building consent for the demolition was already in place, having been approved in 2017. Officials at that time agreed that the condition of the buildings meant they were “beyond any practicable or economical means of repair”.

Façade retention was not considered to be possible “owing to the existing buildings’ design and the proposed use.”

Planning officials had recommended approval for the flats, saying: “The proposed development will help strengthen the residential character of the area and will integrate into the site’s surroundings. In addition, the former swimming pool and gymnasium has lain vacant for a number of years, therefore this proposal will be utilising an existing brownfield site.”

“The layout of the development seeks to continue the line of tenement buildings on the adjoining streets, with an L-shaped building that is set back, but fronts on to the street with amenity space located to the rear.

“The footprint and scale of the building is such that it reflects the siting and scale of the existing buildings on the site. This ensures that it would not impact on the setting of the [main school] listed building and maintain open views to the detailed elevations on the side and front of the school building.”

View from Paisley Road West

The development will have a low level of car parking provision — 21 spaces — as the site has high public transport accessibility. A small playground is proposed plus community garden space possibly with public artwork.

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