July 18 2007

Sir Arnold Clark, owner of Scotland’s biggest car company, has sparked controversy with plans to demolish the Botanic Gardens Garage in Glasgow’s West End and replace it with flats and retail space.

The proposals would see the garage replaced with a modern four-storey building of 35 flats, four mews cottages, retail space and a restaurant.

The B-listed property on Vinicombe Street in Hillhead - designed by David Valentine Wyllie - is one of the oldest-surviving custom-built garages in the city, driving some locals to start a campaign against the proposals.

A spokesman for Arnold Clark said: “Within the next few years the external condition of the building will deteriorate and the irreplaceable tiles, which have started to crack, will continue to demise. To bring the structure into line with current rental requirements it would cost in excess of £3.5 million.”

Glasgow City Council will review the proposals after the summer recess.

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