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Atlantic Square trio moves forward with revisions

Atlantic Square trio moves forward with revisions

December 7 2017

Cooper Cromar have filed for listed building consent to punch an additional archway through an A-listed façade on Glasgow’s James Watt Street as part of an approved office and residential development.

This work will see basement access ramps routed through by reinstating an existing opening at the north end and punching out a new archway to the south – together with demolition of a later attic storey.

In a statement Cooper Cromar wrote: “The additional works proposed is a second vehicular entrance into the now split between two buildings basement car park. The new entrance is proposed to be created near the northern end of the listed façade where existing openings are.

“The new entrance will be identical to the consented design. The proposal employs existing detailing and materials. Creation of the second vehicular entrance will result in a symmetrical arrangement invoking an ordered, more balanced elevation. This will significantly further enhance the Listed Building whilst maintaining its original character through use of either original or identical to original materials.”

Developed by BAM Properties and TCP Atlantic Square the project first attained planning permission back in February.

The development has been valued at £100m

7 Comments

#1 Posted by MoFloBro on 7 Dec 2017 at 14:34 PM

It just goes to show what can be achieved if you wave £100M quid at the council - build whatever you want and blow a whole through the one last remaining piece of architecture on the site.

#2 Posted by PJ on 7 Dec 2017 at 15:04 PM

At #1, 'MoFloBro', realistically, this site likely to lie vacant if this development doesn't get the green light the way the developer wants. Would you rather it lay empty indefinitely (like so many sites in Glasgow), or the arch get knocked through?

#3 Posted by MoFloBro on 7 Dec 2017 at 16:17 PM

Sadly, that's a fair question PJ. We're always left in a position of choosing between accepting something like this, or leaving the land derelict for another decade or two. For that reason I accept maybe I'm being unfair on the council - they have no bargaining power in this situation at all and I feel quite strongly that this has to change at some point. The land owner holds all the cards. This website depresses the hell out of me sometimes, I mean what's the point? No amount of winging from malcontents like me will affect anything ever. There have been worst proposals than this one, the High St / George St tower probably has more to do with my mood today than this.

#4 Posted by PJ on 7 Dec 2017 at 16:36 PM

MoFloBro, an honest, and apologetic comment- those never happen on UR! Fair play to you. Your points are, obviously, valid- and I in no way condone the status quo - you are right that it's so very sad.

#5 Posted by Jimbob Tanktop on 7 Dec 2017 at 19:06 PM

Perhaps if there were a land value tax applied to vacant land, it may shift the urgency to develop back towards the developer, because right now, they're quite happy to do the bare minimum for their return or simply land bank for a decade.

But it's certainly the case that right now, councils have none of the power in any commercial transaction, and that has to change.