September 26 2019

Scotland Gas Networks are to decommission two B listed redundant gas holders at Provan Gasworks through the removal of their tanks and shells and their infill to ground level, leaving only the frames intact.

The formal listing by Historic Environment Scotland pertains solely to the twin iron frames, the largest ever built in Scotland, which have been a prominent local landmark since their erection by Glasgow Corporation in 1903.

In a statement the applicant wrote: “Given that the gasholder frames remain listed there are consequential effects of placing an unduly onerous burden on the applicant to maintain the structure to a certain standard, in a way unique to the circumstances which no other listed ‘building’ would have and also makes it harder and more costly to maintain these structures into the future.

“That presents a unique circumstance where this type of listed ‘building’, which was never designed to stand for over a century, would require costly maintenance over and above what would normally be required for more traditional listed buildings.”

Each three-tier circular frame rises to 46.5m in height, supported by a steel lattice girders and ties set in sunken brickwork and a 15.5m deep puddle clay tank.

Associated infrastructure will also be removed save for a C-listed office and workshop.

Ofgem has ruled that all UK gasholders must be dismantled by 2029 on environmental and health & safety grounds.

5 Comments

#1 Posted by David on 27 Sep 2019 at 11:24 AM

Seriously, knock them down. Yes they were and still are an iconic arrival to Glasgow, but at the same time they won't be missed. Why waste money maintaining them?

#2 Posted by Asimov on 27 Sep 2019 at 13:57 PM

Two words - Vienna Gasometer. But yeah, it's a) Glasgow, b) two motorways junction, c) wrong side of M8, d) Chernobyl-scale ground contamination. Not exactly the best playground for regeneration, huh? Should anyone praise these as 'heritage', feel free to move them to your backyard.

#3 Posted by David on 27 Sep 2019 at 14:50 PM

Asimov you forgot; e) new HMP Glasgow to be built immediately adjacent...
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/next-to-iconic-provan-gasworks-15807942

...and also probably; f) made of lightweight steel not capable of carrying any additional load.

#4 Posted by KLD on 3 Oct 2019 at 10:49 AM

The Vienna Gasometers are brick so perhaps not a fair comparison. I love what they did with the one in Dublin though: www.omahonypike.ie/projects/gasworks/.

Not an easy project by any means.

#5 Posted by Kevan Shaw on 4 Oct 2019 at 13:34 PM

Keeping the frames only is token. These buildings were pressure supported volumes formed by the tanks supported by the gas they held. It has to be possible to recover the volumes and useful space by re pressuring the tanks! Yes the insides will need severe decontamination but why list the least interesting structural element only?

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