Glasgow Chamber of Commerce back O2 ABC site plans

The plans, approved by Glasgow City Council on June 17, are for a nine-storey block of student flats that would include a ground-floor food hall.

We reported last month that Scottish Government ministers have intervened in the controversial development on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, and will now make the final decision on whether it can go ahead.

Now, as part of the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division's case, the Chief Executive of the Chamber of Commerce has given his support to the plans.

The plans were approved by the council last month (Image: Vita Group)

READ MORE: Scottish Government intervene in Glasgow O2 ABC site plans 

READ MORE: Government called on to intervene in Glasgow O2 ABC plans 

In a letter submitted to the case, Chief Exec Stuart Patrick, said: "I am writing on behalf of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to reiterate our strong support for the
above planning application, which has now been called in by Scottish Ministers.

"We believe this development, comprising purpose-built student accommodation and a foodhall at 292-332 Sauchiehall Street, remains vital to the regeneration and future prosperity of Glasgow city centre.

"Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has served as the voice of business in the city since 1783.

"Our mission is to support our members, promote Glasgow as a competitive business location, and foster sustainable economic growth locally and beyond.

"We continue to advocate for developments that address pressing urban challenges while unlocking long-term economic and social value.

"This proposal achieves both.

"By expanding student accommodation capacity, the development responds to the significant shortfall that threatens the growth ambitions of Glasgow’s universities and places undue strain on the private rental sector.

"The project also advances Glasgow City Council’s long-standing goal of repopulating the city centre.

"The combination of new residents, vibrant public space, and a dynamic foodhall will reinvigorate a currently derelict site, left vacant since the 2018 Glasgow School of Art fire, and generate renewed footfall for surrounding businesses.

"The Chamber believes that this development will act as a catalyst for further investment and regeneration along Sauchiehall Street and the wider city centre.

"It presents a well-considered opportunity to enhance Glasgow’s urban offering and cultural vibrancy in a way that benefits students, local communities, and the business ecosystem alike.

"In light of its strategic importance and wide-ranging benefits, we urge Scottish Ministers to support this application and enable delivery of a high-quality, transformative project for Glasgow."

The site was ravaged by fire in 2014 and 2018 (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans 

The appeal case comes after a motion submitted by Labour MSP Paul Sweeney.

The motion highlights concerns that the development would obstruct key vistas to and from the adjacent, 'internationally significant', Category A-listed Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art, as well as from the nearby Category A-listed Centre for Contemporary Arts.

In a notice published by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) last month, stakeholders were informed that SNP ministers had taken control of the decision on the future of the half-demolished O2 ABC site “in view of the proposed development’s potential impact on the nationally important Category A-listed Glasgow School of Art”.

Glasgow's heritage groups welcomed the news that they were intervening after previously slamming the council's decision to approve the plans.

The Art School say the plans put the Mack's rebuild 'significantly at risk' (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns)

The Glasgow School of Art has repeatedly slammed the plans, stating that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk."

A row erupted between the Art School and the owners of the O2 ABC over the plans for the site.

The owners of the fire-ravaged Sauchiehall Street building hit out at the Art School over their objections to new plans for the derelict site.

A document shared with the Glasgow Times said that the Glasgow School of Art (GSoA) haven't been engaging in discussions and that they're 'acting almost like authoritarian-like dictators rather than neighbours'.