Demolition bid for Ruchill site is refused by planners

A bid to flatten a group of listed buildings in north Glasgow was thrown out amid claims of “inaction, indecision and incompetence”.

Scottish Enterprise had wanted to demolish 11 of the listed buildings which made up part of the former Ruchill Hospital.

All it wanted to keep was the A Listed water tower, which is a landmark for a large part of the north of the city.

But councillors rejected the application – on the casting vote of planning committee chairman John Flanagan.

Publicly funded Scottish Enterprise bought the old hospital site in 1999, intending to sell it on for housing.

One developer pulled out because of the downturn in the housing market and since then there has no other interest.

A number of years ago, the development quango was given permission to bulldoze other listed buildings on the site provided the remainder were maintained.

But little was done and the remaining buildings have deteriorated badly.

Derek McCrindle, Scottish Enterprise’s director of partnerships, told the meeting: “We thought as long as security was maintained the buildings would not deteriorate. This was naive.

“We continued to undertake basic maintenance but security was a huge problem and we were unable to keep up with the vandalism.

“The most basic elements of maintenance is extremely difficult because it is dangerous.”

Two years ago, experts estimated it would cost £16.5 million to restore the buildings.

The organisation was criticised for marketing the 38 acre site as a single unit instead of as several different parcels of land.

Mr McCrindle admitted: “We did not consider as fully as we could have how we could split the site.”

Councillor Jean McFadden said if the committee refused to allow the buildings to be demolished they would deteriorate further.

But she added: “If we grant the application it could encourage others to do the same.”

“I feel we are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea but we cannot just beat Scottish Enterprise round the head for their failings of the past.”

She was backed by councillor Alex Glass who said: “If this is not passed, the buildings will still be demolished because through time they will deteriorate to such an extent they will fall apart.”

However committee chairman John Flanagan said he was disappointed a public agency had allowed such important buildings to deteriorate so badly.

And committee vice chairman Euan McLeod accused the agency of “inaction, indecision and incompetence.”

Patricia Ferguson, Labour candidate for Maryhill/Springburn, welcomed the decision.

She said: “The committee heard about a catalogue of failure on behalf of Scottish Enterprise.

“We now look to Scottish Enterprise to immediately begin to properly maintain the buildings to ensure they can continue to be part of Ruchill’s heritage for years to come.”

Local councillor Jim Mackechnie said: “The committee has reached the right decision for the city of Glasgow, the people of Ruchill and for the city’s heritage.”

After the meeting a Scottish Enterprise spokesperson said: “We will now need to carefully consider all of our available options as to the best way forward.”