Glasgow MSP calls for a halt on demolition of historic west end church for 'ugly' flats

A Glasgow MSP has called for a halt on plans to demolish a protected west end church after accusing developers of putting profit before the city's architectural history.

Paul Sweeney has called on members of the public to back his opposition of plans that would see the B-listed neo-classical Hillhead Baptist Church on Cranworth Street demolished and replaced with a clunky block of flats.. The 1883 building, designed by Thomas L. Watson, had previously been approved to be converted into flats.

However, the developer has since asked the council for permission to tear the historic church down and replace it with 'clunky' and 'ugly' flats - sparking anger from locals. The deadline to object is midnight on Friday.

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Sweeney has also raised concerns that an approval of the new build would set a 'terrible' precedent.

The MSP is now demanding that the council reject the planning application and has warned developers that they should sell if they cannot save the architectural gem.

Paul Sweeney Told Glasgow live: "Despite repeated attempts to persuade them otherwise over the last year, it is deeply frustrating that Edinburgh-based Wemyss Properties has disregarded conservation experts, community members, Councillors and Parliamentarians by pressing ahead with their proposal to fully demolish this beautiful neo-classical church and replace it with a clunky and clumsily designed block of flats.

"Hillhead Baptist Church is one of the most prominent landmarks in the Glasgow West Conservation Area, its demolition would set a terrible precedent and undermine the protections that listing and conservation areas give to our city’s built heritage.

“A plan to convert the church into flats was approved in 2020 but the developer now claims this is no longer financially viable. What they actually mean is that it is no longer profitable enough for them, as they claim that their normal expectation is a 20% profit margin. This is a completely inadequate justification for the demolition of a listed building in a conservation area and it should be rejected by the Planning Committee when it comes before them.

“It is all the more galling when other developers are doing significant facade retention work on more complex and less valuable sites across Glasgow, such as Lar Housing Trust’s work to save the burnt-out former Inn on the Green in Bridgeton. Concerned Glaswegians should lodge an objection with Glasgow City Council by the deadline of midnight on Friday. If Wemyss Properties no longer want to even retain the façade of this important local landmark, then they should sell the site on to someone who will.”

Hundreds of Glaswegians took to Twitter, formally known as X, to back the objections raised by the MSP.

Councillor Jill Brown added: "The developers have held on to this building, letting it deteriorate and now - surprise - want to demolish it. Incentivising letting historic building fall into disrepair by granting permission to demolish is a disaster and a roadmap for others. Object."

Historian Dr Ailsa Boyd said: "This is such an ugly, inappropriate replacement."

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Applications have been received in relation to the Hillhead Baptist Church building and 30 Cranworth Street have been received and will be considered in the appropriate manner.”

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