Plans for £45m Radisson hotel refused at Glasgow building site on sale for £1

A £45m hotel plan to transform the site of a derelict Glasgow building, which was on sale for £1 and got no other offers, has been refused.

Plans for the Radisson Apart Hotel, the first of its kind in the UK, involved knocking down a B-listed former print works on Maxwell Street and another building.

The construction of the new city centre hotel, with 236 rooms, would have created 230 construction jobs and 75 permanent roles.

However, the plans sparked concerns from objectors about the loss of historic properties, and there were worries about the scale of the proposed 19-storey hotel.

Supporters argued the development would enhance the area beside the St Enoch Centre and make it feel safer, as it has been plagued with anti-social behaviour.

A meeting heard how it was impossible to save the facade of the former McCorquodale’s Printers building as the stonework had been covered in cement, and restoration would not be economically viable.

Replying to questions from councillors at a planning committee yesterday, Jay Singh of applicant Regent Property said: “These buildings were on the market for over 18 months at a price point of £1 but nobody came forward.

“It is, unfortunately, the dilemma we are all in in Glasgow with these old buildings that are really struggling. It is really difficult.”

Chartered surveyor Dr John Boyle said: “Because of the viability issues there is no other developer waiting in the wings here and the site has been extensively marketed to take this on.”

He added: “The Radisson option appears to be the only one on the table.”

The meeting heard how there had been extensive efforts to figure out a way to save the property. Five councillors opted to refuse the plans at the planning applications committee while four wanted to approve the bid.

Rejecting the planning application, chair Ken Andrew said: “I have a lots of sympathy with both sides of this argument. I hate to see listed buildings and buildings within conservation areas coming down.

“I am persuaded that it looks as though this building is not able to be saved in any economic way. I absolutely get that when you put concrete render on stone buildings – it absolutely ruins them. It is just not allowed now and rightly so.”

Pointing out concerns over the proposed look of the hotel, he added: “I think the design presented to us looks to me to be overly large and overbearing. I’m concerned about the proximity to other buildings – it is a narrow street and narrow pavement and that concerns me.”

Supporting the plans, councillor Imran Alam said: “I think it is important to try and preserve Glasgow’s buildings – that is key. But when developers have exhausted all options and don’t have any other choice it can become difficult.

“However, similarly sized buildings have gone up in the area in question.”

He said hotel rooms are limited in the city and more are needed for major events, adding: “We don’t want buildings to lie derelict”.

He added that denying developers the chance to invest in the city is a “lost opportunity.

“I feel this development will create jobs and boost tourism.”