Sauchiehall Street student accommodation decision delayed

The Scottish Government reporter Stuart West had been expected to make his decision on the future of the O2 ABC on Sauchiehall Street by 4 May. It is now understood that the decision will be revealed at the end of May or early June.

Writing to participating parties, the Planning & Environmental Appeals Division said: “Please note Mr West has advised that due to other work pressures/commitments, he may be slightly delayed in issuing the report to ministers. Mr West endeavours this report to be finalised and sent to ministers by the end of May/early June.”

Plans for the site of the former O2 ABC were first submitted to Glasgow City Council in 2019. Urban regeneration developer Vita Group sought to transform the site into a nine-storey development comprising a 356-bed student accommodation block and a publicly accessible food hall that would also serve as an events space.

The council had granted planning permission in June last year for the proposal, which was called in by the Scottish Government a month later.

In January, Mr West heard from both applicants and objectors during a marathon five-hour session in what was the latest step in a more than five-year-long process that has seen sides clash over how a 350-bed purpose-built student accommodation could affect the iconic Mackintosh Building in Glasgow.

Objectors have claimed that the student accommodation will block views from the Mackintosh Building that are instrumental to its purpose.

However, the art school has been accused of “standing in the way of progress” by James Patterson, director of property investment firm Urban Pulse.