Proposed Demolition of the Category B-Listed Hillhead Baptist Church

That the Parliament notes with concern the proposed demolition of the category B-listed Hillhead Baptist Church, which is situated in the Glasgow West Conservation Area, by Wemyss Properties; understands that Glasgow City Council’s Planning Applications Committee has indicated that it is minded to grant planning permission and listed building consent, subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement; notes reports that this decision was highly contested, with the committee vote being tied and only passing on the casting vote of the chair; understands that the application faced a high level of public opposition, receiving 332 formal objections from the community; considers that approving the complete demolition of this listed building contradicts the core principles of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and Historic Environment Scotland policy; recognises that there is a strong statutory presumption against demolition of listed buildings unless one of four strict tests is met; believes that the applicant has failed to meet these tests, specifically because the building retains its special architectural interest and category B-listed status, its deteriorated state does not render it incapable of meaningful physical repair through conservation engineering, the proposed standard private residential development is not essential to delivering significant wider community or economic benefits, and the building has not been transparently marketed by Wemyss Properties to restoring purchasers at a price reflecting its dereliction for a reasonable period; further believes that Scotland has a strong legal framework to protect historic buildings, and that local authorities should actively utilise repairs notices, urgent works powers, and compulsory purchase orders where buildings are being neglected, rather than rewarding demolition by neglect; considers that because the applications remain live and a formal decision has not yet been issued by the planning authority, it is entirely appropriate and legally permissible for the Scottish Ministers to intervene, and urges the Scottish Ministers to reconsider their position and urgently exercise their power to call in the applications for their own determination, ensuring that national planning policies are robustly enforced, overwhelming community opposition is respected, and Glasgow’s architectural heritage is safeguarded for future generations.