Controversial convent demolition plan in Glasgow's Southside recommended for refusal

Planners at Glasgow City Council had recommended the project could go ahead, but councillors delayed making a decision in January last year to allow for a site visit and public hearing.

When they reconvened, a ruling was postponed again as officials said a report on how the planned flats could cause a “significant loss” of daylight for neighbouring homes had been received with “limited time” for it to be considered.

Now, the proposal for the site at 32 Mansionhouse Road is set to go back in front of the committee on Tuesday –  and planners have recommended it should be refused.

They have reported the “proposed building would unacceptably harm the amenity of existing properties at 36A Mansionhouse Road due to loss of daylight to habitable rooms”.

Surplus Property Investments Ltd wants to build 16 flats on the land, which is currently occupied by a two-storey blond sandstone villa, formerly part of the Bon Secours Hospital.

However, 78 objections to the proposal were submitted to the council, with opponents calling for the building to be saved. They are also concerned by overshadowing, the impact on traffic and drainage and a lack of amenity space.

Planning officials initially recommended the scheme could go ahead as the building isn’t listed or within a conservation area and restoration isn’t “financially viable”.

Surplus Property Investments has said it is “unviable to retain and develop the existing building”. It plans to build a five-storey development with 14 two-bed and two three-bed apartments for private sale.

The hearing and site visit were scheduled following a request from Cllr Holly Bruce, who represents the Langside ward and opposed the plans. 

However, the hearing was delayed in April last year when a council official said a draft report, from consultants LightSIM, had assessed the impact on flats at 35 and 36A Mansionhouse Road, and the planning department had had “limited time” to assess the findings.

In a new council report, officials state daylight analysis found there would be a “negligible” impact on properties on Camphill Avenue and an “acceptable” effect on 35 Mansionhouse Road”.

However, they add the proposals would have “a negative effect on at least four habitable rooms” at 36A Mansionhouse Road. “In all cases, this is the sole source of natural light to these rooms,” the report states. Officials add the developers are “unwilling” to rerun daylight modelling with “a reduction in building height”. 

The report continues: “It is concluded that the proposal would unacceptably harm the amenity of existing residential properties at 36A Mansionhouse Road due to loss of daylight to habitable rooms. This would result in the need for powered lighting to compensate.”

It adds the conclusion is “consistent with objections received from residents” about loss of daylight.

In 2020, a previous application for 20 flats was rejected, and the site was sold to the current applicant.