Public Meeting
Exterior Photos
Interior Ground Floor 
Interior Upper Floor 
Interior Basement 
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The Botanic Gardens Garage is the
oldest motor garage surviving in Glasgow, and quite possibly
anywhere in the UK. Built in Vinicombe
Street from 1906 - 1912, it was designed by David V.
Wyllie, and has a distinctive façade of green and white glazed
terracotta tiles.
Click
here for a letter celebrating the Garage's 25th Anniversary
- in 1929!
November 2016 Update
Arnold Clark Ltd. have provided the following information
relating to work starting on the building:
"Preliminary
foundation ground works have started on the Botanic Gardens Garage on
Vinicombe Street, prior to the main contract works taking place at the
beginning of 2017. The site is scheduled to be developed into a
multi-million pound complex, comprising of local and national premium
restaurants and a gym. During this complex project, full structural and
refurbishment works will be carried out along with significant
investment on retaining the buildings façade.
After a recent
investigation of the ground, it was established that there were very
shallow mine workings below the ex-Arnold Clark garage site. Historical
reports had indicated that this was a problem within this particular
area of Glasgow.
The workings were
recorded as ‘broken ground and voids’, which if left untreated could
cause future damage in the overlying bedrock and soils. Any such damage
would affect ground stability and could undermine the structure of the
existing building.
The necessary
stabilization works involve the drilling of closely-spaced holes,
followed by the injection of a cementitious grout. The grouting works
will consolidate the old mine workings so that ground instability will
no longer be an issue to the building and its neighbouring properties.
Grouting works are expected to be complete by early December 2016, with the main building programme commencing early 2017.
Further updates will follow in the middle of December when the main contractor has been appointed."
July 2016 Update
Arnold Clark Ltd. have provided the following press release
relating to work starting on the building:
Vinicombe Street
development
We’re pleased to announce that our historical Vinicombe
Street site will be redeveloped for the benefit and
enjoyment of the local community. This decision has been
reached after much careful consideration and close
consultation with many interested parties in Glasgow’s
West End, including Historic Scotland and Glasgow City
Council.
We have taken many years to arrive at a decision that we
feel benefits the area in terms of adding more high-end
amenities to the West End. We are investing a large sum of
money in the conservation of its façade* and of the other
significant architectural features of the building.
This multi-million pound investment will secure the
legacy of this historic building for future generations.
We feel this mixed development adds to the fabric of the
West End and complements the pedestrianisation of
Vinicombe Street by adding new amenities and services to
the area.
This investment will involve a mix of premium
restaurants run by both national and local operators, as
well as car parking, a gym and community space. We are
also retaining the historic element of the ramp.
Given the low level of objection to the development we
feel this outcome demonstrates how conservation and
community development can work hand in hand.
Building works are expected to begin towards the end of
this year. We are committed to minimising disruption to
local residents and businesses, which is why our appointed
contractor is a member of the Considerate Constructors
Programme. We are also working with Keppie Design Ltd, a
company renowned for its sympathetic restoration and
building work around Glasgow.
In addition, we are developing an online platform that
residents can access easily to obtain regular updates on
the project. We are also keen to ensure residents have a
point of contact so that any queries or concerns can be
addressed quickly and that anyone with a vested interest
is kept up to date.
Press contact:
Lee Ann Edison
Head of Communications, Arnold Clark
lee-ann.edison@arnoldclark.com
0141 648 1181
December 2015
Update
The 2013 planning application was passed by
Glasgow City Council, but no work was done on the
building. A revised version of the earlier scheme has
now been submitted for consideration. It is in large
part similar to the earlier scheme, but with the ground
floor subdivided to create an additional restaurant
unit.
Full details can be found on the Planning Portal here.
[Application Reference 15/02818/DC]
Public comments on the plans will be considered
regarding the application if received before December
26th 2015.
July 2013 Update
A new planning application has been lodged with Glasgow
City Council. Copies of the plans are currently on
display in the Garage windows. The full detailed
planning application can be seen online here,
with the list of relevant documents here.
"Use of vacant garage as shop (Class 1), gymnasium
(Class 11) operating 24 hours per day, seven days per
week and community office space (Class 2) and
associated external alterations | 24 Vinicombe Street
Glasgow G12 8BG"
Public comments on the plans will be considered
regarding the application if received before August 27th
2013.
Older News: January
2011
Statement from Local resident and representative of
the group Save the Botanic Gardens Garage, Sam Maddra:
"We are delighted with the Scottish Ministers
decision, and having read the full independent report,
it clearly vindicates all of the arguments we have put
forward since Arnold Clark Automobiles first announced
their original plans to entirely demolish this highly
significant historic building.
We hope that the company will now do as we have urged
all along: place the property on the open market at a
price reflecting its current condition, in accordance
with national policy. This would allow prospective
restoring purchasers the opportunity to undertake a more
sympathetic approach. The building continuing to lie
empty is in no-one's interest, but it is clearly not
necessary to demolish many of the most interesting and
historic parts to breathe life back into this fantastic
structure.
In the meantime, it is important to ensure that the
fabric of the building is not allowed to deteriorate any
further, and we will continue to monitor the building
closely, while pressing Arnold Clark and the council to
find a positive way forward."
Press Coverage:
The
Herald: Bid to redevelop listed west end garage
defeated
January 14th 2011 Update
The Scottish Ministers have issued their decision on the
planning application, based on the independant scrutiny
of the planning reporter, as detailed below.
The Ministers have accepted the Reporter's recomendation
that the application for Listed Building Consent be refused,
and "Accordingly,
Scottish Ministers hereby refuse listed building
consent for the partial demolition and internal and
external alteration to the Botanic Gardens Garage".
The decision letter can be read here: Page
1 -- Page 2
More details, and the full report explaining the
decision, is available on the DPEA
website here.
Historic Scotland will likely update their page on the
application, featuring their written submission to the
reporter in the near future as well. It can be found
here.
Developers Arnold Clark now have 6 weeks to decide if
they wish to appeal the decision in the Court of
Session.
July 2010 Update
Application to demolish the Botanic Gardens Garage
called in for independent scrutiny by Scottish Ministers
"Scottish Ministers have come to the view that the case
for substantial demolition of the listed building had
not been adequately made in support of the application
and have therefore called in the application for their
own decision.
The case will now be considered by a Reporter [...] who
will carefully consider the case and provide a
recommendation for Ministers."
Full Press Release
Information
on Historic Scotland Website
Press Coverage:
BBC News: Ministers
to decide on historic Glasgow garage proposal
The Herald: Ministers
to rule on art deco demolition
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Feburary 2010 Update
At a meeting of the Planning Committee on Tuesday 9th
February 2010, local councillors voted by 8 votes to 7
to pass the controversial plans involving demolishing
large portions of the A-listed garage. The plans now
pass to Historic Scotland for final oversight.
Prior to the meeting, the Friends of Glasgow West
circulated a letter highlighting the severe flaws in the
application. Sadly 8 councillors saw fit to ignore these
severe flaws, and vote for the application to be granted
despite it failing to meet any of the four tests needed
to justify demolition of a listed building.
Press coverage:
Fate
of Listed Garage in Balance (The Herald)
D-Day
for garage development bid (Evening Times)
Planners
agree to controversial demolition of art deco garage
(The Herald)
Controversial
plan is approved (Glaswegian)
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October 28th 2009
Update
Interim Engineering Appraisal on the Botanic Gardens
Garage, recently commissioned from John Addison of
Addison Conservation and Design, by the Friends of
Glasgow West.
Full details here
[PDF]
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October 7th 2009
Update
Friends of Glasgow West have written to Arnold Clark to
request access for the building so that a proper
independant valuation and structural assessment can be
made. This is an essential first step in establishing if
re-using the building in its current form is
economically viable.
Full letter here.
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August 17th 2009
Update:
After a long period
of apparent inactivity, Arnold Clark have submitted
revised plans for the garage. Press coverage of the
revised plans can be seen on the BBC News website here.
According to the architects involved:
“We
wish
to advise you of minor revisions to the proposal
since the submissions made in July [2008]. The
revisions have been made in response to feedback
from Officers of both the Development &
Regeneration Services Department and the Heritage
& Design Department of Glasgow City Council at a
number of key meetings with them.
The revisions to
the scheme include a reduction in the number of
flats proposed as part of the development (reduced
from 23 to 20), as well as amendments to the
configuration of the flats proposed. The amenity
space to be provided as part of the proposal has
also increased from 110.9 sq.m to 424.6 sq.m.”
The current reponse of the Save the Botanic Gardens
Garage group is as follows:
“While we welcome
the retention of further historic fabric, and
especially the restoration of the frontage section,
as a step in the right direction, we can't comment
in detail as we've not been consulted on the revised
plans, and haven't yet been able to view them in any
detail.
As per national
policy, we will also still be expecting to see
evidence that the building has been marketed to
restoring purchasers before any demolition should be
considered of this unique and historic building.”
The application reference numbers to quote in any
correspondence with the council planning department
are:
08/02142
& 08/02143
We would encourage anyone that's interested to view
the plans and submit their comments within the next
few weeks. |
October 25th 2008
Update:
Detailed information
on How To Object - Click
here.
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October 2008 Update:
The Save the Botanic
Gardens Garage group would like to invite you to a
meeting on Tuesday
October 21st, at 7.30 pm, in Hillhead Library
to discuss Arnold Clark Automobiles' new proposals for
the partial demolition of the Garage and the
redevelopment of the site.
Please see this flyer
for further information on the meeting, the garage
campaign to date, and how to register your objections
to the proposal.
For further information please email us:
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August 2008 Update:
Arnold Clark have now
submitted their new planning application for the
garage. This is described as:
Retention &
refurbishment of category "A" listed building
including partial demolition of rear element,
erection of 4 storey residential blocks forming 23
flats & within retained elements. 575.6sq m
retail space, 423.4 sq m class 2 office space &
219.7 sq m class 3 restaurant with associated
parking & Amenity space.
The application reference numbers to quote in any
correspondence with the council planning department
are:
08/02142
& 08/02143
We would encourage anyone that's interested to view
the plans and submit their comments within the next
few weeks.
For further information please email us:
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June 2008 Update:
Arnold Clark
representatives will be holding a public consultation
of their revised plans for the redevelopment of the
A-listed Botanic Gardens Garage on Wednesday 18th June
in their office on Vinicombe Street, adjacent to the
historic West End landmark. This will be open from 5
pm onwards.
We would encourage anyone that's interested in the
future of the building to attend and give their
comments. We would also welcome anyone interested in
the building to come along to one of our Save
the Botanic Gardens Garage meetings, and
give us their views on Arnold Clark's revised plans.
For further information please email us:
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May 2008 Update:
Following on from the
meeting at Hillhead Library last summer the campaign to
Save the Botanic Gardens Garage has achieved a number of
small victories.
In October, Arnold Clark announced that they were
withdrawing their application to demolish the garage,
and the demonstrated public opposition played a large
part in this decision. However, in their subsequent
press release Arnold Clark acknowledged that they would
shortly be resubmitting their application with some
small amendments. That is to say, their intention
remains to demolish the majority of the existing
buildings and replace them with a four-storey complex
that would include flats, cottages, and a retail unit.
In light of this, and research that confirmed that the
Botanic Gardens Garage is the oldest surviving
multi-storey car park in the UK, the campaign
successfully lobbied Historic Scotland to get the
garage’s listed status upgraded from a Category B to a
Category A. This means that Historic Scotland
acknowledge the building’s national and international
significance, in terms of its engineering and
architectural design, and its historic context.
However, this does not guarantee the building’s future
and the garage remains on the Scottish Civic Trust’s
Building at Risk Register. Furthermore, Arnold Clark
could resubmit their planning application at any time.
The aims of the campaign to Save the Botanic Gardens
Garage are presently threefold:
to
promote an imaginative viable reuse of the Botanic
Gardens Garage;
to safeguard and protect the building rather than allow
it to be demolished;
and to ensure its maintenance and ultimate renovation.
As a group we meet
monthly to co-ordinate the campaign to preserve this
highly significant building, and interested parties are
more than welcome to attend.
For further information on the relevant times, dates,
and the location of the meetings, please email
us.
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Older News (26/12/07):
Historic Scotland upgrades
garage listing to Category A:
The Botanic
Gardens Garage has been upgraded to a Category A listing by
Historic Scotland, recognising the building’s national and
international rarity and architectural significance.
Updated Historic Scotland Listing Description here.
Save the Botanic Gardens Garage Press Release 26/12/07 - Word
- PDF - Text.
Press Coverage:
BBC News Website (28/12/07): New
listing
for historic garage
The Herald (27/12/07): Historic
garage
threatened with demolition is given lifeline with upgrade to
A-list status
Evening Times (27/12/07): Historic
garage
may be saved by A-list status
STV News Website (28/12/07): Glasgow
garage
designated site of national importance
The Garage is now on the
official Buildings At Risk Register, maintained by the
Scottish Civic Trust. The entry for the Garage is here.
The transcript of an interview with Mr Nigel Kennedy, whose
grandparents built the garage, can now be read here.
Arnold Clark have withdrawn
their application to demolish the Garage. This is
excellent and very welcome news. The building is now safe in the
short term, but we still need to persaude owners Arnold Clark
that the way forward is in restoration and re-use, not simply a
revised version of their original plans, to ensure its long-term
survival.
The Herald (5/10/07): Sir
Arnold
Clark puts brake on garage flat plans
The recent public meeting in Hillhead Library had a turnout of
over 100 local residents. A report summarising the meeting is
available [PDF format, 1.5Mb; text
format 32K]. Photos can be seen here.
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Building History:
The building is comprised of three different sections, all
designed by David Valentine Wyllie for Mrs Annie K Kennedy (nee
Wilson) between 1896 and 1911. David Valentine Wyllie was a
prolific architect who designed both industrial and domestic
buildings all over Glasgow. The first part of what was to become
the Botanic Garage building complex, was built c.1896. [Read
More.....]
Recent Press Coverage:
Evening Times 07 August 2007 [Link]
Scotsman 03 August 2007 [Link]
BBC News Online 02 August 2007 [Link]
Evening Times 10 July 2007 [Link]
Local News for Westenders, September & November 2007
Contact Us
Send us an email at info@botanicgardensgarage.org
© 2007 - 2011, Save the Botanic
Gardens Garage
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