‘ Not very nice’ building to get equipment

A BID to install mobile telecoms equipment on the roof of a “not very nice” University of Glasgow building has been won by a company after it was previously knocked back.

The council refused permission for more antennae to be added to the James Watt south property because they would be “detrimental to the visual amenity” of the historic area and buildings.

But councillors overturned that decision this week and gave the go- ahead for the work at a Planning Local Review Committee.

Describing the type of building which the equipment will be placed on, councillor Kenny McLean, SNP, said: “Planning was more lapse in the 1950s in granting these not very nice buildings.”

He added: “It seems the impact on the visual amenity will be diminutive.”

Moving an amendment to allow the application to go ahead, he continued: “I can’t see where there is a significant impact on the visual amenity [ and] nearby listed buildings.”

Mobile infrastructure firm Cornerstone, which submitted the planning application, said the additional installation was needed to boost mobile services and “improve wireless” connectivity.

Although a recent extension built in the 1950s, the James Watt south structure is surrounded by more historic beautiful university architecture.

Voting to grant the application, chair councillor Ken Andrew, SNP, said: “Given that there is already telecommunications equipment on both corners of this building I think the extension and increase is relatively limited.”

Councillor Christy Mearns, Scottish Greens, lodged a motion to refuse the application.

The politician pointed out it was difficult in confidence to make a decision in favour of overturning the officer decision to refuse.

Councillor Mearns said: “I would emphasise the importance of the conservation area of listed buildings of this historic university campus for the local area, for tourism and for the world reputation of Glasgow.”

The meeting heard new antennas would be 1.4m taller. The six- storey building already has two sets of existing antennas and screens on steels frames to hide the equipment from view.

The plan, which was granted, is to install a number of additional antennas, relocate others and extend the screens.

It was granted subject to conditions with an extra one added saying that the colour of the screens must be agreed by the council.