Restoration ‘should go to an independent body’

A PROMINENT MSP is calling for increased political involvement in securing a clear future for the fire-ravaged

Mackintosh Building.

Labour’s Paul Sweeney, pictured, has said an independent body should be formed to take over the restoration or refurbishment of the Glasgow School of Art building.

He criticised a lack of government oversight for the resultant languishing of plans to bring the internationallyrenowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh school back into use.

As a result of The Herald’s insight series, Mr Sweeney will tomorrow use First Minister’s Questions to directly quiz Humza Yousaf on exactly what the Scottish Government is “doing to expedite the restoration of the Glasgow School of Art, in light of it being nearly a decade since the first fire”. Mr Sweeney said: “There has been very little assistance from other agencies or other government departments.

“There is a strong argument here to say, ‘Look, let’s treat this as a national project with due importance and create a special company or restoration agency that supercharges restoration with other agencies and organisations with the council and Historic Environment Scotland’.

“We could have people who have handled these projects from around the world who come in to support it, and it’s run by an independent board.

“I think there could be a bigger effort here which isn’t in the art school’s gift to deliver themselves, but the state should rise to the challenge.”

Mr Sweeney described the new management as “good people” who are “doing their best” but who are operating under constraints.