Comment from The Glasgow School of Art:
We have been clear and provided evidence that the now approved proposals fundamentally compromise the Category A listed Mackintosh Building, something that was agreed with in both the Officers Report and in the objection by Historic Environment Scotland.
Equally, the suggestions made today in the Planning Committee that this proposal is acceptable because no planning application is currently submitted for the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building fails to take into account our stated commitment, and the work currently being undertaken by Reiach and Hall Architects with Purcell, for the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a working art school. This approval places that commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-design art school at significant risk.
The objection by Historic Environment Scotland does now require the approval by Glasgow City Council to be referred to Scottish Ministers. We hope that Ministers taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh Building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh Building is unacceptably compromised.