The developers behind plans for student flats on the former Admiral pub site in Glasgow have launched an appeal due to the time taken by the council to make a decision.

A bid to knock down properties on Waterloo Street, including the popular bar, and put up a 19-storey student accommodation block was submitted in May.

It would see the B-listed Distillers’ building — next to The Admiral — incorporated into the wider development, which would include 350 student beds, a cinema, sports hall, podcast studios and a karaoke room.

Varsity Developments, the firm behind the project, has appealed to the Scottish Government as it says no feedback has been received.

It states the application is classified as “major” and therefore has “a statutory determination period of four months”. The application was declared valid on May 3. 

“Glasgow City Council has failed to determine the application within the relevant statutory timescales,” the company adds. The appeal has been submitted in “light of the fact there has been no meaningful feedback or engagement on the application… and they have provided no indication as to when the application may be determined”.

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Talks with the council over the student flats plan began in early 2023, the appeal states. The project would see 70 and 72A Waterloo Street knocked down and partial demolition to the rear warehouse part of 64 Waterloo Street (the Distillers’ building), but would retain the front section.

Varsity Developments, part of the Locate Developments Group, took ownership of the site in March 2022 and has partnered with Aparto, which would manage the flats. There is currently outstanding planning permission for demolition of the properties, repairs to the front of the listed building and creation of office space.

Historic Environment Scotland has said it would prefer a more conservation-led approach to the site but the current proposals are “more sympathetic” to the listed building than the consented scheme.

The developers say they have committed to further reinstatement works suggested in the heritage body’s letter. They also argue the proposed development is “consistent with the parameters established” in the existing permission.

They add an assessment found “clear and unequivocal demand for additional student accommodation” in Glasgow and the proposal would secure the “long-term future” of the Distillers’ building through “retention of its most significant parts”.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has backed the proposal, with chief executive Stuart Patrick saying it addresses a “pressing need” for student accommodation.

He added the plan has “the ability to revitalise a long-term vacant city centre site, which has no prospect of continuing in office use” and will “create activity and expenditure in the area”.

Varsity Developments claims there is “no material consideration” to indicate that planning permission should not be granted and has urged an independent reporter, appointed by the Scottish Government, to allow the appeal.

The reporter has requested a response from the council and is expected to make a decision by late November. A spokesman for the council said they were unable to comment on a live appeal.

The Admiral shut down in March last year due to the redevelopment plans, with bosses moving to a new venue, previously The Woods, on the corner of Waterloo Street and Wellington Street. It is known as The Admiral Woods.