Conservationists have launched a campaign to save what is left of one of Paisley’s most historic buildings after plans were lodged to tear it down.
The former Territorial Army Halls on the town’s High Street was left a gutted shell after fire tore through the building four years ago.
Now an application has been lodged to demolish the facade of the B-listed building, the only remaining section which could still be re-used.
Scaffolding which has protected the facade for the past four years has been removed, causing the collapse of some masonry, and owners the JR Group have now applied to Renfrewshire Council for listed building consent which would allow them to proceed with demolition.
The Territorial Army Halls was built in 1897 to the design of William Kerr, of Thomas Graham Abercrombie’s architectural practice - which spawned almost 40 other listed buildings.
Standing between Coates Memorial Church and the A-Listed Paisley Museum, currently undergoing a multi-million pound revamp, the building was a familiar landmark in the town’s centre.
However, the fire occurred before this could happen, and no development has been carried out since then.
Renfrewshire Council is now seeking to hear views on the demolition application, and a petition has been launched on the 38 degrees website urging councillors to reject the plan.
The petition states: “The TA building is a much-loved part of the town centre streetscape. It complements the A listed Museum and Coats Memorial Church between which it stands.
“Its loss would undermine the sense of confidence in Paisley's future which is returning with the major investments in its town hall, museum, arts centre and central library.”
Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney, who has campaigned to preserve listed buildings in the city, said that there should be statutory protection for listed buildings.
He said: "I have been working with my colleague Neil Bibby MSP to clarify the situation with Renfrewshire Council and we will be objecting in the strongest terms to the demolition of this surviving listed building façade, which we believe to be completely unjustified. We understand that Council is currently taking enforcement action against the owner for the unauthorised removal of the façade retention scaffolding.
"It is frustrating to see this application for demolition as Thomas Graham Abercrombie’s handsome Scots Baronial façade is set between two of Paisley’s finest buildings so forms a key part of their context.
“It is exactly the sort of historic building you don't want to lose. The owner should redouble efforts to develop the consented scheme for conversion to student accommodation.”
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The MSP added: "The application to demolish it contains no evidence from a conservation-accredited structural engineer to justify demolition and appears to be driven solely by commercial considerations, which is an insufficient justification.
"Coming in the wake of the unnecessary Sauchiehall Street ABC demolition, this is yet another example of why we need to improve statutory protection of listed buildings in Scotland by ensuring that only suitably qualified engineers independently assess structural condition, and why I am supporting the parliamentary petition by SAVE Britain's Heritage that seeks to amend the current legislation.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “A planning application has been lodged requesting the demolition of the retained façade of the former TA Building/Drill Hall.
“The application is currently out for consultation and any representations can be made via our planning portal.”
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