THE proposal to grant planning permission for the erection of student housing immediately to the south of Mackintosh’s masterpiece, The Glasgow School of Art, is a matter of great concern. It is clear, as you report, that there are continuing concerns, not least from the School of Art itself and Historic Environment Scotland (“Critics warn of the impact on Mackintosh’s city masterpiece”, The Herald, March 4).

It is to be hoped that the planning applications committee at its meeting (March 7) will agree to defer a decision until appropriate consensus can be reached on the way forward.

Mackintosh’s masterwork deserves no less.

Stuart Robertson, Director, Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society; Roger Billcliffe, Vice-President, Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society; Pamela Robertson, Professor Emerita, Mackintosh Studies; Alison Thewliss, MP Glasgow Central; Lex Lamb, Chair, New Glasgow Society; Niall Murphy, Chair, Pollokshields Heritage; Robin Webster, Emeritus Professor, The Robert Gordon University,

c/o Mackintosh Queen's Cross,

870 Garscube Road, Glasgow.