The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland has written to Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, Minister for Public Finance, requesting that Scottish Ministers call in planning applications 24/01934/FUL and 24/01935/LBA relating to Hillhead Baptist Church, 30 Cranworth Street, Glasgow.

The applications concern the future of the listed former Hillhead Baptist Church, a notable building within the Glasgow West Conservation Area. AHSS is urging Ministers to appoint a Reporter to examine the cases, citing concern about the proposed demolition of a significant historic building and the precedent this could set for other neglected listed buildings in Scotland.

The full text of the letter is below.

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29 June 2026

Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP
Minister for Public Finance

Dear Minister,

Planning Applications 24/01934/FUL and 24/01935/LBA, Hillhead Baptist Church, 30 Cranworth Street, Glasgow G12 8AG

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland requests that you, on behalf of Scottish Ministers, ‘call in’ these applications and appoint a Reporter to examine these cases. The approved plans threaten the demolition of a remarkable listed building in Glasgow West Conservation Area.

Thomas Lennox Watson’s 1883 Greek Revival design is, according to the eminent architectural historian Dr David Walker, an example of the Glasgow phenomenon of continuing to develop the components of Greek Revival design after the death of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. Permitting the loss of this building would set a worrying precedent for neglected buildings in Glasgow and Scotland as a whole.

Simpson & Brown’s Condition Report that was submitted as part of the application to demolish made clear that the condition of the building was largely down to the lack of protection but also stated that “there is relatively little wrong with the structure of the masonry”. At the committee hearing the developers were claiming the building had deteriorated to the point that demolition was the only option and, as this deterioration was directly linked to their deliberate removal of the roof and not putting any protection for the remaining shell in place, granting their application is rewarding deliberate neglect of a listed building.

The unjustified demolition of a building which can be saved risks setting a harmful precedent and undermines planning policy. We urge you to step in and save this building.

Yours sincerely,

Jocelyn M Cunliffe
Chair, Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland