C-LISTED status is being proposed for a Victorian industrial building which a developer wants to knock down to make way for build-to-rent flats.

Earlier this year, Weiss Development Co. Ltd submitted a planning application for 124 Craighall Road, near Speirs Wharf, just north of Glasgow city centre.

Sixty apartments in a five/six storey block are proposed, a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats. A decision from city officials is still awaited. There have been 32 public objections.

However Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney MSP applied to Historic Environment Scotland to have the building listed, and also got it covered by a preservation notice, whilst it was assessed.

Mr Sweeney said: “Historic Environment Scotland’s proposed decision is to list the building at category C, pending consultation open until 9 January 2023.”

His letter objection to the demolition states: “This building is an outstanding example of its type in the Port Dundas area, and relates to a former industrial use along the scheduled monument of the Forth and Clyde Canal that has otherwise been almost entirely obliterated over the last 40 years, most recently with Listed Building Consent granted by Glasgow City Council to demolish the Temple Sawmill at Anniesland.”

He adds: “The applicant should be urged to fundamentally reorientate the proposed development of new buildings on the site so that the historic building is retained and integrated into their proposal. This is perfectly feasible to do.”

Categoy C buildings are of special architectural or historic interest which are representative examples of a period, style or type.

Historic Environment Scotland said the building meets the criteria for various reasons:

• It is a good surviving example of a late 19th century industrial office building.

• There is special design interest in the use of industrial brick with a high degree of detailing. The interior retains quality decorative timber finishes to walls, floors and fireplaces.

• The exceptional quality of the timber finishes reflect the building’s association with the historic timber trade, one of the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom in the late 19th century.

• It is the only surviving building of a once vast timber yard in north Glasgow.

• It is an important reminder of the city’s industrial past and in particular its historic association with the timber trade in Glasgow.

C-listed status gives the building extra protection but does not rule out a decision in favour of demolition.

A design document included with Weiss Development Co’s proposal stated: “The site was previously under light industrial use and at present the site is occupied by a two‐storey brick building (circa 1896) and a more recent brick extension (circa 1991) along with garages and workshops.

“The original brick building is showing evidence of settlement where cracking and sagging is evident.”

It was not “feasible or practical” to keep the building because of the level of remedial works required, the document stated.

It continued: “Material choices have been predominantly informed by the listed buildings at Speirs Wharf through the use of brick, cladding to reflect the industrial and more recent business park while render is used to soften the and delineate the massing of the development.”