St Peters-Section 12 Appendices - Historic Scotland

Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland
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February 1990: External inspection reveals the college to be vacant and is disrepair.
Winter 1990: The newsletter of the Glasgow Institute of Architects reports that the
Archdiocese of Glasgow is seeking permissions to demolish the 1966 buildings. The
classroom wing has suffered water ingress, whilst the copper roof has been stripped in
places. The globe lights hanging in the upper lecture rooms are fillled with water and
furnishings are now tarnished with mould. However, the buildings remain structurally
sound. The adjacent Kilmahew House is well-maintained.
23 February 1992: Press reports note that the Archdiocese has withdrawn security from
the site, which is now beset by vandalism although security gates are to be erected.
Currently listed within the curtilage of Kilmahew House, Historic Scotland is considering
listing the seminary separately. The Walker Group has been commissioned by the
Archdiocese to access the development potential of the site.
27 March 1992: The Glasgow Herald reports note that restoration is estimated at £5
million. The Walker Group has invited all interested parties to meet and discuss the
future of the site. Security gates have now been erected. The Scotsman repeats the
story.
July 1992: A Repairs Notice is served.
4 September 1992: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports that the seminary building has
been A-listed.
11 September 1992: The Lennox Herald repeats the story.
14 September 1992: The Glasgow Herald repeats the story.
16 September 1992: Press reports note that the buildings remain for sale. The owners
are asking local residents to help counter vandalism.
28 September 1992: The Herald reports on the condition of the seminary.
23 October 1992: The press carries a letter from Docomomo, an international watchdog
for the protection of outstanding 20th century buildings, decrying the current condition
of the seminary.
25 June 1993: Press reports note that the Archdiocese has asked developers Classical
House to join talks on the future of the site.
3 November 1993: The Dumbarton Reporter notes that the Archdiocese has submitted
2 applications for the redevelopment of the site. The first would see the seminary
building converted into 6 townhouses, with the teaching block forming 1 house. 60 new
houses would also be built on green belt land. The second scheme would see all the
building retained and secured for future use by a public body, possibly incorporating a
visitors' centre. 24 new houses would be built. Both schemes include the creation of a
country park. Classical House is acting as partner.
5 November 1993: The Helensburgh Advertiser and Lennox Herald repeat the story.
3 December 1993: Press reports note that the plans are opposed by many locals. As
part of the first scheme, Kilmahew House would be demolished save for the south
eastern tower.
20 December 1993: The Herald reports that the plans are opposed by the Cardross
Community Council. The Helensburgh and District Civic Society has lodged a formal
objection.
30 March 1994: The Dumbarton Reporter notes that planning officials have
recommended refusal of all applications, save for the partial demolition of Kilmahew
House.
1 April 1994: The Lennox Herald notes that the applications are viewed as contrary to
green belt policy and were opposed by Scottish Natural Heritage. Dunbartonshire
Enterprise has expressed a willingness to fund condition surveys and marketability
reports for the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust. The Helensburgh Advertiser repeats
the story.
22 April 1994: The Lennox Herald reports that SHBT is interested in acquiring the
seminary under conditions offered in the second scheme, whereby new owners would
be given £75,000 to fund maintenace and security. It is exploring conversion into a
conference centre, estimated at £3 million.
27 April 1994: The Dumbarton Reporter notes that the Planning and Development
Committee has supported the partial demolition of Kilmahew House and alterations to
the seminary, but has rejected housing developments on the site.
29 April 1994: The Helensburgh Advertiser repeats the story.
30 April 1994: The Herald reports that the Archdiocese may appeal the decision.
25 May 1994: The Dumbarton Reporter notes that Kilmahew House has been ravaged
by fire. The seminary buildings remain largely unaffected.
July 1994: EDAW CR Planning of Glasgow is commissioned by Dunbartonshire
Enterprise to undertake a market assessment of potential new uses.
2 September 1994: The Lennox Herald reports that permissions are sought for the
Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland
CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT - VOLUME 1: ST PETER’S SEMINARY FEBRUARY 2008 300 Final Issue
12. APPENDICES
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demolition of Kilmahew House. Local planners are recommending approval, though
SCT has objected. The house is subsequently demolished in 1995.
5 November 1994: The Herald carries a feature on the seminary.
1 June 1995: The Helensburgh Advertiser notes that Classical House is seeking
permission to build 22 houses at the site, with SHBT becoming custodians of the
present structures and a £50,000 estate management fund. An area of land will be
given over to the Council for use as a country park, whilst the remaining land will be
given over to the Strathclyde Greenbelt Company, who will be responsible for
maintaining the woodland. Local planners are recommending approval, although the
plans are not supported by Strathclyde Reginoal Council.
2 June 1995: The Lennox Herald repeats the story.
7 June 1995: The Dumbarton Reporter notes that Councillors are minded to approval
the application.
8 June 1995: The Helensburgh Advertiser repeats the story.
9 June 1995: The Lennox Herald repeats the story.
6 June 1996: The Helensbrugh Advertiser reports that the application was refused,
following objections from Strathclyde Regional Council. The decision went to appeal,
but has been upheld.
13 June 1996: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports that a local Councillor has criticised
the decision.
January 1997: Local planners report that further discussions are taking place between
the Council and the Archdiocese with a view to submitting an amended planning
application.
22 May 1997: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports on the plight of the college.
10 September 1998: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports that new plans by Classical
House would see the seminary stabilised and 33 houses built in the walled garden. The
plans are supported by the Cardross Community Council.
4 March 1999: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports that an application has gone before
Councillors. The sale of the 25th house would trigger a payment of £100,000 to the
local authority for the maintenance of the proposed country park. The seminary
buildinfs would be mothballed and gifted to the council, to be managed by a specifically
established trust. Local planners are recommending approval.
5 March 1999: The Lennox Herald repeats the story.
7 March 1999: The Sunday Express reports that DOCOMOMO has criticised the plans
and has named the seminary as one of the top ten postwar buildings in the country.
8 April 1999: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports that the plans are opposed by
environmental campaigners and members of the adjacent Cardross Golf Club.
16 April 1999: The Lennox Herald reports that the plans have been approved with
conditions.
24 April 1999: The Helensburgh Advertiser carries criticism of the decision.
7 October 1999: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports on the decision to go to a Public
Inquiry.
11 November 1999: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports that Historic Scotland has
withdrawn support for the scheme.
27 January 2000: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports on the Public Inquiry.
28 January 2000: The Lennox Herald repeats the story.
August 2000: The decision is called in for consideration by the Secretary of State and is
subsequently overturned.
January 2003: Classical House reports that it is to undertake a further marketing
appraisal.
13 February 2003: The Clydebank Post and the Helensburgh Advertiser report on the
college's inclusion on the Buildings at Risk Register.
25 April 2003: The Lennox Herald reports that the Archdiocese is exploring the
establishment of a trust to repair the roof and maintain the building.
2 May 2003: The Clyde Weekly News repeats the story.
7 February 2004: The Herald carries a feature on the seminary in its magazine. A
Cardross Regeneration Trust has been established to engender debate on the building.
22 April 2004: The Helensburgh Advertiser reports on speculation that the college may
feature in the second series of BBC's Restoration programme.
28 April 2004: The Dumbarton Reporter repeats the story.
12 May 2004: The Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter notes the building's inclusion
on the Buildings at Risk Register.
13 May 2004: The Helensburgh Advertiser repeats the story.
19 May 2004: The Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter notes that the Archdiocese
of Glasgow is to submit new plans to mothball the college and build 28 houses in the