A final decision on the future of Glasgow’s former O2 ABC has moved a major step closer after a long-running examination of plans to redevelop the Sauchiehall Street site was completed.
A report on proposals for a major student accommodation and leisure development has now been submitted to Scottish Ministers, who will decide whether the controversial scheme can go ahead. The report had been expected at the end of May.
The Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division updated the case on Wednesday (14 October) to confirm its report had been issued to ministers. It said a decision would be made “in due course”.
The plans would see the former music venue and nightclub site at 292–332 Sauchiehall Street redeveloped with a nine-storey building containing 356 student rooms.
The House of Social development would also include a ground-floor food hall alongside food and drink businesses, a pub and leisure uses.
Glasgow City Council’s planning committee voted in June 2025 that it was minded to conditionally approve the development.
The application was then referred to Scottish Ministers because the council proposed approving it despite an objection from Historic Environment Scotland.
The heritage body raised concerns over what it described as a “significant adverse impact” on the setting of the neighbouring category A-listed Mackintosh Building at the Glasgow School of Art.
The Glasgow School of Art, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society and other heritage organisations also opposed the proposals, with concerns focusing on the scale and height of the new building and its effect on views towards the Mackintosh building.
More than 100 public objections were also lodged. Scottish Ministers subsequently called in the application, meaning the final decision was taken out of the hands of Glasgow City Council.
Reporter Stuart West considered further written submissions, held hearings and carried out a site inspection in January.
The process had originally been expected to conclude earlier this year before additional information was sought.
The submission of his report means the lengthy examination has now effectively concluded, although its recommendations have not been made public.
Ministers can now decide whether to approve the development, reject it or impose conditions.
The ABC has been derelict since it was badly damaged by the devastating Glasgow School of Art fire in June 2018.
The Sauchiehall Street building had a history stretching back to the 19th century and had served at different points as a diorama, skating venue, cinema, dance hall and, latterly, one of Glasgow’s best-known live music venues.
Demolition work began in 2024 after Glasgow City Council issued a dangerous building notice amid concerns about public safety.
Vita Group subsequently brought forward its House of Social proposals as part of wider attempts to regenerate the western end of Sauchiehall Street.
When councillors backed the scheme last year, Vita Group planning director James Rooke said the company wanted to create a “landmark destination for Glasgow”.
No date has yet been announced for the Scottish Ministers’ final decision.