Listing a historic building
One of the aims of the Sir John Maxwell School Trust is to get the building “Listed” because this can offer some legal protection against demolition. The other advantage is that many sources of funding for conservation and for conversion to a future use are only available if the building is Listed
A number of buildings in Pollokshaws are already listed:
Pollokshaws Burgh Hall (Category A); Clock Tower (B), Pollokshaws Parish Church (B), St Mart Immaculate Church (B);
Pollokshaws UF Church (B); Lodge at Pollok Park Entrance (B) Toll House(B); Pollokshaws West Station (B)
.
Most of the Primary Schools in the Southside of the same age and design as Sir John Maxwell are also listed (all Category B). For example, Langside, Homelea, Battlefield, Annette Street, Cutherbertson, St Brides.
So why is the school not already Listed?
An application to List the Sir John Maxwell School was made by Glasgow City Heritage Trust in 2017. It was based on the architecture and historical interest. This was rejected by HES because they said the architecture and design were of not of sufficient merit or uniqueness. This is what they said
Dating from 1907, the Sir John Maxwell School was built towards the end of the main building period for a board school and is not a rare survival of a board school.
This school is not a particularly notable example of its building type and in the Glasgow context is not exceptional. It has some decorative features, but these are not extensive and the building conforms to a standard plan.
The school does not have any associated ancillary buildings such as a janitor’s accommodation or swimming pool which would add to its interest for its building type. Its immediate setting has been altered by the loss of contemporary buildings and the school is partially isolated. In our current state of knowledge it is not considered to meet the criteria for listing
But on first sight the Sir John Maxwell School seems to be at least as good an example of Glasgow/ Renfrewshire School Board architecture as all of the others in Glasgow which are listed. An example is St James Primary School in Calton which is listed Category B. It is very similar in style and materials and in a worse condition now than the Sir John Maxwell, and in an area where most of the surrounding buildings have been demolished. In fact, maybe because it is listed, Glasgow Council has chosen as a site for an additional Gaelic School at a renovation cost of £16 million
We know that HES consults with Glasgow City Council as planning authority when making its decision. We do not know what advice the Council gave to HES in 2017 when they rejected the Listing application. We do know, however, that Pollokshaws is a “Regeneration” area and that the Council has indicated in the past its desire to demolish the School and use the site for something else.
Another Go?
So the question for the supporters of the Sir John Maxwell School is: should we have another go at getting the School Listed? We would need to remake the case and show community support for the idea.
Read further to find out what types of building get listed and how they can become listed.
A number of buildings in Pollokshaws are already listed:
Pollokshaws Burgh Hall (Category A); Clock Tower (B), Pollokshaws Parish Church (B), St Mart Immaculate Church (B);
Pollokshaws UF Church (B); Lodge at Pollok Park Entrance (B) Toll House(B); Pollokshaws West Station (B)
.
Most of the Primary Schools in the Southside of the same age and design as Sir John Maxwell are also listed (all Category B). For example, Langside, Homelea, Battlefield, Annette Street, Cutherbertson, St Brides.
So why is the school not already Listed?
An application to List the Sir John Maxwell School was made by Glasgow City Heritage Trust in 2017. It was based on the architecture and historical interest. This was rejected by HES because they said the architecture and design were of not of sufficient merit or uniqueness. This is what they said
Dating from 1907, the Sir John Maxwell School was built towards the end of the main building period for a board school and is not a rare survival of a board school.
This school is not a particularly notable example of its building type and in the Glasgow context is not exceptional. It has some decorative features, but these are not extensive and the building conforms to a standard plan.
The school does not have any associated ancillary buildings such as a janitor’s accommodation or swimming pool which would add to its interest for its building type. Its immediate setting has been altered by the loss of contemporary buildings and the school is partially isolated. In our current state of knowledge it is not considered to meet the criteria for listing
But on first sight the Sir John Maxwell School seems to be at least as good an example of Glasgow/ Renfrewshire School Board architecture as all of the others in Glasgow which are listed. An example is St James Primary School in Calton which is listed Category B. It is very similar in style and materials and in a worse condition now than the Sir John Maxwell, and in an area where most of the surrounding buildings have been demolished. In fact, maybe because it is listed, Glasgow Council has chosen as a site for an additional Gaelic School at a renovation cost of £16 million
We know that HES consults with Glasgow City Council as planning authority when making its decision. We do not know what advice the Council gave to HES in 2017 when they rejected the Listing application. We do know, however, that Pollokshaws is a “Regeneration” area and that the Council has indicated in the past its desire to demolish the School and use the site for something else.
Another Go?
So the question for the supporters of the Sir John Maxwell School is: should we have another go at getting the School Listed? We would need to remake the case and show community support for the idea.
Read further to find out what types of building get listed and how they can become listed.