ARCHITECTS behind a controversial development in the West End are understood to be under investigation over claims they acted unethically.

It is alleged they encouraged staff to lodge submissions to city planners backing a scheme to build 98 modern flats on a site at A-listed Park Quadrant.

It is claimed the Architects’ Registration Board (ARB) and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering are looking into complaints that Holmes Miller Architects, consulting engineers Woolgar Hunter and environmental design consultants and engineers Atelier Ten, who all have offices in Glasgow, colluded to mislead the city council’s planning committee. 

The allegations centre on claims that more than two dozen staff, including the managing director of Woolgar Hunter and several directors of Atelier Ten, wrote to the council praising the scheme without making clear they had a financial interest in the project succeeding.

The alarm was raised by local residents suspicious of the high number of submissions from supporters of the development from outside the local area, many of which had similar or identical wording.

The city council received more than 200 formal objections to the £40 million development proposed by Leeds-based Expresso Property.

It is claimed the ARB confirmed in a letter to residents that it was investigating allegations against 11 named individuals on the basis that they failed to declare a conflict of interest when they lodged submissions.

However, when contacted by the Evening Times, a spokesman for the London-based ARB refused to confirm or deny an investigation was taking place.

The organisation was set up by the government and architects must register with it to be allowed to practice. It investigates complaints against firms and cases of serious misconduct are referred to a public tribunal which has the power to remove architects from the register or issue a reprimand, fine or suspension.

Councillors are due to decide on the Park Quadrant application next month. Park and Woodlands Heritage Trust has submitted an alternative proposal for public gardens and a pavilion on the site which they say is more in keeping with local architecture.

Holmes Miller Architects and Atelier Ten did not respond to the Evening Times’ requests for comment and it was not possible to speak to anyone from Woolgar Hunter.