CAMPAIGNERS trying to save Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall steps from being demolished are to stage a protest this month.

 

The Save Our Steps group will gather at the city monument from 2pm on Sunday February 15 to make their views on the controversial £400million extension of Buchanan Galleries known.

The protestors are angry about a proposal to get rid of the steps and replace them with an atrium.

They have also raised concerns over plans to move the Donald Dewar statue to a nearby location.

As the Evening Times reported in December, a massive 12,000 objections were lodged against the move.

It is expected members of Glasgow City Council's planning committee will make a decision on the expansion plans by the end of this month(FEB).

Organisers have urged people to come along to "show the council that you don't want the demolition to go ahead".

They have asked protestors to bring placards and banners.

In a statement they added: "The decision-making committee are due to meet at the end of February, so this is the perfect time to make our voices heard.

"If you are part of a group that has used the steps before for a demo or photo opportunity, please feel free to bring placards. We want to show off the diversity of groups who use this brilliant civic space. "

Local Greens councillor Nina Baker is publicly opposing the plans, meaning she has had to sacrifice her place on the planning committee for this decision.

Garnethill Community Council member Bill Beckett said: "The steps have become part of the city. It's not just hundreds, but thousands of people who use it every week, they'll meet there or have their lunch there.

"There's the thousands of tourists who visit the steps too.

"It would be a shame to have all that thrown away."

Mr Beckett said the relocation of the Donald Dewar statue was "another disaster".

He said: "Moving a statue of a great person, whoever it is, should not be allowed. It is like taking a body from a grave and moving it to another grave.

"I am very bitter about that, it's very disrespectful.

"I think they should stand down and rethink the proposal and the planing."

The organisers are also getting in touch with groups who have

Mr Beckett said: "Even after the Charlie Hebdo shootings in France a couple of hundred people gathered there. Why would we want to lose a place like this?

He said the steps "definitely" represented freedom of expression.

However, Nick Davis, development director at Land Securities, said the change to the steps would improve access.

He said: "In addition to creating over 1,500 jobs, our £400m investment in Glasgow will protect its status as a leading retail and leisure destination.

"The transformational development will strengthen both the retail and leisure offer in the city centre and create a number of quality public spaces."

"Our commitment to enhancing the city centre will include the provision of additional steps, seating and a gathering space to continue to attract people to use the area for a range of activities.

"Plans for the entrance to Glasgow Royal Concert Hall focus on improving accessibility and highlighting the prominence of this key civic attraction."

The proposal would result in the shopping centre becoming home to more than 100 shops, a 10 screen cinema, 25 restaurants and a new 1700 space car park next to Queen Street station.