Protesters step up battle to save concert hall steps

A decision on the development to expand the Buchanan Galleries, which would involve replacing the steps with a glass atrium, is expected in early 2015. But protesters say they will not give up trying to convince developers to change the £400million plans.

A Save the Steps petition against the development has now gathered more than 13,000 signatures. It came as Greens councillor Nina Baker, who sits on the planning committee, opted to remove herself from the decision-making process in order to speak out against the proposals.

As part of the plans, it is expected that the statue of Scotland's inaugural First Minister Donald Dewar will be moved a few metres southward, near to the Sainsbury's branch.

City Centre/Anderston councillor Ms Baker said that it was "highly disrespectful".

She said: "I took the unusual decision to speak up on this planning application which means I will have to sacrifice my place on the planning committee when it comes to the decision. I've never done this before but I feel so strongly about it. It is important to keep the statue in the same place as a mark of respect."

Protestors held a stall at the statue beside the steps over the weekend and will continue to do that in the run up to the planning decision.

Campaigner Aileen McKay, 22, said the public space was too important to drastically change.

She said: "This space is unique in that people can have their lunch there, they can sit with a coffee or they can have a political campaign there or a charity event, but it doesn't impose on people in the same way as other places.

"People out shopping can still walk by the steps if there's something going on, it's not like George Square."

The expansion plan would see the centre become home to more than 100 shops, a cinema and 25 restaurants.

Developers Land Securities say the new atrium would provide improved access to the Concert Hall. In front of the atrium a "gathering place" will be created.