A politician has objected to the demolition of a much-loved former hotel following a fire that ripped through it earlier this year.

We previously reported that a blaze, which caused "significant damage", tore through the Carnbooth House Hotel, a large country house that was built by architect Alexander Cullen around 1900, on August 17.

The building on Busby Road, which had been lying empty since 2019 was also previously used as a residential school.

Officers recently confirmed after investigating all "available lines of enquiry", no one has been identified as being responsible for the wilful fire.

Barrhead News:

Earlier this month, a planning application was submitted by Ivory Holdings Limited to Glasgow City Council to pull down the hotel.

Documents revealed the proposal to knock down the building, part of which, it said is in "precarious condition" after suffering "substantial damage".

On top of that, papers also stated that the flames "completely destroyed the interior and roof of the property leaving only masonry walls standing".

A decision on the proposal was expected to be made by Friday, January 29.

Barrhead News:

However, on Monday, December 18, the council issued a "dangerous buildings notice" requiring the owner to demolish the Carnbooth Hotel in accordance with the approved building warrant.

In an email sent out to councillors, it said: "Planning has been in discussions with Historic Environment Scotland regarding a recent application to demolish Carnbooth House.

"Unfortunately, since the fire, children continue to breach the security fence to access the damaged building.

"The fire has significantly damaged the structure and parts of the building are beginning to fail.

"Building standards and planning officers have been out on site to witness the damage.

"As we move into the school break, the owners are concerned for the safety of those who continue to access the site, so as to avoid any tragedy they have, as of December 19, begun demolishing the building."

Following the decision, Paul Sweeney MSP has said it is "deeply frustrating" that the building is being demolished.

Objecting to the original planning application, the politician said: "I write to object to the planning application for listed building consent to demolish the Category B Listed Carnbooth House, an outstanding Scots Baronial and Arts & Crafts style country.

"Having read the support documentation provided by the applicant in support of their case for listed building consent for demolition, it is quite clear that their justification does not credibly meet any of the four tests required in the National Planning Framework Policy in relation to historic assets and places.

"The building remains of special architectural interest, befitting its listed status.

"This was also confirmed by Historic Environment Scotland in their submission.

"Although the interior of the property was gutted by fire in August 2023, the external fabric of the building is largely intact and is capable of reinstatement."

He also claimed: "There is no demonstrable case that the total demolition of this listed building will deliver any meaningful economic or community benefits."

In a document submitted by Historic Environment Scotland under the planning application, they said: "We acknowledge that the appointed structural engineer has clearly concluded that repair of the building is not possible and for the avoidance of doubt we are not objecting to the application.

"However, in our view, the reasoning behind this conclusion has not been clearly explained in the submitted records."

Meanwhile, one resident objected to the plans claiming that "the reason for the B listing is mainly in respect of the fine exterior of the house".

They added: "Although the interior has been destroyed in the recent fire the external walls are still standing.

"There would appear to be a possibility of restoring the B-listed exterior while remodelling the interior."