Architects are being scrutinised after complaints arose that they acted unethically by encouraging staff to lodge submissions in support of the scheme to erect 98 modern flats in one of Glasgow’s most prestigious conservation areas, in order to exaggerate its popularity.

The Architects’ Registration Board (ARB) and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) are investigation the allegations that Holmes Miller Architects, Woolgar Hunter and Atelier Ten plotted to deceive Glasgow City Council’s planning committee over the proposal for the A-listed Park Quadrant in the city’s west end.

It is suspected that over two dozen staff, including the Managing Director of Woolgar Hunter and several directors of Atelier Ten, wrote to the council praising the flats’ proposal without mentioning their financial interest in the project.

Local residents, suspicious of the high number of submissions from supporters of the development that came from outside the local area raised the alarm after noticing that many of them consisted of similar or sometimes even identical wording.

The ACE confirmed in a letter to residents that investigations were being carried out against 11 named individuals.

A spokesman for the Park and Woodlands Heritage Trust (PAWH) said: “This is a blatant and underhand attempt by these companies to overstate the popularity of this proposed development.”

Councillors will meet to discuss the issue at a meeting of the planning committee next month.

Related News

German Government objects to £35million Glasgow flats project