Thursday’s DRS Scrutiny Committee heard a report about the potential of increasing the size of the Buchanan Galleries from 600,000 to 1,000,000 square feet. As is almost always the case, officials and Labour councillors say that all development is good development and welcome the idea.

However, the SNP’s Bailie Iris Gibson questioned the report at the committee. She referred to the many shops in Sauchiehall Street which had closed down over the years to be replaced by pubs, clubs, and hot food shops.

 She suggested that the risk of increasing the size of the Buchanan Galleries would be to further undermine Sauchiehall Street. It was clear that Braehead had effectively killed off Paisley Town Centre and the same could happen in Glasgow with new developments killing off older ones.

(The full name of the committee is Development and Regeneration Services Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee.)