A MASTERPLAN for The Glasgow Academy’s West End sports facilities includes selling some land for residential development.

Planning permission in principle is being sought for consolidation and modernisation at the three Anniesland sites — Windyedge, School Ground and New Anniesland.

Around 80 flats in four-storey blocks are proposed for Lower Windyedge, although detailed plans would need to be brought forward if consent in principle is secured.

A statement in planning documents explains: “The Anniesland sites are a significant part of an overall masterplan vision which sets out a bold strategic plan to guide the development and evolution of the school’s physical estate over the next decade and beyond.

“These proposals are aimed at ensuring that all sporting facilities across the academy estate are safe, sustainable, fit to deliver a high-quality, modern sporting curriculum for pupils and provide a variety of spaces and facilities which are state-of-the-art, flexible, carbon efficient and cost effective.

“During winter and summer months, there are large segments of time where the pitches are underutilised and this presented an opportunity to rethink how these facilities can be consolidated and operated differently to optimise their contribution to the school as a whole and potentially offer up opportunities to raise capital for reinvestment into improvements at the Anniesland sports sites.”

The Windyedge Proposals

▪ The proposal is to retain Upper Windyedge as the centre for hockey and tennis within the campus.

▪ Proposed change of use of part of Lower Windyedge for residential with the sale of the site for up to 80 new homes, facilitating the redevelopment of the rest of the campus.

▪ The loss of the hockey and rugby pitches from Lower Windyedge is compensated for by increased rugby and hockey provision at School Ground.

▪ Retain the full-size synthetic hockey pitch, the seven-a-side synthetic hockey pitch and the three tennis courts, plus the seven-a-side pitch will be relined to continue to provide six more tennis courts for play.

▪ Replace existing clubhouse and storage buildings to provide improved and accessible changing facilities and additional classrooms and learning accommodation. The proposed building would likely be over two storeys plus roof and would respect and respond to adjacent massing.

▪ Car parking provision adjacent to the clubhouse will be reduced but a new additional parking area to the south of the site off Jordanhill Drive is proposed, increasing overall parking spaces to alleviate out-of-hours on street parking.

▪ Additionally at Upper Windyedge, it is proposed to deliver dedicated, general teaching facilities. Local clubs and groups will have the opportunity to utilise these facilities out of school hours.

The School Ground Proposals

▪ Current all-grass rugby pitches are proposed to become a mix of rugby and hockey. The proposals include two synthetic rugby pitches to the east and west, with a central hockey pitch, with floodlighting for all three pitches.

▪ The clubhouse will be refurbished and extended, increasing changing capacity, accessible facilities, clubroom and spectator areas.

▪ Pedestrian access routes around the clubhouse and pitches will be improved, and a small number of car parking spaces, including an accessible space, will be provided.

The New Anniesland Proposals

▪ The playing field will be retained as all grass, providing three grass rugby pitches for use in winter.

▪ In summer, the grass playing field will provide a cricket oval, athletics track and shot put / discus / javelin area.

▪ The classrooms, pavilion and extensions which house changing and clubhouse facilities and a nursery, plus the stand and storage buildings, will all remain.

▪ The parking area adjacent to the classrooms will be improved and relined.

The plan is pending assessment by city officials.