PLANNING permission has been given for a 35-storey student housing block in Glasgow city centre.

Councillors on Glasgow’s planning committee voted 10:2 in favour of the plan by Watkin Jones to redevelop the Portcullis House site, between India Street and Newton Street, beside the M8 at Charing Cross.

The complex will be known as The Ard and will have 784 student rooms plus ground floor commercial units.

City planners were in favour of the proposal. In their report to the committee they stated that the application complies with the relevant policies of the city’s development plan.

They added: “The proposed scheme has been designed to respond to the existing street context, whilst delivering a modern ‘landmark’ where it is felt that height can be accommodated on the site.

“It is considered that in this circumstance, the proposal can be successfully integrated and provide a positive contribution to
the built environment as it has been designed to respond to this.”

A spokesperson for Watkin Jones Group said: “We are delighted that our planning application for The Ard (formerly Portcullis House) has been granted, subject to conditions.

“This mixed-use development, comprising high-quality student homes, will serve to address a well-recognised chronic undersupply of student accommodation in the city, also freeing up homes more appropriate for families.

“In addition to student accommodation, a new multi-space facility for the charity Glasgow Social Enterprise Network (GSEN) and flexible commercial space will be provided, as well as increased public realm.

“Regenerating a current brownfield site, the development will be designed to the highest environmental standards, boasting the latest low and zero carbon technologies. The Ard will contribute immensely to the greening of the city, providing high-quality publicly accessible open spaces, with biodiversity enhanced through creating new habitats on a site that currently has a low habitat value.

“This will be delivered through increased planting and new landscaped areas, with public realm increased by 75 per cent across the site.

“Redevelopment of the site will form a significant part of an overall renewal of the west end of the city centre, acting as a catalyst for change and enhancing the vitality of this part of the city.

“We look forward to continue to engage with the Council and local community as we progress with the development of the site.”

A design document included with the application stated: “The development is staggered in form, with the tallest element being 34 storeys with a lower shoulder of nine to 11 storeys relating to the shoulder of the neighbouring Scottish Power building. The building will be managed by a sole purpose-built student accommodation operator.”

It continued: “The proposed high-quality student accommodation is in a prime urban location. It boasts excellent access to amenities and transport links, repopulating the City Centre and benefiting local businesses as part of the overall regeneration of Blythswood and the M8 corridor.

“There is huge demand in Glasgow for purpose-built student accommodation, which offers well-managed accommodation, with access to a wide range of onsite amenities.

“The high proportion of shared amenity spaces will ensure that the ground floor and roofscapes help activate the newly enhanced streetscape around the building, playing a positive role in the regeneration of this part of Blythswood.

“The double height amenity space at the top of the building…will shine like a beacon at night, delivering a new a distinctive landmark on the City skyline.”

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