REVISED plans for Glasgow’s massive High Street goods yard site have been approved, with more than 800 flats and a 680-room student complex now set to be built.
Build-to-rent operator Get Living already secured planning permission in 2018 for development of the 7.5-acre derelict site between Collegelands and Bell Street, beside Parsonage Square, but in 2021 applied for permission for an updated masterplan for the land.
The new proposals emphasise an ‘intergenerational community’ with 821 flats for rent (compared with 727 in the earlier scheme) and 681 student accommodation rooms (up from 99 in the initial proposal). The flats will be a mix of studios (121), one-bed (325), two-bed (327) and three-bed (48) units.
There will also be a mix of retail, leisure, food and drink and commercial/business space.
City planners have now given the go-ahead to the revised scheme following some final design changes including to two of the more prominent structures.
The previous masterplan included a variety of building heights with seven buildings of 12 storeys or above and three buildings of 17 storeys and above.
The latest plan has a more consistent predominant building height of nine to 10 storeys, with a single taller building of 20 storeys.
The primary vehicle access will be from High Street with a one-way loop serving all buildings. Secondary emergency vehicle access will be from Bell Street.
There will be a range of public spaces plus external amenity spaces at roof level and podium level across the different buildings.
Outwith the application, a pedestrian/cycle bridge is proposed over the High Street railway line at Collegelands and this would connect with a north/south route through the goods yard development.
A design statement included with the application explained: “The proposals will create a high quality residential neighbourhood supported by a mix of new green spaces, amenity provision and ground floor commercial uses.
“The development will create a vibrant urban quarter that is well integrated with its wider urban context, unlocking new pedestrian and cycle connections to the east of the city centre.”
The statement continued: “At its core, the High Street Goodsyard vision will deliver an intergenerational community combining build-to-rent and student provision within a cohesive neighbourhood that services the needs of a diverse community.
“As well as providing new commercial spaces within the site, the development will positively contribute to the wider local economy, bringing increased footfall to surrounding high streets.
“The proposals will deliver a significant amount of new green space providing a mix of informal and formal play as well as a range of amenity spaces for residents and the wider community to enjoy.”
