PLANS for a massive housing development at the former Ruchill Hospital site in north Glasgow have been approved.
The city council’s planning applications committee agreed that Bellway Homes can build around 400 dwellings at the site off Bilsland Drive. There will be 160 one and two-bedroom flats and 243 three and four-bedroom houses.
Planning officials had recommended approval. There were 18 public objections.
The hospital closed in 1998 and demolition consent was secured in 2012. All that remains of the original facility are the category A listed water tower and a category C listed stairwell, both of which will be kept.
A report by planners stated: “Prior to the submission of the proposal, a presentation was made by the applicant’s architects George Buchanan Architects to the Glasgow Urban Design Panel on 20 February 2020.
“During the 12 week consultation period and in the processing of this application, the planning authority were able to secure many of the changes discussed at the design panel. These changes may be summarised as follows:
“The context and history of the site was not initially recognised in the housing design. Changes were negotiated giving greater recognition of this. In particular, the use of roughcast render finish was vastly reduced across the site to the majority brick-built finish. This picks up on the tonality of the original sandstone hospital buildings.
“Greater recognition was given to the water tower which was initially bounded by roads, this now forms a park at the centre of the site.
“Bespoke housing types for the development were conceived through negotiation in the application process. A general style and design code were sought for the housing reflecting a contemporary approach to the context and history of design at the site.”
A planning statement included with the application stated: “The applicants have sought to present a layout which takes full cognisance of the former use and arrangement of this site, celebrating the built heritage that remains, whilst also delivering a modern development which respects and relates to its urban location and unique setting.
“The proposed development will ultimately enable the redevelopment of a prominent urban brownfield site, which is allocated for residential use.
“It is expected that the proposed development will contribute positively to the surrounding area with the creation of a high quality development and an improved urban setting from what currently exists.”
Vehicular access will be taken primarily from Bilsland Avenue with secondary access points provided through the adjacent Keepmoat development to the southeast, down to Panmure Street.
