DEVELOPERS have been given permission for a massive mixed-use development in Glasgow City Centre

An application by Vengada Estates seeking planning consent in principle (PPP) to transform land bounded by Osborne Street, King Street, Bridgegate and Stockwell Street has been approved by Glasgow City Council.

A variety of uses have been granted including apartments, retail, business, office, food/drink and leisure space, and a hotel.

The site is beside the St Enoch Centre which itself is now the subject of massive redevelopment plans.

A planning statement included with the application asserted: “[The proposals] create a vibrant urban quarter that is active throughout the day and evening hours. The mix of uses and activities on the site will be unified by a high quality and versatile public realm and active uses at ground floor.

“New streets and spaces will be informed by the distinct character of the wider Merchant City. A nuanced grid of tight streets with a strong sense of enclosure will become a natural extension of the network of streets and wynds that characterise the area.”

It continued: “A number of different development scenarios are possible within the development framework allowing for different proportions of employment, residential and leisure uses on the site.”

“The mixed-use nature of the proposals is predicated on striking the right balance in terms of land use to deliver the placemaking agenda for the site as a whole, whilst retaining a mix that is commercially viable and attractive to occupiers.

“The development framework allows the possibility for an urban office campus development within the site utilising two or three of the [five] development plots to deliver up to 570,000 sqft of floorspace.”

A design document stated: “The redevelopment of the King Street Car Park site presents a unique opportunity to transform a part of the city centre that has been underutilised for decades.”

It’s envisaged that the development would enable delivery of a new north-south connection linking the Merchant City and the river, made up of “a collection of informal spaces” including the new public space at Candleriggs Square as well future improvements to Old Wynd.

The route would culminate in a new public square at the heart of the King Street site, framing the Grade A listed Merchant Steeple.

With approval in principle now given, detailed plans will still need to be brought forward for each element.