Consultation starts today on revised plans for a £68million revamp of Shawlands Arcade which would include new homes and shops.
Increased public space is included in the new proposals following feedback provided during an initial consultation process last year.
A second round of talks begins with a drop-in event, between 3pm and 8pm, in the former Farmfoods shop in the arcade today and an online chat tomorrow (Wednesday, May 11). Information on the updated plans will then be available in the arcade throughout this month and people will have until May 31 to submit comments.
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After feedback has been gathered, the owners, Clydebuilt LP, will draw up final designs and submit a planning application to Glasgow City Council. They hope to start work on the first phase in summer 2023. Clydebuilt LP is a property investment and development fund co-owned by Strathclyde Pension Fund and Ediston Real Estate.
The £68m first phase is expected to include the southern part of the arcade, running from Wetherspoons/Eastwood Avenue to Santander, including City Wall House. No homes fronting onto Pollokshaws Road are included and the internal arcade, including Sainsburys and Pure Gym, would remain until the next phase.
When the second stage of consultation was announced, Neal Jamieson, director of Ediston Real Estate, said: “We now know that the majority of people are in favour of the proposed regeneration but we have also been told that the new development needs to be right for the community.
“As a result, we have been working with the community council and listened and engaged with the public to help us design the extensive new public space and gardens included in our proposals.”
He said the amount of new public realm would be “significantly increased”. “This reflects community wishes for high quality European style spaces that both locals and visitors can use.”
Mr Jamieson said the developers were now “seeking further community input on the new proposals”. He added: “For the regeneration of the arcade to happen, it has to be commercially viable and this means that we need to retain control of some aspects of the design, such as the number of new homes.
“While all design points will be finalised in accordance with Glasgow City Council planning, design and transport policies, the proposed balance of housing and retail uses has been carefully considered to ensure a proposal that is realistic and deliverable.”
The developers have reported two thirds of respondents to the initial consultation were “positive or generally positive about the proposed regeneration”. They said most people were in favour of improved public space on Kilmarnock Road and want to see shops and leisure facilities on the same level as the road, rather than raised as they are currently.
A theme of the feedback was residents wanted the development to reflect the “unique character” of Shawlands, the developers said.
The developers plan to create a central, landscaped public area and improve pedestrian connections on Kilmarnock Road and Pollokshaws Road.
They have said any units which would be demolished in phase one are currently vacant or operating on short-term leases. “The phased approach will allow tenants to relocate if desired.”
You can book a slot at today’s drop-in event online at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shawlands-arcade-drop-in-consultation-event-tickets-323714517837
The live chat on the project website — www.https://shawlandsarcade.com — will run between 3pm and 8pm tomorrow.
