Major plans for more than 700 homes on Glasgow’s riverside have taken a big step forward.
The partners behind the scheme – Moda Living and GDRI – have secured planning permission in principle from Glasgow City Council for the £205m project at Lancefield Quay.
It would see a four-acre brownfield site transformed into a build-to-rent development, with 730 homes.
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Further details will need to be approved by the council before work begins, but the developers have hailed today’s [Tuesday] decision as a “significant milestone”.
Build-to-rent operator Moda Living is working with GDRI, a joint venture between developer and investor Osborne+CO and MRP, the development and investment arm of McAleer & Rushe, on the scheme.
Tony Brooks, Moda Living managing director, said: “With all the fundamentals we look for in a long-term city partner, Glasgow has immense potential and we are thrilled to have been granted outline permission for this key waterside site.
“Lancefield Quay will provide 730 new homes for rent to Glasgow, at a time when supply of good quality rental accommodation is at an all-time low.
“We look forward to working with our delivery partners and Glasgow City Council to deliver a neighbourhood that will benefit its surrounding communities and the wider city for the long term.”
Moda, which is also behind the Holland Park project in Glasgow, will now work to secure detailed planning permission. The team behind the plans are promising an on-site gym, co-working hubs and commercial units as well as landscaped public spaces to create a “unique destination”.
The partners have said the development aligns with Glasgow’s plan to increase city centre living and will “breathe new life” into the waterfront. They also plan to run the building on 100% renewable energy.
Stephen Surphilis, managing director of MRP, said: “The granting of outline planning permission for Lancefield Quay is a very significant milestone in the delivery of this exciting new project which will regenerate this historic and important area of Glasgow."
They said public consultation ahead of the application was generally positive, with most respondents expressing their support. There were 19 objections to the plans, with concerns over the scale and height of the development, the impact on parking and traffic and a lack of green space.
However, planning officials recommended that permission could be granted and said the proposal would “regenerate this derelict area of ground”.
At the planning meeting, Cllr Eva Bolander, SNP, raised concerns over a lack of services, such as GP surgeries and primary schools, in the surrounding area. “I think that is the problem because there is a dire lack of those services in the city centre,” she said.
A council official responded: “That’s not something that can be driven by the council on these privately owned sites at this point.”
She added the site was near built up areas that do have these services.
Bailie Thomas Kerr, Conservative, said: “I welcome this application, I know it’s planning permission in principle but I think the idea that some of the areas, particularly down near the Hydro, are still undeveloped is mad to me.”
Last month, a decision on the scheme was delayed due to a “late issue” with planning officials reporting a problem had been identified “in terms of proposed parking provision”.
Initially, 250 car parking spaces had been included, provision of 33%, but that has now been reduced to just under 140, or 18% provision.
The council official said the change had been made “given the proximity of the site to the city centre, to train stations at Exhibition Centre and Anderston, and bus routes along Lancefield Quay and the Clydeside Expressway”. There will be around 940 spaces for bikes.
Conor Osborne, director and founder of Osborne+Co, said: “Lancefield Quay represents a truly transformational site that, alongside MRP and Moda Living, we are very proud to reinstate as a destination of choice for people in the city.
“Glasgow’s waterfront is iconic and intrinsic to its future is ensuring that the location remains relevant, which Lancefield Quay will enable with attractive rental opportunities.
“We’re looking forward to watching Moda bring the scheme to life as it continues the positive relationships we’ve established with the local authority and community alike.”
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