A major regeneration plan for Govan which will transform Water Row will go ahead after an extra £1.6million was secured.
The project is expected to involve 200 new homes and work on phase one, which includes 92 flats, could start this month. It is seen as a key scheme in the redevelopment of Govan and the waterfront.
A £24.7m contract has been tendered by Govan Housing Association, which had just over £23m already in place. Councillors have now agreed City Deal money can be used to plug the shortfall.
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Cllr Ricky Bell, SNP, said: “As the local Govan member, I am ecstatic that we finally got to this point. This has been a very long journey and there have been a number of stumbling blocks on the road.
“It has obviously caused delays, covid being an obvious one, the increase in cost as well has been quite challenging. It’s really good to see this funding getting in place.
“This is an enormously strategic and important building for the area of Govan and will be very, very key to the economic regeneration that we are seeing going on.”
Other funding will come from the Scottish Government’s affordable housing supply programme (£12.8m) and commercial borrowing by the housing association (£8.9m). There is also £1.3m from the Clyde Mission Fund, a Scottish Government-led scheme aimed at harnessing the opportunities provided by the river.
Money for the Glasgow City Region City Deal comes from the UK and Scottish Governments, with £500m from each, and is used by Glasgow City Council and seven surrounding local authorities. The City Region programme management office approved the use of the £1.6m in January.
As well as over 90 homes at mid-market rent, the first phase at Water Row, set to be completed in 2024, includes six ground-floor commercial units. The overall masterplan, approved by the council in 2019, has 3,500 square metres of commercial space. The scheme will also integrate the south landing of the planned Govan to Partick bridge.
A council official said it is hoped phase one will “improve the market conditions around Govan and reduce the amount of public subsidy which will be required for phase two”.
“Phase one has taken a smaller proportion of the overall commercial space and part of that is about how we think the market for commercial property will change post-construction of the bridge. That development deficit will hopefully reduce as Govan becomes a more viable market.
“There’s a view that this is a prime site which could potentially accommodate private development but there’s also a view that we need to make sure the crown jewels aren’t sold off to the exclusion of the local community.”
Cllr Jon Molyneux, Greens, asked for an update on engagement with the showpeople, who live on yards at Water Row.
A council official said: “Delivery of phase two is interlinked with the existing tenants on the site, with the showpeople. Discussions are ongoing with both families on the site and efforts are ongoing to identify alternative facilities for both those families.”
He added a “solution that works for all parties” is being sought. “It will not be a short process but phase one will take a couple of years on site and we’ve got some time to try to resolve that to the satisfaction of all parties.”
