Hearing to be held before Glasgow Council on Shawlands Arcade homes decision

A hearing will be held before Glasgow councillors decide on a major plan for over 300 homes on the Shawlands Arcade site.

Planning officials have recommended the first phase of the Kilmarnock Road arcade’s redevelopment can go ahead, but almost 200 people have objected.

It would include a ‘Build to Rent’ scheme, with 329 flats, and almost 2,000 square metres of ground floor retail space.

The project went before the city’s planning committee on Tuesday morning, with councillors deciding to hold a site visit and hearing before ruling on whether to approve the scheme.

Councillor Ken Andrew, the planning committee chairman, said: “We’ve had a number of requests that we have a site visit and a hearing. I would like to propose that we do that.”

He added he wanted “some assurance from the education department” that the area could accommodate the development. “Given Langside Primary and Shawlands Academy, as I understand it, are heavily oversubscribed,” Cllr Andrew said.

Bailie Elaine Gallagher, Greens, requested the developers show “the economic viability of the development with and without social housing”.

She raised concerns over the intention not to include a 25% social housing requirement. “We are effectively kicking that down the road to some undefined point in time when the council has a policy on it,” she said.

The developer, Clydebuilt LP — a partnership between Strathclyde Pension Fund and Ediston Real Estate — has already secured planning permission in principle for the site. It intends to carry out work over two phases, with more than 600 homes proposed in total.

Objectors have claimed there is a lack of social housing in the proposal, which, it has been claimed, is too high and would exacerbate parking issues in Shawlands.

In total, 186 objections have been sent to the council, including from Pollokshields councillors Zen Ghani, Jon Molyneux and Norman MacLeod as well as Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council and tenants’ union Living Rent.

A 365 signature petition opposing the plan was also submitted. There have been 68 letters of support from members of the public.

Supporters of the scheme believe it will be a “positive economic development” and increase housing supply.

The ‘Build to Rent’ development, which would range from five to 14 storeys, would have a “central plaza” and a children’s play area. It includes 14 studios, 166 one-bed, 145 two-bed and four three-bed flats.

The developers have said the proposal would “realise the redevelopment and regeneration of a major site within Shawlands that will provide significant urban renewal, economic benefit and employment”.

They said the current site has been “under-performing for over 20 years” and is “currently contributing very little to the vitality” of Shawlands.

In response to objections, planning officials reported the site is in “an area of high accessibility” so “a reduction in the residents car parking requirement of one space per dwelling can be justified”.

They stated the plan meets the council’s “tall building’s policy” and offers “substantially more” amenity space than “would be provided for in a more traditional tenemental development”.

Officials also said “it would not be appropriate to apply an affordable housing policy” but this “does not rule out any emerging policy informing the future assessment of detailed proposals”.