Masterplan to guide transformation of Buchanan Bus Station

A masterplan for the redevelopment of Buchanan Bus Station is set to guide planning decisions around the key transport hub.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Glasgow City Council have been working on a plan for the station and surrounding area.

They are proposing a mixed-use development with a “modern and flexible bus station and mobility hub at its heart”. Potential uses for the site include new flats, shops, a hotel, offices or student accommodation.

Potential uses for the site include new flats, shops, a hotel, offices or student accommodation. LDRS

Replacing Concert Square car park will also be considered as the masterplan progresses. An update on the project will go before councillors on Tuesday.

It is then expected to be taken to the city administration committee, where councillors will be asked to approve making the plan a material consideration for planning decisions.

After that stage, it can be used to “attract inward investment aimed at the comprehensive redevelopment of the existing bus station”.

Replacing Concert Square car park will also be considered as the masterplan progresses. LDRS

A report, to be presented to councillors next week, states the masterplan “sets the scale and ambition for repairing the local city fabric and achieving a modern, flexible bus station and sustainable travel hub within a wider mixed-use development”.

At an SPT meeting in March, a report stated the masterplan was expected to be “given status as ‘planning guidance’” in April, but discussions with the council were ongoing.

It added: “To take this ambition forward to delivery will require significant investment and partnership working.

Artist's impression of the transformation of Buchanan Bus Station. — Artist’s impression of the transformation of Buchanan Bus Station. LDRS

“To prepare for this, officers are currently engaging with a range of public sector partners, including the National Wealth Fund and Glasgow City Council to gain insight and identify opportunities to align with any wider development aspirations across the city and region.

“Opportunities to promote the masterplan at local and national events to stimulate investor and development interest in the project are also being considered.”

Public consultation on the plan was held between October 28 and November 24 last year, with over 950 complete responses.

Following public engagement, five key themes of the masterplan have been identified. These include a 21st-century mobility hub, enhanced user experience and a “quality development”.

They also cover the future of Cowcaddens, as the bus station is proposed to be a catalyst for the regeneration of the area. It is hoped the plan can contribute to an “integrated Glasgow”, with the new station becoming a “key node” in this network.

Cowcaddens and Townhead have been identified as districts with “transformational potential” by the council, where urban repair could help drive re-population of the city centre. It is believed the bus station can be integrated more effectively into surrounding areas.