Student flats near Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street recommended for approval despite objections

A developer’s bid to build student flats near Sauchiehall Street has been recommended for approval, after plans for a hotel were dropped.

Council planners believe PMI Developments and Peveril Securities’ application to knock down an empty shop and erect a 19-storey student accommodation block on Cambridge Street should be approved.

They have made the recommendation despite more than 60 objections, including from Martin Rhodes MP and two community councils: Garnethill and Blythswood and Broomielaw.

Objectors argue the proposed building is excessive and there are too many student flats in the Garnethill area.

But officials say there is a need for student accommodation in the city and “extant consent for a building of the same height and scale on the site”.

The developer isn’t progressing with an initial hotel plan, which was granted permission earlier this year, as the “viability of a hotel use has been negatively impacted by market forces over the past 12-18 months and… the intended hotel operator could not proceed”.

Vacated by Littlewoods in 2005, the empty shop has only had temporary occupants since. Student accommodation provider Mezzino has been lined up to run the development. It currently operates in Aberdeen and Dundee.

Across the block, there would be 173 ensuite studios and 20 cluster rooms. A lounge/bookable event space is planned on the ground floor while two outdoor terraces are proposed at levels six and eight.

Rhodes, Labour, the MP for Glasgow North, has asked the council to consider the potential impact of the plans “on the local community and the built heritage of this part of the city centre”.

He said further development of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) needs “to be assessed because of the possible detriment to the maintenance of a balanced and sustainable community”.

Cllr Philip Braat, Labour, said: “It is accepted that there may be a need for some development to take place at this site, however the nature of the proposed development is in question.

“The site had previously received planning consent for the development of a hotel. This in itself was not without any concern, due to height and massing issues.”

He added he is “unconvinced that there is a need for further student accommodation in this area, where there is a growing concern of oversaturation of PBSA”.

In a report to councillors, officials state the “proposed height is considered to be appropriate to the context of the site” and the current building “does not contribute positively to the visual amenity of the streetscene”.

A need assessment submitted in support of the application states Glasgow is facing a “major supply shortage” of PBSA, the report adds.

It continues the development would “support the growth of higher and further education institutions” and bring the site “back to active use which will be of benefit to the city centre environment and economy”.