Glasgow: Plans for 25-storey student block approved
Plans for student accommodation for more than 400 people in Glasgow city centre have been given the go-ahead.Glasgow City Council approved a 25-storey residence on the site of a former office building at Hydepark Street, close to the riverside, which collapsed earlier this year. Graham Investment Projects' £70m bid received 10 objections in total.One resident in the neighbouring River Heights flats at Lancefield Quay claimed people were considering moving out if the student flat plans went ahead, while others shared concerns over noise, privacy and light restriction.
The new development will be twice the size of their building.The previous property on the Hydepark Street site was awaiting a controlled demolition when it suffered a collapse earlier this year. Lancefield Quay resident Aaron Hepburn said there had been "six months of mismanaged demolition"."Our building shook violently on a daily basis, causing floors to wobble, items to fall off shelves, fixtures and fittings to shake, cracks to appear and ceiling collapse," he said.Mr Hepburn believes construction of the new development would "render River Heights almost inhabitable for two or three years". The land is "unsuitable for development of this size", he added.However, council planners said the new development "aligns with the changing context of the surrounding area where a number of tall buildings are coming forward and height has been accepted in terms of townscape and as a means of re-densifying the city centre and riverside area".Councillors voted eight to two in favour of the proposal.
Developers said the 410-bed student block is "a key milestone in bringing forward much-needed, high-quality student accommodation in Glasgow".The plans include a reception, roof terraces, a game area and lounge, a cinema, a group study area, a karaoke room, an e-games room, a fitness room, a social laundry, and a quiet study room."Transforming a disused brownfield site into a vibrant living environment is a clear example of how targeted investment can support both education and regeneration," council planners said.The developers previously proposed 144 build-to-rent flats on the site, but submitted a new application last year, with student accommodation provider Fresh lined up to manage the properties.The design of the building is said to take inspiration from the Seagram building, a 38-storey skyscraper on Park Avenue in New York.Work is expected to start this year and be complete in time for the 2028 academic intake.
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