Glasgow Charing Cross £250m regeneration scheme goes in for planning

A £250m masterplan to regenerate the Charing Cross area of Glasgow has been submitted to the local authority.Developer CXG Glasgow, owned by Tracey Investments, has unveiled plans for a scheme that includes student accommodation, local services and a hotel. Tracy also owns the nearby commercial complex Elmbank Gardens.The Limited company, is owned by Tracey Investments Limited and owns Venlaw building and Elmbank Gardens, together with the property owners of 300 Bath Street, known as Tay House.Micheal Laird Architects has developed the plan which aims to enable Business Improvement District investment and implement routes that comply with the Disability Discrimination Act DDA.It will also aim to create the new “gateway” to the city centre, which will involve enhanced access to the west end and city for local residents, in an effort to make the pedestrian experience more convenient and boost sustainability.The plan involves two phases. The former involving proposals for student accommodation to cater for the city’s increasing demands and well as plans for a GP surgery.The second phase will involve a multi-faceted development, in which there will be an office area, hotel and residential building. As such, the elimination of Tay House Bridge, which is positioned over the M8, will form part of this plan, enabling the new gateway to take form.Stuart Patrick, chief executive, Glasgow chamber of Commerce said: “The city’s three main universities have confirmed a strategic aim to grow their student numbers in the years ahead and accommodation has to expand in line with that, especially when you consider how limited the options are at the moment.”>>See also: Look north: Pride and frustration in Scotland’s construction market“A development like this caters for that need while plugging into ongoing plans to transform a key part of the city’s traditional retail and hospitality artery.”At this point in time, planning permission is intended to be gained for both of the phases. Local stakeholders have responded positively to the plan, after a two-tier consultation process, in which proposals were presented for the Masterplan.Patrick added: “It’s no secret that Sauchiehall Street has seen better days, and this application presents an opportunity to galvanise an iconic area of the city and re-establish it as a dynamic accommodation and business hub.”