University of the West of Scotland’s urban village plans approved in principle

Plans to transform the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) site in Hamilton into an ‘urban village’ complete with 365 homes and a five-storey hotel have been given the green light.South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee has approved in principle a multi-million pound Hamilton Urban Village development on the 7.5 hectare site bordering Almada Street, Bothwell Road, Beckford Street and Caird Street.UWS is set to vacate its home since 1972 and move to a new campus in Hamilton International Technology Park later this year.Councillors on the committee have now given the green light to the joint proposal by UWS and the council to create a mixed-use development – to be known as ‘Hamilton Green – to be completed over 15-20 years.Proposals included in the masterplan, which was devised by Ironside Farrar, are:Residential development of between 345 and 365 homes including affordable housingA 60-80 bedroom hotelRetail, cafe and restaurant facilitiesCare home and retirement flatsExtensive open space and landscapingRetention of the 5000 sq metre Caird Building as a business and office hub