PLANNING bosses are recommending approval for a massive retail and leisure development at Glasgow Harbour.
Councillors on the city’s planning applications committee will consider the proposals at a meeting on Tuesday.
The ‘urban lifestyle outlet’ will have around 120 shops plus restaurants, a 12-screen cinema, a large ‘family leisure’ unit and a gym.
Planning permission in principle is already in place but a decision is now needed on the detailed plans, submitted by Glasgow Harbour Ltd on behalf of Peel Lifestyle Outlets.
A report by city council officials states: “The concept has been developed through the applicant’s earlier commercial experiences at Gloucester Quays and Lowry Outlets, Manchester and are promoted as being the opposite of a traditional, enclosed shopping mall.
“Units are largely arranged around a network of internal streets and spaces, one of these being a ‘covered street’.”
A design statement states the applicants are aiming for the development to be the ‘premium’ outlet scheme in Scotland.
The report continues: “It will provide VIP and concierge shopping services and will work with agencies, airports and airlines to promote Glasgow to the national and international market.”
The centre will be spread over six buildings. More than 1,300 parking spaces will be provided.
There will also be a footbridge over the Kelvin River, riverside walkways, cycle paths and landscaped terraces, plus ‘arrival’ squares, boulevard and plaza spaces.
Vehicle access will be via a new junction across from the petrol station on Castlebank Street.
A large student accommodation building has already opened at the site. It’s intended to further develop the site with a hotel and riverfront flats although these will require separate planning applications.
The site seen in 2018 during construction of the now completed student residential building
The planning report continues: “As the multi-storey car park will be located beside the new junction onto Castlebank Street, the applicant will need to adopt a rigorous traffic management programme to ensure there are no significant impacts on traffic flows outwith the site as a consequence of queuing vehicles accessing the car park.
“Suggested approaches at this stage include measures to suppress long-stay parking, installation of variable message signs to inform motorists of the remaining parking capacity and measures to reward sustainable travel to the site, so as to minimise any potential adverse traffic impact.
“The nearest established bus route is to the adjacent Riverside Museum and the applicant will be invited to approach its operators to discuss the potential for its extension to the application site.
“It is also of note that Partick Transport Interchange is within easy walking distance from the proposals and facilitates wider access by bus, train and underground services.”.
It concludes: “The applicant has submitted sufficient information to demonstrate the design qualities of the proposals and how they would assist in the ongoing regeneration of the River Clyde, incorporating enhanced accessibility measures and sufficient car and cycle parking arrangements, when assessed against the detailed requirements of the City Development Plan, including delivery of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Kelvin.”
