PLANS for a new £95 million multi-use residential development in Calton, Glasgow with a park and contemporary arts centre have been approved.
Glasgow City Council has given the green light to Collegelands Park, which will feature two new student accommodation blocks with 591 beds in total, 147 rented apartments, and a new arts centre. The 2.5-acre park will include meadows, orchards, seating areas, and spaces for exercise.
250 jobs are expected to be created during the construction process, with the initiative located on the last gap site in the Collegelands area of the city.
Paul O’Donnell of developer Glasgow Enlightenment said, “It’s fantastic that we are now able to start work on delivering the final piece of the Collegelands jigsaw, creating a completely new neighbourhood that will help enrich the Calton area and help tackle Glasgow’s urgent need for purpose-built student accommodation.
“The Collegelands regeneration project began over 20 years ago, so it’s great news for the city that it’s now moving toward completion, bringing new residents and much-needed amenities to the area. We’re grateful for the support of Glasgow City Council and pleased that they share our vision for the future of this community.
“The ongoing support from local residents has been central to the success of this project, and we sincerely appreciate their involvement. From the very beginning, they’ve played a vital role in shaping the plans and actively participating in the consultation process to ensure the development becomes not only a great place to live, but also a positive addition for the whole community.”
At the heart of the development will be the new arts facility being built by charity Dream Machine Productions. The venue will offer event space, a community lounge and a café, opening out to a courtyard with ‘Happy to Chat’ benches, free Wi-Fi, charging points and spaces that encourage outdoor remote working.
Dream Machine is actively seeking funding for the building, with a five-year plan focused on generating sufficient revenue to become financially self-sustaining and reduce reliance on external support.
Graeme Bone of Glasgow Enlightenment added, “Collegelands Park will play a key role in the further regeneration of Calton, building on all the hard work done over the past 20 years to transform the area. We’re excited to begin turning the vision for Collegelands Park into reality and are hopeful it will serve as a catalyst for future developments in the area.”
