Planning applications have been lodged with Glasgow City Council in conjunction with the £150 million redevelopment of Shawlands Arcade on Kilmarnock Road in southside. Planning has been submitted by the Arcade’s owners Clydebuilt, a property investment and development fund co-owned by Strathclyde Pension Fund and Ediston Real Estate.
The plans propose a mixed use development with the ground floor level utilised as front-facing commercial units (including retail, office, restaurant and leisure spaces) with 300 new residential homes created above. The developers have placed a focus on introducing greater green spaces to the area and encouraging sustainable travel aimed at cyclists and pedestrians, opening up access links between Kilmarnock Road and Eastwood Avenue. Additional social outdoor spaces are also to be created, including public seating and performance space.
The Arcade’s current exterior dates back to the 1960’s and as part of the consultation process, nearly 80% of those who gave feedback think the current Arcade is poor or extremely poor quality.[1] An independent economic impact assessment has been submitted as part of the application and confirms that the planned investment into Shawlands should prevent the site from falling into dereliction.
Jonny McDonald, Chair of My Shawlands Business Improvement District said: “As we head into an increasingly difficult economic climate, we are encouraged that the Arcade’s owners have prepared a set of plans that are economically viable and can be delivered. The existing Arcade is increasingly detracting from the overall town centre and it’s been a long held aspiration of My Shawlands to see it replaced.”[2]
As a large mixed use scheme, there are various moving legal parts to the development that require consideration, from construction contracts and collateral warranties to the conveyancing work in relation each commercial and residential unit being sold or let.
[1] https://www.insider.co.uk/news/planning-application-lodged-shawlands-arcade-27971704
[2] https://www.reglasgow.com/shawlands-arcade-transformation-proposals-include-14-storey-block/
