LOCAL PEOPLE INVITED TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON COLLEGELANDS PARK

Press Release

27 May 2024 – Glasgow Enlightenment is launching the second round of consultations on its plans for a new £95m residential and cultural hub in Glasgow ahead of the final planning application due to be submitted in July.

The latest consultation – which will kick off on Thursday May 30^th at Drygate Village Hall – incorporates changes to the plans based on feedback from the initial consultation process as well as unveiling new aspects. The developer hopes to create a new neighbourhood called Collegelands Park in the Calton area of the city, including 157 rented apartments and a student residence offering 588 bed spaces.

It will be centred around a green oasis with a 2.5-acre park and new arts facility. Designed to bring together the people living and working in the Calton district, the arts facility will feature hireable event space, a community lounge and a café.

Paul O’Donnell, of developers Glasgow Enlightenment, said: “When we launched the first round of consultation in April this year, we attracted lots of excitement and interest from across the city. Now as we get closer to defining our plans, we are keen to hear more about what local people think about the development.

“We listened when some concerns were raised about the height of the buildings, and we have acted to address this issue, reconfiguring the plans, before submitting the final planning application in July.

“We also had some very productive chats with people about how they want to see the park develop and we want to make sure their views are incorporated in the masterplan.

“The latest plans show the height of the BTR (build to rent) building being reduced following consultation. Both the BTR and student accommodation buildings also step down in height towards the park at the south to create attractive roof terraces with views over the park and to reduce the visual impact of the buildings on the landscape. 

“More detailed plans have also been made for the arts facility which will be built by local charity Dream Machine Productions. It will now feature a modular design inspired by a traditional Glasgow bandstand, with enclosed indoor space opening out into a courtyard. The courtyard space will have “Happy to Chat” benches, free Wi-Fi, charging points and spaces that encourage outdoor remote working.”

The importance of ensuring the park is a safe place for everyone to enjoy was reinforced by the consultation exercise and through discussions with Make Space for Girls. Glasgow Enlightenment is hosting a series of workshops with the organisation to make sure the park attracts diverse users, and that voices of girls and young women are heard in the planning process.

Further details on the consultation event and the Make Space for Girls workshops can be found at collegelandspark.co.uk and there is the opportunity for people to share their thoughts on the emerging proposals via a feedback form on the website.

Graeme Bone, of Glasgow Enlightenment, said: “We hope that local people will engage with the second stage of the consultation process – this is their chance to be heard and help us to deliver the best possible project for Glasgow and the local community.”

The Collegelands regeneration project was launched in 2004 in a bid to bring new homes and opportunities to the Calton area of the city. Today it is one of Scotland’s most successful mixed-use developments with a thriving community, a new Moxy hotel, offices, homes and shops.

Ends 

For further information please contact:

Nicola McArthur at Smarts on 07866 694 021

Note to editors:

Glasgow Enlightenment is a joint venture between Dawn Developments Limited, who designed the original Collegelands masterplan and have delivered the previous phases, and Drum Property Group.

Drum Property Group, which was behind the award-winning £500m Buchanan Wharf on the banks of the River Clyde, is working on a wide range of developments across Scotland including Candleriggs Square in the Merchant City and recently submitted plans for the West Town project in Edinburgh – a 200-acre mixed use development for Edinburgh which includes 7,000 new homes.

Get more information about Collegelands Park at collegelandspark.co.uk.

Get more information about Drum Property Group at www.drumpropertygroup.com.