A "much-needed" £18m hotel — with a rooftop bar — will be built on the south bank of the River Clyde after an environmental body’s objection was pulled.
Glasgow councillors backed Pacific Quay Developments’ proposal for a 150-bed Holiday Inn on the former Glasgow Garden Festival site in November.
But an objection from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) meant the application was sent to Scottish Ministers.
That objection, which related to flooding concerns, has now been withdrawn and Glasgow City Council published the decision to approve the plans on Tuesday.
Developers behind the scheme have described the hotel as “much-needed” and said the “riverside restaurant and rooftop terrace have been designed to take advantage of the views of the SECC, The Hydro and the Finnieston Crane”.
They believe the new building between STV’s offices and the BBC headquarters “completes the last water frontage site along Pacific Quay”.
SEPA’s response to the application had stated the site lies within the functional flood plain of the River Clyde and the development would “increase flood risk on this site and elsewhere”.
Council planners then recommended the proposal should be rejected, highlighting the objection from the environment agency. They also raised concerns over the visual impact on a nearby A-listed building — the Four Winds building, a former hydraulic pumping tower.
Planning officers reported the proposed hotel use would be “unacceptable”.
However, when councillors on the planning committee met in August last year, they requested a hearing. At the hearing in November, the developers argued the hotel would not be on a functional flood plain and would be raised above the 200-year flood level.
A flood management strategy, carried out in 2005, was being updated, and councillors were told modelling from 2019 had “no status as yet”.
However, the developer had used the 2019 modelling information and Dr Michael Stewart, representing the applicant, said the buildings were located outside the flooding area.
The developer’s application stated: “Redeveloping a site which has remained vacant for 15 years despite active marketing for office uses (and which is likely to remain vacant for the foreseeable future if the application is not approved) will ensure the full potential of the River Clyde is maximised.”
Glasgow’s planning committee decided to approve the eight-storey hotel proposal, which will include a meeting space, gym and lounge as well as the rooftop bar and a restaurant.
The council had received no letters objecting to the development, with 12 representations in support.
Cllr Stephen Dornan, who represents the area, said the application was an “ideal opportunity for Glasgow to help meet its hotel demand” and would benefit Govan.
