PROPOSALS to redevelop a vacant site adjacent to Queen Street railway station in Glasgow have been announced.
Network Rail, in partnership with its joint venture development partner blocwork, is working on the plans to create "new commercial office space" and "enhanced station retail space" in the 0.75 ha (1.85 acre) lot.
The scheme intends to create an "enhanced Station Quarter improving the experience and station environment" for the estimated 15m million customers that currently use Glasgow Queen Street every year.
This is in addition to their plans to deliver new commercial office space which has the potential to support around 350 new jobs (direct, indirect and during construction).
The Proposal of Application Notices (PAN) submitted to Glasgow City Council outline the proposals for:
- a new office building
- a new station entrance from North Hanover Street
- enhanced station retail space
- public spaces
- improve connectivity from the station to the new look George Square and ‘The Avenues’ public realm programmes currently in development
The first phase of the development will include the delivery of office space, with future phases of the project potentially seeing the addition of more office and residential buildings, according to Network Rail.
Robin Dobson, group property director for Network Rail, said: “It’s an exciting time for Glasgow as the city’s recovery gains momentum with ambitious transformation and public realm projects being brought forward.
"Aligning with Glasgow’s 2030 City Centre Strategy, the plans unlock and transform disused railway land at the heart of the city, to enhance the station and create modern, connected spaces for people to live and work. The development is a great example of public and private sector collaboration, to deliver investment and community benefit.
"It is a real statement of our confidence in Glasgow and the potential for continued future growth.”
The design team for this project is led by Scottish-based architects, the Comprehensive Design Partnership (CDA), in collaboration with Arup. CDA projects span across the UK including MODA Edinburgh, Printworks Manchester and Old Brewery Brighton, while Arup was involved in the recent Glasgow Queen Street station development project.
The PANs also detail how blocwork and Network Rail plan to engage with the local community regarding their proposal.
As part of the statutory pre-application consultation process, a public consultation event will be held in the Autum to provide information about the proposal and to invite comments from stakeholders, customers and the community.
