A HIGH-rise student accommodation development near Glasgow’s riverside has been given the go ahead, as objectors to the scheme appeared to be branded “mental” during a hearing.
Councillors on Glasgow’s planning committee have approved Graham Investment Projects’ £70m bid to build a 25-storey residence on the site of a former office building at Hydepark Street, which collapsed earlier this year.
But some residents in the neighbouring River Heights flats objected, with one claiming people were considering moving out if the student flats plan went ahead.
Aaron Hepburn said that during the “mismanaged demolition” of the old offices it had been “like living in an earthquake zone”.
One of the participants in the Microsoft Teams call, which was attended by more than 50 people, appeared to respond: “No, because they’re all f****** mental.”
It was unclear who made the comment. Councillor Andrew said: “That was certainly unfortunate and I’m not sure who said that. Whoever that was, I think I would ask you to remove yourself from the meeting.
“Any more outbursts of that nature, I will suspend the meeting. That was outrageous.”
The Hydepark Street property was awaiting a controlled demolition when it suffered a collapse earlier this year. Hepburn said there had been “six months of mismanaged demolition”.
“Our building shook violently on a daily basis, causing floors to wobble, items to fall off shelves, fixtures and fittings to shake, cracks to appear and ceiling collapse.”
He believes construction of the new development would “render River Heights almost inhabitable for two or three years”. The land is “unsuitable for development of this size”, he said.
A representative for the developers said a “competent and experienced sub-contractor” had been employed for the demolition, who followed all health and safety standards.
“There was an uncontrolled collapse, but no one was injured,” he added. “All steps were taken to ensure the site and the works were safe and remain safe.”
There were 10 objections to the scheme in total, including from SNP councillor Angus Millar, who said his constituents have “real concerns” over an “unacceptable loss of daylight, sunlight and privacy” to the flats at 72 Lancefield Quay, known as River Heights.
Gordon Sommerville added the planned block is “more than twice the height of the River Heights building”. “We feel it does overshadow and overlook our development.”
However, council planners had recommended it was approved, reporting it “aligns with the changing context of the surrounding area where a number of tall buildings are coming forward and height has been accepted in terms of townscape and as a means of re-densifying the city centre and riverside area”.
At the hearing, a representative for Iceni Projects, the planning consultants on the project, said it was a “significant opportunity to bring a high quality, well managed and sustainable development to an underutilised and vacant brownfield site on the River Clyde corridor”.
She added the building had been “carefully designed” and did not “overbear” its neighbours, with “minimal” changes to levels of daylight. Construction will be temporary and mitigation measures will be in place, the consultant said.
After the meeting, John McDonald, managing director at Graham Investment Projects, said securing permission for the 410-bed development is “a key milestone in bringing forward much-needed, high-quality student accommodation in Glasgow”.
“Transforming a disused brownfield site into a vibrant living environment is a clear example of how targeted investment can support both education and regeneration.
“Equally, this project reflects our strong confidence in the city’s future and we’re proud to play a role in helping to futureproof Glasgow as a global destination for education and innovation.”
The developers previously proposed 144 build-to-rent flats on the site. But they submitted a new application last year, with student accommodation provider Fresh lined up to manage the properties.
Designed by Cooper Cromar, the architecture draws inspiration from the Seagram building in New York. Work is expected to start this year and be complete in time for the 2028 academic intake.
Councillors voted 8-2 in favour of approving the plans.
