NEW public walkways and plazas will completely transform land taken over by Glasgow University in the west end.

Plans have been lodged for the first construction phase of the £1bn Campus Development project which focuses on public realm.

The detailed proposals include everything from pavements, bus stops and benches, right down to the species of plants to be used.

Demolition works have dominated the project so far with the most prominent being the removal of the Western Infirmary.

A university spokesman said: “In 2017, the city granted approval to the master plan, which was generally supported by and the result of extensive consultation with the west end community.

“This application now seeks approval on a range of details, such as landscaping, public realm and infrastructure proposals.”

Open spaces, trees, shrubbery and grass will feature in the plans for the area that have been lodged with Glasgow City Council.

The new Rain Gardens will link Dumbarton Road to the new University Square which links off to Byres Road.

University Place – which links the avenue to Byres Road now – will be pedestrianised and cobbled and turned into another tree-lined walkway.

Part of it will involve the narrowing of University Avenue into two lanes to widen the pavements.

The University is working with a consultant to develop a full plan for public art in the area.

The Campus Development project is coming in two major phases – each subdivided into smaller stages of construction.

Phase 1A will last between 2017 and 2021 and includes the public realm enhancements forming the base of the development.

The phase also includes the construction of a new Learning and Teaching Hub, Research Hub, College of Arts building, Institute of Health and Wellbeing building, a new Adam Smith Business School and a refurbishment of the Joseph Black Building.

Phase two begins in 2022 and includes further buildings for Engineering Research and Teaching, a Social Justice Hub and Innovation Zone.

In phase two, the university hopes to complete the moves into the new buildings, but most details are still being hammered out.

Planning officials will consider the current application for public realm and infrastructur changes.

The university spokesman added: “The University of Glasgow is investing around £1 billion in our facilities over the next 10 years, and developing a world class modern campus in the heart of Glasgow’s West End.

“Once complete, this will create a vibrant new mix of teaching, research and community spaces for the 21st century. “