Sauchiehall Street M&S plans gets go ahead from council

The £76 million proposal for student flats is hoped to be a catalyst for the revival of one of the city’s most famous streets.

As well as 619 rooms for student accommodation, the mixed-use development will also have an arcade linking through to Renfrew Street an almost 10,000sq ft of ground floor commercial space.

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Fusion Group is behind the plans which have been “minded to grant” by the council after the latest proposal was narrowly rejected by the planning committee and some adjustments requested.

The plans have now been given the ok.

The new proposals address the comments made by the committee including a reduction in overall height by one storey and significant adjustments on Renfrew Street, which has been lowered by four floors.

Also, the inclusion of affordable accommodation has been increased to 15%, serving to further improve accessibility to accommodation for students on low incomes.

The approval will be subject to the conclusion of a Section 75 Agreement between Fusion and Glasgow City Council.

Brodie Berman, Fusion Senior Acquisitions Associate, said: “Having held longstanding ambitions to operate in the city, we are delighted to have reached this milestone, which will see £76m of investment injected directly into Sauchiehall Street, at the heart of Glasgow’s city centre.

“Over the past twenty months, we have worked collaboratively with the council to develop a scheme that will make a positive impact on the local community, while also serving to address the shortfall of student beds in the city.

“Despite some challenges, our commitment to delivering a scheme that we truly believe will enhance Sauchiehall Street has been unfaltering, and we look forward to bringing our vision to life as we move to the construction phase of the project.”

The recognisable 1930s art deco façade will be retained in the new build retaining a link to the past use.

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A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer said: “Delivering long-term activity on the site, the proposals align with our estates renewal strategy and will enable us to make further investment in Glasgow city centre over the coming years.”

 Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “An investment bringing hundreds of new residents, commercial opportunities and public realm enhancements to Sauchiehall Street can be a major catalyst in the regeneration of this famous thoroughfare.

“Our city centre is changing.  Its long-term, sustainable future needs more mixed-use developments and more people living there, and I’m particularly pleased to see the inclusion of affordable accommodation within the plans.

“The collaboration between Fusion and the council to address the planning committee’s initial issues have ensured the revised plans not only improve on the original application but they can be genuinely transformational for the city centre.”

Devastating fires, business collapses and economic downturn have all contributed to the decline of what was once Glasgow’s most famous and busiest shopping street.

BHS going out of business left a huge vacant site, M&S decided to close some stores and Sauchiehall Street was a casualty, Watt Brothers ceased trading after more than 100 years on the street and the ABC 02 Academy was destroyed when the Art School went up in flames for the second time.

Each one has left its own gaping void but together they represent a huge problem leaving few large units remaining on the street.

A gap site left by the demolition following the fire in the Victoria's nightclub building leaves another eyesore yet to be turned into an opportunity.

There have been plans as far back as 2016 for the BHS site for offices, retail and a public courtyard but it came to nothing. In 2002 new plans came forward but still no work started.

Multiple ownership was deemed a block on progress in the past.

Now the site is under single ownership it is understood fresh plans could be emerging soon.

Marks and Spencer closing was a major blow. The store is an anchor tenant wherever it exists and the closure, after almost 100 years, was confirmation that the street could not survive on retail alone.

Watt Brothers building was bought by Greenock businessmen brothers Sandy and James Easdale with plans for a hotel.

After the council knocked back an initial bid it is understood that fresh talks have taken place with a potential developer and the signs are more encouraging.

The long-standing entertainment venue 02 ABC was destroyed after the second Art School fire in 2018.

A consultation with local residents in the Garnethill area took place earlier this year to discuss plans by developers Vita Group for student flats, a ground-floor food hall and an urban park space.

After previous plans were rejected it is now hoped the latest will progress.

Further down the street at the Charing Cross end is Tay House which goes round to Bath Street and also over the M8.

Proposals, not yet approved, have been drawn up to demolish the landmark to make way for housing.