20-storey student housing tower to be built at top of Renfield Street in city centre
A new 20-storey student housing tower is set to be built in Glasgow – and a listed fountain would be moved to make way for the development.
Co-living communal flats are also to be constructed on the site of the Herald newspaper offices as part of the scheme at 200 Renfield Street if plans are approved by the council.
The C-listed Annan Memorial fountain would be restored and moved to a public square as part of proposals.
The site has been home to a newspaper office for Newsquest media group and is now to be transformed into digs for students and communal living homes.
There are proposals for 381 student digs and 167 co living “units” as well as potential spaces for shops, restaurants and other commercial premises according to planning documents lodged by applicant MRP 200 Ren Limited.
A planning statement said: “The proposal is for a genuinely mixed use development proposal, including purposed built student accommodation (PBSA), CoLiving residential, commercial spaces that could include food and drink, leisure /community offers. The proposal will also sensitively relocate the listed fountain and incorporate public realm and landscaping works.”
A design statement said: “The proposal aims to deliver 381 units of PBSA and 167 units of co living, supported by a mix of external and internal amenity spaces, to foster a sense of community, promote resident wellbeing and provide opportunities for social interaction.”
Objecting to the bid, a neighbour said the “scale of the proposed development appears out of proportion to the area of land available and level of demand”.
He voiced concern over “the increased risk in the level of wind speeds during bad weather in relation to the height of the proposal in general (ranging from 12 to 20 storeys) and in particular the east element of proposed purpose built student accommodation (20 storeys)”.
Supporting the plan, however, another local said: “As a resident living near the site and in the city for the past seven years, I express strong support for this proposal. The plans bring a huge amount of positivity to the area, particularly through the creation of new public space and the thoughtful restoration of the historic fountain.”
He added: “These elements will add real character, vibrancy, and community value, and it is encouraging to see heritage being respected rather than ignored. The overall scale of the buildings and the design feel entirely appropriate for this location on the edge of the city centre.”
The planning application is currently under consideration by Glasgow City Council.