What’s the plan for Shawlands?

A PROPOSAL for a 24 hour gym in Shawlands has been met with concern from community leaders.
Shawlands: looking towards the arcade.Shawlands: looking towards the arcade.
Shawlands: looking towards the arcade.

In a busy community council meeting this week, attendees unanimously objected to the submission, which they feel puts the town centre action plan at threat.

Tony Halifax, chair of the Shawlands and Strathbungo community council, told The Extra: “There was a massive turnout and everybody is against the proposal for a number of reasons.

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“There would be a loss of retail space, while there are already an abundance of gyms locally. It would also be a contravention of the town centre action plan”.

The application for the site at the back of Shawlands Arcade is live with a March 25 deadline.

Councillor David Meikle objected to the plan after receiving a number of representations about the proposal, which he believes is contrary to the council’s planning policy.

He added: “It would see the loss of a huge retail space in the shopping centre. I also think it could impact on the residential properties to the rear such as noise and access issues.

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“The idea that this empty retail space could be used instead as a cinema is highly unlikely to proceed as live cinema proposal is from G1 Group and they don’t own the unit in the Arcade.”

With phase one of the TCAP, underway, new pavements and street lamps are set for Shawlands in the near future. The council will then look to develop the area outside Langside Hall.

A marketing strategy, shop front guide, cleansing arrangements and options for public toilets are currently in development.