Proposals for regeneration of St Enoch District announced by Council

Published: 13 June 2019

Glasgow City Council today (13 June) presented proposals for the regeneration of the St Enoch district in the city centre, and also approved a public consultation on the proposals, which will begin tomorrow and last for 12 weeks.

Some of these proposals include the creation of a River Park along both banks of the Clyde; the development of more green and public spaces; establishing a lively waterfront district that both attracts more people to live there and increases the vibrancy of the city centre; a better connected district with an increased active travel network and less congestion; improving the area around Argyle Street Station; and more night-time economy attractions.

The St Enoch district is one of nine districts identified in the council's City Centre Strategy, and is the third - after Sauchiehall/Garnethill and the Broomielaw - to commence a consultation on the best way to take forward its future development.

This district is seen as a diverse, dynamic and distinctive city quarter with connections to the wider city centre and communities on the south banks of the Clyde, with gaps that present potential for mixed-used development that includes a residential component. It forms the main frontage to the Clyde in the city centre, and will benefit from the Glasgow City Region City Deal Avenues project.

The St Enoch District Regeneration Framework (SEDRF) has been developed collaboratively by a multi-disciplinary team led by Austin-Smith:Lord and MVRDV, who worked with local residents and businesses, stakeholders and other organisations. The consultation period will offer further opportunity for local parties to input to this process and comment on the proposals. The final SEDRF and Action Plan will be produced after the consultation period has concluded on 9 August 2019.

A number of strategic themes have been developed for the St Enoch District Regeneration Framework and associated draft action plan:

• (Y)our River Park: this is a proposal to create a world-class linear public space along both banks of the River Clyde. This continuous urban park would transform the river, kick-start development and become a key destination and attraction in the city centre. The aim is to create a quality urban park characterised by water, green and public spaces activated by event and play spaces, recreation and cultural activity for all ages in all seasons, all weather, all day, for all Glaswegians and visitors;

• (Y)our Great Buildings: this theme promotes actions to respect Glasgow's historic built heritage with the highest quality contemporary design. Clear guidance about the desired qualities of new design will assist development, and the SEDRF promotes the development of character-specific areas with an emphasis on pedestrian and cyclist accessibility;

• (Y)our Great Streets and Spaces: this theme seeks to respond to the car and bus dominated character of the district and address the shortage of quality green and public spaces. Broken connections and gaps in the urban form need to be addressed throughout the district and investment in public spaces and the physical environment is essential. It also focuses on connection and re-connection to further develop the diverse and distinctive character in the SEDRF;

• (Y)our Updated Mobility: this incorporates proposals to enhance the city centre's public transport and active travel networks to create a sustainable, walkable city, and will include a review of the City Centre Transport Strategy in the context of the SEDRF objectives and the recommendations of the Connectivity Commission;

• (Y)our Vibrant St Enoch: this theme proposes the establishment of an attractive mixed-use riverfront district and a significant uplift in the residential population so that the city centre becomes more lively, with more night-time economy, more viable amenities, better connections to the existing cultural and creative infrastructure and a more sustainable, walkable and activated district; and

• Y)our Transforming St Enoch: this focuses on the creation of agile policies and shared objectives to attract investment, secure funding and foster collaborative working in the district. Transforming this district cannot however be delivered by the Council alone; this must be a truly collaborative partnership between all stakeholders. Despite the lack of public ownership, GCC will look to identify and work with partners to develop masterplan strategies for both sides of the river.

Council leader Susan Aitken said: "The St Enoch District is one of the most historic in our city centre, but its true potential just hasn't been realised. However, these new proposals - which reconnect the community with the River Clyde - have the potential to absolutely transform how people see St Enoch as a place to live, work and socialise. We have worked closely with residents and businesses to bring them together and, over the next couple of months, everyone with an interest in the area will have another opportunity to get involved and let us know what they want for St Enoch."

Those wishing to take part in the SEDRF consultation can - lasting 12 weeks from 14 June - can do so by visiting Glasgow City Council's Consultation Hub at: https://www.glasgowconsult.co.uk/KMS/dmart.aspx?strTab=PublicDMartCurrent&NoIP=1, or by email or post.

After this period, the SEDRF and its Action Plan will be brought back to the council's City Administration Committee for formal approval.

The draft St Enoch District Regeneration Framework can be found at: https://glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=45485&p=0 (summary) or (full report) at: https://glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=45486&p=0.