October 25 2023

Glasgow City Council will shortly submit a planning application for the redevelopment of George Square, affording the public a first glimpse of the detailed design.

Product of extensive consultations the application by John McAslan & Partners will now be subject to oversight by the council's planning team and Historic Environment Scotland - as well as public comment from the week of 30 October.

An integral part of the broader Avenues programme George Square will become a greener and more accessible gathering point while respecting its rich heritage.

Key interventions include the creation of a central water feature, a raised lawn with perimeter seating and custom benches, all of which will require the relocation of statuary.

Visitors will also benefit from sensory gardens, an informal play area and contemporary art installations, with the square extending to the doors of the City Chambers for the first time. 

Subject to approval work could begin by spring 2025 for completion in 2027, over 10 years after a failed competition to redevelop the square.

20 Comments

#1 Posted by John on 25 Oct 2023 at 11:30 AM

I hope this means they will move the christmas market etc out of the square to some where more applicable

#2 Posted by D to the R on 25 Oct 2023 at 11:32 AM

No one cares anymore ..... next

#3 Posted by Hairy Hipster on 25 Oct 2023 at 11:46 AM

We should be dumping all the rubbish that lies around the streets of the city slap bang in the middle of George Sq. Along with all the contents of the bins that dont get emptied.

That would be a strong message to the masters at Westminster that we will no longer accept funding cuts!

#4 Posted by Ben on 25 Oct 2023 at 13:36 PM

#3, I don't think Westminster would actually care.

#5 Posted by George on 25 Oct 2023 at 14:09 PM

#3, Maybe the responsibility actually lies in the building at one end of this development and the current incompetent bunch residing in there just now. Plenty of other cities and towns in Scotland keep their streets clean and the bins emptied, you know fairly basic requirements for a council which is what we pay our council tax for. But Oh No its all Westminsters fault!
Not saying Westminster are any more competent but to blame everything on them overlooks the shambles of an administration we have here...

#6 Posted by Robin B's Discount on 25 Oct 2023 at 14:50 PM

I'm pretty non-plussed by the proposal - certainly lacks the wow factor.

As much as I really like the wee scooshy water feature, is there any point including it in any proposal given the maintenance costs? As we know, the feature will be switched off upon the first operational issue and never seen again.

Everything proposed should be robust and maintenance free - to include the water and vandal inviting seating suggests that they have perhaps commissioned the wrong designer.

#7 Posted by Showbiz Sam on 25 Oct 2023 at 14:55 PM

Ah! Just as i remember it in 1976. Just as well we had all those proposals and consultations over the last 50 years otherwise God knows where we'd be?

#8 Posted by Roddy_ on 25 Oct 2023 at 14:57 PM

For this to have taken a mere 9 years since the competition is a scandal . To paraphrase Winy Mass - you are masters, it seems, of neglecting urgency.

#9 Posted by Showbiz Sam on 25 Oct 2023 at 15:01 PM

Ah! Just as i remember it in 1976. Just as well we had all those proposals and consultations over the last 50 years otherwise God knows where we'd be?

#10 Posted by Tammy Scoosh on 25 Oct 2023 at 19:29 PM

I'm trying not to be a typical downer comment, but really this is disappointing.

Where is the play? Where is the social interaction? This square should be a public facility, not an ornament. There is still no reason to go to George sq. The current proposals are basically an arena to watch a water feature....in Scotland? Don't we have enough water? People are lonelier than ever, and proposals like this do not help.

It is also wild that they are taking away the statues. Feels a bit, dare I say....woke?

#11 Posted by Roddy_ on 25 Oct 2023 at 19:55 PM

Presumably these are the most current drawings UR ?
If so , we appear to have lost 2 rows of street trees, one to the south of the square as well as those in the rain gardens on the other side. Is this value engineering?
Seems like we're being short-changed again.
https://www.mcaslan.co.uk/work/george-square-and-avenues

I expect this to glide through planning despite the omisssions, but HES might have something to say about the placement of the statuary given that there is quite a compelling narrative attached to their positioning.

#12 Posted by UR on 25 Oct 2023 at 20:27 PM

@11 Yes, these images are dated October 2023 and represent the scheme as it will be presented to planners.

#13 Posted by Roddy_ on 26 Oct 2023 at 12:10 PM

@ 12
Thanks UR. Trusting we get a full explanation of why these trees have been missed out from the council.

The city has gone to great lengths consulting on this to the point of exhaustion. I think it only fair and reasonable that the reasons for change are clear and transparent and not lost in the fog of planning and the inevitable matters specified in conditions.

Is it technical, financial or some other design reason?

#14 Posted by EM0 on 26 Oct 2023 at 15:42 PM

Have to agree, this should not go through without the second row of trees, if anything needs disguised it is that horrible modern building on the left side!

#15 Posted by town planner on 26 Oct 2023 at 21:47 PM

Agree on the trees, would be good to know the reason for their reduction in number.

#16 Posted by Mary Hill on 27 Oct 2023 at 09:52 AM

I think this looks great. Simple, elegant and well proportioned.

#17 Posted by Shatner's Bassoon on 27 Oct 2023 at 10:18 AM

@10

The statues are just repositioned - you can see them on the plan, all present and correct.

#18 Posted by cara on 27 Oct 2023 at 10:33 AM

Chr!st this is dull...

#19 Posted by Brown Envelope on 27 Oct 2023 at 10:51 AM

I wonder whether this project will clear planning within the 8 weeks, when every other application takes an eternity?? Just saying ;-)

#20 Posted by Lovely on 27 Oct 2023 at 16:08 PM

Kindof nice but boring, would be pretty good in a hot climate.

Probably wont get built anyway even though it is a very un-radical scheme so really just a Friday afternoon filler story.

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