Updated Sighthill masterplan pushes density and connectivity
May 7 2025
Moves to almost double the number of new homes yet to be delivered at a major regeneration area in north Glasgow have concluded with the publication of an updated Sighthill masterplan.
Keepmoat Homes, Elder & Cannon Architects and LDA Design have followed up recent consultations with moves to increase the number of homes from 424 to 764, an increase of 340. This is on top of 400 properties unaffected by the masterplan changes. The higher density solution requires a requisite increase in parking places from 408 to 792.
This is to be achieved by swapping out terraced housing for apartments in six to seven-storey pavilion blocks, as well as a rationalisation of the road layout to achieve the desired accommodation mix.
Explaining the changes made for their updated proposals the architects wrote: "The nodal points of the outer edge corners of the eastern section of the overall wider redevelopment site are all now reinforced with strong marker buildings as part of the sequence and composition of pavilion object buildings set in landscaping proposed around its western and eastern edges.
"These harder dense urban edges protect the soft core of domestic family housing and garden terraces in the middle while also allowing views and connections into and out from these neighbourhoods. They further complement as a transition up from the spine of medium scaled tenemental housing and grand town house terraces along the Boulevard as originally intended, but now to a greater extent and more fully recognising the appropriate potential."
A civic boulevard continues to serve as the spine of the development, now flanked by apartment blocks linked by three-storey townhouses, with a higher proportion of rear gardens now incorporating parking and bin stores.
An emphasis on parkland and green space remains
Commercial units will be incorporated within the ground floor of prominent corner blocks
Glasgow City Council are expected to decide on the application by August
Lower density homes will largely be found toward the interior
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4 Comments
Q- ' Any proposals for infrastructure like public transport?;
A- Delivery of public transport is dependent on resident population, it is hoped that the increased density
will lead to delivery of increased public transport services.
HOPED? If this were in pretty much any other country in Europe, it would be unthinkable not to have this hardwired to the train/tram/bus network. Based on the above we are a long , long way away.
In terms of design, the block structures are very poor and follow the strange paradigm or meme of the Glasgow open block or sieve block with a hollowed out core of parking. The first phase has a really, really strange block structure in terms of fronts and backs as well as that open carpark to the 'rear' or is it the front?. Will we ever learn any lessons from New Gorbals?
Remember when that spine was meant to represent the ambitions of a new High Street. Seems like it's now a just couple of corner shops. There needs to be more flexibility in the plans to adapt to the growing population ie ground floor flats on short term leases that can be converted into shops or community facilities as demand requires. And some land set aside for - maybe a community enterprise , or offices, or start-up space. None of that here alas. There is also a real miscalculation in scale that reminds me of Gordon Cullen's Prairie Planning in the New towns, especially the 3rd image; that vast canyon of SUDS between the crescents and the 7 storey blocks has a real lack of human scale and bleakness about it. Having just one designer across such a large area gives it that monolithinc feel despite the 2 tone brick palette. This is what Laurieston suffers from - okay 2 or three architects there- but all pretty much with a similar ethos in design and a real lack of integrated art and detail in the buildings themselves. Despite the dream-haze greenery depicted, this looks for all the world like a bleaker and more wind-swept Laurieston.
Sighthill, alas, looking more and more like a busted flush...
Missing something -- as in character / personality / depth and real life.
Car parking need -- get used to it.
Blue collar Glasgow is struggling to cope with the increase in car ownership that is happening at the moment.
Better to plan ahead for reality than wish your way to dream that won't work. People like all weather personal transportation and when wages increase they will buy their first car.
Middle class Transport 1400 hobby horsers might not like it but they need to grow up and start providing real world solutions rather than award winning failures.
Thanks for taking on my analogy about 'lego blocks on a carpet'!
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness"
In the words of Oscar Wilde.
Your analysis totally spot on as is usually (but not quite always) the case, so keep up the good work!
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