May 29 2025

A Glaswegian developer hopes that perseverance pays as it returns to planners for a fourth attempt at getting a contentious West End housing development approved.

Following up a 2021 redesign, itself a revision of earlier failed attempts in 2020 and 2018, the latest approach to 35a St Vincent Crescent in Finnieston sees architects Page/Park and landscape architects HarrisonStevens once again refine their approach. This time around 20 apartments and duplexes will be complemented by public open space and a community room, in an attempt to navigate a path past planners.

Lead architect Andy Bateman remarked: “Finnieston is constantly changing and evolving and, with this proposal, we take consideration of previous planning applications by adapting, responding and refining our proposal for the city, the community, and those who want to move into the area. Our design seeks to show that development can be sympathetic to its neighbours by designing a building that complements its location while opening up previously gated private space to become a new publicly accessible open green space with new community room, benefitting all in the surrounding community.”

Backing onto an A-listed terrace and replacing a disused bowling green the site has become a planning battleground as the team seeks to deliver the £10m development in a conservation area.

Citing the original 1849 masterplan for the area by Alexander Kirkland, Nixon Blue argue that the intention was always for the land to be developed even if unrealised, echoing the approach taken at nearby Park Quadrant.

4 Comments

#1 Posted by Patloti on 30 May 2025 at 10:10 AM

Never ceases to amaze me in Glasgow how the planners can spend years quibbling over one site and then yet on the other hand, wave through absolute monstrosities elsewhere in the city, with seemingly no regard to the surrounding historic built environment.

#2 Posted by David on 30 May 2025 at 13:53 PM

Terrific proposal, much more refined and less intrusive than previous designs, let's just hope this one makes it through planning...

#3 Posted by Geraldine Mynors on 16 Jun 2025 at 21:47 PM

This land is protected green space within a conservation area and as such should not be built on with yet more flats. The Developers knew this status when they bought it. There is a community right to buy and plan for a vibrant community green space here, which would add sooooo much more to the arear.

#4 Posted by Michael on 17 Jun 2025 at 08:29 AM

It's amazing to see that our funds are used to consider a fourth application. There should be a three stirkes and your out plicy adopted to avoid waste of council time, resource and monies. The developers argument that it was always the intention to develop the land even if unrealised is pie in the sky! The grounds were intended as Victorain pleasure gardens for curling, tennis and bowling. Areas for recereation not addiotnal dwellings. They should preseved to serve their original intention.

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