August 19 2008

Hercules Unit Trust have applied for permission to extend the 37,000sq/m Glasgow Fort in Easterhouse by 16,000sq/m in a £25 million expansion designed by Cooper Cromar and anchored by Marks & Spencer.

The move has stoked fears, articulated by city centre retailers, as to the impact of continuing suburban expansion.

Planning chiefs have however recommended the proposal to committee saying: "The planning application comes with a retail impact assessment which demonstrates there will be minimum impact on the city centre and Parkhead and little or no impact on other centres.”

"The council has negotiated a developer contribution of £10m towards town centre improvements such as the visitor centre, sports centre, civic hub and pedestrian improvements."

Occupying a semi circular plot, the outer circumference houses enclosed retail units fronting an inner ring designed to mimic a traditional High Street with the remainder of the site surrendered to surface parking. The development adopts a defensive posture to motorway travelers, occupying an elevated position ensheathed by a perimeter of refractive mettalic scales.

By the dismal standards of big box retailing Glasgow Fort is considered something of an exemplar with an imitation High St acknowledging desireability of a more traditional urban environment. This being accepted it seems strange that Hercules didn't adopt a real High Street connecting directly with neighbouring estates, as is the complex is architecturally and physically introverted from the sprawling mass of low desireability housing.
 

Post your comments

Your name (required)
Your email (not displayed)
Comments (required)
	All comments are pre-moderated and must obey our house rules.