June 22 2021

Glasgow City Council has granted consent for a significant expansion of exhibition and conference facilities, as well as providing for a 200-bed hotel and energy centre, at the Scottish Events Campus off Congress Road.

Planning permission in principle has been awarded for 5 years and includes an upgrade of a pedestrian walkway linking the SEC to Exhibition Centre Station.

In their decision notice planners granted consent with several provisos, including that the walkway refurbishment is carried out in advance of any new reception and foyer facilities being built.

All in all exhibition and conference facilities will not exceed 38,000sq/m with a further 1,600sq/m of associated commercial space.

In granting consent planners wrote: "In the opinion of the planning authority this level of floorspace and mix of uses is considered appropriate in terms of the policy designation of the site in the statutory development plan."

Valued at between £150-200m the project has been greenlit for the campus to remain competitive with rival venues at home and abroad.

5 Comments

#1 Posted by Whispering Andy on 22 Jun 2021 at 15:33 PM

Whispering it... but there is far too much concrete and tarmac in that area, would be better if there was much more trees and greenspace.

#2 Posted by Disco Dave on 23 Jun 2021 at 10:11 AM

Another poor quality proposal from Keppie, who don't half have some collection of duffers in their portfolio.
I don't think they've done a good project since Mackintosh was a lad?

#3 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 23 Jun 2021 at 11:19 AM

Seems overly complex and fragmented with little attempt at scale or presence.

Gaza Strip design vibe or Jam fans -- can't quite decide -- but both point to going underground with that winning Hobbit Sanctuary look.

Big budget so we should aiming that bit higher -- literally.

Better to bulk the central spine properly -- aim for daily usage outside of the events calendar.
With impressive foyers at both ends.
Full scale new hall -- Frankfurt style.
Multi storey car park similar to the existing unit
Covered hotel car parking.
Better engagement with the Clyde.
Push for more hotel offerings.
Plus a better link to the city centre -- bus / tram / train ...

The current proposal is poor -- better to start again.

Learn from the Hydro's mistakes -- too many schoolboy howlers in the drive for form over function.

Oysters no more.

Finally the Armadillo needs some love.

#4 Posted by Just Brian on 23 Jun 2021 at 14:57 PM

Pure Dead Rubbish !

#5 Posted by modernish on 29 Jun 2021 at 12:07 PM

Don't 'upgrade' the pedestrian walkway....bite the bullitt and accept that the station is in the wrong place. Build a new station at the point where Finneston Street goes under the expressway and sort out that disasterous junction at the same time.
If we want to have a world class events campus that is accessible by public transport then having it accessed along unpleasant, smelly, intimating walkway isn't the way to do it.

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