Glasgow Pacific Quay flats with rooftop garden approved

New Glasgow flats with a rooftop garden are to be built on a long-derelict site empty since the Garden Festival.

Councillors granted Surplus Property Investments permission to construct 49 two and three bedroom homes on the empty plot at Pacific Quay.

The development on the rough grassland site will feature two blocks of flats reaching six and five storeys with a ground floor shop unit, 32 parking spaces and 60 cycle spaces.

Councillors welcomed the plan – pointing out it is bringing new housing to the Govan area.

Councillor Jill Pidgeon asked for consideration to be given to reinstatement of a fountain linked to the Garden Festival to be displayed, which an official agreed to discuss with the applicant.

She said: “I absolutely support this development. I really like the idea of a rooftop despite the Glasgow rain. I think having a rooftop garden is something we should encourage.”

She praised the design featuring solar panels as well as the rooftop garden.

Councillor Pidgeon asked for display of the Children of Glasgow Fountain to be considered as part of community money use on the site or in Festival Park. The fountain is currently in storage.

Also backing the development, Councillor Mhairi Hunter said: “I am happy to support this. I can appreciate some of the objections but we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good here so I think it would be a great improvement to that site. It will bring some much needed housing to the area.”

Councillor Imran Alam said: “It is a derelict site – it (the proposal) is not too high – they have kept in line with surrounding buildings as far as the height is concerned.”

He also pointed out that there were excellent transport links near the site.

Twelve objections were lodged against the plan with locals voicing concern about traffic, parking, privacy and other issues.

MSP Paul Sweeney did not support the design calling for a “traditional enclosed tenement perimeter block” instead.

The planning application committee approved the proposal subject to conditions.

The developer is also to make a financial contribution of £87,000 towards allotments, outdoor sports and Plantation Park according to a council report.