Plans submitted to regenerate Charing Cross with £250m development with homes, student flats and hotel

Plans for a £250m regeneration of Charing Cross have been submitted to Glasgow City Council.

Developers have drawn up “once in a lifetime” plans to create a new community on the west side of the city centre through homes, student accommodation, hotel space and local services.

The plans include the removal of the Tay House bridge over the M8 which they say will provide the opportunity to create a new gateway into the city centre.

Split into two phases, the first phase covers proposals for student accommodation with provision for a healthcare or GP surgery facility.

Phase two envisages a mixed-tenure development of residential city living, state of the art office space and a hotel.

Planning permission in principle is being sought from the council to cover both sites.

Charing Cross development Big Partnership

The masterplan has been devised by leading architectural practice, Michael Laird Architects, and aims to help deliver the council’s aspirations to encourage city centre living and create an improved travel hub providing easy access for residents to the city centre and west end.

The plans also have the backing of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick.

Mr Patrick said: “The city’s three main universities have confirmed a strategic aim to grow their student numbers in the years ahead and accommodation has to expand in line with that, especially when you consider how limited the options are at the moment.

“A development like this caters for that need while plugging into ongoing plans to transform a key part of the city’s traditional retail and hospitality artery.

“It’s no secret that Sauchiehall Street has seen better days, and this application presents an opportunity to galvanise an iconic area of the city and re-establish it as a dynamic accommodation and business hub.”