THE University of Strathclyde’s Jordanhill Campus was once a landmark for Glasgow and the local community. Now, after being unoccupied for more than five years, substantial investment is required to protect and enhance the legacy and unique period buildings synonymous with the site. Together with the University, CALA homes (West) is committed to restore local pride in the campus and build on its legacy by establishing one of the city’s most desirable and well-designed residential developments (“Delay to plan for 400 local flats”, The Herald, October 25).
Our proposal delivers almost £100 million of investment which will enhance greenspace and retain an important listed building. It upholds the university’s original proposal which was granted planning permission in principle in 2013 after extensive consultation with the community and Glasgow City Council.
Glasgow has growing demand for premium housing. By creating more than 400 quality properties, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom detached family homes, Jordanhill Campus will appeal to an array of buyers, resulting in significant economic benefits for the city.
The claim that CALA will destroy woodland and open space is simply not true. Protecting the landscape is central to our proposal. More than 40 per cent of the site will be retained as greenspace and there will be a net provision of more than 350 new trees. Together with existing access points, new public footpaths and cycleways will make the campus accessible to all.
The greenspace will be maintained by a factor, ensuring local people can enjoy the site long-term. More than 5,000 square metres of children’s active play spaces will be created and the pitches would be given to Glasgow Life to ensure the community and all local schools benefit.
Working with renowned architects 7N, we will sympathetically retain, redevelop and refurbish the Category B-listed David Stow building into a mix of apartments and mews properties. We will conserve and convert two more historic buildings which don’t have listed status so could be demolished.
Almost 200 direct and indirect jobs will be created by the construction phase, while independent research estimates that, post-construction, the development would raise an extra £1.3 million in council tax and support 56 local retail jobs through an estimated £5.8m retained retail spend.
We have listened to the local community and offered to provide each new residence with a free bus pass to support the local bus service and to upgrade the junction of Southbrae/Westbrae earlier than required by the planning permission in principle, to improve the junction capacity and provide controlled crossings that will assist those travelling to and from local schools.
CALA has an excellent reputation in the UK for providing communities with aspirational, award-winning homes and it is this experience which we intend to extend, with a sensitive approach, at Jordanhill Campus
We look forward to presenting our proposals next month, and to continuing to work in partnership with the community to deliver a successful development within the heart of Jordanhill.
Jim McIntyre,
Managing Director, CALA Homes (West),
Cairnlee House,
Callendar Boulevard,
Callendar Business Park, Falkirk.
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