Laurieston Regeneration Steering Group has submitted plans for the creation of a new Gorbals Cross and a £350 million ‘mixed development’ to replace the ailing Stirlingfaulds tower blocks at Eglinton and Bridge Streets.
 
The Group wants to transform the area with a new square and City Park at the heart of the development of 1700 homes in the footprint of the high-rise flats, which are scheduled to come down at the end of next year. The plans propose a 50/50 split between private and affordable rented homes in an attempt to keep current residents in the area.

Developers want to build both low-rise houses for families and higher blocks of flats for young professionals.

Simon Metcalfe of New Gorbals Housing Association (NGHA), said, ‘New Gorbals Housing Association believe that the development proposals for Laurieston represent a sound basis for extending the regeneration of the Gorbals. There are plentiful options for meeting the needs of the community and extending and expanding upon the lessons learned in the regeneration of Crown Street.’

The steering group would like to capitalise on the area’s close proximity to the city centre to attract private homeowners, retailers and businesses to the area. Plans include a ‘transport hub’ at Bridge Street underground station, including a 1391-space car park. If the plans are approved, the work will take around 15 years to complete.

The Laurieston Steering Group involves New Gorbals Housing Association, Glasgow Housing Association, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and Communities Scotland. The plans have been submitted to the City Council.
London-based planning consultants Urban Initiatives have also been involved in the plans.

Dot Denholm, Secretary of Laurieston Community Council, told the LOCAL NEWS that the Community Council had approved the plans, and added, ‘It can only benefit the area. Those high flats are a nightmare.’

Meanwhile, Gorbals’ Crown Street Regeneration Project nears completion with builders CCG starting construction of a £4m housing development on the site of the former Clyde Salvage Yard. The Regeneration project has been ongoing since 1990 and has seen £170 million of investment in homes and amenities.

CCG Managing Director Alastair Wylie said, ‘It gives us great pride to be working in partnership with New Gorbals Housing Association on this landmark scheme and to be part of the ground-breaking revitalisation of this locality.’

Glasgow City Council funded the construction of 48 new homes – both maisonettes and flats – for social rent, by New Gorbals Housing Association. The flats will be of one six-storey block on the corner of Ballater Street and a number of four-storey blocks on Waddell Street. The development adopts government recommended crime prevention guidelines ‘to assist the creation of safer and more secure communities’.

Fraser Stewart, NHGA Director, said, ‘We continue to push for higher standards of design and construction in our housing developments and this is a fine example.’

The work on-site is expected to be completed by November 2006.