A decision over controversial plans to to build over 100 flats on a Merchant City car park will be made today with protesters making their final objections to the plans.
Glasgow City Council officials have recommended Artisan Real Estate’s bid to develop the Ingram Street site should be approved, despite 143 objections being raised.
Councillors decided to delay the decision in order for a visit to the site to take place. The hearing is now taking place today.
READ MORE: Mystery Glasgow crash woman identified and family informed as she fights for life in hospital
Merchant City and Trongate Community Council has called for the area to be turned into a green space for the community and said the plans were "contrary to all that COP26 stood for".
Scott Thornton, Secretary for the community council, said: "Simply put, this is the last opportunity to build a green space and community park in the centre of Glasgow. Local residents have been fighting for four years now for such a park to be built.
"The council planners recommended approval of the proposal. To build 109 apartments on the Ingram St carpark site, we think it’s the wrong place.
"It’s pretty contrary to all that COP26 stood for. The council’s idea is to put more than 100 flats without any parking spaces. So where are these 109 households to put their cars? It won’t help with increasing pedestrianisation.
"When you consider that the city was host of COP26 and we are in the middle of a climate emergency, now they want to chop down 21 trees in the centre of Glasgow. It's really beggars belief.
"After COP26, Glasgow council is thinking of removing one of the only possible opportunities for a green space in the city centre. It’s right next to city halls and some of the main entertainment centres — home to the symphony orchestras. What happens if the residents in the new apartments complain about the noise? Will it be the end of the city halls?
"There are no points in the proposal that includes provision for a children’s play area, and there are deficiencies in lots of aspects. There are so many objections. It’s a travesty and it flies in the face of everything Glasgow councillors are chief executives have been saying for years."
Glasgow Life, which runs culture and leisure venues for the council, said it is “vital” that “sufficiently robust acoustic design” is considered so the City Halls and Old Fruitmarket are “not adversely affected by complaints from future residents”.
Owners, City Property, marketed the land in 2021 and Artisan was selected as the preferred developer. The plans to build 109 apartments across a seven-storey development also include a courtyard, which would be accessible to the public, and a roof terrace.
It would “step up incrementally from city halls and the Old Fruitmarket” and commercial space, either for retail, food and drink or business use, would be available on the ground floor.
Artisan said the proposal will “revitalise an under-utilised former car park which sits in a prime location within the Merchant City” and provide “much-needed homes for sale”.
Council officials said the number of storeys are “not considered to be excessive”, with the “stepped form of the building” meaning it is not “an overly dominant presence”.
They added that the plans would help “contribute towards the council’s aim of repopulating the city centre”. Artisan would be required to pay £110,000 due to the lack of children’s play and outdoor sport areas.
It was acknowledged there were “environmental drawbacks” to the plans including the potential it would encourage use of cars as well as trees "planted in the past to screen the poor environmental condition of the car park to pedestrians"
Previous plans for a hotel and other uses were withdrawn in 2018 while, in 2008, a proposal for a 200-bed hotel was granted.
READ NEXT:
Glasgow council worker stole £6k charity bingo cash then tried to blame his 'auntie'
Glasgow cyclist on M8 motorway in jeans and puffer jacket with Asda bag over handlebars
Mercedes torched outside home of firefighter due to give evidence in Lanarkshire attack trial
The Admiral Bar regulars react to news of shock closure despite being 'successful and solvent'
Glasgow cycle lanes causing 'misery' for drivers as 2,000 sign petition to remove them
