The planning application for the second of the Arnold Clarke sites (134 Nithsdale Drive) has been submitted, and can be viewed at Glasgow City Council’s Planning Portal, using reference 23/01956/FUL.
Whatever your views, you can respond before the deadline of 22 September. At 104 flats, this is possibly the largest development in Strathbungo area since the 19th century, so please consider making your views (positive or negative) heard. You can find some useful guidance on responding to planning applications at Planning Law Blog.
It is worth noting that the site is not within the Conservation Area but is directly adjacent to it. The site is surrounded by Listed Buildings at Moray Place, Salisbury Crescent and Darnley Street (there is a map on the BungoBlog).
Editor’s note:
Thanks to Toby for submitting this.
Here’s an aerial view
The architects state “Our design thinking seeks to ‘fill the gap’ complementing the scale and aspirations of surrounding buildings, with particular reference to the work of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson, whose Category ‘A’ listed terrace, Moray Place faces onto the site.”
Note here’s what the plan looked like as originally proposed in March. While the block is similar, note how the detailing and the curved end features have been dropped and an extra flat stuck on each end instead.
Original proposal
Current proposal
Not a surprise. Poor planning decisions are being repeatedly made- overbuilding draws on increasingly stretched resources and adds to the risk of flooding.
We actually need more green spaces
Also, despite more people paying potentially council tax , services are deteriorating and the epidemic of infestation results.
Perhaps it’s time to move.
I agree about the green space. What makes cities more interesting and is easier to deliver is things of note. Architecture at this price point seems hamstrung, but would offering the public something as part of the development be too far a stretch…?
A few minimalist benches that doubled as a fun little assault course for kids, interesting street lighting, bike lock-ups, a public sculpture…………..
I guess this would probably then involve the council and loads of bureaucracy *THUD* [Head hits keyboard] Zzzzzzzz.
What is the Strathbungo Society’s position on this development?
The original proposal was so much nicer, I was really impressed with it. Shame they’ve made it so generic.
Will be interested to hear other opinions. Not going to squarely blame the architects here, probably more the ‘design by committee’ approach to these developments. Everything screams ‘we have a budget’. The ‘fill the gap’ quote sums everything up.
As the world develops at an incredible rate, architecture (new homes, in particular) remain static and painfully underwhelming, ripe to be demolished in 50-60years.
In your introduction refers to “……this is possibly the largest development in Strathbungo since the 19th Century…..”quoting to nearby Listed Buildings, Salisbury Crescent, Darnley Street etc.
Your kidding me on. This solution is 1950’s Castlemilk, Drumchapel, Easterhouse apology.
The Original Design does offer a modicum of Design integrity where it tries to speak to the other buildings in the surrounding area. Repetition of the windows does not make it a Greek Thompson Style. Surely we have not waited for over a 100 years to approve this mediocrity.
The Society has responded to the application, based on feedback we received and our own concerns. All comments can be read on the GCC planning site, though confusingly they are under “Documents” not under “Comments”.