Architecture firm Stallan-Brand has successfully obtained its third planning consent for a major mixed-use housing development on the same Glasgow site, marking a significant milestone for the ambitious urban regeneration project. The latest approval encompasses 999 student beds and 713 rental apartments distributed across six towers, with some buildings reaching heights of up to 20 stories on the former College Street Goods Yard near Parsonage Square in the Scottish city.
The development site has undergone multiple planning iterations over the past several years. Stallan-Brand initially received planning permission in 2018 for a smaller-scale project featuring 727 rental homes and 99 student apartments on the triangular 7.4-acre site, working with developer Get Living. Three years later, the firm returned to city planners seeking approval for an expanded scheme that included 823 build-to-rent homes and 687 student residences, alongside commercial spaces for shops, cafés, restaurants, and leisure facilities.
While the second proposal was also approved, ownership of the site changed hands last summer when Get Living sold the property to Galliard Apsley Partnership. The new developers chose to retain Stallan-Brand's services, leading to the third and most recent planning application. The revised scheme, now branded as College Gardens, represents the culmination of extensive collaboration between the architectural firm, the new client, and local stakeholders.
Nick Ecob, director at Stallan-Brand, expressed enthusiasm about receiving approval for the latest version of the development. "We are incredibly excited to have reached this significant project milestone, which will unlock the delivery of a key regeneration project in the city," Ecob stated. He emphasized the transformative potential of the project, noting that "The project will have a transformative impact on the eastern edge of the city center, delivering new homes, green spaces and improved connectivity while making a positive contribution to wider local economy."
The director highlighted the collaborative nature of the design process, crediting the successful outcome to close cooperation with various parties. "The project is the result of a highly collaborative design process, working closely with the client, Glasgow City Council, and a mix of local stakeholders and community groups," Ecob explained. He concluded by expressing the firm's eagerness to move forward with implementation, stating, "We now look forward to taking the proposals forward towards delivery."
According to official planning documents, the College Gardens development aims to establish a high-quality residential neighborhood supported by diverse green spaces, community amenities, and ground-floor commercial establishments. The comprehensive vision extends beyond mere housing provision, with planners describing how "The development will create a vibrant urban quarter that is well integrated with its wider urban context, unlocking new pedestrian and cycle connections to the east of the city center."
At the heart of the project lies an innovative approach to community building that bridges generational divides. Planning documentation reveals that "At its core, the College Gardens vision will deliver an intergenerational community, combining build-to-rent and student provision within a cohesive neighborhood that services the needs of a diverse community." This integrated approach represents a forward-thinking strategy for urban development that addresses multiple housing needs simultaneously while fostering community connections between different age groups and lifestyles.
