CALA Homes open letter bids to set the record straight on Jordanhill Campus project

The housebuilder issued the letter after its proposals for a premium residential development were referred to a Predetermination Hearing by councillors.

In the letter, CALA states its commitment to building on the legacy of the landmark 31-acre site, which is now derelict after being unoccupied since 2012.

The letter describes how CALA’s planning application will protect and enhance greenspace at the site, retain the Category B-listed David Stow building, open playing fields to local schools and establish one of the city’s most desirable and well-designed residential developments.

The letter also refers to recent independent research that found construction of the site would create almost 200 new jobs for Glasgow and deliver an economic boost of over £5m in Gross Added Value (GAV).

CALA’s Matters Specified in Conditions planning application was lodged with Glasgow City Council in March this year.

Jim McIntyre, managing director of CALA Homes (West), said: “CALA is an award-winning homebuilder with decades of experience in delivering high quality residential developments and we fully intend to extend our strong reputation with a sensitive approach at Jordanhill Campus.

“Currently, many of the buildings are derelict and much of the land is brownfield. I firmly believe our proposals represent a significant improvement and will enhance a community asset. They would create a great place to live.

“We look forward to presenting our exciting plans next month, and to continuing to work in partnership with the community to deliver a successful development within the heart of Jordanhill.”

The decision to close the 31-acre Jordanhill Campus, formerly a teacher training college, was taken by owners Strathclyde University in 2006 and the site has been vacant since 2012. Following extensive consultation with the local community and Glasgow City Council, the University gained Planning Permission in Principle for a residential developer in 2013.

CALA’s proposed development includes more than 400 high quality properties, designed by award-winning architects 7N. These range from one bedroom flats to large, detached family homes. Central to the proposals is the retention of the university’s Category B-listed David Stow building, which would be reinstated as the dominant building on the campus and refurbished to a high standard to offer luxury apartments. Graham House and Douglas House, which don’t have listed status, would also to be conserved and converted under the plans.

More than 40% of the site would be retained as greenspace and the plans contain a net provision of more than 350 new trees to enhance the existing woodland. About 5,000 square metres of children’s active play spaces would be created and the existing playing fields given to Glasgow Life to ensure the community and all local schools in the area, including Jordanhill School, benefit.

Together with existing access points, new public footpaths and cycleways would make the Campus accessible to all.

Liana Canavan, sales and marketing director at CALA Homes (West), added: “We want to dispel the misconception that we plan to overdevelop the site.

“We’re seeking to develop mostly on the footprints of existing buildings and to create a more designed central parkland area than currently exists on the site. These plans include cycle paths, walkways and areas of open space which will enhance this site for current and future communities of Jordanhill.”

Jim McIntyre

The full content of the letter can be read below:

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.

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 misconception that CALA will destroy woodland and open space is simply not true. Protecting the landscape is central to our proposal.  More than 40% 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 in the area, including Jordanhill School, 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 of providing communities with aspirational and 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 exciting proposals next month, and to continuing to work in partnership with the community to deliver a successful development within the heart of Jordanhill.   

Regards,

Jim McIntyre

Managing Director

CALA Homes (West)