Planning refused for more than 400 build to rent apartments in Partick

Councillors have gone against the recommendation of planners and rejected an application for 424 new build-to-rent homes in Glasgow’s West End.

Planning refused for more than 400 build to rent apartments in Partick

Holmes Miller had sought permission on behalf of KR Developments for the mix of studio, 1, 2 and 3-bed apartments across four blocks ranging from 11 to 14 storeys on Beith Street, Partick.

A gym, co-working space, lounge areas and residents’ cafe were also planned for the site on former railway land between two student accommodation complexes.



KR Developments said the ‘Kelvin Living’ development would represent a capital investment of more than £90 million and bring vacant and derelict land back into effective use.

Planning refused for more than 400 build to rent apartments in Partick

The developer said: “It will provide high-quality, purpose-built rented accommodation that will enhance the attractiveness of Glasgow, for new and different developers and long-term investors at scale. It can also support labour market mobility by providing homes for people moving into areas for work.”

The development was recommended for approval by council planners.



Their report stated: “The proposed development is considered to be appropriate in scale, design and use of high quality materials and will make a successful contribution to its setting and the council’s placemaking objectives.”

Planning refused for more than 400 build to rent apartments in Partick

It added: “The proposed residential use is wholly compatible with location of the site and its management can be safeguarded though a suitably worded management plan.

“The delivery of a key section of the Kelvin Walkway will help deliver the enhanced linkages required by the City Development Plan.”



But councillors on the planning applications committee voted 11-4 to reject the proposal, raising concerns about massing and overshadowing.

Among the objectors was a submission from Glasgow MSP Patrick Harvie, who said: “Given the demand for social housing in the city, and the over concentration of student accommodation in this area, the brownfield site in question holds greater potential to be repurposed to address the lack of social housing stock in Glasgow.”


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