Starting orders for second phase of Laurieston regeneration
Work is set to get underway on the next phase of regeneration at the award-winning Laurieston Living development in the Gorbals area of Glasgow.
Laurieston is one of eight Transformational Regeneration Areas (TRA) in the city earmarked for regeneration as part of the Transforming Communities: Glasgow programme – a partnership between Glasgow Housing Association, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government.
TC: G’s programme aims to provide new sustainable mixed tenure communities through the provision of new housing, community facilities, green space and, where appropriate, commercial units.
In Phase 2 a total of 173 private for sale homes will be built at Laurieston by Urban Union following planning permission being granted. The new development is expected to complete by early 2021 with the first residents able to move in from summer 2018.
In the first phase at the Laurieston Living development, a total of 240 affordable homes were delivered for New Gorbals Housing Association (NGHA), together with 69 private for sale properties. A further 55 affordable homes are currently being constructed for NGHA.
Laurieston Living is a £100 million revitalisation of the Gorbals area, with plans to deliver a total of four phases over a nine-year period.
Cllr Kenny McLean, Glasgow City Council’s city convener for neighbourhoods and chair of Transforming Communities: Glasgow, said: “The next phase of housing to be built in Laurieston will, I’m pleased to say, bring more high quality new housing to this neighbourhood. Laurieston is undergoing a tremendous transformation, with award-winning private and housing association homes being built in a great location close to Glasgow city centre. I look forward to this next stage of the area’s regeneration bringing more benefit to the local community.”
Neil McKay, managing director of Urban Union, added: “The first phase at Laurieston Living was a real triumph, and was Scotland’s largest ever grant-funded project for a single housing association grant.
“Hundreds of people are now enjoying the high quality accommodation, and with the next phase we will look to ensure that even more people can reap the benefits of Laurieston Living.”
Urban Union – a partnership between Robertson Group and McTaggart Construction – is keen to ensure projects benefit the local landscape and community so the site features a Linear Park and a mix of accommodation, with potential for commercial opportunities and retail outlets.
The homes will be a mix of terraces and apartments, with architects Anderson Bell + Christie leading on the design.
Mark Sneddon at Anderson Bell + Christie Architects said: “The second phase will continue to build upon the successful transformation and regeneration of Laurieston.
“A restrained palette of bricks will be used to create a series of carefully detailed facades generating three interesting and well-articulated urban blocks. Phase 2 will also include the exciting first phase of a new Linear Park, providing quality outdoor space at the heart of the development, in line with the masterplan.”
Linda Malone, chairperson of New Gorbals Housing Association, added: “We are particularly delighted to see this crucial phase progressing because it will provide a fantastic new park, which the local community helped design, and other much needed amenities which will benefit all of Laurieston.”
Urban Union’s second project, launched in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council’s 21st Century Homes housing division, is in Pennywell, North Edinburgh.
The partnership is also working on a third development in the Muirton area of Perth, building 203 homes as part of the final phase of a regeneration project.