Bellgrove Meat Market and Abattoir Site – Objection to Planning Application

Proposed Site Plan of the Bellgrove Meat Market and Abattoir Development
Proposed Site Plan of the Bellgrove Meat Market and Abattoir Development

The following objection to planning application reference 19/01220/FUL for the land at Duke Street and Bellgrove Street has been submitted to Glasgow City Council by Dennistoun Community Council, as per our ordinary meeting held on 11th June 2019.

Dennistoun Community Council (DCC) generally welcomes many aspects of the proposed development at this site, and various elements of the submission are to be commended. However, there is a serious shortcoming. This development only includes one- and two-bedroom dwellings. Not one single flat has three or more bedrooms.

Succesful placemaking and urban planning of balanced and inclusive neighbourhoods, with a diverse mix of well-supported community facilities, should account for parents wishing to raise children. An appropriate supply of homes is critical in attracting and retaining families in an area that can grow and thrive sustainably. This development represents a significant opportunity to offer new opportunities for urban family living that would be missed if it is approved without provision for a suitable mix of households.

By way of comparison to this proposal, it is noted that initial New Gorbals regeneration developments included a significant proportion of family-sized homes: half of those properties included three or more bedrooms.

DCC identifies the following GCC policies as directly relevant to this matter:

– The Glasgow City Development Plan 2017 identifies a Strategic Outcome of “A thriving and sustainable place to live and work“. It states that “We want to achieve a City that is made up of sustainable, vibrant and distinctive places which are well-designed, accessible, safe, healthy and inclusive, and which provide for the City’s growing and diverse population.” CDP 1 (‘The Placemaking principle’) identifies the need to encourage “social cohesion” and “building diversity (lifelong living)” as part of “healthy urban planning control”. CDP 10 (‘Meeting Housing Needs’) states that “The focus of the Council’s approach is on ensuring that good quality places are created, with a mix of accommodation to suit different household types“.

– The Glasgow City Council Strategic Plan 2017 to 2022 makes a commitment to “Empower our citizens, giving them a stake, and a say, in what happens in their local communities and communities of interest“. It pledges to deliver “A Thriving Economy, A Vibrant City, A Sustainable and Low Carbon City, Resilient and Empowered Neighbourhoods, A Well Governed City that Listens and Responds“.

– Glasgow City Centre Strategy 2014–19 identifes nine City Districts. This development is adjacent to two of them. Of the six Core Objectives given, one is ‘Stay and Live’, pledging “To encourage new developments […]; to attract a variety of residents including professionals, families, down-sizers and students […]“.

If GCC is to adhere to those policies, the proposed application must be rejected with a requirement that any subsequently approved development includes suitable provision for the required balance of households.

– Dennistoun Community Council

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Dennistoun CC

Dennistoun CC's aim is to ascertain, coordinate and express the views of the wider community. It seeks to promote the Dennistoun area as a positive and inclusive neighbourhood.

2 thoughts on “Bellgrove Meat Market and Abattoir Site – Objection to Planning Application”

  1. Happy with the plans, not sure about the lack of 3/4 bed flats: I often find that when looking at new build flats, most are already catering to families and not to single/couples. I am hoping to apply for a two bed in this area when building begins, so would appreciate it that if 3/4 beds are introduced, it will not be at the expense of the 1/2 bed i.e. more 3/4 beds than 1/2, which is unfair as most housing associations/social housing/affordable landlords will say that there is a lack of 1/2 beds in the city as a whole and I have to agree that we need more 1/2 bed flats for non children households as there are more people living on their own now or as a couple/flatshare but cannot afford to buy, so if social housing is part of this development, they really should be prioritising the 1/2 bed flats over family ones. This is my personal opinion based on the fact that it is very difficult for a single person to find a 1/2 bed flat that is affordable anywhere in Glasgow: a family will at least have two incomes to accommodate a 3/4 bed flat rental.
    It would also be good to advertise how people can now express an interest in this development and renting a flat within it.

  2. It’s clear the developers are wanting to attract younger professionals in steady work, securing a long term return on the investment and continuing the process of gentrification, essentially phasing out older age groups which have often been portrayed as a barrier to development of the location as a “new west end” at the fringe of the citycentre. I don’t think this scale of flat building is as necessary as other regions, and while I’m content these are at least not student flats, I would rather see more facilities for a diverse community to function; youth and pensioner clubs, an art centre, more urban green spaces and bigger health centre for example.

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