March 26 2025

Moves to build hundreds of homes at a historic dock have been given the unanimous backing of Glasgow's planning applications committee.

The rubberstamp brings the prospect of 304 new homes at Govan Graving Docks a significant step closer, returning activity to a critical section of the riverfront which has lain derelict for close to 40 years.

Developer Harry O’Donnell, chairman of New City Vision, commented: “Housing is a key part of our vision, creating a lived-in environment that will ensure ongoing activity on the site for years to come. There is a clear need for new homes across Glasgow, and this development will help meet that demand while complementing Govan’s wider regeneration.

“Over the past three years, we’ve listened to local voices and worked closely with planning officers to develop a proposal that respects the docks’ heritage while delivering much-needed regeneration."

Phased delivery will commence with the construction of 60 flats on Clydebrae Street, building momentum for the third and final phase which comprises a 4 to ten-storey block fronting Govan Road.

Lead architect Jennifer O’Donnell, director at O’DonnellBrown, added: “This approval marks a significant result for Glasgow and a major step forward in the regeneration of the Govan Graving Docks, a site of national importance. The project has benefitted from years of consultation with the local community and Glasgow City Council to ensure that it meets the needs of the area while respecting the site’s rich history."

The broader project team includes heritage consultants ZM Architecture, environmental design specialists Atelier Ten and structural engineer Fairhurst. 

20 Comments

#1 Posted by Nico on 26 Mar 2025 at 09:38 AM

"lain derelict for close to 40 years".

Awaits negative post(s) from people saying this positive news is bad for Glasgow!

#2 Posted by Ben on 26 Mar 2025 at 11:34 AM

Fantastic proposal, glad to see it will go ahead, if only other waterfront developments in places like Aberdeen and Edinburgh would match this standard.

#3 Posted by Sam on 26 Mar 2025 at 12:02 PM

There’s yer salfordisation of Glasgow continuing

#4 Posted by D to the R on 26 Mar 2025 at 13:50 PM

Hey Sam … ever been to Manchester? I only ask because it’s one of the few cities in the UK that seems to develop itself through and out of economic stagnation. Deansgate has never stopped. Many a debate to be had about whether that’s because of its location or indeed having a pro-development and pro-growth mayor at the healm. Either way it ain’t a bad reference point for how Glasgow (or Scotland) should approach opportunities to improve our economic outlook. Let’s not fall into that ol’ parochial nonsense eh?

#5 Posted by James Hepburn on 26 Mar 2025 at 14:51 PM

Glasgow City Council needs to be replaced with a professional body. To take this long proves that amateurs should not be left in charge of our City.

#6 Posted by Sam on 26 Mar 2025 at 17:36 PM

D to the R – I have, many times, and did not for a second suggest that this was a bad thing

#7 Posted by The Velvet Underground on 26 Mar 2025 at 20:32 PM

So, it arrived. Eventually. And it looks like another masterpiece of midwest mediocrity. New City Vision? Their business model seems to be 'promise everything, deliver nothing, and blame everyone else.' See the destruction of the A listed Gartloch Hospital and the debacle at North Kelvin Meadow. The council seem blind to their games or worse. Apologies for not celebrating lateness and failed promises.

#8 Posted by Roddy_ on 26 Mar 2025 at 22:19 PM

Quick question - does anyone know why the ground floors of the dockside buildings are blank and non-active, yet the tower seems to have some kind of active ground floor?
That blank facade surely kills off that flank as an active edge?

#9 Posted by Mark on 26 Mar 2025 at 23:01 PM

I wonder how they resolved the conflicting aims of using one of the dry docks to carry out maintenance on ships, while building flats just a few metres away from it? Given that residents at Glasgow Harbour apparently moan about BAE Systems' Govan shipyard – which is a few *hundred* metres away diagonally across the Clyde.

#10 Posted by Heidfirst on 27 Mar 2025 at 10:49 AM

having recently visited Leeds Docks I have to say that the architecture here is boring, mundane, repetitive & reminiscent of the worst of the 60s ... & that's even before mentioning New City Vision's track record.

#11 Posted by Santiago Calatrava on 27 Mar 2025 at 14:04 PM

Anybody got any good names for this volume / void style of architecture all over the UK?

#12 Posted by Rod on 27 Mar 2025 at 14:39 PM

I notice the developer and the architect share a surname. Any relation?

#13 Posted by D to the R on 27 Mar 2025 at 16:46 PM

Thanks Sam ... As you were. LG x

#14 Posted by George on 28 Mar 2025 at 14:14 PM

Firstly, its great to see the potential of something happening on this site and so that is great news. However it shouldnt mean that we allow any old dross in the name of regeneration, and wow this scheme is bad! Such an opportunity and this is the best they can come up with! There could be retail or restaurant opportunities on the ground floors rather than boarded up windows and the quality of scheme looks so poor. Please Glasgow City Council you can push for a lot better than this.

#15 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 29 Mar 2025 at 10:59 AM

Residential capture of a former industrial site with very specific / very useful productive assets -- Not good to the point of industrial vandalism in fact.

The shoehorn vibe of the Govan Road flats are a particular sore point given the shallow site and its proximity to a supposed industrial enterprise.

Bluewashing would be how most would see the hobby / artisan engineering proposed for only one of the docks.

That is a blue collar wrap around residential over development.

If Glasgow had an industrial strategy worthy of the name this development would not be taking place.

#16 Posted by Lovely on 30 Mar 2025 at 11:43 AM

It's all good Fat Bot, no need to stress yourself.

Our virtuous friends have offshored all our industry to poorer countries who they pay with debt based printed (worthless) money to do all our dirty work and swallow our pollution.

So the show goes on and in fact with the lithium industry you can give yourself a huge pat on the back as you drive around in circles saving the world at someone else's expense.

#17 Posted by The Observer on 31 Mar 2025 at 08:25 AM

Get this built.

Wait.....where is the funding coming from?

#18 Posted by Lech Wa??sa on 31 Mar 2025 at 13:11 PM

The grey makes it look eastern European before 1989. It's Gdansk? Isn't it? But whats that red Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana doing there? That's away further to the South, surely?

#19 Posted by Mark on 31 Mar 2025 at 22:19 PM

#12 - I believe they're father and daughter.

#18 - Good spot re. the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, but I guess ideas have to come from somewhere, if you're not interested in acknowledging context in your architecture.

#20 Posted by Fly on the fence on 1 Apr 2025 at 12:47 PM

'inactive' ground floors are clearly a flood risk response

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