Exciting plans to bring forward the first phase of mixed-use development at Govan’s Water Row site  reached an advanced stage in April 21. Led by Govan Housing Association, the development will provide 92 stylish mid-market rent flats and 6 ground floor commercial units located within touching distance of the planned Govan Partick river crossing and major new public space on the Govan waterfront. The stunning development will be community owned and controlled, and has been designed to offer a diverse range of residential, commercial, leisure and community uses that will meet local needs and attract new visitors, residents and business to Govan. A planning application for the proposal has been submitted to Glasgow City Council, who have already approved the project in principle.  Govan Housing Association expects to purchase the site, which is currently  used as an informal car park, later in 2021 from Glasgow City Council.

The project will be funded by a combination of private borrowings undertaken by Govan Housing Association along with public funding support including grants from the Scottish Government/Glasgow City Council’s Affordable Housing Investment Programme, City Deal and the Clyde Mission Fund. The project, taking account of associated public realm work, is expected to cost in the region of £20m.

Initial work at the site will begin in May 2021 with an ‘enabling contract’ which will see various underground works such as drainage diversions being undertaken. This will continue over the summer with the intention of commencing with the main building work in January 2022. The car park will close permanently from May 21. The Govan Saturday Market will continue to trade from a new spot at Govan Cross, operating from 9am-2pm with its usual offer of stalls and goods.  Tenants for the new housing and commercial space are expected to start moving in towards the end of 2023/ early 2024.

The project is being designed to meet the local Council’s ‘Glasgow Standard’ for new build housing – providing affordable, warm, safe and highly energy efficient homes, many of which will offer fantastic views over the Clyde to the Riverside Museum and beyond. All 92 flats will have two bedrooms, with 10% being designed to ‘wheelchair adaptable’ standards. The development will be between four and six storeys high, built over three blocks. Around 890 sqm of commercial space will available to let at the ground floor level, in six units that can be flexibly adapted to meet a variety of tenant needs. A mix of uses will be curated that meet local community needs and aspirations, and bring vitality and life to the place.

As part of the Association’s commitment to the regeneration of the local area and providing employment and training opportunities at the site, the project will require the building contractor, CCG, to offer training, work experience and apprenticeship opportunities.

Keep up to date with progress here and on Govan Housing Association’s website, future newsletters and social media accounts. The Association will be releasing details on how to apply for one of the new flats soon and is currently seeking commercial tenants for the ground floor units. Send enquires to: waterrow@govanha.org.uk

Read more about the Water Row Masterplan and progress with future phases here.

Status: Active

Cost:  £20million

Timescale: Advance Ground Works May 21, Main Contract Jan 22, Completion Jan 24.

Project Lead: Govan Housing Association

Project Partners: Govan Housing Association, Central Govan Action Plan, Glasgow City Council

Funders: Scottish Government Clyde Mission Fund, Govan Housing Association, Glasgow City Council’s Affordable Housing Investment Programme and City Deal Waterfront and West End.

Project Design Team: Collective Architecture, Brown & Wallace, Carbon Futures, Rankin Fraser, Scott Bennet Associates