Developing Glasgow: Plans put forward to develop Cowcaddens fire station into student flats

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has applied for planning permission in principle to transform Cowcaddens Fire Station on Port Dundas Road.

It could include the erection of mixed use development comprising residential, including apartments and Build to Rent, purpose-built student accommodation, retail, cafes or restaurants.

More details would need to be approved under a future application, but a letter submitted to Glasgow City Council states the site is “to be sold once the premises are vacated in a phased manner”.

The service is seeking planning permission in principle to set the “scale, massing and high level design principles for future redevelopment of this prominent city centre site for a mix of uses”.

It adds the “exact split of different commercial/retail/leisure uses is still to be determined”.

Documents state the fire service is in the process of vacating the site. “Since restructuring as a single service, the SFRS has been consolidating its support functions to one centralised headquarters,” they add.

“As such, the majority of uses at Cowcaddens are no longer needed at this location and the SFRS has programmed for the site to be sold once the premises are vacated in a phased manner.

“A separate review is underway on how best to continue operational fire service coverage of the local area. This is looking at either extended coverage from other fire stations or potential for a new station on adjacent retained land at Cowcaddens.”

A “need assessment” for student accommodation in Glasgow has been submitted to the council alongside the application.

It states: “Glasgow faces a major supply shortage of purpose built student accommodation. The student population is growing much faster than the provision of accommodation which is creating intense pressure for rented housing. 

“There are more international students attending universities in Glasgow than there are available beds, even before provision is made to domestic students that are not able to stay at home. This means many students, both domestic and international, are relying on the private rented sector, which is also experiencing supply shortages and rapidly rising rents.”