10.92 The Council, in consultation with the local community and appropriate partners, will prepare a Centre Action Plan for Central Govan and a Local Development Strategy for East Govan/Ibrox, to address complex issues in these parts of Greater Govan and to co-ordinate investment and regeneration activity. The major issues covered will include:
re-using vacant/derelict land and listed/under-used buildings;
encouraging economic development;
improving community safety and security;
improving image/identity;
strengthening links within Govan and to other areas, particularly the waterfront;
improving housing quality and choice; and
examining heritage and tourism potential.
PEOPLE
10.93 Investment in both socially rented and owner-occupied housing to improve residential quality and choice has taken place at Festival Park (1), the site of the former David Elder Hospital (2) and Summertown Road (3). The latter development is targeted at local ethnic minority families. New housing developments at West Drumoyne (4) will further extend choice in tenure and house type. The Area Housing Partnership will seek to identify priorities that will enable this renewal process to continue.
10.94 Work on the Local Development Strategy for East Govan/Ibrox, involving relevant agencies and local people, has started. The Strategy will examine infrastructure needs, housing trends and opportunities for increased economic activity. Urban form and structure, accessibility to the waterfront, connections with adjoining areas (including cross-river links), and enhancement of the public realm will also be considered.
JOBS
10.95 The decline of shipbuilding and related industries has left Govan with a legacy of high unemployment. A new economic base is required for the area. Govan Initiative’s retraining programme will require to be supported by new business development and improvements to the infrastructure. Consideration is being given to the establishment of a community-based training centre at the Hills Trust site (5).
10.96 Helen Street Corridor (6) offers a range of business and industrial sites of various sizes within a significantly improved environment and is the chosen location for Strathclyde Police’s new Traffic Headquarters. Sites on Broomloan Road (7) and in the Craigton area will add to the corridor’s attraction as a business location. The other major new business location is at Pacific Quay (8) where the Scottish Criminal Records Office has established a prominent waterfront presence adjacent to the refurbished Four Winds listed building. Pacific Quay is the preferred site for the re-location of BBC Scotland Headquarters and a new film studio development. The adjacent Imax Theatre, Science Centre and Millennium Tower leisure developments, together with land reserved for a business park, also offer opportunities for employment. A number of smaller business developments have occurred at Brand Street (9), Woodville Street (10) and West Drumoyne (11).
New Traffic Headquarters
INFRASTRUCTURE
10.97 The Local Development Strategy for Central Govan will examine the opportunity for a new integrated public transport interchange for underground, bus, ferry, cycle and pedestrian movement at Govan Town Centre. This should be the central node on a regenerated Govan Road Corridor, linking west to Shieldhall, the Southern General Campus and Clyde Tunnel; east to Pacific Quay, Tradeston and the City Centre; and south to the M8 and the City suburbs. The feasibility of future cross-river links between Govan and Partick will be investigated (see also The River, Action Areas 2 & 3, pages 66-69).
10.98 Realising the potential of opportunities along the Clyde Corridor, including the Canting Basin (12), the Graving Docks (13), Riverside (14) and Water Row (15) will require issues relating to the repair and redesign of quay walls and access to the River to be addressed.
10.99 Following a major consultation exercise, NHS Greater Glasgow Board intend to restructure the provision of acute services in the City. As a consequence, in-patient care for the south-side of Glasgow may be consolidated at a reconfigured Southern General Hospital campus (16). The issues raised by this restructuring in terms of its impact on infrastructure, listed buildings, accessibility and the environment will require to be addressed. The Development Policy Principle applying to hospitals in the City (Policy DEV 9: Civic, Hospital and Tertiary Education) requires the preparation by the South Glasgow University NHS Trust of a development framework (campus plan) for the site.
10.100 A Quality Bus Corridor is being created in Paisley Road West. In addition, Potential Quality Bus Corridors are being considered for Govan Road/Edmiston Drive/Shieldhall Road/Braehead. These proposals should improve accessibility, secure more efficient use of the road network, include improvements for pedestrians and cyclists and improve public transport choice in the area.
10.101 Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) is examining the potential to improve and extend the heavy rail system and the feasibility of introducing light rapid transit technology. SPT is also considering the scope for improving travel catchment areas through the introduction of a new station at Ibrox (17).
ENVIRONMENT
10.102 The decline in the area is mirrored in the generally poor condition of the environment. The promotion of high-quality public realm and open spaces together with streetscaping and townscape improvements and the introduction of public art/lighting schemes will be examined through the two Local Development Strategies. The three areas requiring priority action are Govan Town Centre (18), Elderpark (19) and Pacific Quay (8) and surrounding areas. Walmer Crescent (20) is an important element of the area’s built heritage. Action to assess what is necessary to prevent further deterioration to the Crescent’s fabric will be undertaken by the Council. A Planning Study will be prepared to promote a 5 year environmental improvement programme for Greater Govan.
