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GLASGOW CANAL PROJECT - REGENERATION AWARD

The Spiers Locks project in Glasgow’s canal corridor has won a prestigious award from the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA).

The project won the award for Strategy and Masterplanning at the BURA awards in Liverpool on 31 March.

The ongoing regeneration of the canal corridor in Glasgow is recognised as key to the transformation of the north of the city. Masterplans were prepared for two key regeneration opportunities within the canal corridor - one of these being Spiers Locks.

One feature of the masterplan for Spiers Locks that should be highlighted is the very high standard of sustainable design. The Scottish Government is considering including the masterplan in its Sustainable Communities Initiative.

The brief and outcome of the masterplan was prepared by the Canal Regeneration Partnership (a Joint Venture Partnership between Glasgow City Council and ISIS Waterside Regeneration, supported by British Waterways Scotland) working with local residents and stakeholders. The aim of the consultation was to build a consensus around the regeneration of the area through the engagement of local residents and stakeholders.

The Spiers Lock Masterplan aims to reconfigure the area into a mixed-use location (two million square feet of floorspace) offering increased levels of employment and services, an attractive residential environment and improved public realm, with the canal as the focus of the neighbourhood.

Positive change has already begun in the area, with the National Theatre of Scotland moving into the Civic Press building, a significant hotel (and hotel training development) moving in, with Scottish Opera remaining in the area.

The masterplan will be used as the basis for partnership working with other agencies.

Councillor Philip Braat, Deputy Executive Member for Business and the Economy at Glasgow City Council, said: "The award is a great achievement and is the culmination of successful partnership working between Glasgow City Council and the private sector. “The commitment and dynamic team working of all partners will ensure an enduring and tangible impact on the local community. The Spiers Locks Masterplan Framework will undoubtedly be a catalyst for the regeneration of the area. “My congratulations go out to the Council's partners 7N, Isis, British Waterways Scotland and Kevin Murray Associates, but more particularly to the community stakeholders without whose co-operation and engagement in this project this vision could not be achieved."

Steve Dunlop, Director Scotland at British Waterways added: “We are delighted Spiers Locks was recognised with the top prize. “We aim to create thriving canalside environments, bringing benefits to the people for generations to come and Spiers Locks is a prime example of this work. “The design encompasses the uniqueness of the canal’s rich past, history and heritage, and also includes the current needs of the community and local businesses – it is an excellent model of collaboration between organisations. “The development at Spiers Locks represents the kind of future we want, and are committed to delivering in Scotland. Judging by the success of so many Scottish canal based activities honoured at the awards we are achieving great things.”

Speaking on behalf of the Glasgow Canal Partnership, Gary Watt from ISIS Waterside Regeneration said: “This award is a ringing endorsement of the hard work by the entire Glasgow Canal Partnership to transform the historic Spiers Locks area into a new canal-side city neighbourhood centred around culture and performing arts. “We may only be at the start of our journey but already we are seeing progress, with leading arts organisations including the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and GAMTA already resident in the area. “Despite the tough economic climate, productive discussions are underway with a number of other organisations and the challenge now is to build on the strong foundation that the Partnership has created to attract further investment in to this unique canal-side location in a bid to create a cultural hub of national and international significance, which will benefit both residents and visitors to the city.”