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Sauchiehall St, Glasgow

Sauchiehall Street

Vita Group is bringing forward plans for the former ABC Building on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. A gateway to the Golden Z, this important site has been crying out for investment and regeneration and is inviting local residents and interested parties for their feedback through a series of consultation events.

Developed under Vita Group’s pioneering new brand House of Social, the ground floor could include a bustling destination food hall which will allow Glasgow’s concept restaurants to introduce their brand to the city and build a following. Above this, the provision for student accommodation.

Over the last decade, Vita Group has established its reputation as one of the UK’s most respected housing providers and has a history for investing into Glasgow with an existing residence, Vita Student West End and a second proposal for a site India Street which includes affordable housing and student accommodation currently going through planning.

View Full Proposal (PDF)

Timeline

13th February (3-7pm)
Consultation
event 1
6th June (3-7pm)
Consultation
event 2
Summer
Planning application
submitted
Winter
Determination of
application by GCC
The Renfield Training and Conference Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JP
SCVO Edward House, Ground Floor, 199 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3EX

Feedback Form

1. Do you support the redevelopment of this site?
2. Do you support the provision of a public foodhall and events space to support emerging musical and artistic talent on the site?
3. Do you support the provision of student accommodation on the site?
4. As part of the proposals, a publicly accessible courtyard will be provided to the rear of the building. What features would you like to see within the courtyard?
5. Do you have any comments in relation to the design of the scheme?
6. Do you have any additional comments you would like to make?

By submitting your details via this online form we may contact you in future in relation to this planning application and other Vita Group news. You can view our legal notice here.

9b First Street Map
View from Calton Hill
View from Regent Road
Vita Student - Iona Street
Vita Student - Iona Street
Vita Student Interior
Vita Student Interior
Vita Student Social
Vita Student Bedroom
Key Concern
Our Response
Concern regarding the use of the site for student accommodation.
Student accommodation, along with affordable housing and a commercial unit, provides a viable alternative to the consented build-to-rent use in light of the Scottish Government ‘rent freeze’ introduced in September 2022. There is an established need for additional purpose built student accommodation in Edinburgh.
Concern regarding the impact of building height on sunlight access to neighbouring buildings.
A Daylight, Sunlight and Overshadowing Report is being undertaken to assess impact on neighbouring properties to ensure any impact is within acceptable standards.
Concern regarding the impact of building height and massing on streetscape views and outlook of neighbouring buildings.
The proposals will be supported by a Townscape and Visual Impact Assessment to assess the height of the proposed development in local and long-distance views. The Visualisations shown on board 7, taken from both the north and south of Sibbald Walk, show that the top storey will not be visible from these locations.

More detailed work and assessments are currently being undertaken which are helping to inform and shape the final design proposals.

The comments received from this second public consultation event will be considered before submitting a formal application to the City of Edinburgh Council. Comments received throughout the pre-application consultation stage, and how they have been considered, will be detailed in the Pre-Application Consultation Report which will be submitted in support of the forthcoming application.

Place & Community

01

Place & Community

Create thriving communities, a principle which has been with us from the very start, it’s simply not good enough to create a building without thinking carefully about its context and the wider impact it has on its surrounding neighbourhood. We’re driven to create communities within communities as well as respond to and complement the neighbourhood and its eco-system. Creating tomorrow’s city living means we must be part of the DNA of that city and partnering with local authorities. This includes connecting with local suppliers, talent, charities, and businesses, collaborating on important community initiatives and helping to develop surrounding spaces. It’s not just about helping to regenerate cities; it’s helping them to function effectively.

Talent

02

Talent

Create a culture and environment which allows our colleagues to thrive. We recruit the very best people and give them the opportunity to be better. From our fair pay policies and flexible working, to personal development programmes, life shaping experiences, and inclusive recruitment, everyone has the best opportunity to thrive.

Environment

03

Environment

To really effect change and create a platform in which cities thrive, we know we need to look beyond building design, carbon creation and energy usage. We must tackle bigger issues and help change behaviours, as such we’re creating initiatives which help users across the platform understand the role they can play in reducing our impact on the world.

Sustainable Operations

04

Sustainable Operations

Continually reduce our use of the planet’s valuable resources, working towards net-zero carbon, sourcing green energies and reducing non-recyclable waste.

Building Design

05

Building Design

Building design – create a harmonic balance between buildings, the environment and their users. Constantly looking at ways we can improve efficiency (reducing U and Y values), reduce embodied carbon through production whilst ensuring wellbeing through design and innovation to create high performing buildings which enable their occupants to live more healthily and productively. It includes elements such as air quality, sustainable construction and amenities.

Governance

06

Governance

Applying best practice and the highest standards and ethics to everything we do. From how we manage personal data to how we conduct our business in every aspect of the corporate and consumer realm. Our policies and practices ensure we’re constantly reviewing, auditing and ensuring statutory compliance and principled integrity. We are guided by best-in-class professional advisory firms in developing and reviewing our corporate policies, as well as following national guidance on health and safety and sector-specific codes of practice to ensure we maintain the state of the art.

Welfare & Wellbeing

07

Welfare & Wellbeing

Provide a welfare and wellbeing care package for all our people to access. Ensure every resident feels welcome, is part of the community and has the best possible opportunity to thrive incorporating physical and mental wellbeing. This includes constantly evolving our services such as the duty of care charter, onboarding events, our state-of-the-art gyms and free to use bikes.

Society

08

Society

We know that in helping to create tomorrow’s cities, we have a responsibility to have the best possible impact on society as a whole. As such, we won’t be afraid to challenge those things which just don’t sit right. So don’t be surprised to see us take a knee at the start of a sporting event, celebrate key religious holidays, and fly the rainbow flag for pride. To create a better tomorrow, we must stand together today.