Green light for £200m mixed-use Glasgow scheme

East Renfrewshire council has given the green light to a £200m development proposal south of Glasgow. A joint venture comprising Elphinstone, RBS, Stewart Milne Homes and Persimmon, is proposing 410,000 sq ft of offices, a 120-bedroom hotel, 470 residential units and a district centre. The 119-acre proposal in Greenlaw, Newton Mearns, had been tied-up in red tape for almost two years, despite the council being “minded to approve” since mid-2005. The proposal needed Scottish Executive approval as it is on greenbelt land. The issue of developer contributions also caused delays. The site, wedged between the affluent suburb of Newton Mearns and the M77, will now receive a £20m upgrade to the local road network and utility infrastructure. An agreement was struck with Arklet Housing Association in 2005 to provide 120 affordable homes on the site. Ken Ross, chief executive of Elphinstone and the developer responsible for the 30-acre office element, Greenlaw Park, said: “This development has taken several years to come to fruition. It will provide much-needed homes and important community facilities to support the new development and the wider local community. “We believe the location will attract a lot of interest, and in turn local jobs.” Contractors will start enabling work imminently with the first homes ready to occupy in 2008.