Description:
The regeneration of Oatlands is thought to be Scotland's second
largest single community regeneration scheme with an eventual
development value estimated at £220 million.
It involves the construction of approximately 1,290 houses; a
major road diversion designed in a 'boulevard' form, completed in
April 2010; ground remediation and preparation (including treatment
of chromium waste and underground coal workings); a range of
community facilities and about £2 million worth of improvements to
Richmond Park. The scheme is driven by (a) very significant
planning gain in lieu of land value, (b) considerable community
engagement and (c) realisation of an award-winning, very detailed
overall planning brief in the creation of a whole new inner-city
neighbourhood.
A third of the houses are currently complete or at some stage of
construction, all with room sizes considerably larger than required
by current building regulations. Already finished are 144
houses for social rental by the Link Housing Association, and 69 by
the Glasgow Housing Association, its first 'new-build' houses in
the city.
There has been very extensive, positive community involvement in
deciding the content and appearance of the scheme. A steering
group, chaired by a local councillor and attended by local
residents, representatives of the developers, the housing
associations, the council and other interested parties, oversees
the project. A community development trust is being
formed to take responsibility for the area's community/business
facility (being progressed by the Glasgow Building Preservation
Trust), and a new grass-roots environmental group is adopting areas
for planting and maintenance.
The layout recognises and applies the basic principles of urban
design, as advocated in the Scottish Executive's policy statement,
Designing Places. A significant innovation was to
take account of the local preference for the development character
to reflect Scottish architectural style.
Sustainability is central to Oatlands - for example, the use of
natural materials, high levels of thermal insulation and re-use of
demolition materials are encouraged. A new allotments site
has been provided with another in the pipeline.
Once completed, the Oatlands neighbourhood will have a
distinctive character, extending beyond the architecture to include
consistency of road and path design, landscape, public art, street
lighting and street furniture. Such distinctiveness, together
with anticipated community ownership of facilities and adoption of
open spaces, should help foster civic pride and create a popular
place that is 'sustainable' in the broadest sense.
Work began on site in 2005. Completion expected between 2015 and 2018, dependant on house sales.