MULTI-million pound plans to transform a Glasgow canal side into a spectacular viewpoint over the city have been unveiled.
Three dramatic designs have been drawn up for the Balcony of the City in Speirs Wharf in the latest phase of major regeneration along the canal.
Project managers hope to create a £100million mixed residential, commercial and cultural development in the area high above the city. The development will offer a range of modern flats as well as commercial, retail and leisure facilities with the existing Scottish Opera building and listed warehouses of Speirs Wharf at the heart of the site. The plans have been put forward by Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership following consultation with the local community.

Three proposals have been posted on the GCRP's official website and residents and businesses are now being urged to provide feedback to shape the final design.
The plans include a traditional courtyard setting based on a tenement design and terraces positioned to maximise daylight.
A final design will be completed over coming weeks taking into account website responses and a public exhibition is planned for June.
The GCRP was set up in 2004 and is a partnership between Glasgow City Council and UK waterside regeneration specialists ISIS, supported by British Waterways Scotland.

Gary Watt, from ISIS Waterside Regeneration, said: "This is a hugely exciting and important phase in the Partnership's regeneration plans. "We would urge everyone with an interest in the regeneration of Glasgow's canal corridor to take some time to consider all the options then tell us the aspects that they like or don't like in each. "We are confident that by engaging with those who live and work alongside the canal we can create a truly first class waterside environment for the people of Glasgow and for those visiting the city. "With its elevated position above Glasgow the site has the potential to become a Balcony for the City."

The masterplan proposals were created for the GCRP by a team made up by Make Architects, landscape designers Rankin Fraser and artists KOAN3. The proposals for Speirs Locks are part of GCRP's 20-year vision to revitalise 1000 acres of the Glasgow part of the Forth & Clyde canal from Port Dundas to Maryhill.

Councillor George Ryan, Executive Member for Development and Regeneration at Glasgow City Council, said: "These new proposals offer exciting options for the potential transformation of Speirs Wharf into a mixed use development that could play a key role in the life of Glasgow and its economy."

Publication date 14/04/08