Caird building set for revamp
Green light given for development
Plans to transform the former UWS campus in Hamilton have moved a step forward after councillors granted permission for stage one.
The Caird Building is set to be turned into student accommodation alongside a new four-storey building with further student accommodation and a car park.
South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee unanimously passed the application on Tuesday, December 17.
The 1.21 hectare site currently includes the five-storey Caird Building, car parking and small areas of vegetation.
Bernard Darroch, Hamilton area manager for planning and building standards services, said: “The applicant seeks detailed planning permission for a change of use of the former university accommodation contained within the Caird Building to student accommodation, with associated alterations in addition to the erection of a four-storey building, which would provide 96 bed spaces with associated parking.
“The proposed development essentially residential in character.
“No external changes to the Caird Building are proposed.”
In total, there will be space for 206 in the two buildings with space for 36 cars, and access to the site would remain at Beckford Street and Caird Park.
A previous application for part of the site was granted permission in principle in February 2018, which would have seen a retail development alongside residential dwellings, a hotel, office and care home.
No objections were received from statutory consultees, however conditions have been attached regarding the implementation of a traffic management plan, archaeological works and the installation of a Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).
Conservative group leader Councillor Alex Allison (Clydesdale East) raised the issue of parking in Hamilton around the former UWS campus, Hamilton Sheriff Court and Council HQ.
He asked: “Can we have confirmation that there will be no reduction in parking?”
Cllr David Shearer (Clydesdale West) – who had to leave the meeting to move his car – agreed, adding that students could use the public car parks as well as their own, while members of the public were limited to what was left.
Mr Darroch said: “During construction, there will be disruption. This can be managed by the Construction Transport Management Plan and maintaining parking.”
Engineering manager Colin Park added: “This is sufficient parking for students.”
The Police Investigations and Review Commission have also requested that access to their offices in Hamilton and Bothwell House be maintained during construction.
UWS have said the conversion of the Caird Building is scheduled to be completed by August 2020 with the new build development ready by May 2021.
A planning statement in support of their application also said that a separate application will be submitted for stage two which, subject to approval, would see a second new build for accommodation for 60 students on the vacant plot at Caird Street, complete by May 2022.