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Speirs Locks Glasgow : Forth & Clyde Canal

Glasgow Development – design by Make Architects

post updated 15 December 2023

Masterplanner appointed for innovative Glasgow city centre canal project

17th December 2007- Make Architects has been appointed as masterplanners for an innovative and high profile project on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal in Glasgow’s city centre.

Speirs Locks pictures from architect

Speirs Locks Development

The appointment has been made by The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership and follows a comprehensive design competition which involved project stakeholders and the local community in the selection process. From an initial expression of interest, four teams were shortlisted to develop a conceptual design response to the site. The teams included Make, Urban Initiatives, 3D Reid and Mossessian & Partners. Each of the design teams presented their ideas for the site in an open evening attended by local politicians, community members, stakeholders and businesses.

The winning team is made up by Make, landscape designers Rankin Fraser, artists KOAN3 and community engagement consultants Kevin Murray Associates. The objective is to create a regeneration scheme that celebrates the rebirth of the canal and the heritage of the area.

The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership is a Joint Venture Partnership between Glasgow City Council and ISIS Waterside Regeneration, supported by British Waterways Scotland.

Gary Watt, Development Manager at ISIS Waterside Regeneration said: “The Speirs Locks project is in a well known part of the city and is extremely important for the long term regeneration plans for the canal corridor. The importance of working closely with the whole community, the local residents and all of our partners involved in delivering the project successfully was recognised by Make and its team and we are confident that with their involvement we will create a scheme that will be welcomed by everyone.

“The decision was incredibly difficult as the quality of each submission had been applauded by the Partnership and community alike but it was Make that made a lasting impression with its vision of Speirs Locks as a new canalside destination, connected physically and psychologically to the city centre of Glasgow once again.”

Helena Huws, Project Architect at Make added: “We are really delighted to have won the design competition for Speirs Locks. It is a fantastic project and an exciting opportunity to regenerate a unique part of the City of Glasgow.

“The project presents an extraordinary development opportunity in an exceptional location. There is significant benefit to be gained by strengthening the link between the Glasgow Branch of the Forth & Clyde canal and the city centre – reconnecting the site to the heart of the City. Speirs Locks has the potential to create a unique development that will attract people and investment to the area as well as supporting existing communities and businesses within the locality.

“Our design approach to the masterplan will be to provide a long term, economically viable and truly sustainable project which unifies and enriches the area.”

As well as putting forward their ideas to the local community, four high quality design teams presented to the Partnership Steering Group which is chaired by Councillor George Ryan from Glasgow City Council.

The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership (GCRP) is committed to the long term regeneration of the canal corridor from Port Dundas to Maryhill over the next 20 years and believes passionately that there are tremendous opportunities to create quality places which will have a positive impact on people’s lives in North Glasgow.

Earlier this year the partnership unveiled the proposed masterplan for the area around Glasgow’s Maryhill Locks following an intensive community engagement exercise. This strong community engagement approach will now continue across the canal corridor as the regeneration programme takes shape.

Speirs Locks Glasgow issued for Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership by Wave PR

Port Dundas Speirs WharfBuildings : Port Dundas Housing

ISIS Waterside Regeneration

Launched at the Urban Summit in the Autumn of 2002, with a £100 million initial equity investment from British Waterways, Amec Developments and Morley Fund Management’s Igloo Fund, ISIS is now revitalising more than170 acres of land in 9 towns and cities across the UK.

ISIS’ portfolio builds on the natural strengths of the country’s waterways and offers well designed, affordable, high quality, aspirational and energy efficient business space and homes.

As a regeneration specialist, ISIS strives to optimise the commercial value of its developments whilst remaining dedicated to establishing or renewing sustainable waterside communities. 50% of its returns are re-invested by British Waterways into refreshing Britain’s rivers and canals.

Named after the Egyptian Goddess of rebirth and rejuvenation, ISIS seeks to regenerate key brownfield sites across the UK and bring new life to desolate areas.

www.isis.gb.com

British Waterways

British Waterways is a public corporation, an organisation owned by the people of this country on whose behalf we manage and care for more than 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England, Scotland and Wales.

Responsibility for inland waterways in Scotland is a devolved matter, with funding for British Waterways’ Scottish activities coming from the Scottish Executive. In Scotland the 137-mile (220km) canal network includes the Caledonian, Crinan, Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland canals.

British Waterways Scotland works in partnerships with local authorities, voluntary groups, private companies and other government agencies to protect and enhance the waterways and benefit the communities through which they run.

The organisation balances the conservation of the country’s heritage and environment with developing commercial opportunities to generate income to reinvest in the waterways for further sustainable regeneration.

Speirs Locks Development : main page on the development

picture from architect

Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership

The proposals for Speirs Locks form one element of The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Project’s (GCRP) 20 year vision to revitalise 1,000 acres of the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde canal from Port Dundas to Maryhill. The project, which was formed in 2004 and is a partnership between Glasgow City Council, UK waterside regeneration specialists ISIS and British Waterways, will seek to create a fantastic waterside environment that will bring benefits to those living and working in Glasgow, whilst providing an awe inspiring setting for visitors to the city.

Speirs Locks – former Masterplanners : Make Architects

Burrell Museum

Glasgow Landscape Architecture

photograph : Andrew Lee