A councillor has called for reassurances that schools will be able to cope with the major transformation of Glasgow’s historic Meat Market site into a housing estate.

Details on the £88 million development which will feature more than 500 new homes, a linear park, new active travel routes, a community hub, business start-up units and sustainable food growing services were brought before the city council’s neighbourhood’s committee recently.

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Glasgow Times:

A masterplan to regenerate the site, which was established as the meat market and slaughterhouse in 1817 and in operation until 40 years ago, replicates the nearby street patterns in Dennistoun which connects with the active travel routes in and out of the city centre. 

While councillors seem happy with the progress of the development, Labour councillor Frank McAveety is asking for more information on education facilities that will be available to families moving into the new development.

He said: “This is a major connector for the city centre and for the north and south of Glasgow.

“In terms of the footprint is there any concept on that and will we have the opportunity to discuss education provision? It always struck me that it would have been an ideal site that served both Calton and Dennistoun.

“I don’t know if there is enough space on the site [for a school] but I would like to open up that discussion.”

A council officer confirmed that he would take these questions up with the education department.

He responded: “You are probably right that there is not enough space on the site to build a school. I know there have been conversations between the housing association and the council about a nursery school.  “I am happy to take up the other angle with education as well.”

Glasgow Times:

Over 500 affordable and energy-efficient homes will be built on the site, with 252 from Home Scotland along Bellgrove Street and Duke Street, and 250 – over three phases – from Wheatley Group in the Calton Village development, including large family and wheelchair-friendly terraced houses.

The linear park running east-west to the north of the sheds will also include the location for sustainable local food growing, feature SuDS ponds, pedestrian routes, a segregated cycleway and high-quality public realm.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Chair of the Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Realm Committee at Glasgow City Council, said: “The exciting progress being made at the Meat Market site will transform this area, bring much-needed new homes, community facilities and new greenspace, public realm and active travel connections to and from the city centre. 

“The range of developments here will see a long-standing gap site in the East End brought back to play a key role in the life of the city.”