The plans to turn the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) site in Hamilton into an ‘urban village’ have been approved and 365 homes and a five storey hotel are awaiting construction.
The multi million pound Hamilton Urban Village development on the 7.5 hectare site bordering Almada Street, Bothwell Road, Beckford Street, and Caird Street was given green light by the South Lanarkshire Coucil’s planning committee. USW is now set to vacate its home since 1972 and relocate to a new campus in Hamilton International Technology Park.
The masterplan includes the following proposals: a residential development of between 345 and 365 homes including affordable housing, a 60 to 80 bedroom hotel, retail, cafe, and restaurant facilities, a care home and retirement flats, extensive open space and landscaping, and the retention of the Caird Building as a business and office hub.
“This proposal gives us a unique opportunity to strengthen and reinvigorate this area of Hamilton, which is well known as home to the town’s civic core of court, council and health board,” said Councillor Alistair Fulton, the chair of the planning committee.
“It therefore seeks to increase the residential population and encourage a greater variety of uses while creating an innovative and high quality townscape. The plans also reflect the wider ambitions of the council for high quality homes and public spaces, supporting a high quality of life, and contributing to the aspirations of the town as a whole,” he added.
Additionally, the committee also agreed that a Section 75 legal agreement must be concluded between the applicants and the site owners, so that financial contributions towards additional nursery and school provision and affordable housing were ensured.
