Watkin Jones Group has submitted a planning application for a new residential development on the site of Portcullis House at Charing Cross in Glasgow.

The planning application sees the demolition of the existing dated building – the former HMRC building on India Street – and construction of a build to rent (BTR) and co-living development of 685 new homes for the city.

This is made up of a 279-unit BTR development to the north of the site, adjacent to Charing Cross Station, and a 406 studio Co-Living development to the south of the site, adjacent to the Scottish Power Building.

Prior to submitting the planning application, Watkin Jones Group undertook extensive consultation with local representatives, community groups and political representatives.

Iain Smith, Planning Director for Watkin Jones Group said: "We're thrilled to submit our planning application for this exciting scheme at Portcullis House, regenerating a brownfield site to create sustainable new homes for people in the city. By ensuring there is a good supply of high-quality rented housing in Glasgow we will meet growing demand, which will benefit people across the local area and beyond.


"The design of our proposed homes will help to keep skilled young people in the city who will boost Glasgow's economy. These people are actively looking for a sustainable and desirable place to live in central location with excellent transport links and places to shop or socialise. This will repopulate the city centre and benefit local businesses as part of an overall renewal of the west end.

"Build to rent and co-living developments are built for the long-term, so our focus is on creating a great place to live for decades with high-quality rented accommodation at competitive prices that appeal to a wide-range of people. There is huge demand in Glasgow for these homes, which offers long-term security of tenure, combined with the flexibility of renting."

Contributing to the ongoing regeneration of Glasgow's city centre, the delivery of much-need high-quality rental housing and increased investment has also received the endorsement of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce commented: "It is fantastic to be seeing this level of investment being made in Glasgow. Delivering high-quality housing such as this, which is desperately needed, will address increasing demand. It will also serve to retain skilled young people in the city as well as regenerating the city centre, which is a key aspiration for the city council.

"Glasgow City Council's City Centre Living Strategy outlines a target to double the city centre's population to 40,000 over the next 15 years and increasing density in the city centre is essential to its long- term success and sustainability. Schemes such as this do exactly that.

"The site has excellent transport links and local businesses will clearly benefit from these proposals.

"Innovative developments such as this are to be greatly welcomed."