Watkin Jones Group has submitted a planning application on behalf of Glasgow Social Enterprise Network (GSEN), for the redevelopment of Portcullis House at Charing Cross in Glasgow.

The proposal for student homes at the former HMRC building on India Street, is set to be determined at the Council’s Planning Applications Committee on Tuesday 20th August.

If consented, the new development will be called The Àrd, with GSEN taking up residence, and supporting the delivery of the next generation of entrepreneurs and social and environmental innovators.

The GSEN team brings together over 270 social enterprises and organisations that support its work, working extensively with students from Glasgow’s universities.

With a vision for Glasgow to be the most successful and innovative centre of social enterprise in the world, GSEN includes organisations that tackle poverty, provide business services, deliver housing and provide training.

A social enterprise is a business that makes its money in a socially responsible way, benefitting the communities in which it operates.

GSEN will occupy a ground floor unit free of charge and will use the space for a variety of purposes. This includes providing training opportunities for both social enterprises and students, as well as delivering a tech recycling programme, offering free or low-cost tech to students and social enterprises, serving to reduce tech waste.


Proposals overall will see the regeneration of this brownfield site, partially demolishing the existing building and proposing the part-retention of the existing concrete frame.

Jennifer Robertson, Director of Glasgow Social Enterprise Network, commented: "As we expand our operations, the provision of a new multi-function space for GSEN at The Àrd is a fantastic opportunity to deliver even greater support to the communities that need us most, supporting our ambition to be the most successful and innovative centre of social enterprise in the world.

"Working with the five universities in Glasgow, this could not be a better home for us, providing excellent access to the city’s extensive student population.

"Providing opportunities for social enterprises and their work with students, there is a clear synergy here, and The Àrd will support the delivery of the next generation of entrepreneurs and social and environmental innovators."

On completion, it is estimated that the new resident population will spend an estimated £3.4 million per annum in retail and leisure expenditure, the majority of which will be spent locally.

The redevelopment of the site will form a significant part of an overall renewal of the west end of the city centre, acting as a catalyst for change and enhancing the vitality of this part of the city.

Iain Smith, Planning Director of Watkin Jones, commented: "Should the planning application be granted, we look forward to welcome GSEN to The Àrd, supporting the delivery of the next generation of entrepreneurs, and working with those students living in the building.

"The redevelopment of the site, regenerating a current brownfield location, will form a significant part of an overall renewal of the west end of the city centre, acting as a catalyst for change and enhancing the vitality of this part of the city."