Plans for Scottish Opera's new mixed-use headquarters, which also included Purpose Built Student Accommodation, have been approved by Glasgow City Council.

The Council's Planning Applications Committee gave the green light to the design, developed by Page\Park Architects, for the site adjacent to the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal, locally known as New Rotterdam Wharf, which has laid derelict since the 1980s.

The student accommodation will help partially fund Scottish Opera's new headquarters building as part of the mixed-use scheme.

Included in the development, alongside the headquarters and student accommodation, are orchestral rehearsal and performance spaces, classrooms for skills development courses, music practice rooms for hire and a public café with panoramic views over the city.


Other facilities to be provided include a large costume store for the company, an extensive music library and a rental resource to theatre, TV and film production companies.

A publicly accessible rooftop 'hidden garden' is also included, accessed via bridge links from the Forth & Clyde Canal.

"As long-term members of the creative community of North Glasgow, we at Scottish Opera are pleased that the planning committee have approved our ambitions for the Company and the wider public realm on the Maryhill spur of the Forth & Clyde canal," said Scottish Opera General Director Alex Reedijk.

"This approval is the next milestone on a long journey to securing a 21st century headquarters for Scottish Opera, rooting the Company in Glasgow for the next 60 plus years."

Meanwhile, Andrew Bateman, Managing Director Page\Park Architects, said: "It is an absolute privilege to support our good friends at Scottish Opera in this journey to realise their vision for the future of their organisation at New Rotterdam Wharf, and this endorsement by the Planning Committee is the next step in that journey."