Glasgow City Council’s Planning Applications Committee yesterday backed a recommendation from planners to approve a full planning application which details plans for performance and rehearsal spaces, facilities, studios, offices and more.

Developed by Page\Park Architects, the development is located on a site adjacent to the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal, which has been derelict since the 1980s. Known locally as New Rotterdam Wharf, Scottish Opera’s new headquarters will sit at the heart of the new proposal. 

As well as a new headquarters, the development will serve as a creative Education and Community outreach hub for the citizens of Glasgow and include ‘state-of-the-art’ orchestral rehearsal and performance spaces, adaptable to becoming a conference centre and film sound stage.

The development will also contain 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.

Scottish Opera will partially fund its new headquarters building and the associated public realm by fully developing the site as a true mixed-use development. This scheme will include Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), contributing to the recognised demand for student accommodation across the city.

Reflecting Scottish Opera’s commitment to community and public benefit, extensive public realm improvements will front and activate the western edge of the Forth & Clyde Canal. A publicly accessible rooftop ‘hidden garden’ is included, accessed via bridge links from the canal towpath. This garden, flanked by a café space, will provide opportunity for performance as well as quiet relaxation in this city centre location.  

Scottish Opera general director Alex Reedijk said: “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. 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+ years.   

“We are delighted an additional benefit will be an improvement to the canal towpath and space around it, including a public rooftop garden and café, with inspiring views across the west of Glasgow. The new building will be a place where people can come together to meet like-minded people, where an intersection with artists and the public builds a strong community spirit, with performances, outreach and education events designed to appeal to people of all ages and tastes.

“On behalf of Scottish Opera, thank you to all the individuals and organisations who have supported our vision for the future of Scottish Opera and North Glasgow. We are pleased to take the feedback from the local community on board and we acknowledge the support of the canal corridor as our ambitious plans come to fruition.”  

Andrew Bateman, managing director of 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.

“As a practice wholly committed to the re-use and regeneration of buildings and places within the city, supporting Scottish Opera to continue to flourish, with a design that will contribute significantly to the ongoing regeneration and development of a ‘cultural hub’ along the Glasgow branch of the Forth & Clyde Canal, is tremendously exciting for us.

“We wish to thank the full design team involved in the project for the creativity they each brought to the process and also to the City Design Group for the robust and positive dialogue through Pre-App and Application stages that helped shape and refine the proposals.” 

A spokesperson from the University of Glasgow added: “Scottish Opera’s plans positively contribute to the regeneration efforts at New Rotterdam Wharf and the site is well connected to serve several of the city’s HE institutions. The potential economic impact and further social and creative benefits brought by this mixed-use development would positively contribute to, and help to address, several key issues facing the city, not least the ability to maintain the attractiveness of Glasgow as a place to study.

“The proposed plans for providing enhanced public realm, opportunities to deliver a range of community benefits, in particular engaging with Graduates and young people through the various training and skills programmes, are encouraging.”