Today’s committee report approved the project delivery and procurement strategy for the Sighthill Transformational Regeneration Area (TRA) masterplan. The aim of this masterplan is to create a vibrant, eco- and pedestrian-friendly urban residential neighbourhood in close proximity to the city centre.

In 2012 and 2013, the Executive Committee approved two reports on the proposed acceleration of the Sighthill TRA - the first because of the bid last year to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Glasgow and the second to include the repositioning of Sighthill Park as part of the proposed Greenspace Network within the area.

Within the masterplan is an aspiration to reposition the current Sighthill Park by providing a new improved green space network throughout the area, connecting Sighthill cemetery in the north to the city centre via a land bridge across the M8.

The preparations made for Sighthill mean that the area’s regeneration will happen two decades before it otherwise would have done.

Earlier this year, a major development in the project began with the building of 141 new homes for GHA tenants currently housed in Sighthill’s two remaining multi-storey blocks. These blocks will be demolished once the tenants move in during 2015.

The regeneration of Sighthill complements a number of projects currently ongoing on the north side of the city centre, including the redevelopment of the canal and the Pinkston Paddlesports Centre.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “I am delighted that we have moved to the next stage of the regeneration of Sighthill. The area will be opened up to the city centre and the rest of Glasgow, unlocking the great potential that lies in this part of the city. New homes, schools, shops, sporting facilties, student accommodation, green spaces and vastly improved connections to surrounding areas and transport links will make Sighthill a very attractive area for many groups of people. Great credit in this must go to Transforming Communities: Glasgow, the company set up by the council, Scottish Government and GHA to promote this initiative, and the Local Development Group - comprising local people and councillors - who are working to help maximise the potential of their neighbourhood.”

Today’s Executive Committee decision paves the way to unlock the potential of Sighthill though the delivery of the following four main projects, costing just over £174million in total.

The ‘Infrastructure Works’ will commence on site by Spring 2015. They will be carried out over a five year programme, split into two main contracts and supporting works. During this period the two new bridges and the ‘Community Campus’ will also be delivered. It is envisaged that the new road bridge will be complete and operational by 2017, with the new Community Campus complete and operational in August 2018 and the new pedestrian ‘land bridge’ complete and operational by 2019.

The aspiration is for the student accommodation to be delivered by 2019/20. The detailed phasing of the private housing development will be subject to discussion with the successful development partner.

Works will commence on these projects in the Spring of 2015.