Proposals overall will see the regeneration of this brownfield site, partially demolishing the existing Portculllis House building and proposing the part-retention of the existing concrete frame. Two high-quality buildings of 36 storeys and 10 storeys, totalling 784 student beds, are proposed.

A sky lounge on the top floor of the taller building will provide a viewing deck for far reaching views of the surrounding cityscape. These will be used in a highly managed way for pre-booked institutional, civic and business type events.

If consented, the new development will be called The Àrd, with the Glasgow Social Enterprise Network (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.

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.

Jennifer Robertson, director of Glasgow Social Enterprise Network, added: “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.

Watkin Jones said 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, said: “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.”

City planners are in favour of the proposal. In their report to the committee, they state that the application complies with the relevant policies of the city’s development plan.

They add: “The proposed scheme has been designed to respond to the existing street context, whilst delivering a modern ‘landmark’ where it is felt that height can be accommodated on the site.

“It is considered that in this circumstance, the proposal can be successfully integrated and provide a positive contribution to the built environment as it has been designed to respond to this.”