Glasgow City Council has approved a proposal by Westpoint Homes to demolish the former Cranstonhill police station, vacant since 2018, and replace it with a block of flats for private sale. The development will feature six ground floor commercial units, a roof terrace, and parking for 78 bikes and 31 cars.
Westpoint Homes stated that the project presents “a fantastic opportunity to repair the urban fabric of this part of Argyle Street” with a modern, minimalist design. Despite receiving over 30 objections, including concerns about privacy, overshadowing, and the scale of the development, the council gave its approval. A previous application for 84 flats was rejected in May 2021 due to concerns over reduced daylight and privacy impacts.
Council planners acknowledged that while the current proposal would cause some loss of daylight to neighboring properties, they emphasized that this was an inevitable compromise to make the project viable. The project was seen as an opportunity to replace a long-vacant building with quality housing and commercial space in a prominent location.
At a planning committee meeting, Labour’s Saqib Ahmed highlighted the urgency of addressing Glasgow’s housing crisis, welcoming the development. Conservative Thomas Kerr criticized the existing building’s appearance, supporting the project for adding needed private housing to the Finnieston area, known for its vibrant energy.
