Glasgow Harbour retail Mecca approved by planners

Oct 21 2009 By Fraser Wilson

Glasgow Harbour

COUNCILLORS have given the green light for a huge shopping development at Glasgow Harbour - in the face of strong opposition from some of the UK's top retailers.

House of Fraser, Debenhams and John Lewis had all objected to John Whittaker's plans to develop the s1.2billion retail and leisure park.

They argued the proposal would drive down trade in the thriving city centre.

The gargantuan development would comprise shops, a 30-storey housing office tower, cinema, casino, 200-bedroom hotel, bars and restaurants.

The proposal also drew objections from the city centre's two largest shopping centres, Buchanan Galleries and the St Enoch Centre.

But a meeting of Glasgow City Council's planning committee yesterday approved the application from Manchester-based tycoon Whittaker's Peel Holdings.

The decision still has to be given the approval of Scottish ministers before any development can begin.

Glasgow Harbour managing director Euan Jamieson said: "We are delighted to receive this planning consent, having worked closely over a long period with city planners on the revised application.

"We will now study the terms of the consent carefully and fully understand the conditions attached prior to making further comment."