Site at River Clyde from Water Row to Napier Road.docSITE AND DESCRIPTIONThe application site is located along the Clyde waterfront, and includes the area of walkway and landscaping
extending from Napier Drive to Water Row between the GHA housing and the River. Informally known as the
‘Riverside Walkway’, the former dock area is characterised by its irregular shape and changing levels due to its
previous use.
The application seeks full planning permission for environmental improvements to this area, involving regrading,
landscaping, the installation of street furniture, the upgrading of street lighting and resurfacing and is
being promoted by LES on behalf of the Glasgow Housing Association.
The scheme aims to consolidate the area by: addressing the changing levels through re-grading; the uplifting
and re-use of existing sets in a more appropriate manner; the use of new materials to maintain the general
theme and palette from Govan Town Centre and Water Row; the resurfacing of the existing footpath; and, the
rationalisation of existing landscaped areas.
In particular, in order to consolidate the changes in level, the re-grading works will lower and reconfigure the
existing raised planter areas, necessitating the loss of a number of trees which would not survive the
environmental changes. Replacement tree planting is proposed to compensate for the loss of the trees.
1j - Public realm works Water Row.docSITE AND DESCRIPTIONThe application site is located within the Govan Conservation Area, on the edge of Govan Town Centre, and
extends north-eastwards from Govan Road, along Water Row to the former ferry landing at the Clydeside. The
site is bounded to the north by the River Clyde, to the east by the Riverside Walkway, housing, a vacant site
and Govan Cross Civic Square, to the south by the shopping centre, and to the west by tenemental properties,
a vacant site and a site currently in use as a yard by Show people.
The application seeks full planning permission for public realm improvements incorporating a number of
elements. In addition, there are three other related applications, all of which are subject of separate reports, and
include environmental improvements comprising landscaping and the resurfacing of part of the Clyde Walkway
from Napier Road to Water Row and the formation of pontoon facilities at Water Row and Yorkhill Quay.
The main element of this proposal concerns the resurfacing of the area known as Water Row, which extends
from Govan Road to the former ferry crossing and eastwards along the riverfront facing the site for the new
pontoon. The design and palette of materials reflect those used for the Govan Town Centre public realm
improvements which are now nearing completion and comprise a mix of Caithness stone and granite sets for
the surfacing and stainless steel street furniture.
Due to the need for vehicular access along Water Row to the Show people’s site and for emergency purposes,
it was a requirement that the area be designed to an adoptable standard and this has necessitated the
incorporation of a Sustainable Urban Drainage System to meet SEPA’s water quality requirements. As surface
water from Water Row discharges into the Clyde, a SUDS (swale) system will be installed to filter out pollutants.
A swale, which is essentially a grass covered drain or filter, will be positioned along the eastern boundary of the
site alongside a line of trees.
The works will result in the loss of the existing large raised planting bed located between Water Row and the
walkway which contains a number of semi-mature trees, however, this is necessary in order to widen the
walkway directly in front of the pontoon and will be replaced by a smaller lower level planting bed with
replacement trees.
In addition to the main resurfacing works, it is proposed to clear the existing overgrown area surrounding the
former ferry crossing and remove the unsightly high galvanised steel palisade fence. This will be replaced with a
standard height stainless steel railing, similar to that used elsewhere along the Clyde, and will extend eastwards
beyond the position of the new pontoon. An access gate will be fitted to allow access to and from the pontoon
and water and electricity will be provided at a suitable location for water users.
The removal and repositioning of the fence will also ensure that the original winch mechanisms for the ferry
crossing are fully revealed, making a clear reference to Govan’s link to the Clyde, and will enable open views
from the Town Centre and Water Row itself across the Clyde.
A new fence will also be erected along the western side of Water Row where it meets the Show people’s site
and a hedge will be planted along the inner edge of the fence to enhance privacy for residents. Street lighting
along Water Row and along the waterfront will be upgraded and these details will be submitted at a later date.