THE site of the former Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital, now Rottenrow Gardens, can be transformed by the University of Strathclyde, the city council has ruled.

Bosses at the university submitted plans for the ‘Heart of the Campus’ project earlier this year.

They include a new covered walkway, a seating and performance space, extensive planting, bike parking and electric vehicle charging points.

Glasgow City Council has now approved the proposal for “improved public space and ‘pedestrian-first connectivity at the heart of the University of Strathclyde campus”.

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The university, which already owned Rottenrow Gardens, requested permission to take over Rottenrow, Richmond Street, North Portland Street and parts of Montrose Street, which had been adopted by the council. It intends to keep the site accessible to the public.

A planning statement added the project will “deliver substantial improvements to an important area of green space, making it greener, healthier, more connected, more prepared for climate change and more biodiverse than it is at present”.

“As the place at the heart of the university’s city centre campus, it will play an important part in university and city life for many years to come.”

Plans to stop up Rottenrow, North Portland Street and Richmond Street are included, to “reduce conflicts between people walking and cycling and motorised vehicles”. It is hoped this will “allow significantly more space to walk and cycle without vehicle dominance”.

The university’s statement added: “While the site already makes a valuable contribution to Glasgow city centre, the development will greatly enhance this through a principle of public open space and multifunctionality.

“The redevelopment will provide the university and wider public with a place of refuge during a busy day, a place to socialise, hold events.

“It will be a distinct place which responds to a unique topography and the heritage of its location.”

The gardens were landscaped after the former maternity hospital was demolished in 2001.

But the application stated they are currently underused and would benefit from improved accessibility, adding a water feature is no longer working and some areas are “perceived to be less safe” due to poor CCTV coverage and inconsistent lighting.