PLANS have been lodged for a new civic square in Glasgow, which has been billed as the future cultural heart of the city's south side.
It is expected the new Shawlands Cross Civic Square will be hosting a range of markets and events by next May and has been promoted by the city council as "a key attraction on the gateway to the city centre and Southside destinations".
The move is part of a £3million-plus scheme for the district, which is popular with young families and professionals, and will see Queens Park effectively extended onto one of the city's key junctions.
It was also see trees removed to bring the A-listed Langside Halls onto the square, which will be furnished with seating, ambient lighting and fountains.
The city council said of its plans: "The Pollokshaws Road/Langside Avenue junction at Shawlands Cross is a space which is already home to Langside Hall the key civic building of the area, the Shed which has a long track record of club nights, live theatre, dance and craft events, Sweeney's on the Park is becoming a vital attraction for new song writers, and Glad Café is a destination for new experimental musicians, art, speakers and debate.
"A well designed space also offers the potential to bring the Queens Park into the heart of the Shawlands town centre and bring more visitors to the area."
The plans were submitted by the authority in the past week, with the public given until April 19 to submit any comments or objections to them.
If there are more than five objections the application will be required to go to a committee hearing but it is hoped the square, along with the rest of the Shawlands Town Centre Action Plan will be in place by May 2017.
It will involve some changes to the notorious crossroads, with the isolated traffic island becoming a significant section of the proposed £700,000 civic space and the taxi rank moving further along Langside Avenue.
A host of other enhancements to the area will also be rolled out across early next year including improved paving to the south of Shawlands Arcade, new crossing points, an upgraded Shawlands Cross, shop front improvements and a new taxi rank on Kilmarnock Road.
The plans were launched in 2012 and were the subject of a consultation and exhibitions in the area.
With the planning application now active the council is restricted in what it can say about its scheme
But deputy leader of the authority Archie Graham, also chair of the Shawlands town centre steering group, said previously: “While a great deal has already been achieved to develop Shawlands as a shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural destination over the past few years, the creation of a new civic square could take the area to the next level.”
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