THE BRIEF...formerly Portcullis House
Supporting planning consent for Glasgow’s tallest residential building.
Orbit Communications was appointed by Watkin Jones to deliver stakeholder and community engagement, public consultation and planning communications for The Ard in Glasgow, the redevelopment of the former HMRC Portcullis House site.
The 36-storey mixed-use development will become Glasgow’s tallest residential building, providing 784 purpose-built student homes alongside commercial space. Given the scale of the proposals and anticipated public interest, the project required a comprehensive engagement programme to build understanding, address concerns and secure planning consent.
Our Approach
- Delivered a comprehensive stakeholder and community engagement programme, working with community councils, councillors, MSPs, MPs and local organisations.
- Organised and managed public consultation events.
- Developed clear, consistent messaging focused on regeneration, housing need and community benefit.
- Delivered a proactive media relations campaign to raise awareness and support for the proposals.
- Promoted the inclusion of a new multi-function ground-floor unit for the Glasgow Social Enterprise Network (GSEN) as a key community benefit.
Outputs & Outcomes
- Built strong political, business and community support, including backing from Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, GSEN, and the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, which highlighted the need for additional student accommodation.
- Generated extensive positive media coverage throughout the planning process.
- Attracted just five objections to the planning application, despite the scale and profile of the development, reflecting the success of the engagement programme.
- Helped position the development as a major brownfield regeneration project delivering much-needed student accommodation and new community facilities.
- Secured planning consent for one of Glasgow’s highest-profile developments.
