Dargavel Village, Bishopton

THE CHALLENGE

The transformation of the former Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) at Bishopton into a vibrant new community (Dargavel Village), is a key strategic objective for the Glasgow City region in general, and for Renfrewshire in particular. It is one of the largest brownfield sites in Scotland and the transformation of the former factory is being undertaken in a way that provides for the managed expansion of Bishopton over a period of 20 to 25 years.

In August 2009, planning permission was granted to form a mixed-use community growth area that consisted of 2,500 residential units, 138,000sqm of employment land, 12,000sqm of community and local service facilities, a primary school and community woodland park. The development will be supported by a high quality and integrated transport strategy, which includes the formation of a new junction onto the M8 motorway.

BAE Systems has undertaken a comprehensive review of the approved Masterplan and are currently seeking to amend the consented development proposals with a change of use planning application to construct additional residential units in lieu of a significant level of employment. This would result a changed development with approximately 4,000 residential units and 9,600sqm of employment land.

SYSTRA’S ROLE

SYSTRA are retained by BAE Systems to provide transport and highways advice in support of the redevelopment of the ROF site. Working closely with the design team, SYSTRA has been intrinsically involved with this project since 1999 (previously as JMP Consultants Ltd) having been commissioned to:

• Contribute to the design of the consented Masterplan;
• Develop a range of potential access strategies, assessing them using the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance;
• Prepare the Transport Assessment for the consented Masterplan, including a micro-simulation model of the road network through Bishopton, extending to cover the principle road network including the M8 motorway;
• Develop the supporting Public Transport Strategy that includes major upgrades to the existing Park & Ride;
• Prepare road construction consent drawings and carry site supervision of the construction of the Northern Access Road and Birch Road/Station Road;
• Work closely with key stakeholders particularly Renfrewshire Council, Transport Scotland and Strathclyde Passenger for Transport; and
• Participate at various public consultation events and meetings with local community groups.

SYSTRA are currently assisting BAE with their change of use application. This has included a new Transport Assessment, an update to the public transport strategy and supporting the successful Section 42 planning application to extend the trigger point for the new M8 junction from circa 600 to 1,200 residential units.