Regeneration has begun in Govan with an estimated £60-£80 million pound investment planned to be spent to improve the area. The Central Govan Action Plan was launched in the summer of 2006 and is expected to be completed by 2016. The first part of the regeneration was the opening of, ‘The Portal’ at 978 Govan Road at the end of November 2007.

 

This is a new arts gateway which will provide studio and exhibition space for arts based training and leisure activities. Under the plan there will be 300 new homes built at a cost of £27 millon built on four vacant sites, by Govan Housing Association and Elderpark Housing Association. Govan HA will build 220 homes on Golspie Street, Rathlin Street and Broomloan Road.

 

Elderpark HA will build 105 homes in Rathlin Street and Elder Street. There will be many different styles and sizes that will be available for rent for low cost home ownership and some will be available for sale also. There are a lot of great historical sights and signifi cant features in the area and through the Heritage Lottery Fund £1 million has been secured to restore these features. Glasgow City Council put forward a successful Stage 1 bid which proposes a of repair and restoration work on Pearce Institute, Govan Cross Fountain, Cardell Halls, the William Pearce Statue, as well as shop fronts and streets in Govan Road, Langlands Road and Water Row.

 

The former Govan Police Station on Orkney Street is a B Listed building and has been ear marked for £3.5M refurbishment which will become a fi nance and business centre. Govan Money Matters will also provide advice on money, debt and benefi ts matters from this new offi ce in Govan which will become the Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency providing a range of support services.

 

The funding for the plan has come from many agencies including Govan and Craigton Community Planning, Historic Scotland, Glasgow City Council, Communities Scotland, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency, Strathclyde Passenger Transport and many more. Susan Hanlin was appointed the executive offi cer to oversee the implementation of the action plan. She said, I’m really delighted to be appointed to oversee such a vast project, which will make improve the lives of the many people of Govan in such a great way. This is about improving the quality of life for the people of Govan and to improve the image of Govan.

 

So far the response from the locals has all been positive. But this change will take some time to happen but with hard work we will defi nitely get there.’ Most of the local people are happy with the proposals however they are still slightly cautious because the people of Govan have been promised investments and regeneration in the past but nothing had ever materialised. As Mr James McArthur (48) a Govanite said, ‘If they are planning on making Govan better with more housing then I am all for that. However they made all these promises before. So I won’t believe it until I see it.’ Mr Walker (35) who lives in Govan said, ‘It’s about time that they have fi nally managed to fi nd the money.

 

We have been waiting too long for this and I’m really hap py.’ Mrs Rooney (45) from Govan said, ‘I’m really happy about the new plans, which I hope will make a huge difference to Govan and its resident.’ Abdul Dean owner of Deans Fashions and who is also on the Central Govan Community Council, and Govan Cross Shopping Centre Shop owners Association said, ‘This is really great news. Govan has waited a very long time for this regeneration to start and now it is fi nally here it’s about time. The people can now be proud of Govan once again.’