Having lain derelict for almost 40 years Govan Graving Docks is at the centre of ambitious plans to create a new, vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood.
Years of extensive conversations, presentations and workshops have resulted in proposals that encourage a bold and imaginative balance between creating new homes, preserving, repairing, and reopening the docks for historical ship repairing. The site also invites other exciting and compatible uses, including a new Riverside Park and an active travel route that will connect through the site.
Planning Approval marks a significant result for Glasgow and a major step forward in the regeneration of the Govan Graving Docks , a site of national importance. Fairhurst provided significant input in support of the planning application and in securing consent to bring this vision to life for our client New City Vision.
Something of this scale and ambition could only be realised through a truly collaborative, strategic partnership approach, working with our client, the design team, the city council, the community, and conservation and heritage organisations. With work starting on site in April 2025, the team is readily to undertaking this transformation.
Fairhurst provided civil and structural engineering services on the project as well as a number of specialist services including flood risk & drainage; water environment input in support of an environmental impact assessment (EIA); transport; geo-environmental; and ports & harbours. All of these services were important in securing planning approval and in developing the design along with the other members of the design team.
Flood Risk was a key factor that had to be addressed since the site is on a floodplain adjacent to the River Clyde. In order to assess flood risk and to comply with National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), our Water Services team had to calculate the loss of floodplain resulting from the development and required to determine water storage areas within the site to compensate for the loss of floodplain. Given the proximity of the site to the River Clyde our Water Services team required to assess the impact on the River Clyde by undertaking river modelling using the hydraulic model developed for Glasgow City Council.
The regeneration of the Govan Graving Docks is a transformative initiative that honours the city’s rich maritime heritage while embracing a sustainable, community-focused future. Through close collaboration between key stakeholders, this space can cater to the local neighbourhood. The integration of high-quality housing, green public spaces, and historic preservation reflects a well-rounded approach to urban development.
In the 2025 Scottish Design Awards, Govan Graving Docks won the Gold Award in the Future Project category. As construction begins this year, the project not only marks a major milestone for Glasgow’s riverside but also sets a new benchmark for regeneration across Scotland and beyond.
