AMBITIOUS plans to build a hotel and student accommodation on a Glasgow city centre site once occupied by broadcasters STV have now been unveiled.

One of Ireland's biggest hoteliers, The Dalata Hotel Group have signalled interest in a brownfield gap site at the junction of Renfrew Street and Renfield Street, which was previously home to STV around 20 years ago.

They have formally applied to Glasgow City Council for planning permission to build the 300 four-star bedroom hotel.

Dalata are behind the Clayton and Maldron hotels which operate across the UK and Ireland. Their Glasgow expansion would be part of the Maldron brand.

The plans submitted also include a purpose-build student accommodation block which would be 14-storeys high.

This building would offer 446 one bed student accommodation units across 12 of the 14 floors. Alongside the units will be a series of cluster living rooms providing lounging and dining areas.

The planning statement said that parking provision will be not be considered for the development. A drop-off point is, however, included in the plans to allow taxis and buses take guests to the hotel.

There has been several attempts over the years for the site to be redeveloped as part of the Broadway masterplan which has saw the development of the CitizenM Hotel and offices now occupied by Tesco bank.

The planning statement said: "Vacant sites in city centres are rare, and this site has been vacant for two long. The proposed development is appropriate and compliant with planning policy and therefore should be approved in order to fill this city centre gap site and complete the Broadway jigsaw."

The planning statement added: "The proposed Dalata Maldron Hotel will be an excellent four-star addition to the existing city centre hotel provision, and will help meet the identified demand for hotel rooms within the city.

"The purpose built student accommodation proposal meets an identified demand for student accommodation within the city. Whilst there are several permissions across the city for student accommodation, a number of these have been promoted speculatively with no end user in place. In this instance, the applicant has an end user in place, that is ready to operate the proposed accommodation to its existing high standard. The proposed end user has existing schemes within the city that are operating well and are well received by the council and students alike."

The planning statement continued: "The benefits of this proposal are significant. This proposal seeks to provide a deliverable development that will fill a long term vacant site within the city centre. In addition, it will provide further city centre employment, and increased footfall at all time of the day within the city centre. The economic benefits cannot be disregarded."

A decision is expected on the plans by October 4.