A REGENERATION plan covering a large part of the city centre is likely to get the go-ahead later this week.

City planning bosses have drawn up a 10-year scheme to upgrade Sauchiehall Street and Garnethill, cut traffic and increase visitors to the area.

It went out to consultation last year and on Thursday, councillors will be asked to approve the final framework document.

The eight point plan involves a number of projects including creating a roof garden over the M8 to cut noise and air pollution and improving the opportunity to walk or cycle.

It also suggests upgrading public realm around the Mitchell Library and Charing Cross station and building a new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists across the M8.

A report to the executive committee reads: “The district of Sauchiehall and Garnethill contains a diverse and mixed population, thriving arts and cultural organisations, a vibrant night-time economy - particularly on Sauchiehall Street - a retail destination, good public transport links and many buildings of historical significance.

“However, there are many challenges and much potential for improvements.”

It says conditions for pedestrians and cyclists are poor, the area lacks public space, the night-time economy is associated with noise, disruption and perceived lack of safety and many places suffer from bad maintenance and untidiness from litter and commercial waste.

The report describes the eight key projects, which received widespread public support, as “aspirational”.

It adds: “The next stage for these projects will be a process of feasibility assessment as the costs, benefits and risks are looked at in detail.

“It is an exciting period for the district and given the scale of the proposals, these interventions will be programmed over a 10 year period.”

However planning bosses warn finding the cash to carry out some of the schemes may prove to be a challenge.

Councillors will be told: “It is acknowledged that in a time of such financial constraints in the public sector, not all aspects of the regeneration framework may be achieved. Nor will delivery of the framework solely be the responsibility of the local authority.”

Bill Beckett, chairman of Garnethill community council, welcomed the plan to reduce traffic in the area and to improve public realm but said he feared the move would result in more pubs and clubs opening.

He added: “I would go along with more restaurants and shops but we are already overrun with pubs and clubs and having more open in the vicinity would increase the crime rate.”

Meanwhile, plans have been submitted for a £75 million redevelopment is to create and improve landmark buildings on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street, Renfield Street and Bath Street.

The proposal is for: a 12-storey new build on Bath Street with 130,000 sq ft of Grade A office space; the remodelling and refurbishment of the building occupied by BHS that will add add new offices above the retail space; and the improvement of a third building on Sauchiehall Street to give a total area of 240,000 sq ft including retail, Grade A and design-style offices.

A public consultation will be an open drop-in from 2pm to 8pm on Thursday June 9 at the CitizenM Hotel on Renfrew Street.