Clyde Gateway, Scotland's biggest urban regeneration company, has launched its first landmark development – one that will bring up to 1,500 jobs to Glasgow's East End.

The £35m business park, to be named Clyde Gateway East, is aimed at attracting both light industrial and office-based companies to locate on a site with unsurpassed links to the major roads network, including the M74 extension and the new East End Regeneration Route.

The groundbreaking was carried out by East End Councillor George Ryan, who is also the City Council’s Executive Member for Business and the Economy, and Andrew McAlpine, of construction company Sir Robert McAlpine – who today started work on the initial infrastructure, earthwork and drainage contract which will prepare the site.

McAlpine, which is already heavily active in the East End on the National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the M74 extension - will employ a number of local people on its Clyde Gateway East workforce.

Councillor Ryan said: "This development is an opportunity for companies to relocate, develop and grow in this area, which is so important to the future growth of Glasgow's economy. It will bring many jobs to an area of high unemployment."

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Andrew McAlpine said: "Like Clyde Gateway, McAlpine has a substantial commitment to the local community in the East End of Glasgow. We have started the process of finding eight workers from the immediate area to join our team here."

Clyde Gateway chief executive Ian Manson said: "Clyde Gateway East is the first location many people will see as they approach the city from the east. We want them to decide that this is where they wish to locate their businesses. We envisage a first phase release of development platforms by September this year with two further phases released in early 2011.

"The first occupants are expected to occupy their buildings by Spring 2011.

"A number of potential leads are being followed up by Clyde Gateway staff, including some very well known names. Clyde Gateway East is being marketed specifically at regional Scottish and national UK organisations. Later Clyde Gateway developments will also be targeting the international market.

“We are aiming to influence investment decisions both locally and from outwith the city in Scotland and the UK, with every size of company from SMEs to multinationals on our radar. There is an acute shortage of good quality small and medium sized light industrial space within Glasgow, and believe we have a location here which is second to none, only minutes away from the 2014 Commonwealth Games developments with unrivalled transport links."

The 14 hectare (34 acre) business park is being built on a brownfield site on London Road which has lain unused for over 30 years.

Planning consultancy Halcrow has drawn up a masterplan for the site which has outline planning consent for the erection of business, general industrial and storage and distribution units, and is capable of accommodating bespoke space and buildings with up to 45,000 m2 of business space.

Clyde Gateway East will also bring a number of public realm benefits to residents living in the local community, not least through the development incorporating a specially designed safe and secure path on a linear park down to the River Clyde walkway – opening up new walking and cycling routes to the 2014 Commonwealth Games Village and to Cambuslang.

(GK/BMcC)