Plans for the multi-million pound regeneration of a site on the corner of George Square have been backed by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

The proposal for the £70 million revamp of the site on the north east corner of the square were submitted for planning permission this week.

The George Street Complex is intended to re-use listed buildings, some which have been empty for 80 years, by transforming them into an area that can thrive with people and activity.

Plans include the renovation of two listed buildings for five-star serviced apartments and offices and the construction of a 258- bed hotel and student accommodation.

Read more: Hotel and homes plan for riverside gap site

Restaurants, bars and cafes, boutiques and specialist fashion-to-foodie shops will also find a place in the complex.

The development is expected to support around 320 jobs as well as adding to the city’s wide-ranging appeal to all categories of traveller and students.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said: “These development plans offer an opportunity to regenerate a prominent city centre site, part of which has been left derelict for more than 80 years.

“From a series of run-down buildings and an empty patch of land, the plans will create an area that thrives with people and businesses. The mix of offices, leisure and retail destined for this site, bringing both jobs and new visitors, will be of tremendous value to the city as a whole.”

Chris Stewart, CEO of Chris Stewart Group who will be leading the project, said: “We have been looking for the right opportunity in Glasgow for some time, and were delighted to be chosen as the preferred developer by City Property (Glasgow) and Glasgow City Council for this important and strategic site right in the heart of the city centre.

Read more: Hotel and homes plan for riverside gap site

“We have been working closely with GCC and a number of other stakeholders for almost a year to ensure our proposals and vision for the site match with the city’s aspirations for high quality mixed use development.”

Proposals for the 35,000sq ft site include 272-bed student accommodation, 258-bed hotel, 43 residential/serviced apartments, office, retail and leisure uses, as well as the creation of public amenity spaces.

This story was edited at 9.31am on 7/10/2016 to more accurately reflect the site of the project.