Council gets green light to sell former Glasgow school houses and ex-library

Two old Glasgow schoolhouses, bungalows and a flat are to be sold off by the council as it seeks to tackle the housing crisis.

The empty St Francis Primary school house in Hutchesontown and the vacant Battlefield Primary school house are among the homes, which could be used by homeless people or those needing supported living.

All five properties, which include a four-bedroom empty tenement flat in Hyndland, in Clarence Drive and a five-bedroom Cranhill bungalow, are to be let to the Health and Social Care Partnership.

Glasgow City Council officials got the go-ahead from councillors to start negotiations for the disposal of the homes to City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP.

If the deal goes through City Property is then to lease the homes to the Health and Social Care Partnership, which provides accommodation for homeless people and residents requiring support.

A council official said: “The council are keen to explore all options to address the current housing crisis. And in respect of the properties, the Health and Social Care Partnership have noted that they have had difficulties finding suitable accommodation of this size for the placement of homeless families.”

Speaking at the most recent Contracts and Property Committee, she added: “They have noted the substantial cost that they incur in locating within shared spaces. Therefore, subject to receiving authority today, negotiations would be undertaken and if terms are agreed, then they will be brought back to the committee for approval.”

The Cranhill bungalow in Fettes Street already has tenants needing supported living measures.

Another five-bedroom bungalow in Mosspark’s Arran Drive, formerly a library, also currently houses people requiring supported living arrangements.

A council report states the homes at Fettes Street and Arran Drive “are currently leased by Glasgow City Council to Thenue Housing Association who then sub-let to Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to provide supported accommodation”.

It adds: “For the avoidance of doubt, the proposed disposal shall not alter the existing arrangements with HSCP or their tenants. Glasgow City Council will renounce the lease to Thenue Housing Association Ltd and City Property Glasgow (Investments) will enter into a lease with HSCP to continue to provide the current services.”