Council land sold for affordable housing across Glasgow

Council land across Glasgow is set to be sold to housing associations so more affordable homes can be built.

Eleven sites have been nominated for disposal and city chiefs are expected to agree to the plan at a meeting via teleconference on Thursday.

A council report states it is “imperative” development sites continue to be made available to maintain construction jobs after the coronavirus pandemic.

Glasgow had been expecting around £111m in 2020/21 for the Scottish Government’s affordable housing supply programme.

But the council report revealed “the ability to spend this has been reduced by the unprecedented suspension of construction work across Scotland”.

“Analysts are predicting that the economic impact of the virus lockdown on both the construction and residential markets will be severe,” it added.

“It is therefore imperative that the council maintains a throughput of development sites to help to maintain construction jobs in the city and to help people access affordable housing.”

A final figure for housing investment will depend on how long the country remains in lockdown.

Four sites are set to be taken over by Glasgow Housing Association. These are on London Road/Springfield Road, Spoutmouth/Molendinar treet and the Gallowgate, Shawbridge Street and Cook Street.

Thenue Housing Association plans to build 11 units on council land at Baltic Street and New Gorbals Housing Association would provide homes on the site of the Hamish Allan building, a former homeless services building.

The former Drumry and Antonine primary schools and land at Duke Street/McIntosh Street are to be sold but the nominated housing associations have yet to be confirmed.

Pollokshaws Arcade is also included in the list of nominated disposals. LAR Housing Trust, a charitable organisation which provides below market rented homes, is keen to build 35 homes at Killin Street.

Councillor Kenny McLean, city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “Making sites available for affordable housing across the city is an important way of ensuring that more people and families can live in high-quality new homes.”

Story by local democracy reporter Drew Sandelands