Glasgow's first 'co-living' flats get green light

Glasgow will see the first ‘co-living’ flats built in the city after councillors approved a high-rise development rising to 19 floors in Tradeston.

An empty office at 100 Morrison Street is to be demolished to make way for the 420 co-living studios, each measuring 22 square metres, and a coffee shop.

The new type of housing involves people paying a rental fee for their own private studios and allows access to communal rooms including kitchens, a gym, cinema room and lounges, private dining room and two external landscaped terraces.

Yesterday’s planning application committee heard there will be a large lounge on the 19th floor with sweeping views across the city.

Sarah Christie from the applicant Copperstone Partners 2 said: “Co-living is a rental housing product where residents have their own private, fully furnished studio and then share a wealth of amenity spaces.

“Their monthly rent is inclusive of all utilities and council tax. They have 24/7 security and access to organised activities and events.”

She added: “The Morrison Street community will benefit from the proposed accessible green space and enhanced public realm at street level featuring sculptured formal and informal seating, tree planting and a ground floor coffee shop.”

The target market for the homes are young professionals and recent graduates – offering them an alternative to HMOs.

A number of co-living developments are already operating in London. Those living there are typically aged between 21 to 35.

Planning consultant Gary Mappin, director of Iceni projects, said: “We understand this application represents the first detailed proposal for large-scale co-living to be submitted to the city council and be presented to this committee.”

Councillor Mhairi Hunter said: “I think it is a really exciting model. In that area there have been real issues – and in some developments there have been buy to let landlords just buying up properties – and it becomes a bit of a disaster.

“I think this looks like a really great alternative – particularly for young people. I see no downside so I’m more than happy to support it.”

Also approving the scheme, councillor Elaine Gallagher welcomed the retention of part of the building.

She added: “I like the look of the co-living model. It seems to foster some community among the residents, which when you are a young professional living in a studio because that is all you can afford can be a difficult thing.”

Councillor Imran Alam said: “It is an exciting development. The co-living concept has not been done before in Glasgow so it is interesting to see it come to a site like this, which has been empty for a number of years.”

The gas-free building will have a low carbon footprint and feature solar panels.

There were concerns from residents it could further destabilise the crumbling Windmillcroft Quay on the Clyde, which is about 140 metres away.

But councillors were told the retention of the basement of the empty offices would help with the stabilisation and screw piles would be used.