Glasgow to be ‘transformed’ with 25,000 new homes

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson (centre) in the Gorbals as he surveys new housing being built. Picture: Robert Perry

Gordon Matheson said the plans would bring “tremendous economic and social benefits”, while putting the city at the forefront of efforts to tackle the country’s housing shortage.

As part of the plans, the council will make 20 sites available for housing associations to develop in the next year, as well as accelerating the release of large areas of land for new private developments in areas such as Castlemilk, Drumchapel and Easterhouse.

Local authority leaders will also work with the Wheatley Group - which brings together housing associations, a care provider and commercial organisations - to create 1,700 affordable new homes in the city between 2015 and 2022, while an action plan will be put in place to try to bring empty homes, retail premises and unused spaces above shops back into use to provide more housing for the city.

A pilot mortgage guarantee scheme will be set up with Glasgow Credit Union in a bid to help first-time buyers secure the necessary funding to own their own home. In addition to this, new homes will be built as part of the regeneration of the canal corridor area in the north of the city, while the council will join with colleges and universities to improve student accommodation.

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Mr Matheson said: “While there have been tremendous examples of new housing developments in Glasgow in recent years, such as the Athletes’ Village and Laurieston, the city needs to accelerate housebuilding to meet changing and growing demand.

“The huge scope of housing activity that the council will be enabling, supporting and investing in over the next decade will truly transform Glasgow. We look forward to working with partners in both private and public sector housing to deliver 25,000 homes by 2025.

“While the under-supply of housing is a national concern, we are determined to ensure Glasgow is at the forefront of tackling the issue, and will consider all feasible options for doing so.

“The building of these homes will bring tremendous economic and social benefits for the city, with the huge number of jobs and apprenticeships required to deliver new housing on such a scale.”

Gary Climson, managing director of McTaggart Construction, welcomed the new strategy and said: “With confidence in the sector growing and an accelerating demand for affordable housing in Glasgow, this announcement will provide a valuable boost to supply.

“We firmly believe this commitment by Glasgow City Council will further support the delivery of public sector housing in the city, driving the realisation of Glasgow’s newest city centre quarter and enabling us to continue our ambition to create quality homes and communities throughout Scotland.”

Gordon Sloan, chair of Glasgow Housing Association, which is part of the Wheatley Group, said: “One of our priorities is to help increase the number of affordable homes for people in communities across Glasgow.

“We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to bring forward plans for 1,700 more homes in the city.”