Social rent flats could be built on Finnieston gap site

Glasgow West Housing Association has applied to the city council for permission to build 15 homes on land next to 6 Corunna Street.

The site, where a tenement block was demolished in the 1980s, was compulsory purchased by the council, with the intention of providing “mainstream social-rented flats” in the St Vincent conservation area.

Application

In the application, submitted by the agent, Coltart Earley Architecture, it reveals the revamp would include an “architectural style which identifies with the character and appearance of the area, and replicates its important characteristics”.

“The proposed development aims to fill the vacant site by completing the urban block of tenements within the conservation area.”

Work will be funded via the Scottish Government’s affordable housing supply programme. Glasgow City Council receives an annual grant from the programme which is distributed to housing associations.

A one-bedroom flat in the development would be available for a maximum of £344 per month, with two-bedroom properties priced at £421 per month.

The application stated: “The relative shortage of social rented accommodation in the area was a factor in the decision to confirm the compulsory purchase order.”

It added: “Overall, the proposed development has been designed to respect its historical context and to reflect, where suitable, the surrounding building details.

“The proposed development would see a disused, brownfield site in a high public transport accessibility area brought into use as much-needed affordable housing.”

The gap site has been identified as an “enhancement opportunity” in the conservation area, where “sympathetic redevelopment would enhance the character of the conservation”.

No car parking spaces would be provided for residents due to the “constrained nature of the site”, however there would be 125 per cent cycle parking within the development.

The proposal has been received positively by local politicians on social media, with Cllr Angus Millar, who represents Anderston/City/Yorkhill, saying: “It’s especially welcome to have such a high quality proposal using a gap site which respects the historic conservation area.”

Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said it is “an impressive, harmonious response” in the conservation area. “If this can be achieved by a social housing project, there is no excuse for private developers playing the ‘economic viability’ card.”