Bids to build flats for thousands of students
THOUSANDS of new student flats are in the pipeline for locations across Glasgow.
A total of 33 developments are planned and, if they all go ahead, will provide more than 12,000 beds in purpose-built accommodation.
But a report, says there is still a demand for many more beds to meet the growing number of students in the city.
Structured Housing has applied to the city council for permission to build a student flat block with 326 beds on the historic Old College Bar site bounded by High Street, George Street, Nicholas Street and Shuttle Street.
It is estimated there are more than 133,000 students presently studying at the city’s universities and colleges.
A report to city planners says an assessment of the number of students in university accommodation, private student accommodation and private rented properties suggests there is a need for more than 26,000 beds to meet requirements.
It adds: “Glasgow attracts a significant number of post graduate and overseas students and with a further 11,895 post graduate students at the higher education institutions there is clear evidence of a need for additional accommodation in excess of 35,000 bed spaces.”
In 2015, around 1000 more overseas students were attracted to the city compared to the previous year.
The report says: “The city is home to 133,000 students with only 20 per cent capable of being accommodated in current, proposed or potential projects for student accommodation.
“There is a clear demand for the provision of student accommodation within Glasgow and as such, the ever-increasing number of students will continue to place further demands on existing housing stock in houses of multiple occupation to the detriment of local communities.”
If the development in High Street goes ahead, it will include offices, shops and restaurants.
The report says: “The proposed development at George Street/High Street will provide accommodation for an additional 426 students and help increase overall provision of student accommodation in Glasgow.”
Sandra White is SNP MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, home of all three Glasgow universities.
Ms White said: “We have nothing against students and student accommodation but the big issue in Kelvin is the concentration.
“Also some of these purpose built student blocks have facilities like a gym so there is nothing to entice the foreign students out to mix with local people.”
Ms White is also concerned student halls of residences built by private developers do not pay business rates.