Student flat surge outstrips new homes

New builds fail to keep pace with student accommodation in Glasgow

Asurgeofdemandamonguniversity and college students has caused a shift in the housing market of Scotland’s biggest city, with the amount of student accommodation built over the past five years out- stripping the number of new homes completed.

A total of 10,744 student studio apartments and suites classified as student ‘beds’ have either been built since 2013, or are currently under construction.

By contrast, just 9,493 homes were built over the same period, according to Glasgow City Council statistics.

The number of new homes built last year - 1,803 - was the lowest annual total since 2013/14.

Thedownwardtrendreflects the nationwide picture, with the number of new homes built falling from a peak of around 21,000 in 2007 to an estimated 17,000 last year.

Andy Wightman MSP, housing spokesman for the Scottish Greens, said that across Scottish cities, land was being given over to “ill thought out” accommodation which only serves to bolster the profits of investors.

He added: “Inadequate planing guidance means that these premises can be quicjly ande cheaply built to a standard lower than residential homes.

“It’s clear that the current imbalance between residents and students must be addressed if we are to create diverse and sustainable communities.”

His Scottish Labour counterpart, Pauline Mcneill MSP, said the mix of various properties did not seem fitting “when you consider the need for better quality homes which are vital for tackling the cost of living crisis in Scotland.”

However, Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said the provision of student flats took pressure off the private rental market, where most students would otherwise have to turn.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the authority had an “excellent track frecord” of delivering new housing to meet the needs od residents and cater for a growing population.

He said:“students play a vital role in Glasgow’s economy and our ability to attract and retain graduates is critical part of our economic strategy.

“Accommodating students in the most appropriate locations is an important factor in this, and previously the focus has been to ensure student accommodation is in reasonable proximity to universities to ensure the most sustainable locations.

“However, in recognition of the increasing density of student accommodation in certain locations the new city development plan introduced an updated policy on student accommodation at the start of 2017.

“This updated policy now seeks to direct student accommodationtoareaswherethere is good access to universities and colleges via public transport routes and will not support new proposals where it results in an unacceptable concentration of student accommodation within an area.”

mmclaughlin@scotsman.com