By CAROLINE WILSON
GLASGOW’S student accommodation boom has divided the city.
We revealed how MSP Sandra White says the city is being “swamped” by developments for student flats.
Figures show the number of purpose built student flats in the city soared last year with thousands more in the pipeline.
We reported how the SNP politician is to organise a mass meeting to gauge public opinion.
Meanwhile, dozens of Evening Times readers have got in touch to express their views on the issue.
Shug McKenzie agrees with Ms White that there should be a cap on the number of new developments in the city centre and the West End.
He said: “I’d hate to think of any students coming to Glasgow having to stay in any dodgy digs, as they did in the past, but when is enough student accommodation enough? Numbers need to be looked at and affordable housing built in areas where people want to live and work like the city centre and the west end.
Andrew Allan agrees and blames “greedy” developers for the surge.
He said: “I for one think its about time we put a stop to these student developments.
“All that is happening is developers are getting more greedy. As opposed to charging a rent for a flat they now want per room they couldn’t care less about students either its entirely about money.”
Yorkhill and Kelvingrove Community Council said they recognised the contribution students make to the community but called for more developments for residential use.
However, not all readers believe the abundance of student housing is a bad thing.
John Connolly said: “As a city centre resident and constituent of Ms White I welcome the fact that student accommodation on High Street and more recently Collegelands has helped to ensure that local supermarkets.
“Aldi on High Street and Morrisons on the Gallowgate are thriving and offer a wide choice of produce.
“Ms White complains that students don’t pay council tax and therefore don’t contribute to local services. The Scottish Government recently increased council tax levels for people in higher tax bands - like some of her wealthier constituents in the Merchant City. Why does she not use her position at Holyrood to argue that all student buildings should pay £1 per day (say) for each bedspace?”
C McBride writes: “Supply and demand will determine the amount of luxury flats on offer but I expect most will be modest but with all the expected amenities, unlike the draughty student flat I stayed in which had no central heating but I had to put up with it as there was little choice 20 years ago.”
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