Anger over bid to turn offices into student flats

Tuesday 18 September 2012

Anger over bid to turn offices into student flats

Vivienne Nicoll

Local government correspondent

THREE developers want to create accommodation for more than 330 students in neighbouring blocks near Kelvingrove Park.

Planning permission is being sought to convert a former bank and surrounding offices into student accommodation in Glasgow's Clifton Place, near Kelvingrove Park

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By VIVIENNE NICOLL

But the move has infuriated locals who are worried about the impact on the conservation area. And they have also raised fears that having so many young people moving in will result in an increase in litter and vandalism.

If it gets the go-ahead, the largest development will result in a vacant office in Clifton Place being converted for 189 students.

It would be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with all residents having to sign a lease agreement.

But objectors insist the development will have a detrimental impact on the Park conservation area – a claim denied by Richard Brown, the city council's executive director of development and regeneration.

Local people say the area is already at saturation point with student accommodation.

A report to councillors states: "There are no locational restrictions that can be taken into account when assessing student accommodation applications."

The second application is to provide accommodation for 94 students in a five-storey building in North Claremont Street.

Some residents have raised concerns about the impact such a high number of students will have on the Kelvingrove Park area.

The final application is to convert a second office in North Claremont Street to provide accommodation for 48 students.

All three developments have been recommended for full planning permission and were due to be considered by councillors today.

SNP councillor Martin Docherty, who represents Anderston/City, objected to all three accommodation blocks.

He said: "We recognise the student population want to be in areas which are close to centres of education but there needs to be recognition of the impact on parts of the city which have a lot of homes of multiple occupancy over a small area."

Philip Braat, Labour councillor for the area, is also unhappy.

He said: "There is already saturation in the Yorkhill/Kelvingrove areas with student accommodation – some only recently constructed and not even filled.

"I would rather see further investment in new, social, affordable housing."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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Education

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