WASTE ground in Maryhill is to help transform the housing landscape of Glasgow.

Plots just off Bantaskin Street will see the first self-build homes in Scotland - and become a new model for tackling the city's housing crisis.

The first six plot holders are preparing for their builds to begin while around 180 people have registered interest in a second phase of 17 plots.

Karen Longmuir, one of the first six self-builders, showed the Evening Times around her plot, describing the area as "a wee hidden gem".

The businesswoman studied at art school and, as a designer, has always had an interest in self-build.

She has previously converted properties and was very hands-on in designing her shop - but this will be a whole new challenge.

Karen said: "I have always thought self-build would be an amazing thing to do but that I would never get the opportunity.

"This is the perfect location. Usually to find enough space to self-build you have to be in the countryside and living in the middle of nowhere doesn't appeal to me.

"It's obviously completely different to buying a home. You have to think about everything - the windows, the heating, the way the house faces, everything.

"It's an opportunity to start fresh. I just thought, 'Wow, this is really exciting.'"

Glasgow City Council decided to make self build an important part of its People Make Glasgow Home housing strategy.

Headed up by Angela Doran, the self-build co-ordinator, the council has taken steps to make self-building as straightforward as possible.

The council is providing serviced plots, a design code and a "plot passport" - if builders stick to the passport and code then they dodge the formal planning process.

It is the first time a scheme like this has been carried out in Scotland.

Custom build company Buildstore is helping plot holders find appropriate mortgages provided by the company.

Angela said: "The fact is we have a rising population and we have young people struggling to get on to the property ladder.

"We need to be as creative and flexible as we can be to deal with this housing crisis."

For Karen, having these issues taken care of was a big draw in embarking on self build.

Being able to make her home environmentally friendly was also important to Karen, who owns the design business Ae Fond Kiss.

She said: "The way this is being done, the land coming with straight forward planning permission and amenities, that's made a huge difference, it's made it feasible.

"There are six of us in this first phase of the project and we have formed a community.

"We have met up three or four times and that's made a big difference too, you're not just out on a big ocean by yourself.

"We are going to be living side by side so it's good to know we all get on.

"The support from the council has been great and they have been there for all the difficult stuff."

The UK has been providing support elsewhere for "custom build" homes, a form of self-build where a team of experts provides support, such as with planning permission, mortgages, design and amenities.

There are two other custom build sites in Scotland are at Lasswade, near Edinburgh, and Fasque House, near Aberdeen.

Custom build is fairly new to the UK - there is one site in Wales and several in England - and Glasgow will be leading the charge in Scotland.

It is hoped that the method of housebuilding will become more mainstream and bring new housing to areas where it is much needed.

Maryhill's site has the potential for 130 new homes, feeding into the wider regeneration of the area.

Angela said: "Self-building has the benefit of creating really close-knit communities where people are really involved in their community and invested in it.

"This site in Maryhill has been lying derelict for many years and it's used as a drinking den at night for teenagers.

"The self-build homes will transform it into an attractive and thriving community, which will have benefits for the whole area.

"Self-builders also tend to stay in the area for longer as they are more invested in their homes. "

So far, local families who want to stay in Maryhill have shown an interest, as have people seeking to build an environmentally friendly home.

Working together on a site like this one always allows self-builders to share costs and cut down the overall price of their homes.

Karen added: "This is the opportunity to build the house of your dreams but I'm trying not to think too far ahead to what it's finally going to be like to walk through my front door.

"I want to enjoy the building process first."