Say no to unaffordable housing — Garnethill Multicultural Centre

Campaign against unaffordable housing

Garnethill and Glasgow city centre is facing an increasing number of proposals for PBSA and high rise buildings, changing the landscape and demographic of the area.

There are currently three proposals around Garnethill open (NOT FOR LONG!) to comment from Glasgow residents. You can view them, and other proposals, on the city council planning website below.

https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk/online-applications/search.do?action=simple&searchType=Application

Cowcaddens Fire Station - 24/01265/PPP - deadline for comments: 14th August 2024

19 Cambridge Street - 24/01664/FUL - deadline for comments: 16th August 2024

292-332 Sauchiehall Street - 24/01680/FUL - deadline for comments: 16th August 2024

What is a PBSA?

PBSA stands for “Purpose Built Student Accommodation”. Proposals for PBSA developments are accelerating partly due to Glasgow’s growing student population. Property developers are using this as an opportunity to make a lot of money off the back of the city centre’s heritage buildings and vacant sites.

Why is this important to the local community?

These developments (mixed use as well as PBSA) are unaffordable to the majority of students, and offer short term, unsustainable housing solutions that do not benefit the local community, or prioritise the built heritage of Glasgow city centre. It is important for residents, students, or those concerned, to have their say - you can offer your comment and object to a development by emailing the council.

Email template - can be copy and pasted, or edit with your comment.

Send to: planning.representations@drs.glasgow.gov.uk

Subject: Objection - planning ref REFERENCE NUMBER HERE

Dear Sir/Madam,

Planning application: REFERENCE NUMBER HERE

I am writing with regard to the above referenced application in order to register my objection.

As a LOCAL RESIDENT/STUDENT/VISITOR/USER OF SERVICES/WORKER in the city centre, I am concerned that the proposed development will contribute to an emerging and increasing over-concentration of unaffordable student accommodation within the locality, contrary to policy CDP10 and supplementary guidance SG10 of the City Development Plan.

Whilst I welcome proposals for development on the site, this application does not benefit the local community or support the existing built heritage of the city centre.

Given the current housing crisis experienced in Glasgow, there is an increased need for long term housing that is sustainable and affordable to both students and residents of Glasgow. PBSAs remain unaffordable to the majority of students. Based upon advertised prices of 42 PBSAs situated in Ward 10, the average cost of a bed per month is £1039.60.

The clear intention of the requirements of SG10 is to support the sustainability of residential communities. The over-concentration of PBSAs can have a negative impact on the ability of communities to integrate and cohere, where there is an over-representation of such an inherently transient population.

A large number of other PBSA developments in the vicinity of this site have been recently completed, consented or are in the planning pipeline, further undermining the objectives of SG10.

It is clear that a two-fifths PBSA to established residential population ratio reflects a very significant concentration of PBSA. Additionally, this concentration may in fact already be in excess in that of Partick/Yorkhill and the Townhead/Cowcaddens areas, demonstrating the need for additional sensitivity to concerns of over-concentration in this case.

I look forward to your decision, which I trust will uphold objectives of CDP10 and supplementary guidance SG10 of the City Development Plan, and also consider the community’s interest in the positive future of our city centre.

Many thanks,

YOUR NAME

YOUR ADDRESS