Glasgow residents voice disapproval of increase in student accommodation

Locals are outraged as development has got underway for hundreds of new student flats in the west end of Glasgow.

Amidst concerns over the condensed number of students in a small area destroying the sense of community, residents are worried that the new buildings will go to waste if the number of students choosing to study in the city drops.

Locals have also objected to a high number of students living in the west end because they don’t pay taxes – yet enjoy full access to local services.

The latest approved student-housing plans sparked controversy when they were given the go-ahead in the face of 345 objections.

The new halls will take the place of the Pewter Pot pub on North Woodside Road and will have 114 bedrooms.

However, the move comes as just the latest development in a visible rise of student halls being built across the city.

Last September saw the opening of Thurso Street Halls near Kelvingrove Art Gallery in the west end in addition to Collegelands halls next to High Street train station.

Watkin Jones have also recently been given planning permission to buil d student accommodation on Old Dumbarton Road, also in the West End, resulting in two student hall buildings within 0.3 miles of Yorkhill Children’s Hospital.

Elsewhere, planning permission has been granted to Inehaze Limited to build student halls on Renfrew Street – despite 200 objections from angry Garnethill residents.

Ric Glassey, former secretary of Garnethill Community Council said: “On one hand it is perfect for Caledonian University and the School of Art. On the other hand Garnethill is a distinct residential part of the city centre that is trying to preserve its architectural character and amenity.

“Transient residents do not improve the area in most people’s eyes.”

The Renfrew Street proposal has also prompted concerns over housing regulations.

Etta Dunn, a retired Garnethill resident and chair of Fleming House homeowners association, said there are major concerns over regulation breaches in the proposed plans.

She said: “One of the residents made it clear to me that anyone living in the new accommodation would be looking directly into her home.

“When I looked up the regulations for distances between windows I discovered that this building is, in fact, in breach of those regulations.”

Jean Charsley, secretary of Hillhead Community Council has also voiced concerns regarding the increase in student accommodation, particularly near the University of Glasgow.

She said: “Councillors seem to think the new developments will put an end to the problem of houses in multiple occupation in the west end but they will not.

“Students are not required to live in them and they tend to live there for a year then move to their own place.

“The West End is overloaded with students. This attracts more late licences and carry-outs and we find that many shops cater less for the settled community than the transient community.”

However, Humza Yousaf, SNP MSP for Glasgow, has come out in favour of the new projects.

He told The Journal: “I think that it is important to the economy of the city to have appropriate student accommodation, if there is a block that is not being used for one reason or another, then it might be up to local developers to decide what should be done with it, in the local communities and for the local residents.

“Students may not pay tax, but I think we recognise that they spend a lot of money be it on takeaways, cafes, restaurants, night clubs, pubs and clubs.

“So I think that it’s only right that they are given an incentive to be here because they do contribute and I think that anyone who says that they don’t is being a bit unfair.”