Glasgow council owns more than 300 empty plots of land and buildings

More than 300 empty buildings and plots of land in Glasgow are owned by the council, it has emerged, as calls are made for more derelict properties to become social housing.

Currently there are 65 vacant buildings and 262 plots of wasteland within Glasgow City Council’s estate – with subsidiary company City Property managing them.

There are ongoing bids to sell about 100 plots of land.

The numbers emerged after Councillor James Scanlon, Labour, asked about vacant property numbers at a full council meeting this month and whether there were plans to sell up in light of council finance problems.

He called for empty school buildings such as janitor homes to become affordable housing after the scale of vacant property was revealed following the meeting.

The Southside Central local politician said there are a number of properties at schools that could become homes including at St Francis and Blackfriars.

Councillor Scanlon said: “We need social housing – it is desperate as there are people on the streets. The (council) budget is depleted. I would like to see the administration contacting registered social landlords to see if they want to purchase these houses.”

He added: “Getting uses for these properties means there are other people off the social housing waiting list.”

Responding to Councillor Scanlon’s question submitted at the council meeting, Councillor Ruairi Kelly, SNP, said: ” City Property (Glasgow) LLP (CPG) currently manages some 327 surplus vacant buildings or sites on behalf of Glasgow City Council of which: 65 comprise buildings of which 43 have been formally handed over to CPG to manage.

“City Property is in the process of categorising these assets to identify opportunities for regeneration and disposal. 262 comprise land which again City Property is in the process of categorising. To date: 53 have been earmarked or are progressing as off-market disposals, and 46 have been identified or are progressing as open market disposals.”

A programme called People Make Glasgow, which sees council owned properties given to voluntary and third sector groups is among efforts to ensure buildings are in use according to Councillor Kelly.

He added: “More recently, however, the council has, in partnership with City Property, set up the “Asset Maximisation Steering Group” comprising officers from all parts of the council family to assist in the identification of opportunities for development, repurposing, disposal and conversion of the council’s operational and non-operational estate.”

The council has been selling properties to social landlords recently. Last year it was reported three flats in the West End were to be sold to Glasgow West Housing Association.

Councillor Kelly, convenor for neighbourhood services and assets, added: “Disposal for capital receipt remains an actively pursued option for properties which no longer present an opportunity to deliver council or partner organisations services.”

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