Student flats should be open to resident challenge says MSP
Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP, raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament with the government.
She highlighted the plans for the old 02 ABC site on Sauchiehall Street, approved this month by Glasgow City Council despite objections from the local community.
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McNeill questioned the number of applications being approved and said the motivation for investors is the ability to collect high rental charges.
She said: 'Scotland needs good, affordable student accommodation, but the way that planning consents are being granted in Glasgow makes it seem as if they are being handed out as an easy fix for gap sites.
'We are seeing oversaturation because purpose-built student accommodation is currently favoured by investors due to the ability to charge high rents.
'Last week, a proposed nine-storey student accommodation block was approved on the site of the former O2 ABC iconic music venue, but that is just one of many student developments that have been heavily objected to by local residents and community groups.'
McNeill asked Ivan McKee, public finance minister, if there should be a right to challenge overprovision.
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McKee said the council can act if there are concerns about any negative impact.
He said: 'Local authorities, including Glasgow City Council, are able to identify areas of concentration where further development would undermine residential amenity.
'That power already exists. There is also a power for local communities to produce local place plans to feed into local development plans.
'We should recognise, as I think Pauline McNeill does, that students who are studying at our colleges and universities are a hugely important part of society. I welcome international students and the making of provision for them, and any PBSA provision obviously takes pressure off the private rented sector, which I think we would all agree is to be welcomed.'
The plan 02 ABC site is for a House of Social nine storey block, including student accommodation, a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym, and more.
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