UK: Nova Living has applied to build around 300 PBSA units on a vacant site in Glasgow city centre.
Nova, which is part of Scottish property firm the Ambassador Group, has applied for permission to develop the site on the corner of Osborne Street and Old Wynd and to build an 11-storey student accommodation block.
Plans submitted to Glasgow City Council propose 262 one-bedroom studios, ten one-bedroom apartments and 16 accessible flats.
Alongside the application, the developers have provided a “statement of need” which says that Glasgow’s student population is “growing much faster than the provision of accommodation” and “creating intense pressure for rented housing”.
“The proposed development presents the opportunity to revitalise a longstanding vacant and brownfield site which sits in a prominent location within Glasgow city centre,” the plans added.
The proposals include study spaces, meeting rooms, a gym, cinema and games room as well as a private courtyard on the first floor and a roof terrace. Storage for 145 bikes would also be included.
The application stated the demand for student accommodation is “largely due to more international students coming to study in Glasgow and an increased pressure on university provided accommodation”.
“As a result many students, both domestic and international, are relying on the private rented sector. The result being many students are travelling farther from the city to find accommodation.”
It added the empty Osborne Street site could be “redeveloped to provide new best in class” student accommodation of which “there is a shortage of in this part of the city of Glasgow”. “Given the high level of future requirements in the market, redeveloping this site would go toward meeting this demand.”
A neighbouring site to the east has been granted consent for a 12-storey hotel.
