Glasgow Council Buys Rundown Mount Vernon Home for Private Developer Sale Mount Vernon 2026

Key Points

• Glasgow City Council plans to use a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire a neglected three-bedroom semi-detached house at 7 Linlithgow Gardens in Mount Vernon, east end of Glasgow.
• The property has been deemed “uninhabitable” and requires significant repairs, having stood empty since November 2024 when one owner moved to a care facility; the other owner has been in a care home since 2013.​
• This marks a new pilot approach: instead of transferring to housing associations as in past CPOs, the council will market the home to private developers for restoration and resale or rental as family housing.
• The decision was approved at the council’s contracts and property committee meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2026.​
• Local social landlords showed lack of interest, prompting the shift to private sector involvement where repairs can be profitable.​
• The CPO requires confirmation from the Scottish Government before marketing can begin; owners have been in talks for voluntary sale but may claim compensation if compelled.​
• Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for Housing, Development, Built Heritage and Land Use, highlighted this as an extension of the successful Empty Homes Strategy, which has revived over 3,000 properties citywide.​
• Mount Vernon has low housing association presence, necessitating alternative models to address blight and housing emergency.​
• The property is seen as a “blight” on the neighbourhood, part of broader efforts to tackle long-term vacant homes amid Glasgow’s housing crisis.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 27, 2026 – Glasgow City Council is set to acquire a dilapidated three-bedroom semi-detached house at Linlithgow Gardens in Mount Vernon through a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), marking the first time such a property will be marketed to private developers rather than housing associations. This pilot initiative aims to revive long-vacant homes in areas with limited social housing presence, addressing the city’s ongoing housing emergency. The move, approved by councillors on Thursday, reflects a flexible evolution of the council’s Empty Homes Strategy, which has successfully brought over 3,000 properties back into use.

What is the condition of the Linlithgow Gardens house?

The property at 7 Linlithgow Gardens has been described as “neglected” and “uninhabitable,” requiring extensive repairs to make it habitable again.

As reported by Local Democracy Reporter Drew Sandelands of the BBC, the house has remained unoccupied since November 2024, following the last owner’s transition to a care facility, while the other owner has resided in a care home since 2013, according to a council report.

An official informed councillors that the substantial restoration costs could still allow a private developer to achieve profitability post-repairs.​

This rundown semi-detached home is viewed as a blight on the Mount Vernon neighbourhood, contributing to environmental degradation typical of long-term empty properties. The council’s report to the contracts and property committee emphasises its poor state, justifying the CPO intervention.

Why is Glasgow City Council pursuing a CPO for this property?

Glasgow City Council has employed CPOs previously to reclaim long-term empty homes, traditionally handing them to housing associations for social housing. However, as noted in coverage by Projects Cotland, in areas like Mount Vernon with very low housing association presence, alternative partners are needed to bring such properties back into productive use.

Rui Kelly, the council housing convener—formally Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for Housing, Development, Built Heritage and Land Use—stated during the committee meeting that while social housing remains the priority, not all vacant properties suit social landlords.

The council has engaged with the current owners in hopes of a voluntary agreement to revitalise the property, but absent that, the CPO provides a legal pathway. If confirmed, owners may seek compensation for the asset loss, underscoring the compulsory nature of the process.​

How does this differ from previous council strategies?

Historically, the council’s Empty Homes Strategy has focused on transferring CPO-acquired homes to registered social landlords, reviving several thousand properties citywide. As Councillor Ruairi Kelly told Projects Cotland,

“Our empty homes strategy has brought over 3,000 properties back into use and is a great example of the creativity and flexibility of this council in finding solutions to the housing emergency.”

This pilot extends that by marketing to private companies, selected to restore the home for family housing.​

Previous examples include homes taken over by housing groups like Glasgow Housing Group, contrasting with this private sector pivot due to lack of social landlord interest.

The strategy aligns with broader efforts under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010, using Council Tax data to target vacants, though this is the first explicit private developer trial.

What did officials say about private developer involvement?

An official at the Thursday committee meeting explained the shift to private marketing stemmed from insufficient interest from local social landlords. As reported by Drew Sandelands of the BBC, Rui Kelly indicated this provides

“an alternative means of revitalising vacant homes,”

noting private developers can handle repairs profitably despite high costs.​

Councillor Kelly elaborated to Projects Cotland:

“This pilot is about taking that further, using CPO powers to acquire vacant private housing in areas where even if there’s no housing associations to rent the properties, we can still bring them back into productive use.”

This flexibility addresses gaps where social models falter.​

What is the approval process and next steps?

The proposed CPO for 7 Linlithgow Gardens (Ward 19) was detailed in a report by the Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability, submitted to the committee. It now awaits confirmation from the Scottish Government before the council can proceed to marketing.

Ongoing communications with owners continue, prioritising voluntary sale, but the CPO serves as leverage. Once approved, a private purchaser will be selected to undertake repairs, transforming the blight into viable family accommodation.

What is Glasgow’s Empty Homes Strategy?

Launched years ago, the strategy targets 200-250 empty homes annually, using CPOs, owner incentives, and partnerships with social landlords. It has exceeded targets, with 380 homes revived early in its phase, mostly for social rent, tackling issues like disrepair, deceased owners, and mortgage defaults.​

Recent campaigns urge owners of thousands of empties to sell or rent, offering support amid the housing emergency. Councillor Kelly prefers voluntary routes but escalates to CPOs when needed. The Linlithgow case pilots expansion into private channels.

How does this fit into Glasgow’s housing crisis?

Glasgow faces acute housing shortages, with empties exacerbating blight and demand pressures. The council’s disposals, like the Tradeston site to Wheatley Homes for 112 mid-market flats generating £400,000, complement this by funding services. Councillor Kelly noted on that sale:

“Bringing over 100 new affordable homes into Tradeston will go some way to achieving that, building on the transformational momentum.”

East End initiatives, such as Parkhead and Tollcross developments for social and mid-market rent, underscore reinvestment. This CPO pilot innovates to ensure no vacant home is overlooked.

What are the implications for Mount Vernon residents?

Mount Vernon’s low social housing footprint makes private revival crucial to curb neighbourhood decline. Residents stand to benefit from reduced blight and a restored family home, enhancing community vitality. Critics might question privatisation amid social needs, but officials stress it fills gaps social models cannot.

The property’s uninhabitable state currently poses safety and aesthetic issues, which repairs will resolve. Broader strategy benefits include increased stock for families and homeless, per long-term goals.

Who are the key figures involved?

Councillor Ruairi Kelly leads as convener, championing the strategy’s evolution. The Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability authored the key report. Local Democracy Reporter Drew Sandelands covered the BBC story, detailing committee insights.

Owners remain unnamed but engaged throughout. Scottish Government holds veto power on CPO confirmation.​

Will this approach expand citywide?

This pilot tests scalability, potentially replicating in low-association areas. Success could redefine CPO use, blending public acquisition with private execution for efficiency. With over 2,687 long-term empties historically, innovative models are vital.

The council’s track record—3,000+ revivals—suggests confidence, but monitoring profitability and outcomes will be key. It aligns with national powers under recent acts, positioning Glasgow as proactive.