Key Points
- Glasgow City Council’s Contracts and Property Committee has approved a comprehensive package of land disposals and property transfers aimed at accelerating housing development across the city.
- The decisions unlock land for a potential residential development of up to 800 homes at Westerhouse Road and 138 mixed-tenure homes by Maryhill Housing Association at Ledgowan Place and Sandbank Street.
- Three historic, B-listed former janitor’s houses in Govanhill, Calton, and Royston will be transferred to the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust for specialist restoration and subsequent use as social housing.
- The council also agreed to pursue a compulsory purchase order for a long-term empty residential property at 118 Hillington Road South to transition it into accommodation for a homeless individual or family via Linthouse Housing Association.
- Councillor Ruairi Kelly emphasised that these coordinated local authority actions directly address acute housing pressures while safeguarding Glasgow’s architectural heritage.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) September 17, 2026 — Hundreds of new homes are set to be delivered across Glasgow following a series of strategic planning and property approvals greenlit by local authority leaders.
As reported by staff journalists covering local government for The Herald and the Glasgow Times, the city council’s Contracts and Property Committee officially backed a wide-ranging package that includes asset transfers, off-market land disposals, and targeted compulsory purchase orders designed to unlock stalled housing development and bring vacant buildings back into productive use.
Highlighting the necessity of the measures, Councillor Ruairi Kelly, depute leader and convener for housing and development at Glasgow City Council, stated that
“these decisions will enable hundreds of new homes to be built and others brought back into use for the people of Glasgow at a time when new housing is very much needed”.
Furthermore, Councillor Ruairi Kelly noted that
“the built heritage of the city is also being protected through the restoration of three janitor’s houses that will once again be used to provide quality housing for families in Glasgow”.
What Specific Sites and Properties Are Included in the Council’s Approval Package?
According to municipal reports detailed by regional news correspondents, the newly approved off-market property and land disposals cover several distinct geographical zones throughout the urban area.
The package features a 7.75-hectare plot at Westerhouse Road in Easterhouse, which has been cleared to serve as an essential access road facilitating a major residential development capable of delivering up to 800 homes. Additionally, a 0.72-hectare site situated at Ledgowan Place and Sandbank Street in Maryhill was approved for transfer to Maryhill Housing Association to pave the way for 138 mixed-tenure homes. Smaller land adjustments included a plot adjacent to 11 Cromer Gardens in Ruchill designated for garden expansion, alongside a 0.15-hectare plot at Bogmoor Road in North Cardonald allocated to Fortrum Energy to establish an ancillary area supporting its local energy centre.
How Will Historic Buildings and Empty Homes Be Brought Back Into Use?
Beyond large-scale land clearances for new constructions, the council committee focused heavily on rejuvenating existing structures and safeguarding local architectural assets.
As outlined in council documents, three distinct B-listed former school janitor’s properties are set to be handed over to the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust. These architectural projects comprise Cuthbertson’s house located at 33 Cuthbertson Street in Govanhill, St James’ house situated at 88 Green Street in Calton, and the Royston house positioned at 104 Royston Road. Utilizing specialized conservation expertise, the trust plans to fully restore these vacant heritage assets before passing them on to registered social landlords for family accommodation.
In tandem with heritage preservation, councillors advanced efforts to combat empty housing stock by approving a compulsory purchase order for a residential property at 118 Hillington Road South. Having remained vacant since June 2026, the property ownership will transition to Linthouse Housing Association, which will comprehensively upgrade the building and allocate it to a homeless individual or family in need.
Background of the Development
The latest wave of property disposals and heritage restorations builds directly upon Glasgow City Council’s ongoing institutional response to acute urban housing pressures, which formalised following the declaration of a municipal housing emergency. Over recent years, local government administrators, housing associations, and community trusts have increasingly collaborated to tackle declining property conditions, long-term vacant lots, and rising homelessness figures across Scotland’s largest city. By leveraging committee-level asset management—such as off-market transfers to specialist preservation trusts and strategic infrastructure investments—the council aims to bypass conventional bureaucratic blockages, converting dormant physical assets into sustainable, community-focused housing solutions.
Prediction on How This Development Can Affect the Local Community and Home Seekers
For local residents, home seekers, and families currently languishing on social housing waiting lists, these approved developments represent a tangible step toward expanded housing choice and neighborhood regeneration. The influx of hundreds of new properties—ranging from mixed-tenure builds in Maryhill and large-scale expansions in Easterhouse to specialized social rentals inside restored historic structures—will directly alleviate localized supply bottlenecks. Furthermore, channeling long-term empty properties and dilapidated janitor’s houses back into habitable use helps eliminate urban blight, fostering safer, more vibrant communities while ensuring that vulnerable households and homeless applicants receive the secure, permanent support they require.
