South Side councillors have teamed up with local residents to demand that the redevelopment of Shawlands Arcade includes at least a 25% social housing provision.
A public meeting, with at least 90 people in attendance, was held on Tuesday, September 20 to discuss the planned development by Haus Collective to turn the arcade on Kilmarnock Road into 600 luxury apartments.
The plans currently have no provision for social housing or affordable homes - stoking fears of gentrification and of people priced out in a community already hard hit by the cost of living crisis.
READ MORE: Plans to transform Shawlands Arcade into new homes and shops in £150m redevelopment
Earlier this week, Pollokshields councillors from the SNP and Greens backed Living Rent, Scotland’s Tenants Union’s demands that any development of the Shawlands Arcade would include 25% of social housing.
Living Rent is also calling for publicly-owned space for the community and says any redevelopment should include the community in any decisions made. The organisation is also asking Glasgow City Council to legislate to ensure that all future developments include some form of social housing.
Riyoko Shibe, campaigns officer, Living Rent Shawlands and Langside, said: “The proposed development of the Shawlands Arcade threatens the very character and fabric of Shawlands.
“These 600 luxury apartments will raise already soaring rents, contribute to gentrification, and push local residents and businesses out of their community. During a cost-of-living crisis, it is vital that any development provides social rents and affordable homes.
“During Tuesday’s public meeting, Living Rent members met local councillors to take concrete steps to reject the development as it stands, and ensure one that serves the needs of the community - not the pockets of developers.”
Living Rent has also highlighted that the ongoing housing and cost of living crisis has seen Glasgow rents increase by 14% on average, which has only made it more urgent to question a planned redevelopment that includes no affordable housing.
Bianca Lopez, Shawlands and Langside Branch Chairwoman, said: “In an incredible show of democracy, Living Rent secured commitment from Pollokshields councillors to take concrete actions to: object to the Shawlands Arcade Redevelopment in its current form, push for a 25% social housing provision in the redevelopment and push Glasgow City Council Council for a 25% social housing provision in all new developments across Glasgow.
“The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Our community showed the developers that we will not be used as a guinea-pig for maximum profits - we demand a development that meets the needs of our working class community.”
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