Glasgow City Council has appointed Savills to develop a residential strategy for the city centre.

The real estate advisor will form a team with professionals in economic development, local regeneration, housing, property and planning to design the blueprint as part of its City Centre Strategy.

The group will consider the current city centre residential market, existing and vacant residential space, and examine live planning applications to clarify market interest. In addition, areas of the city centre which are most viable for residential expansion will be considered, including the possibility of converting former commercial and office space for residential uses, and which districts in the city centre would be best suited to different housing types.


Other issues to be covered include private renting initiatives in UK cities such as Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield; examining local and national policies which are likely to affect residential development in the city centre; and identifying potential funding sources.

Council Leader Frank McAveety said: "The city centre operates in a rapidly changing environment, and it seems likely that there will be both greater demand for city centre living and the opportunity to do so.

"So it is wise to consider all the options in front of us to ensure that the city centre continues to be a fantastic place in which to not only live, but work, study and invest in. I look forward to the results of the public engagement for this strategy review and the final recommendations for the city centre residential strategy."

(LM/JP)