Glasgow approves sale of Athletes’ Village homes to Places for People
Glasgow City Council has approved the bulk sale of 58 homes to Places For People through a change in development agreement for the Athletes’ Village Phase 2.
This second phase, which will see 125 houses built, has a development agreement between the council and the developer consortium City Legacy.
City Legacy has been approached by the Places for People, Thriving Investments, MMR Fund with a view to purchasing 58 homes for mid-market rental. Yesterday’s decision to change the development agreement allows that purchase and the acceleration of the development, with construction expected to begin before the end of 2024.
The building of these homes is expected to help meet the demand for mid-market rental homes in Glasgow’s East End in a period of market constraint. The remaining 77 homes in the second phase will be available for private sale.
Another committee decision saw the council grant a lease of up to 25 years to Rockvilla CIC (community interest company) for the Dalmarnock Legacy Hub.
The building - which opened in October 2015 and was operated by the People’s Development Trust - saw areas leased to a doctor’s surgery, a dentist, a pharmacist and Scottish Sports Futures. The People’s Development Trust went into administration in January 2019, with the council acquiring the building for £1. Following this acquisition, the council undertook consultation on the future running and management of the building, with the aim of maintaining and increasing occupancy whilst serving the local community.
Rockvilla CIC intends to provide office and community space on the first floor of the Legacy Hub, with a licenced area on the ground floor supporting both community and external uses. The community interest company will apply for a licence to support the hire of the area for weddings, parties, and functions - and intends to use this income to fund the community space above.
The CIC propose to use the theatre area in the Hub to host events such as A Play, a Pie and a Pint with local writers and performers; a free after-school meals club run in connection with Mary’s Meals; and to let spaces to local charities or community organisations at concessionary rentals with the organisation being responsible for occupational costs. A Community Advisory Board - or similar body - will be formed with the tenants and local community members and representatives involved.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for neighbourhood assets at Glasgow City Council, said: “The approval of the lease for the Dalmarnock Legacy Hub is a significant step forward and will bring a fantastic community asset back to life, offering a huge range of services to both the people of Dalmarnock and the wider area. More good news for this part of the city is the decision to allow a bulk sale in the second phase of the Athletes’ Village, with the building of these much-needed new homes very welcome in the East End.”