Pollokshields site found for landmark co-housing project

Penington is working with a local housing association and Glasgow City Council on what would be Scotland’s first housing complex solely for the over-55s – and potentially a blueprint for future developments across the country.

Penington are promoting the project as offering “an alternative model of communal living”.

It is based on a scheme first pioneered in Scotland’s Nordic neighbours. Residents would share responsibility for upkeep, which project founders say will help tackle isolation and loneliness among the elderly.

The 25-flat complex could be built on the site in St Andrews Drive and the project is already recruiting residents as founding members.

Founding member Ann MacInnes said: “The beauty of the project is that all the members will work together on the design and build. Once it’s complete we will live independently, with company when we want it.

“We will all share the responsibility and the costs of running our own homes, and look out for each other.”