Glasgow City Council is set to ask the Scottish and UK governments for “additional powers” to help re-purpose empty buildings in the city centre.
There are around 400 empty buildings in the city centre with many more under utilised.
Members of the city administration committee approved an action plan on Thursday to find a use for the hundreds of unused and underutilised properties and increase footfall to the area once again.
READ MORE: Glasgow's 'Golden Z' could be re-imagined to help fill empty city centre buildings
Included in the action plan are proposals for a “20-year vision” to deal with declining demand for retail floorspace with the outcome of the consultation exercise influencing the re-purposing policy going forward, focussing on converting old buildings rather than building new ones and evaluating the impact of the build to rent scheme.
A retail capacity study is also underway to address the increasing vacancy levels of retail and leisure centres. Results are expected to be released next month and will help advance the new City Development Plan.
The local authority is now planning to write to both governments to advocate for more “regulatory support” to help them deal with absentee property owners.
During this morning’s committee, councillor Thomas Kerr said: “I do welcome this report. I think it is really encouraging for the city centre.
“We all see every day when we come into this building [council chambers] just how much the city centre is really struggling.
“When it comes to [giving the council more powers] I was just wondering how far those conversations are going with both the UK and Scottish Governments and what response we are getting back from them.
“I know that developments will be presented to the city centre task force but I am just wondering what feedback will be available for members who are not on the task force?”
The convenor of city centre recovery, councillor Angus Millar advised members that ongoing discussions were taking place and he would write to both governments if the paper was approved.
Councillor Millar said: “With the approval of the action plan and the formalisation of council position on advocacy, my intention is to formally write to UK and Scottish Governments to seek to enter into a more formal political level discussion around the need for more powers around the city centre recovery agenda.
“In terms of the elected member governance arrangements, for the wider recovery action plan, that goes to the city centre task force (CCTF) oversight group.
“The activity of the CCTF is also reported to the economy committee on a regular basis.”
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