The development, led by Sanctuary Scotland, will transform the long-vacant brownfield site into high-quality, energy-efficient homes for people over the age of 55, featuring apartments for varying needs as well as lift access.

The site, which has lain empty since 2019 and was previously used as a car park following the demolition of school buildings between 1995 and 2006, will now provide affordable homes in an area where social rent options are limited and house prices and private rents continue to be out of reach for many.

The approved plans include two five-storey blocks and a third building with four wings ranging from five to seven storeys. The development will deliver 46 homes for social rent, alongside a private communal garden, publicly accessible green space, and 14 car parking spaces. Residents will benefit from excellent public transport links in the surrounding area, with the site recognised by planners as being in an area of high public transport accessibility.

Importantly, the development aligns with Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4, which promotes sustainable development and prioritises locations well-served by public transport to reduce reliance on private vehicles.

The new homes form part of the wider regeneration of the former Victoria Hospital site, a major masterplan envisioned by housing charity Sanctuary Scotland, that is delivering a mixed, vibrant community in Battlefield.

The broader masterplan has already seen the creation of hundreds of new homes across a mix of tenures, new streets and public realm improvements, breathing new life into previously derelict land. The Grange Road development complements this vision by delivering affordable homes tailored to older residents, helping to create a balanced and inclusive neighbourhood.

The site also sits near significant local heritage assets, including Battlefield Rest and the historic battlefield. Planning officers confirmed the development will not have a significant detrimental impact on nearby listed buildings or the historic setting and have identified opportunities to celebrate local history through public art within the new green space which Sanctuary Scotland has acknowledged and embraced.

With Glasgow continuing to face a well-documented housing emergency, the approval of 46 additional social rent homes represents a meaningful contribution to addressing the city’s housing crisis. By bringing brownfield land back into productive use, the development will deliver warm, energy-efficient homes that help tackle fuel poverty while reducing carbon emissions.

The revised plans, which were originally approved in February 2024, increase the number of homes from the previously approved 36 to 46, with planners concluding that the additional 10 flats will not adversely impact local amenities or services.

Gillian Lavety, development director for Sanctuary Homes Scotland, said: “This is a hugely positive step forward for Sanctuary Scotland and for Glasgow. We are proud to be delivering 46 high-quality, energy-efficient amenity homes for social rent in an area of the city where affordable housing is in very short supply.

“These new homes will provide comfort, security and independence for older residents, while helping to address the wider housing crisis facing Glasgow. By transforming a long-vacant brownfield site into sustainable homes with excellent public transport connections and attractive green space, this development will make a lasting contribution to the regeneration of the former Victoria Hospital masterplan and the wider Battlefield community.”

Construction is expected to begin following the agreement of planning conditions, with the new homes set to play a key role in meeting local housing need and supporting the continued transformation of Glasgow’s Southside.