Church presbytery could become student flats
GoogleA former home for priests at a Glasgow church could be turned into student accommodation under new plans.
Glasgow City Council has received a bid to convert the empty presbytery opposite St Roch's Catholic Church into 13 student bedrooms with en-suite facilities, including a communal kitchen, dining room, gym and library/study room.
The application, from restaurateur Hajar Salih, followed local speculation that the property could be used as temporary accommodation for homeless people.
The 12-apartment villa, known as St Roch's Presbytery, was built to house parish priests, housekeeping staff and visiting members of the clergy but is currently sitting empty.
The planning application from the applicant's agent Padrino Design states there has been decay in the building recently.
It adds that meetings between Glasgow councillors, the applicant and community organisations took place last summer.
The owners "stalled their thought process in order that any community groups could bring proposals, supported by a business case, for consideration" but none were presented.
Occupation of the accommodation would be restricted to those "attending bona fide further education", the plans continue, adding the building is just over one mile from Glasgow Caledonian and Strathclyde universities.
It was last used by the charity Royston Youth Action.
