The redevelopment plan, put forward by Clydebuilt LLC will see 600 luxury one- to two-bed luxury flats built, however tenants’ union Living Rent has highlighted that the development has no homes available for social rents, minimal homes suitable for families and no spaces provided for the community within its plans.

The planning committee was initially tied with six votes for approving the development and six votes in favour of a site visit before the Convenor Ken Andrew approved the development with a deciding vote.

The Shawlands and Langside branch of the Living Rent tenants’ union say that the council has failed to “listen to the needs and opinions of the community”. Living Rent says that what the community needs is social housing not luxury flats.

The decision has been met with an angry reaction from the community who say that community voices have been ignored.

Clare Scott, Shawlands community member, said: “For us to have 550 combined letters and petition signatures in support of our demands when they have had far fewer in support of their development makes a complete mockery of the whole process. We need planning processes that will actually listen to communities, not act as a rubber stamp.”

Living Rent Shawlands/Langside held a public meeting attended by 100 people in autumn last year, to enable the community to share their concerns with local councillors and ask for support in opposing the development.

They say that the top issues raised include a lack of community space, fears about parking in an already congested area and the pressure this will put on already stretched infrastructure in Shawlands. A further concern highlighted is the impact this will have on rent in the area. The proposal put forward by Clydebuilt LLC would see all 600 flats let by a single landlord. Living Rent says this has potential to drive up rents in the area.

Following the public meeting, 185 objections have been submitted to the planning committee and 365 people have signed a petition from the tenants’ union calling for the current plans to be rejected.

Living Rent is calling for any redevelopment of the Arcade to include at least 25% social housing and have space which will benefit the community. They are also calling on the council to legislate to demand that any new development has a requirement to include at least 25% social housing.

The demand for social housing comes as the budget for new builds of social housing has been slashed by 16% by the Scottish Government despite an increase in Scotland wide of people on waiting lists. Living Rent points out that at a time when there is a nationwide shortage of social housing, new developments need to reflect the need for social housing in communities.

Living Rent Shawlands/Langside chair Bianca Lopez commented: “With 550 people having objected to the development, it is undemocratic for councillors on the Planning Committee to approve this application and reject the wide-spread calls for a Site Visit and Committee Hearing.

“Glasgow City Council has shown itself to yet again be on the side of developers. The decision to rail-road through a large-scale development, one that will change the shape and future of the Shawlands community for generations to come, does not have the approval of the community.

“As Glasgow faces a huge rent crisis, Shawlands does not need more luxury flats - Shawlands needs secure social homes for working class people and families.”