BUILDING work has begun on the redevelopment of the former Victoria Infirmary hospital site.

The hospital closed in 2015 with housebuilder Sanctuary taking over the site for redevelopment.

A £29.3 million first phase will see housing provider Sanctuary create 135 affordable homes and 11 retail units in Langside.

Peter Martin, Sanctuary’s Group director – Development, said: "The Victoria is one of Scotland’s most eagerly-anticipated housing projects so it’s rewarding to see phase 1 underway.

"These affordable homes will be highly sought after and bring new life to a historic site, sowing seeds for the South Side’s newest community.

"We thank Glasgow City Council for sharing our vision for the Victoria and helping fund 135 affordable, accessible homes local residents desperately need.

"The new public realm will complement this first phase of homes, creating an attractive, traffic-free route through the development from Battlefield to Queen’s Park."

When Sanctuary's plans for the site were submitted, Langside, Battlefield and Camphill; Mount Florida; and Shawlands and Strathbungo community councils formed the Victoria Forum to give local people a voice in the redevelopment of the major South Side site.

There were concerns around the lack of a 'master plan' for the site and the effectiveness of community engagement.

Glasgow Times:

Sanctuary's final approved conditions for the site include 60 flats for mid-market rent, 43 for social rent and 32 for New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE) sale.

Glasgow City Council contributed £15.7m to increase the number of affordable housing options in the area.

All of the blocks have a lift and 14 of the flats in phase 1 are wheelchair adaptable.

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: “This is a huge project that should deliver real benefits to the local community and the wider city.

“Sanctuary is taking a really important site and retaining and reusing the best of its existing buildings to ensure it continues to be a focal point in the neighbourhood – through quality, affordable housing, places for work and new civic space.”

Keys to these one, two and three bedroom apartments will be handed over from summer 2022.

Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association will manage the 103 homes for rent.

Anyone interested in a flat for social or mid-market rent should phone 0800 131 3348 or email contactus@sanctuary-housing.co.uk for an application form.

To register an interest in buying an apartment through the Scottish Government’s New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE) scheme, please visit www.sanctuary-homes.co.uk/developments/the-victoria.

The Victoria’s second phase will create more than 200 homes for open market sale, including apartments in the restored Nightingale Pavilions.

Further information on the future homes for sale at The Victoria will soon be available at www.thevictoriaglasgow.co.uk.