MEMBERS of a tenants union will gather at a Southside shopping centre on Satursay to demand developers add social housing to a £68 million building plan.

Living Rent claims Clydebuilt LP has not communicated fully with residents over long-awaited plans to transform Shawlands Arcade.

Campaigners have launched Our Arcade, Our Say to gather the views of the local community.

Ediston Real Estate, which acquired the centre in 2016 on behalf of Clydebuilt Limited Partnership, said engagement with the community had been extensive.

But Living Rent said it wants better communication, more active engagement with residents, the addition of social housing units to the development and the preservation of space for existing tenants of the Arcade.

Bianca Lopez, chairwoman of the Living Rent Shawlands/Langside branch, said: "It is clear for everyone that the Arcade needs upgrading but the proposed development will result in an influx of wealthy, young professionals which will put an unmanageable strain on services.

"Shawlands needs more social housing and family oriented homes, not more luxury flats."

The centre, at the heart of the Shawlands shopping district, has been at the heart of calls for redevelopment for at least the past decade.

Clydebuilt LP last year announced extensive regeneration plans that include building of a new shopping and leisure quarter alongside new one and two bed apartments.

Living Rent members from Shawlands/Langside will be raising awareness on the Shawlands Arcade development from 2pm to 3pm with a suggestion box gathering local views.

The union said the action has been sparked by a lack of information from Clydebuilt LP regarding the progress of the regeneration plans.

Clydebuilt's plans include 600 flats in a block rising 13 stories, which will tower over surrounding buildings.

Living Rent is asking residents to suggest alternative uses for the site and have a say in what they want to see happen to the arcade.

Using a big suggestion box and placards, members want to bring attention to what the proposed development is, the perceived problems associated with it and ask what local residents need and want the arcade to be.

In October 2021 Living Rent sent a letter to the developers outlining concerns of Shawlands residents.

These include increased pressure on already busy schools, dentists, GPs, cleansing services and transportation; the short term nature of the proposed units and lack of parking; lack of social housing and family oriented homes; and displacement of businesses and community organisations currently operating within the Arcade.

They also claim the new flats will push up rental prices in the area in the midst of a rent crisis across Scotland.

This follows other developments of luxury homes in the area such as the £10 million Waverley Park Apartments whose penthouses prices start at £259,995.

Unlike other local authorities, Glasgow city development plan does not require private developments to include a proportion of social housing but Living Rent wants to see social housing added to the plans.

When regeneration plans were announced in May 2021 the proposals were deemed to be a "major" planning application and so carry with them a statutory requirement to engage.

Ediston Real Estate said the engagement process to date and planned is "considerably in excess" of these requirements and were shared Glasgow City Council’s planning team where their suggestions were also incorporated.

The spokeswoman said: "The proposals are being brought forward by the Arcade’s owners, Clydebuilt LP, which is a property investment and development fund co-owned by Strathclyde Pension Fund and Ediston Real Estate and has a strong track record in delivering successful regeneration projects."

She also provided a list of 15 engagement opportunities and activities undertaken in 2021, including meetings with ward councillors, community councils, Shawlands BID, as well as consultation events open to the public and a freephone number to call with questions.

The spokeswoman added: "In Autumn 2021, we approached Shawlands and Strathbungo Community Council to ask if they and interested residents would work with the Landscape Architect to inform the design of new proposed public spaces.

"At present only 17% of the Arcade can be deemed as “useable” public realm – this will increase to approximately 50%.

"We held an online and inperson workshop with Community Council representatives.

"The Community Council (at our request) then shared plans on its Facebook page and asked the wider community for input. This feedback was issued to us in January 2022 and is currently being reviewed.

"In October 2021, we also emailed Living Rent to offer direct engagement with them as we were aware they had concerns with the proposed regeneration.

"The offer wasn’t taken up."