Planning submission for the Wishart Street Key Worker Housing scheme marks a defining moment not just for Glasgow, but for how we collectively respond to one of the UK’s most pressing social challenges.
The national picture is clear: there is a chronic undersupply of quality, affordable housing for key workers. Across the UK, there are an estimated 10.6 million key workers, including 3.1 million in the NHS alone. In Scotland, that figure exceeds one million, with over 300,000 in health and social care and in Glasgow, more than 100,000 people form part of this essential workforce. Yet too many continue to face high rents, poor-quality accommodation and long commutes, often with limited support from employers constrained by funding pressures.
The 2023 NHS Homes Alliance White Paper brought this challenge into sharp focus. It identified staffing as the single biggest issue facing the NHS, with a shortfall of more than 154,000 workers, a gap set to grow. Crucially, 68% of NHS staff said that lack of affordable housing could drive them to leave their roles. When those who care for us are unable to live near where they work, the impact is felt far beyond housing, it directly affects the resilience of our healthcare system.
This is the context in which the Wishart Street proposals have come forward. Located adjacent to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the development will deliver 168 purpose-built studio homes designed specifically for NHS staff. This is not just housing; it is targeted, intentional infrastructure for a workforce that underpins our society.
The scheme adopts a Purpose-Built Key Worker Accommodation (PBKWA) model, an approach grounded in both evidence and collaboration with NHS partners. Studios, ranging from 18–25m², will provide high-quality, self-contained living spaces with en-suite bathrooms and kitchenettes, complemented by generous communal amenities. These include shared kitchens, lounges, co-working spaces, and landscaped areas, alongside a roof terrace overlooking the historic Glasgow Necropolis.
This balance of private and shared space is critical. It reflects the realities of shift work, the importance of rest and recovery, and the value of community for those working in high-pressure environments. Just as importantly, the scheme is car-free and positioned within walking distance of the hospital and key transport links, removing the need for long, costly commutes and supporting a more sustainable way of living.
At its core, this development challenges a long-standing imbalance. For too long, key workers have been underserved by the housing market, despite the essential role they play. This scheme seeks to redress that delivering homes that are not only affordable, but modern, safe and designed with dignity in mind.
Reaching this planning milestone has been a genuinely collaborative effort. Close engagement with local residents, Glasgow City Council, NHS partners and the wider project team has shaped a proposal that is both contextually sensitive and future focused.
The Wishart Street development represents a major step forward in how we think about housing for key workers. This has been a highly collaborative process, bringing together partners with a shared ambition to deliver something meaningful and lasting. As a first-of-its-kind project in Scotland, it sets a powerful precedent not just in design, but in intent. We have an opportunity here to create a model that supports NHS staff in a tangible way, improving day-to-day life and strengthening the foundations of our healthcare system for generations to come.
Wishart Street is more than a response to demand, it is a proactive, scalable solution. One that recognises that for the NHS to thrive, the people behind it must be supported not only at work, but at home.
