Glasgow City Council Sets New Housing Design Standards
Published
October 21, 2025
Glasgow City Council has released the Glasgow Standard: Cost, Quality and Design Review (October 2025) with important updates on how affordable housing is designed, assessed, and delivered across the city.
The review updates the 2022 version and introduces a Preferred Approach to space standards, ensuring that new homes remain high-quality, inclusive, and cost-effective while supporting Glasgow’s Net Zero and Affordable Housing Supply Programme commitments.
Key Changes for RSLs and Design Teams:
GIFA now governs space standards, replacing the former net measurement system.
Maximum floor areas are now defined, with developments exceeding these limits subject to redesign.
The Preferred Approach allows slightly smaller, more efficient homes, while ensuring all essential HfVN and Technical Standards requirements are met.
10% wheelchair adaptable homes remain a requirement for developments of 20+ units.
Design flexibility is promoted, supporting adaptable layouts, open-plan living, and built-in study or home-working spaces.
The shift to GIFA measurement and the tightening of maximum sizes will have direct implications for how Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and design teams approach project viability, layout design, and value-for-money assessments. The Council’s Technical Team will now assess all submitted layouts at Stage 1, with a focus on ensuring homes remain functional, adaptable, and deliverable within budget constraints.
Glasgow’s Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP)
Scotland’s National Performance Framework (NPF)
By adopting the 2025 Glasgow Standard, the city aims to deliver sustainable, inclusive, and flexible homes that meet current and future housing needs while maintaining financial sustainability for RSLs and developers.
Summary of Key Space Standard Changes:
Glasgow Standard – Space Standard Comparison (2022 vs 2025)
Occupancy / Property Type
2022 Standard (approx., Net or earlier GIFA)
2025 Preferred Approach (New)
2025 Maximum GIFA
Comment / Trend
1 bed / 1 person flat
≈36 m²
≈31–32 m²
32.5 m²
Slight reduction to improve efficiency.
1 bed / 2 person flat
≈52 m²
≈45–46 m²
47.5 m²
Reduced by ≈10 %, to align with HIGN 2008/09.
2 bed / 3 person house / flat
≈70 m²
≈58–59 m²
60–61 m²
Smaller minimum; still must fit furniture and activity spaces.
2 bed / 4 person house
≈80 m²
≈70–72 m²
73.5 m²
Reduction of 8–10 %, tighter value-for-money test.
3 bed / 5 person house (2‑storey mid)
≈92 m²
≈84–86 m²
89.5 m²
Reduced slightly; still compliant with HfVN.
3 bed / 6 person house (2‑storey mid)
≈101–104 m²
≈94–95 m²
97 m²
Reduction of 5–7 m².
4 bed / 7 person house (2‑storey mid)
≈118–120 m²
≈110–112 m²
114.5 m²
Slight reduction; aligns with passivhaus/Net Zero compactness.
5 bed / 8 person house (2‑storey mid)
≈126–128 m²
≈118–120 m²
121.5 m²
Reduction of 5–7 m².
6 bed / 9 person house (3‑storey)
≈137–140 m²
≈128–130 m²
132.5 m²
Streamlined for cost control.
Wheelchair Adaptable / Accessible Units
Occupancy / Property Type
2022 Standard (approx.)
2025 Maximum GIFA
Change / Comment
1 bed / 2 person flat
≈62 m²
57.5–58.5 m²
Slight reduction; design efficiency improved.
3 bed / 5 person house (2‑storey)
≈112 m²
107.5 m²
Marginal reduction; still meets full HfVN circulation.
