APPROVAL has been given for the upper floor of a former job centre in Parkhead to be turned into flats.

Glasgow City Council planners granted permission for the changes at Norman House, Duke Street.

There will be nine flats, eight with one bedroom and one with two bedrooms.

A communal courtyard will be provided at first floor level.

A document included with the application stated that the property — which is beside the Forge market and shopping centre — had been marketed extensively for three years without any office enquiries being received.

It continued: “A few suitors have made themselves known to us including the local housing association.

“We have sought advice from professionals on planning, design, and occupier demand and our conclusion is that there is a need for affordable and social housing and the influx of new residents will hopefully generate requirements for the retail units.

“We would like to suggest the conversion of the disused office to residential is both positive and good use of otherwise vacant space reflecting market trends.”

Retail units at ground level will be kept although rent has more than halved, falling from a high of £25 per square foot to £12 per square foot.

Of four long-term vacant units, one has now been let to a veterinary practice which is trading well and two more units may soon go under offer, one to a greengrocer and another to a podiatrist.