FLATS and townhouses are being proposed for a former job centre in Parkhead, the latest in a series of applications across Glasgow seeking to bring empty offices into residential use.

An application to create 14 flats — a mixture of one and two bedroom units — and four townhouses at Norman House, Duke Street, has been submitted to Glasgow City Council.

An internal landscaped courtyard/garden would be provided at first floor level.

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

It continues: “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.

The application is pending consideratioon by city planners.

A proposal to turn a former job centre in Bridgeton into flats was rejected in September although the city council has still not published a decision notice giving its reasons, and architects for the project have since submitted revised design documents as part of the same application.

Planners approved flats conversion of former NHS offices at Charing Cross earlier this year.

Meanwhile an application to turn vacant offices at Anniesland Cross into flats is still being considered, as is a proposal for premises at 1 Somerset Place/169 Elderslie Street, off Sauchiehall Street.