SCOTTISH Gas Networks want to build a new base on vacant land in Robroyston, providing new job opportunities in the area.

A planning application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council this week for the development of the Nova Business Park site, which is next to Wallacewell Farm.

If the plans are approved, a new purpose built facility would be on the site which would allow for the relocation of various SGN operations currently based on different sites near Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The new facility would consist of a training centre, depot and workshop with office space for

SGN staff associated with the corporate, depot and workshop functions.

The plans revealed the training facility would be used by 16 staff and 100 students.

The plans, however, state that no operational gas plant would be located on the proposed site.

SGN say they manage a network that distributes natural and green gas to 5.9 million homes and businesses across Scotland and the south of England.

The site they want to build their new base on was previously agricultural land with marsh associated with Robroyston Loch. The site was used for tipping of construction and demolition waste between 1960 and 1974 and again in1988.

A subsequent earthworks programme was carried out in 1997/98 before individual plots were developed. The majority of the plots on Nova Business Park, owned by Scottish Enterprise, however, have remained undeveloped since 1998.

A statement within the planning application said: "The SGN proposal will revitalise the development of Nova Business Park and provide new opportunities for employment in the area.

"The proposed SGN development site at Nova Technology Park, Robroyston is

identified on the ‘City Development Plan: Policy and Proposals Map’ as an ‘opportunity site’ within a ‘Strategic Economic Investment Location’ (SEIL).

"The development proposals will enable SGN to relocate a number of existing technology

and training operations from other locations and increase the potential for employment opportunities in the local area."

The statement added: "The remediation and subsequent development of a vacant site will have a positive effect on the overall visual impact of business park from surrounding areas."

The last date for comments on the application is September 3 while a decision is expected to be made by city planners on the plans by October 4.