COMMUNITY voices across Dennistoun have welcomed a £2.6m windfall which will transform a local eyesore.

The cash comes from the Scottish Government’s Capital Grants Fund and will be used to renovate the former Meat Market on Belgrove Street into a community space as reported in Wednesday’s Glasgow Times.

READ MORE: Glasgow projects gain £3.7m in support funding from government

The site will be turned into a community space, providing office space, childcare and active play facilities, business start up facilities, arts studios and flexible areas to accommodate local pop-up markets. Glasgow City Council as well as three local housing associations, Glasgow City Heritage Trust and the University of Strathclyde have all contributed to the funding application.

READ MORE: Former Meat Market site to be sold to Home Group by Glasgow City Council for £1.9m

The new plans will add to an existing masterplan for the area which includes over 600 new homes delivered by Home Scotland and the Wheatley Group.

Glasgow Times:

A new park will also be built at the site, linking Bellgrove Street and Melbourne Street.

Alan Benson, Director of Milnbank Housing Association welcomed the funding as a much needed boost for the area. He said:“The announcement of new funding for the former meat market site is great news for the inner east end.

"As part of the overall regeneration of the area, the City Council has asked local housing providers to help deliver benefits for the local community. The funding award makes the project real and will ensure local people are at the heart of the re-development.”

The site has lay derelict for almost twenty years with an abattoir operating on the site until 2001. The area was also home to a used car auction.

Glasgow Times: Historic image of the former abbatoir on the siteHistoric image of the former abbatoir on the site

Dennistoun Councillor, Allan Casey said: “This is a hugely welcome investment for the wider Dennistoun community to take forward the regeneration and restoration of the former Abattoir cattle sheds which have lain derelict for decades. There is some really exciting plans for the future use of the space including pop up local markets, a business start-up hub, children’s active play and community growing spaces.

Glasgow Times: Councillor Allan Casey backs the plansCouncillor Allan Casey backs the plans (Image: Colin Mearns)

This has been a collaborative effort and working with my Calton colleagues Cllrs Greg Hepburn & Cllr Jenifer Layden we look forward to this project linking in with the wider regeneration of the Inner East Masterplan site.”