CRITICS of a north Glasgow housing development have cautiously welcomed planning approval after plans were changed in line with community pressure.

Councillors yesterday gave the green light to a scheme to redevelop the former Ruchill Hospital site with the building on 400 homes.

Initial plans were criticised previously as being "cut and paste plans" for "identikit" properties that did not respect the history of the site.

A new "bespoke" design code has been taken on using red brick as a nod to the previous red sandstone of the hospital.

Developers Bellway Homes has also listened to worries about the A-listed water tower - described as one of the most beautiful in Glasgow - and B-listed staircase on the plot.

Glasgow Times: Ruchill Hospital redevelopment plans

The tower will be retained as a "central feature" and a "pocket park" will be built nearby.

Concerns had been raised about the intention to have 160% car parking spaces and this issue remains, but a council official said it is hoped this can be reduced to 125%.

Paul Sweeney MSP had backed calls for Bellway to go back to the drawing board on designs and make changes.

Glasgow Times:

In October last year he told the Glasgow Times that "the design proposed is a weak and old-fashioned suburban gated community of expensive private homes in a sea of car-parking".

He expressed mixed feelings about the new, improved plans but acknowledged positive changes have been made.

He said: "There was a vociferous campaign from local residents but this is still absolutely going to be a gated community.

"There will be 160% car parking spaces so it's still a little bit of suburbia transplanted into the inner city.

Glasgow Times:

"Bellway has agreed to do it all in red brick and agreed to retain the sandstone carvings and sculptures from the hospital, so that is quite good.

"And they are looking to make changes to plans for the water tower and staircase.

"Bellway has responded to comments from the local community and, although there is still excessive car parking, this is a welcome improvement."

At a meeting of the planning committee councillor Eva Bolander asked for a condition on the reduction in car parking to be strengthened, which the committee agreed.

A finalised layout of car parking will need to be provided before work can start and, where parking is removed, landscaping will need to be provided.

Bellway Homes will develop the brownfield site at Bilsland Drive by building 243 houses and 160 flats across 10 blocks on the site.

Ruchill Hospital opened in 1900 as an infectious diseases hospital and was absorbed into the NHS in the 1940s.

It was closed in 1998 and bought by Scottish Enterprise in 1999 before the land was then sold to Bellway Homes.