PLANS have been submitted to council chiefs to save a much-loved Glasgow building put at risk of demolition and transform it into a new multi-million-pound health hub.

The historic Church Street School swimming pool, which has been out of use since being drained in 1997, is at the centre of an ambitious proposal put forward by local councillor Jill Brown and Glasgow Labour MSP Paul Sweeney which could see it brought back into public use.

The famous structure was built in 1904 by architects Bruce and Hay for the Govan Parish School Board, one of many similar designs across the city that have been gradually lost over the last century.

In 2002, only a last-ditch plea by Hillhead Community Council to Historic Scotland saw the building saved from demolition, with it slowly falling into a state of complete disrepair.

Images posted online by urban explorer groups last year showed the inside of the pool covered in undergrowth, with parts of the roof caved in. Now it could be on the brink of not only being rescued and restored but being brought back into use.

Mr Sweeney has spoken of his delight after a positive meeting with local authority bosses.

He said: “Councillor Brown and I have been investigating how we can save this beautiful listed building, which is a real part of the heritage and history around Byres Road - and I am delighted to say that we are making good progress.”

Glasgow Times: The politicians hope to rescue and reopen the old poolThe politicians hope to rescue and reopen the old pool (Image: Supplied)

Councillor Brown added: “We had a very positive meeting with council officers recently and as a result we now hope to now present a business case to the health board this summer.

“We are hopefully that can lead to a plan being developed that can give a new lease of life to this wonderful old building. Paul and I are determined to work together to achieve this.”

The Glasgow Times understands that the politicians’ plan would see the old pool complete repurposed and turned into a state-of-the-art health and social care facility, providing a valuable new resource for those living in the west end.

A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said last October that they were ‘in the process' of developing a scheme for the redevelopment of the site, which included the swimming baths but would give no further detail at the time.

Mr Sweeney added: “I know a lot of people have been concerned about the pretty perilous state the building had fallen into, but at the same time they didn’t want to see it torn down. I’m sure they will be delighted to learn it is not for the wrecking ball just yet.

“This can hopefully be a fresh start for the old pool and I’m delighted to see moves being made to save another important piece of Glasgow's history.”