The plan to turn a Glasgow care home into accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers has taken a step forward.
A new planning application has been submitted to transform the Alexandra Court care home on Edinburgh Road in Carntyne.
Previously, Glasgow City Council officials agreed that the use of the building for this purpose is lawful, however, this new bid seeks further clarification for registered care providers.
According to the original documents, submitted in May 2022, the site would accommodate up to 58 asylum seekers at the time on a temporary basis while their applications are processed.
The space would be suitable for families, groups, couples and individuals as well.
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Originally, the nursing home was built in 1992 and was used as such for 25 years, providing care to up to 65 elderly residents at a time, with specialist dementia care.
It closed in 2018 and has been "secure but unoccupied" since.
The closure was a sore point for families and residents and more than 6,000 people signed a petition to save the building but it was ultimately unsuccessful.
Then, early 2022, there was a plan to use the building as serviced apartments, by creating 58 rooms – each containing a bathroom, kitchen with washing machine and fridge, storage, TV and WiFi.
However, this was met by backlash from local residents, who were asking for more clarity on who would use and manage the property.
Now, planning officials are evaluating the current bid, the "use of premises as residential accommodation for asylum seekers, refugees and homeless persons, where care is provided".
A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: “The council has no intention to use this property for homeless emergency accommodation.”
A decision is expected by Friday, April 25.
