MORE than 100 people crammed into a Glasgow community centre to have their say on plans to move asylum seekers from the Red Road flats to a business park.

The drop-in meeting at Lambhill Stables last night turned into a heated debate as residents voiced concerns over proposals to develop the former Scottish Water site in Balmore Road into short-stay accommodation.

Plans have been submitted to Glasgow City Council and residents have until tomorrow to lodge objections.

In the coming weeks dozens of families seeking refuge will be moved from Petershill Drive - the last populated block at Red Road - into a hostel in Glasgow city centre until the new accommodation is ready.

It is understood the high rise blocks are due to be demolished next year.

Representatives from Serco, the contractor for the Home Office, and housing provider Orchard and Shipman faced a grilling from concerned residents.

Many said they were angry because they felt there had been no consultation with the community, while others said they did not understand who would live at the site and if they should be worried for their families.

John Dunbar, 40, who lives in Drumfearn Road, attended the meeting with his family.

He said: "We are only finding out about this now - the least they could do is put a letter through our door when they put in the planning application.

"It's like it's been done underhand, like they thought no one would notice. We have concerns about the plans. We don't know the level of asylum seekers coming in and out. I don't think it's a good location."

Eddie McAuley, 47, whose home overlooks the Scottish Water site, said he was worried about the standard of the housing for the asylum seekers.

He said: "I think they should be looking at other sites across the city for different options.

"They are picking on a deprived area. I look on to the property and I used to work at the Scottish Water site. It has paper thin walls. It doesn't seem like a good choice for housing people."

Sandra McCormick, 47, from Possilpark, said: "From my point of view the asylum seekers themselves are not the problem but the plans look like a prison site.

"We don't know enough about it. We don't get enough facilities here as it is so I think the council should be looking into that."

Feedback forms were handed out so that locals could write down their objections.

Stephanie Simpson, chairwoman of Lambhill and District Community Council organised the drop-in.

She said: "The point of this is to get everyone's views and put them across to the planning process.

"We represent the community so we want to make sure everyone is heard. We have to get everybody's responses."

Andy Dalglish, Serco contract director on the Compass contract in Scotland, said: "Together with Orchard and Shipman, who are our housing providers, we have been working closely with the Home Office, Glasgow City Council and our local partners and have engaged with the local communities. The planning application that has been submitted for 419 Balmore Road is a part of this plan."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk