RESIDENTS have raised questions over plans to allow a housing association to take over the site of a former day centre.

Cardonald residents had hoped to make the disused Berryknowes Resource Centre into a community hub, due to the lack of community facilities in the area.

In March last year the Evening Times reported on how locals were preparing their own proposals for submission to the council with the help of local councillor Alastair Watson.

But they were left reeling when the local authority handed over use of the space on Hallrule Drive to Loretto Housing Association.

Now they are questioning how the decision was made and said they feel as though their plans for an essential community space have been ignored.

Morag Williamson, chairwoman of the North Cardonald Tenants and Residents Association said: "The information has been poor all along.

"How can it just be decided that this housing association is getting the property?

"We wanted something more than what we have, something the community can use for events.

"We don't have anything like that here.

"The ideal solution would be to have something built for community use on part of the land."

Despite repeated efforts to glean more information from the local authority about the decision, the group have not been given many details of the deal.

They were told by an employee at city property "it was decided that negotiations should be entered into with Loretto Housing Association regarding the proposed development...

"It is not possible to advise the nature of the proposed development, the timescale or the willingness of the Housing Association to work with us to accommodate the community."

Esther Thomson, from the Berryknowes Steering group, said: "We had heard that Loretto were getting it on the condition that we had a community facility, then we heard this wasn't necessarily part of the plans.

"If they put something underneath flats, it's not much good. You couldn't hold large-scale events - there would be complaints."

Councillor Alistair Watson said he would help to facilitate discussions between Loretto and the group, and said there was a strong need for community facilities in the area.

A council spokesman said the decision to award the site to Loretto was taken in May 2015 after bids from three interested groups.

The housing association is understood to be planning to build housing with features designed for residents with additional needs, due to a shortfall of this type of accommodation in the area.

A spokeswoman from Loretto said: "Proposals to build around 30 homes for older people at the site are at a very early stage.

"If, after a detailed feasibility study, we decide to take the plans to the next stage we will work closely with the community and consult fully with local people and groups."