COMMUNITY councils around the Victoria Infirmary are calling their own public consultation.

The Victoria Forum - made up of three community councils - will host an event on February 22 asking for local views on plans for the redevelopment of the former hospital site.

Organisers said they are frustrated with a lack of communication from developer Sanctuary Group.

Evelyn Silber, chairwoman of the Victoria Forum said: “This is a very large site and ‘housing and supporting uses’ covers a lot of possibilities.

"Listening to community views can help ensure that it is of long term benefit rather than aggravating existing problems, with parking for instance.

"There is the potential to address local needs and improve the area. We need to think about the types of housing we want and the community facilities we need.

"For example, there is not a single children’s playground in the whole of Langside /Battlefield outside Queen's Park.

"If it is just more flats and parking it will be a great opportunity missed.”

The event, at Langside Parish Church, will come during an official public consultation, which begins today.

As first told in the Evening Times, the housing association's drop-in sessions are today and February 11 at Langside Library.

Four weeks later, on Thursday, March 9 and Saturday, March 11, the second set of consultation events will take place.

The consultation programme will finish with two final drop-in sessions on Thursday, March 23 and Saturday, March 25.

The Victoria Forum said they will feed back views, on housing, transport and community needs, gathered at their meeting to Sanctuary Group bosses.

Organisers have asked for meetings with Peter Martin, group director of development at Sanctuary Group, but say he has not engaged with them.

They say they are "frustrated and disappointed" at a lack of communication from Sanctuary, including a lack of posters in the local area to advertise the consultations.

Mr Martin said: “Our six public consultation sessions have been widely publicised.

"Posters have been circulated, neighbouring properties notified and prominent news articles have appeared in local media, trade media and the Evening Times itself.

"A statutory notice publicising this week's sessions appeared in both the Evening Times and The Herald on February 1. The details of all six sessions appeared on Facebook on January 19.

"While we look forward to hearing the Victoria Forum’s views, this group does not speak for everyone. Other residents and community representatives are equally important.

"Everyone has six open sessions to see our materials, ask us questions and contribute their views to this process.

"Our award-winning design team wish to create the best development possible, a project influenced by local residents.

"A full and open dialogue at our consultation sessions will make this shared goal possible.”

Sanctuary Housing plans to build 400 new homes on the nine acre site, bought from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on August 1 last year.

Ms Silber added: "We are long term stakeholders in the area. It is worth the effort to give sufficient time and thought to the future of Battlefield and its surroundings.

"We believe that responsible city planners and developer will be responsive to the community’s views."

The Victoria Forum is made up of Langside, Battlefield and Camphill; Mount Florida; and Shawlands and Strathbungo community councils.

More information about the consultation is on the website www.newoldvicky.org