A ROW has broken out between health chiefs and a private firm over parking at Glasgow's new hospital.

NHS staff have struck a deal which will allow workers to park on derelict land next to the South Glasgow University Hospital, owned by Ogilvie Construction.

The Stirling-based firm will charge staff £3 a day to leave their cars in the temporary public car park, which has a full-time attendant and lighting.

However, the health board told the Evening Times it had been in ­negotiations with the company for weeks to take up the lease on the land and offer it to staff free of charge.

A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said it was "disappointed" that the firm had decided to charge staff to use the site.

The number of cars expected to come to the area when the adult and children's hospitals are complete has caused controversy, with staff concerned they won't be able to park and local people fearing their streets will be overrun with cars.

The new £842million campus will employ more than 10,000 staff and many more patients and visitors will travel to and from the building every day.

But fewer than 3000 parking spaces will be provided when the 24-hour facility opens its doors next year.

A health board spokeswoman said: "NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) have been in negotiation with Ogilvie Construction to lease the derelict land for a period of 15 months until all the car parks have been completed on the campus.

"We would then offer this to staff, patients and visitors free of charge with the cost borne by NHSGGC.

"We are disappointed that Ogilvie Construction has decided to offer the derelict land to our staff at a charge."

A spokesman for Ogilvie Construction said: "We were approached by staff at the Southern General, who asked if the site at Hardgate Road could be used as a car park at a reasonable daily rate.

"In response to that request, the intention is to operate the site as a temporary public car park with a flat rate of £3 per day, per car."

Earlier this week the Evening Times revealed plans by bosses to increase the number of parking spaces at the multi-storey car parks.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said the Board was in discussions with planners to look at whether there is any scope to increase the number of spaces from 3500 to 4000.

Glasgow City Council is considering a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in the Govan area.