A HEARING is to be held into plans for a massive development in the South Side of Glasgow.

In 2008, Scottish Ministers granted permission for work on a site next to junction three of the M77 motorway in Greater Pollok.

The scheme, by Glasgow-based Meridian Developments, included new offices, shops, a pub, 200 houses and a hotel.

Today councillors will consider a revised scheme which reduces the industrial and business space by just over 50%, increases the number of new homes to 300 and adds "significant" space for companies selling bulky goods, as well as car and motorbike showrooms.

It also expands the planned community facilities but includes a smaller 70-bedroom hotel.

Richard Brown, the city council's executive director of development and regeneration, says in a report that allowing housing on the site would be a significant departure from the planning blueprint for the area.

But he adds: "The justification put forward for its favourable recommendation is that it covers an existing site already granted permission for residential use.

"It would enable industrial and business development to take place on a site which has been identified for such uses for more than 30 years.

"The applicant has submitted a retail impact study of the predicted impact on existing retail facilities in the area, including Darnley B&Q, Silverburn, Shawlands, Auldhouse and Newton Mearns.

"It also examined the impact of the proposal on retail centres outwith the area ranging from East Kilbride to Braehead, Paisley and the city centre.

"From an analysis of the study, it is concluded existing retail facilities both within and outwith the area would be able to withstand the anticipated impact."

Mr Brown said the developer claims it will only be able to fund the industrial and business elements of the plan by selling the planned housing.

His report adds: "The applicant has advised a revised proposal is necessary due to the current economic downturn which has led to changing market conditions for all types of developments."

The city council's planning committee will consider whether the scheme should go ahead in the next few weeks.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk