GLASGOW'S helipad is to be relocated across the river in a move that could signal a development for the SECC.

It will move from its current base at Stobcross Road over the River Clyde to Govan.

It is currently operated by Bond Air Services whose business includes Strathclyde Police's air support unit, the Air Ambulance and passenger services on land owned by the SECC.

Consent has been passed by Glasgow City Council and now SECC chiefs have revealed the new site could be up and running within two years.

The move is a first step towards redeveloping the west side of the SECC as a residential village.

It comes after plans for a multi-million pound hotel, casino and car park development were given the go-ahead.

John Sharkey, chief executive of the SECC, said: "With the relocation of the helipad, it is the first step in unlocking the potential of the west side of the SECC for future development including a residential development.

"The helipad has been on site for around 20 years and we have a long-standing commitment with operators Bond.

"We have come up with an alternative site which has been agreed by Bond. It will be a long process and may take around two years to complete the relocation."

The new site at Linthouse Road was used as a boat yard and is now a brownfield site close to the Thales optronics factory.

It is proposed that six landing pads will be built, a combined hanger and office-accommodation block with associated medical gas bottle store, fuel containment area, loading bay, car parking and landscaping.

Tenders for the work are being sought.

Potential development of the helipad site comes after the latest stage of a multi-million pound plan to transform Glasgow's Clydeside was given the go-ahead earlier this month.

The plans form are part of a new £125 million entertainment venue being built at the SECC – the Scottish Hydro Arena, sponsored by Scottish Hydro to the tune of £1.5m a year for the next 10 years.

In the planning application a casino, hotel and multi-storey car park were all proposed for the site.

Long-term plans include around 1000 new homes, as part of a "Sustainable Urban Village."

Other facilities will include shops, a medical surgery and a nursery school.

Mr Sharkey added: "With a combination of the Fastlink project and developments which have opened up the River Clyde, we are constantly developing our strategy.

"There is a depth to the site stretching from the river to the expressway and there is a great opportunity to do something."

Work on the national arena started in February and is due to be finished in 2013.

It will be able to seat 12,000 people and will host around 140 events a year, from international music stars to sporting events.

deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk