A FORMER rehab centre is to be demolished to make way for hundreds of new Springburn homes.

Glasgow City Council is proposing to transform Phoenix Futures former unit in the city’s Keppochhill Road, as well as the surrounding former blaes recreation pitches and part of Cowclairs Park, into 750 new homes.

The space, which is set to include 200 mid-market rent houses, is also proposed to host a new public realm, a play space and an urban drainage system.

A spokesman for the local authority said it aimed to ensure open park spaces are located to improve travel connections throughout the area.

He added: “The development team have begun consulting with the local community on initial proposals and the first of a number of ‘Place Standard’ workshops took place in early in November to ensure the proposals will be in keeping with the Scottish Government placemaking requirements and ensuring that Cowlairs will be a catalyst in the regeneration of nearby Saracen Street and Possilpark town centre.”

READ MORE: Rehab centre opens doors to residents despite protests

The new homes, which is part of another Glasgow City Region Deal project, are set to be a zero-carbon community.

It's understood the proposal is still in the early stages with a planning application yet to be submitted.

Phoenix Futures rented the site from Thenue Housing for more than two decades until it relocated to its controversial new site in Anniesland’s Munro Court in August.

Dozens of residential service users were housed in the site, which was split into two dorm-like structures with one for men and the other women.

It also featured and outdoor space and communal areas but was scrapped by the rehab firm after it became unfit for purpose.

Narrow corridors, multiple stairways and no lift access meant disabled addicts could not be accepted into the site, while family and friends with mobility issues were also unable to visit service users within the facility.

READ MORE: Drug rehab centre's plea to Anniesland residents ahead of controversial move

James Armstrong, director of marketing and innovation at Phoenix Futures, said: “Phoenix Futures previously leased a site on Keppochill Road.

“We decided not to renew the lease when it expired in August 2018 and have since moved to a new property in Glasgow.”

A spokesman for the housing confirmed it was handling the demolition of the former centre, which is currently underway, before handing the land over to Glasgow City Council after it requested to take over the site, which is located minutes away from the Possilpark Health and Care Centre and Cowlairs Industrial Estate.

He added: “Glasgow City Council have asked Thenue Housing if it can acquire the land.

“Thenue is currently progressing this and it is our understanding that this site will open up a piece of land behind it for further development by the council.”