GLASGOW planners have agreed that a replacement for Barlinnie Prison can be built on derelict land at Provanmill.

The facility will be on the 22-hectare site of the former Provanmill Gasworks on Royston Road.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has been given approval in principle for development of the site as a jail. Further detailed design applications will still have to be made.

The new facility will be designed to accommodate 1,200 adult male offenders.

Six buildings are proposed, consisting of an entry building, kitchen/laundry, prisoner reception/healthcare and three housing blocks with four wings.

A report by planning officials states: “The entry building to Royston Road forms the public facing element of the proposal. The built form to Royston Road is proposed to be no more than a storey and a half high and is set slightly lower than the road.

“A family centre is proposed for this elevation, providing support and information services for families of prisoners along with spaces such as café and meeting rooms. It is SPS’s intention to develop a model that also allows these facilities to be available for community use. The elevation is proposed to be predominantly glazed to create an open, inviting and friendly outward face.

“The applicants state that the house-blocks have been designed to appear like an office development or student accommodation, vertical elements and material changes break up facades.

“The security of the development has been carefully considered and discreetly incorporated into the built form along Royston Road, lessening the potential imposing impact.

“Concrete printing has also been proposed to incorporate artwork into the wall which will serve to disguise and knit it into its environment.”

A wide green corridor beside Royston Road will “enliven the local area along with encouraging wildlife”. Pockets of planting, seated areas, grassed areas and pathways would be provided plus an avenue of trees as a buffer.

A vehicle entrance leading to staff and visitor parking will be across from Broomfield Road, via a traffic-light-controlled junction. Access for prisoner transport and deliveries will be via Blochairn Road.