PLANS have been submitted to build a "student accommodation" style replacement to Barlinnie Prison - on the site of a former gang hotspot. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has sent an application to Glasgow City Council's planning department for the estimated £100million development, close to the Provan gas works.
The new facility, HMP Glasgow, is planned to accommodate adult male offenders in blocks "designed to appear like an office development or student accommodation", with other sections planned to incorporate an "inviting and friendly outward face".
A statement provided in the planning application accepts that the current Bar-L prison in Riddrie is "no longer fit for purpose."
It added that the intention is to "close and dispose" of the site at Barlinnie.
It reads: "The existing prison has been criticised for overcrowding and a lack of facilities in various reports by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland and these issues will be addressed as part of the proposals
"By replacing an old and unfit prison, HMP Glasgow will provide a fit-for-purpose community facing prison, which supports the Government's objective of reducing the risk of prisoners reoffending on release from custody."
The site was first identified by SPS' consultants, Colliers International, back in July 2014 with around 40 other locations being looked at since then.
However it was confirmed in February last year that the north east Glasgow site was the only place currently being considered.
At the time, a spokesperson told MSPs: "We expect, with a fair wind, that we should have a new Barlinnie by the end of 2024, perhaps 2025."
The Provanmill site has become iconic for its striking gas towers visible from the M8 motorway.
The site
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