PLANS have been unveiled to build a pioneering new medical research facility on a site left vacant at the Southern General Hospital site in Glasgow.

The state of the art building has been proposed for the old neurosurgical block, and could house technology never used before in the UK.

Demolition of the site is expected to take place during the summer this year, with patients now being treated at the new South Glasgow University Hospital since April.

A clinical building, 'The Roundhouse' currently occupies the site, but if plans drawn up by the University of Glasgow go ahead the facility will take its place.

It would contain the UK's first 7 Tesla clinical MRI scanner, a whole body scanner weighing around 42 tons.

A theatre suite is also to be located on level one of the building, providing an essential upgrade to the existing theatre suite on level one of the Institute of Neurological Sciences.

The floor will be occupied by the NHS and will house four theatres, which will form part of an extensive refurbishment of the overall INS theatre suite, to bring the current facilities in line with current space standards.

Construction has been awarded to BAM Construction with BMJ Architects providing designs for the new building.