A CONTROVERSIAL planning bid to transform a derelict nursing home into serviced apartments has caused conflict among residents.

Plans to turn the former Alexandra Court care home on Edinburgh Road in Carntyne into 58 apartment-style rooms – each containing a bathroom, kitchen with washing machine and fridge, storage, TV and WiFi – were submitted to Glasgow City Council last month.

The application outlines plans for a live-in concierge will also be on-site 24/7 to service guests, who will be able to stay within the building for 90 days.

It’s also hoped there will be communal break-out areas, coffee points, a gym, a TV room, a sauna, a dining room, a laundry room and on-site parking.

Those living close to the site have claimed there has been a lack of consultation and complaints have been raised that work has already begun on the site despite planning permission not yet having been granted.

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However, the building’s owner insists all work being done on the site is to safeguard the building.

Ann Jenkins, who lives in the area, has called on more clarity around the potential changes to the site, including who will be housed in the building as speculation has been rife among the community.

She said: “Everyone I have spoken to is absolutely furious with the attitude of the developer. They have ridden roughshod over their views.

“This community is a fantastic place to live and work, and we always welcome new homes and investment.

“But it is not fair to dump people here with no support services and no consultation with local residents.”

Ann, who is planning to stand in the upcoming council election on the back of the issue, added: “I am challenging the developers to face up to the local residents and explain the impact of their plans.”

Councillor Elaine McDougall has also given her backing to the residents' plight.

The closure of the Barchester Alexandra Court Nursing Home in 2018 was a sore point for families and residents alike.

More than 6000 people signed a petition to save the building, which housed 53 vulnerable patients, including those with dementia.

It was ultimately unsuccessful, and the former home has lain empty for the last three years.

The building owner said it has since become a “target” for criminals who have broken in and stripped the boiler room and copper from the site – flooding it in the process.

He insisted the aim of the development is to transform the derelict building into student accommodation if permission is granted.

The owner said: “The claims about the developers are categorically incorrect … we’ve been broken into three times now and for security purposes, we don’t want to give out too much information.”

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He added: “We’re safeguarding our property because we’ve been flooded inside because [the criminals] have stripped out all the sinks and flooded the property.

“We have to do spot checks every week to make sure, for insurance purposes, nothing else has happened to the property.”

There are currently no plans for work to be carried out to the external property.

In a design statement, it reads: “In order to ensure a secure and private reservation service, all bookings will be online, and all rooms will only be accessible by codes, which will be supplied when booking.

“Both the main entrance door and the individual rooms will only be accessible by code, and these will be available on confirmation of a booking.”

A decision is set to be made about the plans on February 18.