Evening TimesA £13.5MILLION health and social care hub in Glasgow has been given the go-ahead.
The environmentally-friendly centre in Drumoyne claims to be the city's first carbon neutral building and is set to provide a range of vital services for people.
As well as facilities for community nursing, physiotherapy and podiatry, the two-storey, 5700sqm one-stop-shop will house drug and alcohol projects and be a base for elderly and children's services.
The steel-clad structure, to be built low into the ground to restrict noise pollution from the nearby M8 motorway, will also provide space for voluntary and community groups.
It will be funded by Glasgow City Council and NHS Greater Glasgow who have pledged local people will be employed by contractors.
Councillors granted full planning permission earlier this week with work due to start at the Craigton Road site in spring.
Award-winning architect Alan Dunlop, who designed the building, is confident it will be both practical and iconic.
His last public project was the groundbreaking Hazelwood School for children with special needs in Bellahouston, which is currently being praised for its innovative design at an international exhibition in London.
He said: "This centre will set new standards in health care for Glasgow and we are delighted to be involved.
"All too often health and social care buildings are bleak places to visit. We wanted to make sure this centre was the opposite - light, airy and dynamic.
"It was a difficult site to work with but we've spent time ensuring it will fit perfectly into the local environment."
Six specially-fitted aerofoil roof panels will bathe the building in year-round natural light, while internal courtyards will improve the indoor environment.
Meanwhile, rainwater collected around the building will be used to help run the sanitation system.
The entire structure will be covered in specialist Cor-Ten steel cladding in a bid to reflect Govan's shipbuilding history.
Councillor Stephen Curran, chairman of the Glasgow South West Community Health and Care Partnership, said: "Securing approval for these ambitious plans represents a significant step forward for the South West Community Health and Care Partnership.
"Not only will we soon have a fantastic, environmentally sensitive piece of modern architecture in the south west of the city, but we will also have a superb facility in which to provide the health and social care required by people of this community."
Internal renders of the proposed new Social Sevices building @ Craigton Rd Govan from GM+AD Architects.