By Eddie Harbinson

CONTROVERSIAL plans to open a guest house close to one of Scotland’s toughest prisons are back on the table.

Proposals to transform a derelict building at Ruchazie Place, near HMP Barlinnie, into a 22-bedroom B&B, will go before Glasgow City Council tomorrow.

Business owner Naresh Gajri had his initial application rejected in June last year, following an outcry by Cranhill Community Council, Riddrie Tenants and Residents Association, and councillors.

However, that decision could be overturned by Glasgow City Council’s planning local review committee.

Labour councillor Frank Docherty is firmly opposed to the plans and said, “it would be the biggest shock in all my years as a councillor,” if they are approved.

Mr Gajri’s planning agent, Andrew Benning, claimed the objections were based on the notion that the guest house’s clientele would be “undesirable in some way”.

But Cranhill Community Council chairwoman Marie McCairns said: “I think the building is not suitable for anyone and that is the reality of it. "Like all communities we are part of the multicultural society and Glasgow does it better than most cities.

“Undoubtedly the potential clientele would be coming and going at all times of the day and night. “Such facilities are already available in more appropriate areas like the city centre.”

In a letter to Glasgow’s planning chiefs, the community council said residents were “very anxious” about the proposals and insisted the building should be turned into a community hub.

Labour councillor Frank Docherty also slammed the plans, claiming the building is not fit for purpose.

He said: “I tried to shut this down three years ago. At that time the owner wanted to pull in refugees and asylum seekers but I wouldn’t put a greyhound in the place.

“There’s no way on this earth I can see this application going through. If it does it’ll be the biggest shock in all my years as a councillor.”

But in a statement to the committee, Andrew Benning said: “This building has lain vacant for a lengthy period of time as a consequence of which, its physical fabric has begun to show signs of decay, which will only worsen the longer that the building remains vacant and unused.

“Bed and breakfast guesthouses are to be found within residential areas across the city and operate as such without giving rise to any issues in terms of impact upon the established amenity of the areas in which they are located.”

As well as the 22-bedrooms, the plans would also see a staff room, a communal kitchen and breakfast room, a TV room, a social area and a laundry room.

It is the third attempt to revamp the building, with previous applications seeking to build sheltered accommodation for the elderly and a hostel for single asylum seekers.

Barlinnie is the largest prison in Scotland, regularly holding well over 1,000 prisoners, although it has a design capacity of 1,018.