APPROVAL has been given for a major residential development on car park land owned by Rangers Football Club.

Councillors agreed that Merchant Homes Partnerships can build 160 two-bedroom flats for social rent on part of Albion car park, at Broomloan Road and Edmiston Drive, near Ibrox stadium.

The proposal is for two four-storey buildings, shaped like horseshoes, around a large courtyard. Much of the car park — at least 450 spaces — will be kept. Rangers will provide replacement spaces in other parking areas although there will be a loss of 89 spaces overall.

City planning officers had urged that the go-ahead be given. Their report stated: “The flats would be arranged in two separate elongated semi-circular blocks creating a distinct racetrack bowl footprint.

“The layout takes its cues from a previous use of the land as a greyhound track (prior to being used as a training ground by Rangers FC) whilst incorporating a finish to complement the main stand at Ibrox with the recurring red-brick bay.”

A design document included with the application stated: “Our ambition for the Albion site is to create a residential development that is both sympathetic to and celebratory of, the history of the area.

“The site has gone through a number of iterations over the years including former uses as a greyhound stadium, and training ground.”

It continued: “The historical and current association with sports on the site is something we are keen to express in our design for the new development.”

“Historic maps show that the site contained a greyhound track with a ‘bowl’ footprint which we think would be interesting to express in any new development. This plan form also fits the site really well.”