A GRANT of up to £1.4m to help develop a new community hub in Possilpark has been approved by councillors.

Possilpark People’s Trust had raised almost £1.6m for the £2.9m project, which would see the hub built on the site of the existing Possilpoint Community Centre and red blaes pitch.

Work needs to begin, or the secured funding could be withdrawn, so the council has stepped in to allow the scheme to progress.

The trust was granted a community asset transfer for the Denmark Street community centre in March last year.

Councillor Kenny McLean, city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “The approval of this funding by the council will allow the construction of the Possilpark Community Hub to begin, a project which will deliver community services to local people in a purpose-built building.

“We can look forward to contributing to the success of this community-led model in Possilpark and other neighbourhoods across Glasgow.”

The council believes the project fits with the aims of its new People Make Glasgow Communities scheme, which gives local groups the opportunity to take over council venues or services.

The latest funding allows the project to move to the construction phase. The rest of the funding has been provided by the Scottish Government’s regeneration capital grant fund and The Robertson Trust.

Three core tenants have been secured for the new centre. These are the DASH club, which works with disabled people across the city, Link Up, which runs parent and toddler groups, and Young People’s Futures, which runs a range of activities, including a programme of youth work, jobs clubs and computer classes.

Existing community centre users would also have access to the new facility and there has been interest from potential new users.