Rangers get go-ahead for Govan project

RANGERS Football Club was yesterday given the go-ahead for a multi-million pound development to include a hotel and shops near its Ibrox stadium.

It is hoped the development, reportedly costing 350 million, will breath new life into the run-down Govan area of Glasgow.

Glasgow City Council yesterday agreed to transfer the land to Rangers. The club chairman, Sir David Murray, will now look for partners for the development.

A club spokesman said: "This is a significant step forward in an exciting project that can have a major impact in regenerating the Govan area and delivering real benefit to the whole of Glasgow, particularly in view of the Commonwealth Games coming to the city."

The plan includes transforming flats in the Hinshelwood area near the stadium. Another proposal is the redevelopment of a community football pitch.

A council spokesman said: "The Ibrox redevelopment proposals are part of the regeneration plan for the Govan area.

"When markets are experiencing difficulties, the council needs to be more adventurous about how it uses its own land to encourage economic development and generate investment."