A DERELICT Glasgow site is to be transformed by a £4.2million development into 32 homes for families to rent.

The project in Springburn will be built by North Glasgow Housing Association on a former Department of Social Security site that has lain empty for several years.

It is next to the Carron multi-storey blocks in Fernbank Street and, once completed, the scheme will take the number of homes built by the association to more than 900 since its first in 1985.

Construction of the two- bedroom flats is expected to take nine months and eight will be suitable for people who have additional support needs, such as mobility problems.

Robert Tamburrini, the association's chief executive, said: "Our new homes programme has transformed living conditions and created opportunities for hundreds of families.

"These homes are the latest piece of the jigsaw. Developments such as this are making a real difference to local people's lives.

"We are looking forward to the homes being finished in the autumn and another 32 families being given the keys to their new homes."

Chairwoman Pat Kenna added: "We have recently spent more than £30m building homes in North Glasgow, but we are determined to deliver even more in the coming months and years.

"All tenants deserve access to good quality housing and we will continue to look for development opportunities in our area."

The association is working in partnership with construction firm CCG, which is based in Cambuslang.

CCG recently delivered the association's Elmvale Phase One development 14 weeks ahead of schedule. That saw 41 houses - of mainly three and four-bedroom - being built in Blackthorn Street, Hawthorn Street and Hickory Street.

Councillor George Ryan, Glasgow City Council's executive member for development and regeneration, welcomed the latest plans.

He said: "This boost to the city's housing sector is part of the council's £83m Housing Development Funding Programme, where we have approved funding to build in excess of 1300 homes across the city between 2008 and 2009.

"We are working with the local housing associations, such as North Glasgow, to transform the quality and availability of housing in Springburn as part of the wider effort to regenerate the city's housing stock and breathe life into vacant and derelict sites.

"With the current financial climate and the credit crunch really hitting home, now, more than ever, we need to keep up momentum and continue to offer a substantial number of new, affordable homes for rent and low cost home ownership."