Glasgow council has unveiled a plan to halt the drift of population into the suburbs.
The blueprint, a first for Glasgow, sets out a development strategy for 20 years and replaces 44 local plans. The council will now canvass opinion about the proposals during a two-month consultation period.

Steve Turnbull, a senior planning officer who put the ideas together, said: "The council has liaised with different parties but there has been no external contract; the plan has been drafted in-house.

"There will be a two-month objection period where the plan can come under scrutiny from sectors of the community but it is difficult to gauge at this early stage the extent of concern." The key aim of the plan is to halt the population drift from Glasgow by redeveloping derelict land in the next five years, much of it on brownfield sites.

Ten greenfield sites have also been listed for 1750 new homes, 1400 of which will be built by 2006. The plan also sets out guidelines for housing density and recommends an average greenfield plot size of 375 m2.

In addition, the plan emphasises the need to enhance the architectural heritage and physical environment of the city. Plans for industrial and commercial development are also covered.

Steven Purcell, convener of the council's development and regeneration services committee, said: "This new city plan sets out our targets for building the future in Glasgow.

"It sets out the context for which developments can deliver the jobs, housing and educational environment that still make Glasgow a competitive city and one that balances social, economic and environmental aspirations in a sustainable way."