The Weir Group’s Cathcart manufacturing premises, including the B-listed office block, has been sold to Falkirk builders Cala Homes for £25 million.

Cala plan to convert the 17.5-acre Newlands Road site into 493 homes. Both terraced houses and flats will be included in the plans for a new housing estate, currently before Glasgow City Council.

A spokesperson for Cala Homes said, ‘The planning application has been submitted following consultation with the Council and reflects the desire to provide new family accommodation in the area. The proposal comprises a mix of linked and terraced homes, new-build apartments and the conversion of the existing listed building into apartments. The proposed layout has been sensitively designed to reflect the character of the area.’

The Weir Group, on the Cathcart site since 1871, is Glasgow’s biggest engineering firm with over 8000 employees worldwide. The Cathcart site mainly produced pumps for use in the water, power, mining and gas and oil industries.

A spokesperson for the Weir Group said, ‘We don’t have anything firm at the moment, but when we move we are commmitted to staying in the greater Glasgow area. Cambusklang is one possibility. We don’t envisage any cuts or changes in the workforce.’

The move is expected to be completed by late 2008.