Politicians in East Renfrewshire have criticised plans to move Eastwood Leisure Centre from its current site.

The proposals were slammed after being put forward as part of a public consultation on the redevelopment or refurbishment of the “crumbling” hub.

Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw claims the facilities have endured “decades of underfunding.”

He said: “If we gloss over the lack of a suitable location, further issues such as soaring costs, additional road infrastructure and traffic problems haven’t been thought through.

“We should instead be upgrading a popular local facility to the first-class centre it deserves to be, by refurbishing or rebuilding in the same location.”

Mr Carlaw has been supported by Conservative councillors in East Renfrewshire, as well as local MP Paul Masterton.

Council chiefs have proposed a number of options for the leisure centre, ranging from providing reactive maintenance only to building a new hub at a cost of millions of pounds.

Tories fear the costs of a new hub could rocket beyond the estimated £35million if a theatre is to be included.

Possible infrastructure problems at a new facility were also raised as a concern in their submission to the consultation, noting that car spaces and additional roads would have to be built at a time when East Renfrewshire’s road budget is to be cut by 10 per cent.

Newton Mearns South councillor Jim Swift said: “If the new complex is also to include a new theatre, the costs for taxpayers will rocket exponentially, as will the parkland it requires to occupy.”

Calls have now been made for money to be made available to upgrade the current hub as a “cost-effective” revamp.

A council spokesperson said: “The council has set out four potential options, based on independent work carried out by expert consultants. 

“Costs are indicative at this stage, although we are confident the money outlined would be sufficient to deliver services which support the needs of our residents. ”