Others include addressing the problem of litter, taking steps to control speeding cars and developing facilities for young people, pensioners and those with drug and alcohol problems.

And offering family support and healthcare services in the area should also be included in forward planning.

These were the main issues to emerge from an in-depth community consultation exercise carried out during April and May, which included a door to door survey of 200 households and discussions with four focus groups seeking the views of the public - including young people.

A report into the findings concluded that the high level of social deprivation meant that the area could benefit from regeneration and that additional funding could be secured through joint working by statutory and voluntary organisations.

Many of the options identified centred around refurbishing or extending existing premises, building new facilities or demolishing existing premises and rebuilding on the same sites.

In particular the Philp Hall in Links Street was highlighted as ideal for either redevelopment or rebuilding, and could benefit from being run by a committee made up from the local community.

Statistics show the central part of Linktown is within the worst 15 per cent deprived zones in Scotland. In employment terms all four parts were within the worst 15 per cent, and three of the four were within the worst 15 per cent of income deprived areas in the country.

The summary report said: "The general view was that the Linktown area does not receive the level of services available in areas such as Templehall, because it does not have the appropriate facilities to develop and deliver additional services."

Future developments should help to develop premises that are centrally located, able to meet the needs of a range of providers, and be capable of accommodating childcare and youth services and activities. They should also be community owned and managed to enable them to secure more funding.

A steering group set up for the community consultation is now working to develop a masterplan and a project team will be formed to take these forward.

A feedback session for the public and voluntary sector organisations involved is set to take place in the Town House tomorrow, followed by a community feedback event in the Green Door Cafe at the West Bridge Mill on September 10.