Key feature scrapped from Glasgow George Square redesign
The initial plans had included a feature of fountains coming up from the ground and images showed children playing among the jets.
Hoardings are to go up this month and work is to start in June before statues are removed to be restored.
The public was asked for opinions on what the square should look like, and a water feature was a new addition that was considered and included in the early design ideas.
(Image: GCC)
Now lack of budget means it has been removed from the tender and will no longer be part of the design
In June last year the council issued an update on the plans which stated: 'The works in George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout the Square; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a water feature; a raised lawn platform; bespoke sheltered seating; and feature lighting.'
A new update to go before the contracts and property committee next week states: 'The work on George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a raised lawn platform; new trees species will be planted to add to the existing Norway Maple and Cherry trees in the Square; new seating to add to the remembrance benches; and feature lighting.'
It has been revealed the water feature plan has been scrapped.
In the paper to be discussed next week to approve the £20m contract states: 'Whilst there was an aspiration in early design stages to include a water feature as part of the redevelopment plans, this was removed from the tender documents to ensure that there was sufficient project budget to undertake the core works.
'Given the value of the landed tender for the Block C project, there is insufficient project budget remaining to include the water feature and it no longer forms part of the project scope."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
30-05-2025
- Scotsman
Glasgow Clyde College creates children's book
Glasgow Clyde College (GCC) rolls out wide range of support for parents returning to education including many new on-campus services. It has worked with a former student illustrator to create a children's book telling the story of a mum going back to college with her child and what the little one can expect when they're on campus. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Glasgow Clyde College (GCC) is supporting parents in Scotland to return to studies with a hand-illustrated children's book as it launches a series of initiatives to become one of the nation's most parent and child friendly educational institutions. The college has implemented a range of baby friendly measures to have everything families need to balance education and parenting – while also being able to bring young children into different parts of the three campuses so they can be together between classes and nursery. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To support parents or carers across the nation and prepare their children for a day in further education, GCC has created a beautiful and informative children's book designed to be read to little ones to explain what a day at college is like. Student Jamie- Lee ad daughter at Glasgow Clyde College Across Scotland, research shows that parents face an ongoing struggle of choosing between children and their own education, with Glasgow Clyde College often witnessing this firsthand in the communities it serves. The college's campuses serve areas which rank highly in Scotland's Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), with 28.7% of enrolments from SIMD10 and 44.9% from SIMD20. Pressures such as uncertainty about returning to education after starting a family, balancing childcare with studies and not knowing what support will be available can all be barriers for parents – often preventing them from applying completely. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The college has made positive steps to support parents to come to college, including a bottle warming facility at each campus, highchairs in campus canteen spaces and baby changing tables in toilets. GCC will also give parents access to finance workshops, so they can understand funding options for their chosen course alongside funded nursery education during teaching hours where available. Health and Wellbeing students' welfare services are also on-hand to support parents. Parents will be able to learn more about their campus and its surroundings through an engaging online guide which showcases local family friendly activities, restaurants and groups in the area. Children will also have plenty to read as well with a dedicated kid's section in the library, enabling parents to take out books for children of all ages – including the new illustrated storybook. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Little Life Changing Stuff' tells the story of a mum and her son starting college together and the journey showcases all the initiatives that the college has put in place for them to both enjoy life on campus. The book has been illustrated by alumni, Esmé Boyle, who has worked in collaboration with GCC to bring the diverse characters and college buzz through her experiences as a student. David Marshall, Assistant Principal for Student Experience, at Glasgow Clyde College said:' We understand that for any parent, and particularly new parents, returning to or starting education can be daunting. 'There are many concerns such as juggling parenting and studying, nerves around returning to education, and the expense of childcare. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'That's why we've taken these important steps to support parents returning to education to make the transition as smooth as possible for parents and their children. 'We strive as a college to create an inclusive, welcoming and nurturing supportive environment where everyone can thrive and believe these plans will ensure that new parents will be in an environment where they can experience and create life changing stuff.' Student-parent, Jamie-Lee, (19), has recently returned to education as a new mother with her daughter, Lily (2), and is studying Access to Social Care at Glasgow Clyde College's Anniesland Campus. Lily attends the campus's Treasure Trove Nursery, which was recently awarded a standout 'excellent' rating following an unannounced inspection by the Care Inspectorate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As a parent and a student, Jamie-Lee believes that GCC provides a supportive environment for both her and her two-year-old daughter to grow and succeed. She added: 'I picked Glasgow Clyde College as I don't really know people in the area, and I felt it was the right environment for me to meet new people and create friendships throughout my course. 'When choosing a college, I had to consider childcare and learn how it worked but it was easy to locate information into childcare at the college via the Glasgow Clyde website. She said:' I would recommend the nursery as the staff are really helpful, friendly and my daughter loves them too. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'They always meet my child's needs and are really supportive about personal matters too.' 'I would highly recommend Glasgow Clyde College to a friend or family member as the college suits everyone's needs and overall is a nice place to be.
STV News
23-05-2025
- STV News
New children's book to encourage parents to return to education
A children's book aimed at adults has been launched as part of a new initiative to encourage parents across Scotland to return to education. Glasgow Clyde College (GCC) has updated its campus facilities as part of a launch of support for parents returning to education, including baby changing facilities, highchairs and bottle warming stations, a children's section in the library, access to finance and wellbeing support, Also released is 'Little Life Changing Stuff' – an illustrated children's book created with GCC alumna Esmé Boyle, which is aimed at helping little ones understand the journey of returning to college. The book, which tells the story of a mum and her son starting college together, is designed to be read to children to explain what a day at college is like. The initiative comes after enrollment stats showed that Glasgow Clyde College serves areas which rank highly in Scotland's Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD), with 28.7% of enrolments from SIMD10 and 44.9% from SIMD20. The college has said that new parents looking to return to education are affected by pressures such as uncertainty about returning, balancing childcare with studies and not knowing what support will be available can all be barriers for parents – factors that often can prevent them from applying completely. David Marshall, Assistant Principal for Student Experience, at Glasgow Clyde College said: 'We understand that for any parent, and particularly new parents, returning to or starting education can be daunting. 'There are many concerns such as juggling parenting and studying, nerves around returning to education, and the expense of childcare. 'That's why we've taken these important steps to support parents returning to education to make the transition as smooth as possible for parents and their children. 'We strive as a college to create an inclusive, welcoming and nurturing supportive environment where everyone can thrive and believe these plans will ensure that new parents will be in an environment where they can experience and create life changing stuff.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
30-04-2025
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow residents 'disappointed' over decision to axe feature
Those living in the city centre say there has 'always been a desire' to have a water feature in the square and it was a popular feature of initial plans, causing frustration over the decision to remove it at the Merchant City and Trongate Community Council meeting on Tuesday, April 29. The Glasgow Times reported last week that the water feature has been axed from plans due to a lack of budget. One person said: "It is extremely disappointing we have allowed that to disappear." READ NEXT: This key feature has been scrapped from George Square redesign plan (Image: GCC) They said a water feature is 'expected' in the civic square of cities in other countries, and including one would have given George Square the "wow factor". Another resident said the way Glasgow City Council had handled the decision to axe the plan made him "uncomfortable". He told the meeting: "I find it disturbing a decision has been made without going back to the public." Residents also asked attending councillors if it would be possible to have money diverted from the Avenues projects taking place elsewhere across the city and putting those on pause. READ NEXT: Preparations in place as George Square to close until 2026 George Square project final design (Image: Glasgow City Council) Cllr Angus Millar said the feature could be delivered in the future but it was not possible with the current budget, despite it's popularity in initial plans. A resident said it "will never get done in the future" and said the current redesign is a 'once in a generation' opportunity to add a water feature to the square. A resident also asked if the council had made the effort to find out if residents would be happy to have money that has been set aside for the Avenues Programme diverted towards George Square. Cllr Millar highlighted the water feature has not been featured in mock ups of the redesign issued by the council since Autumn, but agreed the change in plans could have been better communicated to residents. The Glasgow Times previously reported in June last year the council issued an update on the plans which stated: "The works in George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout the Square; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a water feature; a raised lawn platform; bespoke sheltered seating; and feature lighting." A new update to go before the contracts and property committee this week states: "The work on George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a raised lawn platform; new trees species will be planted to add to the existing Norway Maple and Cherry trees in the Square; new seating to add to the remembrance benches; and feature lighting." The paper, which will be discussed to approve the £20m contract, states: "Whilst there was an aspiration in early design stages to include a water feature as part of the redevelopment plans, this was removed from the tender documents to ensure that there was sufficient project budget to undertake the core works. "Given the value of the landed tender for the Block C project, there is insufficient project budget remaining to include the water feature and it no longer forms part of the project scope." Last week, wooden posts were erected around George Square in preparation of hoardings being put up.
