Latest news with #CeciliaO'Lone
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Former East End school to be converted into new homes
Thenue Housing Association is planning to redevelop the B-listed Tureen Street school in Calton, which has been derelict for at least 18 years. The project, which will include partial demolition and façade retention, has been boosted by almost £2m from a Scottish Government fund, which was accepted by Glasgow councillors today (Thursday). READ NEXT:Gangland violence 'out of control' John Swinney is told after Spain shootings Councillor Cecilia O'Lone, who represents Calton, said: 'I really welcome this, it is an eyesore at the moment. It is good to see it will be developed into social housing while still keeping the image of the building at the moment.' An application for the redevelopment has already been submitted to the city's planning department, and a council official said it is hoped permission will be in place by December. The homes are expected to be complete by summer 2027 if the scheme is approved. Government cash for the project has been provided from a vacant and derelict land investment programme. Over £650,000 has also been allocated to a scheme which will see woodland in Milton transformed into a 'natural' play area and outdoor learning space. The site near Birsay Road, which has been targeted by fly-tippers, will be revamped by Green Action Trust, an environmental regeneration charity. READ NEXT:Glasgow's drug consumption centre is working says health secretary It has a history of shallow coal mining and has been empty for at least 45 years. Waste will be removed from the site and entrance ways improved to make it safer. Outdoor classroom spaces are planned to give 'nature play and education opportunities' to nearby schools. Construction is expected to start in February next year and be completed by June, a council report stated. Glasgow has the highest concentration of urban vacant land in Scotland, although it has been decreasing. The most recent figures show there were 781 hectares across 574 sites in 2024, down from 834 hectares over 599 sites in 2023. The council report added vacant and derelict land 'constrains the economic potential of the city in addition to blighting local communities'. Development is hindered by 'a combination of poor ground condition, fragmented ownership and inadequate infrastructure', it added. Council officials have also recommended a number of other projects to a separate Scottish Government fund for regenerating vacant land. Cllr Ruairi Kelly, the council's convener for housing and development, said: 'The decrease in vacant and derelict land is more than just a figure — it means more homes, more jobs, better facilities and an improved environment for communities all across Glasgow as we bring these sites back to life. 'The funding streams from the Scottish Government are very welcome as we continue this work, with projects that will bring new homes and improved spaces to sites that have been vacant or derelict for many years.'
Glasgow Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New development for Glasgow's Calton given the go-ahead
Land to the east of Havannah Street can be redeveloped after Glasgow's planning committee gave the green light to the scheme on Thursday. The project, which includes an arts hub, is being delivered by Glasgow Enlightenment Ltd, a joint venture company set up by Dawn Developments and Drum Property Group. Councillors backed the firm's planning bid despite 25 objections from residents, including Calton Community Council which said the proposals left 'much to be desired'. There were 15 letters of support. The site, which is bounded by Hunter Street to the east and the railway to the south, is set to be used for an 11-storey student accommodation block with 591 beds and 147 build-to-rents flats in a 10-storey building. There will be no car parking, but 484 spaces for bikes. A two and a half acres publicly accessible community park is planned, while a 'community lounge and arts hub', known as Dream Park, will be managed by Dream Machine Productions, a community arts organisation. Council planners had recommended the scheme was approved, reporting it would 'reuse an area of brownfield land located within close proximity to Glasgow city centre' and repair 'the urban fabric'. READ MORE: 'Disappointed': Change to nursery funding could cost parents 'thousands' Cllr Cecilia O'Lone, who represents Calton, said the site has been 'one of the biggest pains in my whole time'. 'For me, it is good to see this coming forward.' She welcomed plans for a park as 'at the moment it's scrubland, it's an eyesore for the people who are living there already'. Cllr Jill Pidgeon, Labour, said the project would be a 'significant improvement'. Both councillors had concerns over the length of time it may take to develop the arts hub, as the charity is 'currently homeless'. A council official said Dream Machine was 'eagerly awaiting' a decision on the application, and had 'asked for some reassurances about timescales'. He added: 'They are certainly looking to get their funding in place to deliver it in the near future because they are currently homeless.' A legal agreement will need to be signed over the ongoing management of both the student block and build-to-rent flats. Councillors asked for that to also cover the maintenance of the park. Dream Park is expected to include a pavilion where 'residents can meet, socialise and relax' while the wider park would be open to the public throughout the day and night. READ MORE: Major roads in Glasgow to close for 17 hours for Tour of Britain cycling final It is also expected that Dream Machine would run an events programme, with art installations, performances, community gatherings and children's parties. Objectors raised concerns about the height of the buildings and the impact of the development on existing parking and traffic issues. They also suggested affordable housing was needed rather than student flats. Calton Community Council said the proposed buildings are 'bulky and ugly'. It added that while there 'might be plans for very low or zero car ownership… Glasgow is not yet ready for people to use alternative means of transport'. They did welcome the development of a public park on land which has been used for 'fly-tipping, prostitution and drug-taking' if ongoing maintenance is included. Council officials reported a factor fee sourced from residents of the new development would cover park maintenance. They added the development would contribute to a 'vibrant accessible neighbourhood' and an 'increase in population numbers could be successfully absorbed into the city centre community'.
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow residents say consumption room has led to 'influx of crime'
Those living in the Calton area are claiming The Thistle has led to an "out of control" situation with needles left in the street and users coming from across the city, LBC reports. The safer drug consumption facility opened on Hunter Street in January this year, allowing users to bring and take illegal substances such as heroin with officials hoping that providing a safe space, clean equipment, and medical supervision will lead to fewer drug-related deaths in the city. READ NEXT: Missing pooch after crash saw two people and seven dogs treated by medics At a community-organised meeting earlier this week that LBC had exclusive access to, residents spoke about the facility's impact on the area since it opened. One pensioner, who asked to remain anonymous, told LBC there are more needles in the area since it opened and that some older residents no longer want to leave their homes at night. They said: "We have every sympathy for them [service users], but we were told there would be fewer needles. "There's not. There are more and more needles going about. "They said it wouldn't attract drug users from other districts. It is." They continued: "Around our pensioner clubs, nobody is coming out at night. And if they do, they're back at 9pm because that place shuts at 9pm and then they [service users] are all coming out here. "It's not just a wee crowd, it is a lot. They come up the street, up the lane, and along the square, and we are getting more and more." READ NEXT: CID and police remain at East Kilbride pitches after pair treated by medics Vanessa Paton, who lives in the area, said since the facility opened it's a "nightmare" and feels like "Victorian times". She said: "These issues were not there before. I've seen the difference in the last couple of months. "There's been at least four needles with blood in them dumped under my partner's window. Users trying to get into the area at night. "You feel as if you're living in a ghetto. That was not happening [before]. "It's getting beyond a joke. The volume of them [needles] is just getting out of hand. "You're scared to walk your dog in case they step on one." Other claims residents made are people have been seen urinating in gardens and defecating by a garden gate, people have been aggressive towards residents, and there are "more drug dealers" in the area. LBC reports cllr Cecilia O'Lone said she thought the consumption room was in the wrong place and vowed to help residents with whatever action they wanted to take next. Proposals discussed by residents at the meeting included a march through the streets, a demonstration where needles would be dumped at Parliament, and creating a panel of local residents. READ NEXT: Man found seriously injured after 'disturbance' in street A spokesperson for Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership said: "We have a community forum set up and running specifically for residents and businesses to discuss with officers any concerns and allow us an opportunity to address them. "It is well-known that public injecting has been taking place in close proximity to the Thistle and within the Calton area for many years - well before the service opened. "It is one of the reasons for the facility being where it is. "We are monitoring the impact of the service and to date, there has been no notable increase in discarded needles reported to us in the area since the Thistle opened. "However, this and the community's experience will be fully measured and reported on as part of the service evaluation." We previously reported Cllr Alan Casey, who leads on homelessness and addiction services, criticised "disinformation" around The Thistle after Cllr Thomas Kerr said residents were facing a "horrific" situation "because of the new drug consumption facility" and called for a clean-up. Cllr Casey said the council has been aware of public injecting at that site for years, with regular clean-ups carried out and there is no evidence of an increase in discarded needles since the Thistle opened. In response to Cllr Kerr's comments, Cllr Casey said the council has "evidence going back years that there have been problems at that site" and they are "part of the reason for the location of the site". He added: "It is critical for the site that it is in a location that already has significant public injecting." The Glasgow Times reported in March that The Thistle was used more than 1000 times in its first seven weeks.
