Latest news with #GlasgowCityCouncil
Glasgow Times
21 hours ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow wildlife space denied funds 'for children's area'
Children's Wood in North Kelvin hit out at the council after claiming they were denied money "on a technicality". The criteria require groups to have a "children's play area", which, according to officials, means a playground with equipment. However, Alison Spurway, chair of the board of trustees at the Children's Wood, argued that their urban garden, where they also have community events, serves the same purpose. She said: "It's just a different ethos. "Children need to get messy. Here, they are safe but they can be adventurous. "They can play freely like how we used to play when I was young." READ NEXT: Glasgow nursery 'devastated' after being attacked by cruel vandals READ NEXT: More than '£17,000 of iPhones nicked' from Braehead store (Image: Colin Mearns) For this reason, they were disheartened to learn that they are not eligible for financial support from the Developer Contribution for Open Space fund. Firms are required to contribute to this pot of money after building large developments. The council then distributes it locally among organisations to maintain open amenity spaces, outdoor sports facilities, community gardens and children's play areas. Alison continued: "If they are in a play park, going down the chute, what do they gain? "It's not an exciting experience that's going to spark their imagination or get them to develop. "Here, they climb trees, make mud pies and run in the grass. It gives them a completely different experience." The group is asking Glasgow City Council for around £16,000, which would cover the cost of introducing running water and electricity to the well-used space. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) She continued: "We would like it if the children playing in the dirt, making mud pies, could wash their hands after. "We also want electricity in the shed. Right now, we have to keep a lot of the equipment in my basement because it gets mouldy. "It would be good to have dry storage. "We also would like to sharpen tools and use a PA system when we've got a community event." Bosses also criticised the process of getting money, which has been stalling for three years. The 79-year-old explained: "There's not an application process, one person decides 'that's not children's play' and that's it. "It doesn't go anywhere else and there's no appeal process. There's nothing. "I've been pushing at this since 2022. "Glasgow City Council is sitting on a huge amount of money and they're not making it easy for groups like ours to get it. "Where is that money going if it's not spent?" (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) The group is calling for the council to have a discussion with them about how they could receive some funding as the only community organisation in the area. A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "There are different categories of developer contribution and each type of contribution is secured by a legal agreement on how funding can be spent. "If funds are spent on initiative that fall outside the terms of the legal agreement, the developer is able to recover those funds. "Organisers at the Children's Wood were advised they would be entitled for funding for their proposals through amenity funds. 'However, at this time there are no amenity funds available for this area of Glasgow. 'Contributions for a children's play equipment fund were available but the rules for this fund specify that money can only be spent on play equipment. 'Installing electricity and plumbing does not fit with the terms of the play equipment fund. 'The developer's contribution for children's play equipment that was available for this area earlier this year has been allocated for a play area in nearby Hotspur Street."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Streets near Glasgow city centre to close next month for reopening of iconic venue
The programme centres around the reopening of the iconic Citizens Theatre ROAD DRAMA Streets near Glasgow city centre to close next month for reopening of iconic venue Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STREETS in a busy spot near Glasgow city centre are set to be closed in the coming days. A series of homecoming events will be held in the Gorbals next month. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Citizens Theatre will reopen next month after a major upgrade Credit: John Gunion The programme centres around the reopening of the iconic Citizens Theatre. As the historic venue prepares to welcome back audiences, Glasgow City Council has announced several streets will be shut. The road closures will take place between August 22 and 23. Gorbals Street will be shut between Ballater Street and Cumberland Street from 3pm on August 22 until 3.30pm on August 23. During these hours waiting, loading and unloading will be prohibited. On August 23, traffic will not be allowed to flow along Gorbals Street between Ballater Street and Cumberland Street from 9am until 3.30pm. Cleland Street and Cleland Lane will also be closed to vehicles during these hours. The Citizens Theatre closed in 2018 for a major refurbishment. The work was originally planned to take three years. But the project faced a series of setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All UK car dealerships will STOP selling 10,000s of iconic brand's used models impacted by lethal airbag flaw The major revamp of the building, which first opened its doors in 1878, was planned due to it falling into disrepair. Bosses said it was no longer fit for purpose and wanted to regenerate it for the 21st century, while keeping its unique Victoria charm. The theatre will boast a new foyer, improved accessibility, a new 150-seater multi-purpose studio theatre. There will also be a new bar area and social spaces, with enhanced backstage facilities for performers.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow homeowner ordered to remove sun room from property
Glasgow City Council served two enforcement notices on a flat at 1 Seton Terrace as officials said the structures, installed without permission, were out of character and affecting neighbours. The owner, Gerard Caughey, appealed to the Scottish Government in a bid to overturn the rulings, but they have now been upheld. A sun room, or orangery, was built in 2018 as an extension to the mid-19th century two-storey flat while the two flues – for a wood-burning stove within a workshop in the garden – were installed in a lane to the back of the property. Council officials said both the flues and the sun room require planning permission while listed building consent is needed for the extension. They ordered their removal in November last year following 'various' public complaints, as the flues have 'a direct impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties' due to smoke. Officials also said the sun room does not 'protect the listed building's appearance' or 'complement the… period, style and character'. (Image: Appeal documents) But Mr Caughey, who claimed he was only aware of one complaint, appealed. A reporter was appointed by the Scottish Government to investigate the case. A representative for the owner said he had reinstated a single-storey extension at the same 'height and scale' as an original orangery, which had been part of the property when it was purchased in the 1990s but was removed as it was in 'a dangerous condition'. The appeal argued the extension had been completed six years before the enforcement notice was issued and that it protected the listed building 'due to its similarity to what was there originally'. It added 'quality' Spanish hardwood had been used and a 'sympathetic approach' was taken. The owner's appeal also claimed the council had failed to respond to a query about retrospective planning applications, and a prior enforcement notice relating to the flues had been dismissed. A letter of support for the extension was provided by Brian Johnston, planning convener on Dennistoun Community Council. It stated the work had been 'carried out with a sympathetic regard for the original building' and the 'workmanship, design and materials' were of 'high quality'. In response, the council said the previous notice was not withdrawn and the flues are not 'a sufficient distance' from neighbouring properties, so a planning application would be refused. READ MORE: Call to keep 'distinctive' building facade in plan for new Radisson hotel It added permission for the extension also wouldn't be granted, as it is 'incongruous with the listed building and contributes to overdevelopment of the rear area'. The council believes removing the 'unauthorised structure would restore the character of the listed building by restoring the rear wall of the building to its original unobscured state'. The reporter, Simon Bonsall, found permission was required in both cases and that breaches of planning control had occurred. He upheld the enforcement notices. Mr Bonsall also refused to grant listed building consent for the extension. He concluded: 'While the effect of the orangery on the setting would not be harmful, I consider that the orangery through its design, location and materials would… not be in keeping with the character of the listed building. 'I consider that the removal of the orangery… would restore the character of the listed building to its state prior to the orangery having been built.' The owner can challenge the rulings at the Court of Session, but only on a point of law.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Decision made on plans to convert baby clothing shop after smell complaints
A bid to convert a baby clothing shop in Partick into a Chicken Cottage – which sparked complaints over the potential smell – has been rejected. Glasgow City Council planners have thrown out an application to change the use of the old Babitique store on Dumbarton Road. Three neighbours objected to Akhtar Ali's proposal, raising concerns over smells, increased noise and the possibility of the venue attracting drunk people late at night. Planners decided the project would result in 'increased noise, activity and cooking fumes to the detriment' of residents in the tenement above. They also ruled it would 'erode the retail character' of the area. The applicant wanted to convert the unit into a new branch of the Chicken Cottage franchise, which would have opened from 11.30am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday. The plan was to close at 9pm on Sundays. But one neighbour said: 'There is already a fast food takeaway place two doors down with an extractor fan in the same back court, which generates a lot of noise and smell from the food they are producing. 'To add another takeaway and flue to the same back court would add more noise disruption and smell.' READ MORE: New pictures show how George Square's £20m makeover will change City Chambers Another resident added an extraction flue would be 'directly below the windows at the back of my flat' and they were 'very concerned' about the smell as well as 'potential obstruction' of their windows. They also said there was a risk the takeaway would attract vermin and added: 'I am very opposed to a restaurant/takeaway being opened directly below my residence due to the fact that there… a high potential that it will attract drunk people in the night. 'My bedroom is at the front of the building and as such, this would be an extreme disturbance for me.' A council official said the proposal would result in the 'loss of a retail unit to the detriment of the vitality and viability of the town centre'. The shop is 'not listed as a long-term vacant unit and no marketing information has been provided to demonstrate a long-term lack of retail interest in the unit', they added. Their report also said a 'hot food takeaway could result in disruption to nearby residential amenity by the nature of the increased opening hours and the increased noise and activity'. The council's decision also said no information on the proposed maintenance scheduled for the ventilation system had been provided, and the plan did not include the required bike parking for staff.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
10 pictures inside the Barras Moulin Rouge night market
The East End spot hosted a Moulin Rouge night market on Thursday, July 17, as a 'warm-up event' before Glasgow Pride on Saturday, July 19. The one-off event took place from 5pm to 10pm. (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) READ NEXT: 'Very unique' bar to open on Glasgow's Sauchiehall Street Attendees were told to expect a night full of 'high kicks, music, and dazzling lights' as the Barras was turned into a 'Parisian carnival under the stars'. It did not disappoint. Our photographer headed down to capture the dazzling action. (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) Punters were encouraged to dress up for the occasion with the theme including feathers, glitter, and 'Moulin Rouge glam'. READ NEXT: Glasgow City Council in update after cybersecurity incident (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) There was a live performance from can-can dancers, a DJ set, and more than 100 street food vendors. Entry to the event was free, and dogs were also welcome.
