Latest news with #NorthLanarkshireCouncil
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
OAP couple at war with Scots council over garden in fresh battle over home
Last April, Des was given 28 days to remove 'all property and fencing'. STANDING GROUND OAP couple at war with Scots council over garden in fresh battle over home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUPLE vowed to stand their ground after stopping council officials tearing down the garden they have tended for 55 years. We told how Des and Jeanette Connor were stunned to learn they do not own their cherished plot. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Workers turned up earlier this month to remove all property and fencing Credit: Michael Schofield 2 The garden holds cherished memories for Des and his wife, Jeanette Credit: Michael Schofield And they stood firm when landscapers arrived earlier this month to rip it up after a legal row. Great-grandad Des, 80, of Cumbernauld, said: 'They came to demolish the fence and the patio, cut down the tree, take away the hut and sow down grass. "I explained I'd been here for 55 years.' The bemused workers then made a call and an official showed up to talk to Des. He said: 'It's quite disturbing.' Tensions first arose in May 2023 when former roofer Des refused contractors access to the back garden to fix a leak at his neighbours' property. Two months later North Lanarkshire Council told him it owned the patch of ground. A sheriff in Airdrie sided with the local authority. Last April Des was given 28 days to remove 'all property and fencing'. North Lanarkshire Council said: 'We noted the sheriff's ruling. Our officers and contractors attended the property but were denied entry. 'We can't comment further on ongoing legal matters.' I'm being forced to tear down my loft conversion - my neighbours call it a 'monstrosity' but I'm going to fight back It comes after we told how Lewis Capaldi is locked in a battle with his neighbours over plans for a new fence. The Someone You Loved singer, 28, hopes to beef up privacy with a 6ft-high wooden barrier around the grounds of his farmhouse, near Glasgow. But resident Adam Dunwoodie has objected to the star's planning application claiming an existing fence has already had a 'significant adverse impact' on his home life. He said he understands Lewis's 'desire for security and privacy' but argued the height of the proposed partition would be 'oppressive'.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Stepps residents blast pavement parking law failure
People in wheelchairs, parents with prams and the elderly are being forced to walk out near traffic at the junction of Whitehall Avenue and Cumbernauld Road in Stepps due to drivers flaunting the restrictions around leaving vehicles on pavements. Locals claim that they have raised the issue with North Lanarkshire Council, but say no action has been taken to tackle the problem. Members of Stepps Community Council say they were told the local authority needs to hire more staff to be able to properly enforce the controversial law. One source told the Glasgow Times: 'Since this came into force earlier this year, at least 40 cars are parking daily on the pavements, making it impossible to get past without veering out on to what is a busy road. It's only a matter of time before someone is badly injured because selfish drivers are choosing to dump their vehicles as they know nothing will be done. 'The parking is so bad on both sides of the street that a fire engine recently struggled to get past. The council also had to bring in a smaller bin lorry for collections because it's too tight for a normal vehicle to navigate a way through. There is plenty of parking at the rear of the properties, but folk instead chose to block the pavements, making it impossible for the elderly and disabled to get past.' (Image: GordonTerris/Herald&Times) Since the end of March, drivers across the local authority face a £100 fine if one or more of their vehicle wheels are found mounting the kerbside. Enforcement action can also be taken against vehicles that are double parked or parked next to dropped kerbs. The source added: 'The culprits know that wardens don't routinely patrol here, so they can get away with leaving their cars wherever they want. If this was Glasgow city centre, they would be slapped with a fine. I don't see the point of bringing in these new rules if they are not going to be enforced properly, across all of the council's roads.' READ NEXT: Theft from Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital sparks probe At the time the ban came into force, council bosses said it was being introduced to protect pedestrians, especially people in wheelchairs and those pushing buggies, who could be forced onto a road by vehicles in their path. Existing pavement parking rules only include exceptions for emergency service or waste collection vehicles, postal vans and for the delivery of urgent medical assistance. Those assisting an accident or breakdown, or delivering or collecting goods, are also exempt for up to 20 minutes. The local said: 'It is time the council took on the proper number of wardens it needs to enforce this new law, otherwise introducing it in the first place was utterly pointless.' A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said they are taking steps to address illegal parking on Whitehall Avenue. They added: 'To address footway parking and various other transportation issues, the Scottish Parliament passed the Transport (Scotland) Act. This Act, amongst other things, makes it illegal to park on any footway (although loading and unloading may be permitted in certain circumstances), except on streets where the council makes an Exemption Order to allow such parking. 'The enforcement of pavement parking within North Lanarkshire commenced in March 2025. We are currently receiving a large volume of enquiries with regards to pavement parking enforcement, and, given our small team of parking attendants, it is necessary to prioritise areas with a high volume of through traffic and pedestrian activity, such as town centres and around schools/hospitals.' They continued: 'Enforcement action in this regard has taken place on Cumbernauld Road in Stepps and previous requests for enforcement on Whitehill Avenue have been recorded and will be considered as part of our future enforcement planning and resource allocation. 'Any additional instances of pavement parking can be reported directly to our parking enforcement team at parking@
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Installation of temporary classrooms at Glenboig school approved
The plan will see two temporary classrooms, along with cloakroom, toilets and storerooms, set up in the grounds of Glenboig Primary School. A disabled access ramp will be positioned at the north entrance and each classroom will have its own emergency exit to the south. This building will be positioned in the existing school car park so North Lanarkshire Council has reached an agreement with Our Lady and St. Joseph's Church to provide alternative parking and drop off facilities there. READ MORE: Popular Scottish tourist attraction collapses in liquidation after 20 years This means that a formalised 53-space car park with a designated drop off facility, new islands, footpath provision and a patrolled crossing point across South Medrox Street will be provided. A report on the planning decision notes that the council's roads department has no objection to these arrangements as the new footways will improve pedestrian links between the school and the alternative car park and South Medrox Street has no through traffic and the patrolled crossing location is considered acceptable. Also, the additional parking within the church grounds offers greater capacity than is currently found at the school. No objections to the planning application were received during the consultation period and permission will remain for a period of five years, expiring in July 2030.
STV News
4 days ago
- STV News
Water park to reopen 'ahead of schedule' after £1.5m upgrade
A water park in North Lanarkshire is set to reopen after major £1.5m upgrade works were completed ahead of schedule. Time Capsule Water Park in Coatbridge will reopen on July 19, four months after it was closed for planned maintenance. The works included the installation of new pumps and blowers for the waterfalls and river rapids at the park. Upgrades were also made to the electrical systems at the park, with over a mile of new wiring and colour-changing underwater LED lights added. New soft rubber flooring has been installed at Splashdown Island and Coral Cove, while tiles and the river rapid slides have been repaired. Shower areas have also been updated to make 'everything more welcoming for visitors'. STV News However as further renovations at the water park are being planned, attractions such as the big tipping bucket and the yellow flume aren't open to the public yet. Duty manager Graeme Semple said the park was booked out for its reopening weekend. 'The Time Capsule facility is not only a local sports facility for the people of Coatbridge and the surrounding areas, it is a tourist attraction that people come from far and wide,' he told STV News. He added that visitors from as far north as Inverness and as far south as Wales have come to the water park for a day of fun. 'It's a place that people, if they come on holiday to Scotland, want to come and spend a good few hours, and we've welcomed visitors back time and time again,' he said. Councillor Geraldine Woods, convener of community services, said that the improvements make visiting the park 'more enjoyable'. 'Now that the first phase is nearly done, we are delighted to announce that we are once again taking bookings.' Visitors need to book in advance on the North Lanarkshire Council website. 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
4 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Coatbridge residents asked for views on town regeneration
An online survey, run by the Coatbridge Neighbourhood Board and supported by the council, aims to gather input for a Regeneration Plan for the area. Coatbridge has been awarded £19.5 million in UK Government funding to be used over a decade to develop and implement a long-term regeneration vision. (Image: North Lanarkshire Council) Read more: 'Another step forward': Glasgow housing association launches new digital service The Neighbourhood Board, which oversees the development and delivery of the Regeneration Plan, is made up of an independent chairperson and representatives from local businesses, community organisations, Police Scotland, an MP, an MSP, and two local elected members. The plan's main focus is on investment priorities identified by locals in a previous consultation. These include providing more opportunities for young people, improving existing town features, and creating a safer and friendlier town centre. The survey, which will be open until August 29, asks residents for their feedback on these priorities. (Image: North Lanarkshire Council) (Image: North Lanarkshire Council) Read more: Archaeologists to investigate lost Scottish community It can be accessed online at A QR code linking to the survey will also be displayed around the town in multiple locations, including the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, the Time Capsule, Coatbridge Library, and various community centres. The feedback gathered from the survey will help shape the Regeneration Plan and a four-year investment plan. These plans will then be submitted to the UK Government in the autumn for their assessment and approval.
