In the news, w/e November 10 – Place Design Scotland

VIEWS are being sought on plans to shape Glasgow over the next 20 years.

A consultation has been launched by the city council, with a deadline for responses of January 31.

Says the city council, in an announcement, here: “The new plan will establish where new homes, schools, businesses and open spaces should be located. It will identify areas that need to be protected and where future investment should be directed.”

A consultation survey can be found here.

In a separate move, the organisation behind economic and other development in Glasgow and neighbouring local authorities – Glasgow City Region – has launched its own “new action plan to elevate the innovation economy” – here.

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Second homes

DRAFT regulations – to allow local authorities to charge up to double the full rate of Council Tax on second homes – have been laid before the Scottish Parliament.

Says the Scottish Government, here: “If approved, local authorities would be able to apply the Council Tax premium on homes that are not used as a main residence.”

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Award winner

CONGRATULATIONS are in order for a Glasgow inner-city nature reserve, which has won at an UK-wide awards competition.

The Claypits – along the Forth & Clyde Canal, north of Glasgow city centre – has been named Great Place winner at the Academy of Urbanism annual awards, here.

Also among the winners: The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh (Great Neighbourhood) and Stromness, Orkney (Great Town)(pictured, below).

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New life approved for city centre giant

PROPOSED redevelopment of one of Glasgow’s most eye-catching buildings, has secured planning approval.

The former City of Glasgow College, Grade B-listed building (main picture), near the city’s George Square and Queen Street rail station, is set to be turned into a ‘tech and digital hub’, with an adjoining new-build ten-storey tower.

The former college building has been vacant for ten years, and the developers of the new scheme, costing an estimated £60m, is Bruntwood SciTech, which announces the planning permission news, here.

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Rural land

THE first steps have been taken, which might end with communities acquiring statutory rights when it comes to the future of rural land.

Guidance has been issued by the Scottish Government agency, the Scottish Land Commission, that seeks to encourage landowners to work positively with communities on what can be done with their land holdings.

Says the SLC, here: “As demand for rural land in Scotland continues to rise, driven in part by the emerging potential of natural capital, this new, practical guidance provides a set of fundamental principles for landowners to follow. These principles are designed to ensure that communities directly benefit from the evolving value and use of land.”

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Student block proposal

PLANNING permission is being sought, to develop an Edinburgh city centre site recently occupied by the visual impairment charity, Sight Scotland.

The charity and developers, S Harrison Developments, have jointly submitted an application for a block of student accommodation, on the capital’s Gillespie Crescent.

Says a media announcement, here, on behalf of both parties: “Proposals include demolition of the existing vacant building and erection of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and associated amenity space, landscaping and infrastructure.

“A total of 145 bedrooms are proposed, with additional amenities including a cinema/multimedia room and gym. There will 100 per cent cycle parking provision.

“The development makes best use of the site and will deliver a high-quality, well-designed, sustainable development, including green roofs, solar panels, air source heat pumps, a rain garden and permeable paving.

“A shared, publicly accessible amenity green space, will offer an area in front of the building for people to walk, sit and rest and provides the opportunity for social interaction of different groups within the community. The existing trees will also be retained.”

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Picture credits: Place Design Scotland and JM Architects (the student block story)

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