Building Briefs - December 23rd

• Miller Homes Scotland Supports The Trussell Trust this Christmas

The homebuilder appealed to its staff in Scotland, inviting them to support this worthy cause, promising to match the final amount pound for pound. Staff members donated an impressive total of £2,010 on their own, which Miller Homes then matched and donated to The Trussell Trust. 

Peter Thomson, regional managing director of Miller Homes, said: “2020 has been a tough year and now more than ever, The Trussell Trust needs donations to continue its excellent work. We wanted to help support people who are sadly living in poverty, so we asked our staff to donate what they could to raise funds for The Trussell Trust, supporting Scotland’s food banks during the festive period and beyond. 

“I’m extremely proud of the team for their enthusiasm and generosity to donate money for such a worthy cause, and I’m delighted to say that Miller Homes has matched their efforts, bringing our total donation to over £4,000.”

• Extra commercial space and car park improvements planned at Glasgow retail park

TWO small retail or food/drink units are being proposed for West End Retail Park in Partick.

An application to build a single-storey building in the north western corner of the West End Retail Park in Partick has been submitted to city planners.

The car park — including vehicle access from Crow Road — is to be re-lined to give safer, more efficient traffic flow.

Parking spaces would be cut from a total of 333 to 307.

A planning statement explains: “It is likely that occupiers would be shop, cafe/coffee shop, sandwich shop, dry cleaner, hairdresser, etc.

“The two proposed units will be expected to open seven days a week and both will likely create new full and part-time jobs.”

The document continues: “[The units] will provide ancillary services sought by customers while visiting commercial uses within the retail park, so on their own, it is likely that they will generate limited, if any, car journeys/footfall.”

• Plan for performing arts school at vacant Glasow retail premises

A bid to change a large empty shop into a theatre school has been submitted to Glasgow planners.

Theatre School of Scotland wants to use 41 Stockwell Place, which was last occupied by a textile retailer.

The applicant is described as providing prestigious performing arts training for children and young people and was established in 2017.

Drawings show the building would be divided into four studios, three singing rooms as well as a reception area and ancillary facilities.