Building Briefs – February 1st

GHA tenants asked for views on Gallowgate regeneration plans

Tenants in Glasgow are helping to shape the next stage of the regeneration of the Gallowgate.

GHA and its partners at Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government have unveiled plans which involve looking at the future of some tenements in the area and building more new homes.

The proposals - which are at a very early stage - would also involve tackling the long-standing issue of the derelict Whitevale baths buildings and the surrounding environment.

A series of open days and face-to-face meetings are now being held with residents in the area so they can give their views on the plans as part of a formal consultation process.

Gallowgate is one of eight areas in the city earmarked as a priority for regeneration by Transforming Communities: Glasgow (TC:G), a partnership between GHA, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government.

The first phase of the regeneration of the Gallowgate saw GHA build 62 new energy-efficient homes in 2013, while the demolition of the Bluevale /Whitevale high-rise blocks is expected to be complete by March.

Contractor to begin relief road scheme in South Lanarkshire

Land Engineering (Scotland) is due to begin developing a new road next month in South Lanarkshire.

The firm will start ground clearing work to build the Cathkin relief road in the Rutherglen area from Wednesday, 10 February.

The project is one of several schemes to be undertaken as a result of the £1.13 billion Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal.

The initiative aims to ease congestion and relieve pressure on the town centre.

The single-carriageway road will run for a mile between Mill Street and Burnside Road and the work will include upgraded junctions at Cathkin Road/Burnside Road/Fernhill Road and Blairbeth Road/Mill Street/Croftfoot Road/Fernhill Road.

Improvements will also be carried out to the footway, cycle network and green space areas surrounding the new road.

The project also requires landscaping, new planting of semi-mature trees/shrubs and creating a central grassland open area.

The main contractor is due to start the construction of the relief road in early April.

Derelict land targeted for new housing

One hundred new homes are set to be built in Granton in the latest phase of the sprawling Waterfront Development project.

Plans have been submitted for a mix of three- to four-storey townhouses and two seven-storey apartment blocks on derelict land beside Waterfront Avenue.

The application has renewed hopes for fresh development in the area after the economic crash stalled initial blueprints – drawn up in December 2000 – for a major transformation aimed at creating a “waterfront of international stature.

Earthy restaurant in Canonmills to be demolished

Controversial plans to demolish a popular restaurant in a conservation area have been pushed through on appeal.

Last year, councillors unanimously rejected proposals to knock down Earthy at Canonmills following a lengthy community campaign.

But the Scottish Government has announced it had granted an appeal by landowner Glovart Holdings Ltd – giving the company permission to bulldoze the low-rise buildings at 1-6 Canonmills Bridge and push on with a new development.

Scotland’s demand for electricity on the rise

Scotland has the highest electricity use per household of any region in the UK following the first rise in demand for nine years.

Official new statistics have shown that electricity demand in Scotland is up almost 4 per cent year on year after eight consecutive years of annual reduction.

The figures come just months after the Scottish Parliament’s energy, economy and tourism committee called for a demand reduction strategy from the Scottish Government to help secure supply and reduce costs.

While overall energy demand has fallen in Scotland by 14.1 per cent over the last decade, exceeding the Scottish Government’s target to reduce demand by 12 per cent by 2020 well ahead of schedule, these figures show Scotland has the highest electricity use per household of any region in the UK.