Reporting Discarded Needles
If you find discarded needles in a public place, report them to Glasgow City Council.
Website: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/4269/Report-a-Discarded-Needle-in-a-Public-Place
In the My Glasgow app, tap More > Environmental > Discarded Needle
Current Planning Applications
Comments on the applications below can be made via the Council’s online portal or in writing. Glasgow City Council can only take “material considerations” into account in determining the application. Please review their guide to Commenting On Planning Applications for more information.
| Street | Reference | Summary | Date Received | Last Date for Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockwell St | 24/01614/FUL | Use of office (Class 4) as student accommodation (Sui Generis) with associated ancillary development. - Granite House 31 Stockwell Street Glasgow | Thu 20 Jun 2024 | Fri 26 Jul 2024 |
| Hutcheson St | 24/01417/FUL | External alterations, with remedial works including installation of leadworks, repainting of metal windows and panels. - 103 Hutcheson Street Glasgow | Wed 29 May 2024 | Fri 02 Aug 2024 |
| Miller St | 24/01633/FUL | External alterations and installation of emergency generator with associated works - 57 Miller Street City Centre Glasgow G1 1EB | Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Fri 02 Aug 2024 |
| Trongate | 24/01732/LBA | Alterations to resteraunt including the installation of entrance door with side glazing and associated works. - 167 Trongate Glasgow G1 5HF | Fri 05 Jul 2024 | Fri 16 Aug 2024 |
| Trongate | 24/01733/FUL | Installation of replacement entrance door with glazing and associated works to front of restaurant. - 167 Trongate Glasgow G1 5HF | Fri 05 Jul 2024 | Fri 16 Aug 2024 |
| Old Wynd | 24/01721/FUL | Erection of hotel with associated facilities and ancillary works : Planning application under Section 42 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997for non-compliance with Conditions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of planning consent 20/01468/FUL. - Site Formerly Known As 47 Old Wynd Glasgow | Thu 04 Jul 2024 | Wed 21 Aug 2024 |
Updated 24 July 2024. Information provided by Glasgow City Council
Meeting Minutes, 25 June 2024
Attended by: Scott Thornton(Chair), David Cowan, Gary Atkinson, Rosalind Wardley-Smith, Niall McColl, Peter Hayman, David Hughes, Gordon Millar ; Lorenzo Mele & Bernadette Fryars - Glasgow Merchant City Festival; Police Constable Sean McFadden; EM, RM, KL, TD, SM, CS, BF, CD, RF, PS, TMcK, RN;
By Zoom video - Alice Cowan.
Apologies: Tam Coyle, Ward Councillors Philip Braat and Eva Bolander;
MINUTES OF 28 MAY MEETING
Adopted proposed by David Cowan, seconded by Gordon Millar. Approved.
POLICE ISSUES
PC McFadden (SMcF) reported indicative crime statistics as follows for the period 28 May to 25 June in the MCTCC area: 131 offences reported of which 60 were detected. These included assaults on police officers, bail breaches, threatening and abusive behaviour, and retail theft. Main involvement relating to Licenced premises.
Taken a number of crime prevention surveys to help mitigate retail crimes
Following a report from a member of the public, police had executed a Sheriff’s warrant in Bell Street, but no crime was detected.
Police were now operating “proportionate response to crime” pactice, based on the THRIVE model of assessment, looking to free up police where there is “no viable lines of enquiry” , Only applies to “low harm & low risk” crimes, eg theft, vandalism & failure to stop (North division found this was c 3.4% of reported crime when they started earlier this year).
Police worked with Wheatley Group to improve the timely repair process for damaged doors, that were associated with anti social behaviour. Expected to result in faster repairs for these buildings.
The Tron theatre area was discussed, where there had been a significant impact from the recent Football celebrations in Merchant City and regular drug dealing activities. The Police suggested the latter be reported to help focus the appropriate response. Regular Police patrols are planned.
There was no information on E-Bikes, but the Police were planning “days of action”.
It was noted that there would be a GCC presentation on the Needle Bin project at the July mtg.
Busking - More planned engagement from the Police, no reported enforcement
Graffiti / Vandalism update - Scott attended a meeting with Police Scotland (Paul and Angela Stavely). Main points were encourage reporting of the incidents (E mail / online / Crimestoppers) and the Council have powers to require Private property Owners to clean up damage.
Scott highlighted that GCC have designated part of Custom House Quay area for “Street Art”
MERCHANT CITY FESTIVAL (19-21 July 2024)
Lorenzo Mele, Artistic Director & Bernadette Fryers , Project Manager, Merchant City Festival at Glasgow Life gave a presentation and took questions.
Summary of the programming:
Main Sponsers - Merchant Square, Candleriggs Accomodation & The Social hub
Focus around Merchant Square for Music every day and using SURGE outdoor performances during the 3 days
Friday - Music programming (Celtic Connections organising) / Carnival feel /. Also a Civic reception taking place Friday afternoon.
Saturday - Pride & Family friendly programming
Sunday - 50’s theme / Rockabilly / / Ramshorn graveyard / New Candlerigg Square / Family friendly.
Boardwalk for a Science Museum event & Quiet space. The Old Fruitmarket Friday night for “Hip replacement” night club (7pm -midnight)
Big Angie (comedy / drag show) for 2 nights
Bernadette highlighted the operational matters - Festival set up & Road closures - Resident and Businesses notified mid June - from Fri 6am to Sun Midnight.Operational hours during the day are 12 noon to 6.00pm
There will be a walkround by the project team of Businesses to discuss deliveries / access etc on 26 June.
There were questions around Parking and access and it was suggested that the letter should be added to the MCTCC website and any issues Residents should call the helpline number on the letter.
WARD COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
No Councillors’ were in attendance at the meeting.
Points raised in absentia:
Update on the Celtic Fans issues from 18 May & feedback from Council liaison with Celtic FC
Higher than expected Orange Marches - 100 over the summer around Glasgow , with 50 on 1 day.
Walkabout with Councillors - Actions list update . Next walkabout invite should include Councillor Braat and and focus on the Southern part of the district next time, specifically on the riverside.
Pavement parking in Candleriggs issue - get bollards similar to Miller street?
Litter on the River banks of the Clyde (North and South banks) - potential joint litter pick with Calton CC?
Can Councillors’ bring more disused properties back into Residential accommodation, as per the policy raised in the City Centre Strategy presentation.
STREET CLOSURES - Noted
PLANNING
Scott shared the success of planning being granted to Damasquino for their expanding successful restaurant in Saltmarket.
Homeless Project Scotland (HPS)
Letter has been sent to the Chief Executive of GCC , regarding the lack of enforcement of the planning breach related to HPS.
There have also been representations made to the Scottish Government regarding GCC not operating statutory planning legislation
New applications for PBSAs
The latest such application is for Granite House, 31-33 Stockwell street.
This is a Change of Use application from Office to Student Accommodation
Scott noted this led through Old Wynd to two other buildings which had received planning permission for PBSAs, in effect creating a mini student campus. In addition there has been an old Hotel planning permission that is also now being revised for Student accommodation.
There are currently 1365 rooms in planning in the MCTCC area and this will take the number to well in excess of 1,500 in a relatively small area, in addition to major Student developments situated close to the MCTCC area e.g. College lands.
Since MCTCC policy is to oppose further applications for PBSA he will submit a formal objection. ACTION: Peter
George Square redevelopment -
Can we obtain details of the phasing of closures, work and reopening over the project period. Action -Scott to review.
RN suggested it would be helpful if a member of the MCTCC attended the Project meetings, to feedback on phasing and delivery on a timely manner, similar to the issues in Sauchiehall street. ACTION :
Merchant City Park
No Progress reported.
Public Consultation on high rise Buildings - Obtain details
GPO Building - Taxi rank relocation - Scott has asked GCC about whether this can be amended and Cllr Braat is discussing with GCC staff.
LICENSING
Carry forward to next meeting.
Scott raised with GCC some Holiday Letting applications in Ingram street in Feb 2024. This was acknowledged in June 24.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Gordon reported a bank balance of £9,750 at 25 June 24
David Hughes said he had made an application to GCC for £520 for litter pickers. This is for a maximum of £400 Grant (may be the Cash received - to check) Gordon
Discretionary Grant funding has been applied for which will followed up by the Treasurer . Action Gordon to discuss with Gerald Tonner @ GCC.
The Annual Administration Fee has also to be confirmed - Action Gordon
£400 has been received , but this needs to be confirmed what this covers. Action Gordon
GRANT GIVING SCHEME
Impact Arts Press release sent out (with QR codes, link to the MCTCC website).
FRIENDS OF THE RAMSHORN GRAVEYARD
Meeting to be held in City Chambers tomorrow. David Hughes said an aim was to start public tours in 2025.
SCOTTISH FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE PUBLIC CONSULTATION
WEBSITE/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Communication strategy - Sub group agreed to propose that we should spend up to £3,000 on the Website and c £55 per month on maintenance. This will support our communication with the wider community and improve engagement.
David Hughes proposed a full launch with flyers to local businesses, University and apartments to help drive traffic to the new website.
The spend is aimed at updating the web site (from 2019), provide more dynamic presentation, making it more usable to communicate whats on, news and history in the MCTCC area.
There is also the possibility of further enhancement to the website to involve local businesses that support the site and engage with these businesses on future MCTCC communications.
Proposed by David Hughes and seconded by Christian S. No objections. Agreed to progress.
AOCB
Items for the meeting with Kaukab - Councils ignoring National Planning guidelines, Continual roadworks on the M8, The council being more proactive in communicating strategy.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday 30 July, 6.30 pm in City Chambers
Residents slam City Council after Scottish Government kills their park dream
Glasgow city centre residents have expressed their “profound sadness and bitter disappointment” at the Scottish Government’s decision to allow more than 100 flats to be built on a site they have fought for five years to be transformed into Merchant City’s first green space.
Scottish Ministers announced on 16 July they had agreed with the recommendations of its official Reporter, Elspeth Cook, to give the go-ahead for a planning application submitted to Glasgow City Council (GCC) to build the apartments on the site of a car park bounded by Candleriggs, Ingram Street and Albion Street.
This site features a major tourist attraction of a mural depicting wild animals peering through gaps in a wall.
Merchant City and Trongate Community Council (MCTCC), which commissioned the mural, was one of more than 140 objectors to the application, passed by GCC’s Planning Committee in February 2023 on the casting vote of the Chairman. Most Committee members stayed away from that meeting.
Following the protests the decision was ‘called in’ by the Scottish Government because of the possibility that the adjacent Old Fruitmarket and City Halls music venues might have to be closed because of noise complaints from the new neighbours.
The Community Council has campaigned for five years to turn the site, situated opposite the historic Ramshorn Church and Graveyard, into ‘Merchant City Park.’
A spokesman for for MCTCC commented: “We received the news with profound sadness and bitter disappointment.”
He added: ““Merchant City does not have a single park or any other green space, particularly needed in the post-COVID environment.
“Ministers agreed that major issues for consideration included the effects on amenity open space, trees and the mural yet have over-ridden these.
“This was a rare opportunity for the City Council to live up to its to oft-repeated boast of creating a greener Glasgow and work with residents to develop a park for the benefit of local and wider communities to improve health and wellbeing as well as tourism. The proposed building will also partially obliterate a delightful mural photographed by hundreds of visitors each week.”
The development will mean the felling of 18 Cherry Blossom and three Horse Chestnut trees. Ministers said the applicant proposed to plant replacement trees, albeit fewer in number than those removed, and include other planting schemes in a publicly accessible courtyard and rooftop terraces.
Ministers said the developers should make a financial contribution of £110,199 in lieu of on-site amenity provisions, a figure dismissed by MCTCC as “woefully inadequate, adding: “Going on evidence from other Community Councils this will not be spent on the Merchant City."
The formal decision on the planning application has been deferred for at least six months to enable relevant planning obligations or another suitable agreement to be completed.
Ingram St Car Park - Reporter Issues Notice of Intention
The Reporter to the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division of the Scottish Government advised on 16 July that they are minded to grant permission for the redevelopment of the Ingram St Car Park as 109 flats. MCTCC has long campaigned for this site to be developed as a community park.
Tall Buildings in Glasgow - Public Consultation
A public consultation on Tall Buildings in Glasgow has begun in response to the increasing number of these being built and planned, especially in the city centre and on its fringes.
The consultation will run until 30 September, and will help to shape the final design guidance on Tall Buildings - which not only guides the best location and design principles for these, but is a key factor in the determination of planning applications.
Given the increasing pressure to develop these types of buildings, the trend to add additional height to re purposed buildings, and the move to the re-densification and re-population of the city centre, it became clear that further design guidance was necessary.
While strategies such as the Central District Regeneration Framework, City Centre Strategic Development Framework and the River Clyde Strategic Development Framework identify opportunities for increased density and increased height along the Clydeside, it is also considered important to maintain the character of the Glasgow Central Conservation Area.
There are a range of views on Tall Buildings, with many people proposing that they can help reduce sprawl, increase density, and provide opportunities for refurbishment and re-use. Others suggest that they are inherently unsustainable, with a greater consumption of more materials, energy, and resources than lower-rise buildings, and create social and environmental problems.
Glasgow City Council recognises the role taller buildings can play in terms of sustainable and organic growth of the city system, and encourages competent, forward thinking and holistic responses to the challenges of planning, constructing, and maintaining taller buildings - so tall buildings can be sustainable if they are designed and built with care and innovation, and if they are part of a holistic urban planning strategy that balances environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects. However, the council does not view tall buildings are not a panacea for urban sustainability challenges and should be complemented by other forms of low and medium-impact development that promote diversity, liveability and inclusive economic growth.
Current design guidance on Tall Buildings is based on the following factors:
- Quality of the city centre: the distinctive qualities and values of this distinctive place including historic character and context;
- Heritage: understanding the significance of the local historic environment and the potential impact on this significance;
- Visual: the impact on the city centre streetscape, and wider urban landscapes, and views of the skyline. This includes the setting of heritage assets;
- Functional: the design, embodied carbon and carbon cost, construction and operation;
- Transport: the impact on the local transport infrastructure and particularly public transport needs;
- Environmental: the influence on local micro-climates such as creation of wind tunnels, 'canyon' effects, distances between tall buildings, overshadowing, and effect on heritage assets in terms of the impact these micro-climatic changes could have upon their fabric, and how they are experienced; and
- Cumulative: the combined impacts on heritage assets from existing, consented and proposed tall buildings.
The Tall Buildings design guidance was considered earlier this year at meetings hosted by the Glasgow Design Panel and attended by architects, designers and developers, a meeting with Ward 10 (Anderston/city/Yorkhill) community councils, and last month the council hosted a digital round table workshop for UK and international professional and academic experts with previous expertise in producing tall buildings design guidance for similar scale cities to Glasgow. The consultation beginning today will help shape the final design guidance document and is open to anyone with an interest in this topic in Glasgow.
This consultation can be found here.
Information from Glasgow City Council - published by MCTCC 9 July 2024
Britannia Panopticon - July
The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall has an amazing line up of entertainment this month, and indeed every month. MCTCC residents get 10% discount - use the discount code G1PANOPTICON when booking through their ticket website, www.ticketsource.co.uk/panopticon .
The world's oldest surviving music hall is open for general viewing every Thursday and Saturday, and locals can visit for free!