The Weekly Splash, Friday, October 11
Glasgow Uni to build student flats, Man found guilty of murder, GlasGLOW's New 'Clowntown' Scare Zone Sparks Caution plus Crimebeat
University of Glasgow to Build First Student Residences in Over 20 Years
By Drew Sandelands, Local Democracy Reporter
New student flats are planned as part of the redevelopment of the University of Glasgow’s western campus.
A scheme submitted to Glasgow City Council reveals 460 student bedrooms would be created and a 1990s extension to the B-listed Anderson College would be demolished.
Plans state the project at the corner of Church Street and Dumbarton Road will “deliver the university’s first purpose built student residences for over 20 years at the heart of the city’s West End”.
Planning permission in principle for the wider former Western Infirmary site was granted in 2017, establishing consent for the development of student accommodation.
Now, 460 student bedrooms have been proposed which the application claims will “provide a high quality addition to the universities existing residential portfolio”.
The college would be retained as “learning and teaching space for University of Glasgow”. The demolition of the modern extension will allow for a “new extension to the rear of the building which will partly contain the proposed courtyard which forms part of the proposed student accommodation”.
Currently, Anderson College is home to the Glasgow International College which offers degree preparation courses for international students.
GlasGLOW Halloween Event Approved as New 'Clowntown' Scare Zone Sparks Caution
By Sarah Hilley, Local Democracy Reporter
Halloween event GlasGLOW has been granted a licence to go ahead as organisers warn some people might want to avoid a new scary area - called Clowntown.
Councillors heard this morning how the team behind the Botanic Gardens lighting and sound attraction have been working to keep noise down following complaints.
Among the 10 ‘realms’ at the spooky show a new clown zone has been created.
Itison CEO Oli Norman said: “If you don’t like clowns you can pass it.”
The company’s website advised: “This year at GlasGLOW there will be one area - Clowntown - that some may find a little scary. An alternative route will be available for those who prefer to skip this section.”
There will also be Marshmallow land, a Haunted House section and House of Mirrors as well as food and drinks.
Councillors granted a temporary public entertainment licence after hearing its team had been working with the council, residents and organisations to mitigate concerns.
Have your say on 270km of Cycle Paths plans
Images of how key roads could look when the first of the city’s 270 kilometres cycle paths are laid down have been released for people to comment on.
Concept visualisations can be seen for Maryhill Road, Royston Road, Pollokshaws Road and Langside Avenue among others as part of a consultation running until 20 October. The new cycle routes will run through streets in the inner north and south neighbourhoods.
The city network phase 1 plan in the areas will form about 56 kilometres of active travel routes. The consultation survey is currently running until Sunday, October 20 asking residents for feedback on “emerging design proposals” for the inner north and south city network.
Plan: How the new cycle route could look in Langside Avenue
Cycle path: How it could look in Royston Road
Cycle path: The design in Maryhill Road
To complete the survey visit: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/ATSInnerNorthAndSouth
Janitor’s home in Broomhill sold to Partick Housing Association
By Catherine Hunter, Local Democracy Reporter
Assurances over pupil safety have been sought after Glasgow City Council agreed to sell a former school janitor’s home to a housing association.
Members of the contracts and property committee approved the “off market disposal” of the Broomhill janitor's house on 85 Beechwood Drive to Partick Housing Association for £310,000. The building will now be used for residential purposes alone.
During Thursday’s meeting, concerns were raised by councillor Philip Braat on how the safety of pupils would be maintained, especially as the homes would be next to the primary school.
A council officer advised that there is a fence that surrounds the school and should prevent any access from the property to the school area. The proposals were agreed unanimously
Fake vodka sold in Glasgow shops
Concerns over counterfeit booze being sold in the city has been raised after a substance fraudulently labelled as Glens vodka was found in Glasgow shops, writes Catherine Hunter, Local Democracy Reporter
Councillor Ruairi Kelly asked officers what steps were being taken to crackdown on counterfeit alcohol and the repercussions in place for stores found selling it.
A council officer said that they could be reported to the procurator fiscal.
Glasgow City Council to Buy New Electric Vehicles in £1.35m Fleet Upgrade
By Drew Sandelands, Local Democracy Reporter
New electric cars are set to be bought by Glasgow City Council at a cost of £1.35m to replace part of the current fleet.
They will be used instead of 180 Nissan Leafs which have reached the end of their contract and need to be replaced in 2025.
A deal is expected to be agreed with Nissan for new vehicles, with larger batteries, and will go before councillors yesterday (Thursday).
Overall, the council has a fleet of around 1,600 vehicles which help deliver frontline services, such as healthcare, to city residents.
Since 2019, 325 electric vehicles have been procured as the council has a commitment to develop a net-zero fleet by 2030.
Winter Maintenance Plan Approved as Residents Urged to Help Clear Autumn Leaves
By Catherine Hunter, Local Democracy Reporter
Glasgow’s winter maintenance plan to grit and salt roads, footpaths and cycleways has been approved, as residents are encouraged to help clean up autumn leaves lying on the ground.
The proposals which will be in place for 2024/25 not only include the NCN 75 which extends from Cambuslang to the Riverside Museum and Festival Park but extra cycle lanes that sit next to the existing priority one carriageway route.
This winter the following segregated cycleway sections will be added - the South City Way extension, Connecting Battlefield, Avenues and Clyde Street.
During the environment and liveable neighbourhoods committee, councillors praised the decision to grit more cycle paths but raised concerns about the amount of leaves falling on the ground during the autumn weather.
Councillor Franny Scally said: “It is good news to hear that cycle lanes are going to be gritted because I know quite a lot of people in my community who take part in active travel and cycle will feel a lot safer with the gritting and the two additional bridges.
“There are leave issues at this time of year where they block the drains. I have been trying to get my head around the leaves fall for the last 12 years. By the time December comes around, all the leaves have fallen off the trees. I think we all need to make sure how we strategically during the autumn, get rid of the leaves and prepare for winter.
“It is good to know there is a winter maintenance programme. When the leaves fall, sometimes we get the mechanical sweepers in to help and we work with the housing associations. Are we still doing that?”
A council officer confirmed that “deep cleans” take place throughout the city and that the councils are happy to work with the housing associations to clean up the streets.
They said: “If they are looking for any support as well we would be looking to assist them where possible.
“There is good information online which shows you how to safely uplift leaves in and around your own property so you are not putting yourself in any danger.”
Councillor Elaine McSporran added: “I also live in an area that is full of trees and we had officers there, it would be a 24/7 job so I think encouraging people to be part of that winter maintenance programme where everyone can do a wee bit can help and that will help our team.”
Celtic legend Packie Bonner Joins Donegal Families to Share Stories for Exhibition
By Sarah Hilley, Local Democracy Reporter
Celtic legend Packie Bonner joined Glasgwegians whose families hail from Donegal at a special event where they shared memories of working in Scotland for an exhibition.
About 200 people with Donegal links turned up at the council chambers last week to pass on photographs and discuss the experiences of men and women who held jobs between 1940 and 1990.
Donegal County Council is planning to open a major exhibition capturing the working lives of people who left the north west county to work in Scotland.
Last week’s event helped gather mementos for the display with photographs of teenage tunnellers and women working in factories among historical records of daily lives captured. It is understood the exhibition will take place in Letterkenny in the County Museum next year from April to October.
Ireland and Celtic goalkeeper Packie, who is Donegal’s County Ambassador made an “inspiring” speech about his role in engaging with the diaspora of his homeplace, giving ideas on how wider communities could promote their heritage, culture and contribution to the city.
Joe Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer said: “There are few families in County Donegal that have not been affected by emigration or participated in seasonal migration and Scotland, particularly Glasgow, was the destination for many. With the passage of time, the opportunities to record first-hand accounts of the experiences of Donegal people working in Scotland are disappearing.”
He added: “We were overwhelmed by the number of people who shared their stories, photographs, and documents. Whether through memories or photographs or the Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren sharing that her DNA was 37 per cent Irish, the response from people in the city was wonderful. We are really excited to collaborate further with Glasgow to see how the project informs its 850th birthday celebrations in 2025.”
Bailie Annette Christie, some of whose family hail from Donegal, said: “The turnout for this heritage event demonstrates the appetite for Glaswegians to engage with heritage wherever they hail. Supporting the Donegal project is particularly important as the contribution of ordinary people from the Irish community who built Glasgow has often been overlooked or considered too ordinary to be recorded. It complements the award from our 850 festival fund for an Irish Roots project by the Govanhill Baths Community Trust.”
She added: “The visit is an important milestone in the run up to celebrating our 850th birthday next year. The visit follows on closely from discussions with Dublin and Belfast about links between our cities and the Donegal team visit further enhances these bonds. I’m looking forward to the exhibition coming to Glasgow in the future.”
Cessnock care home resident celebrates 99th birthday with a pink-themed party
Agnes Morrison, pictured above, a resident who lives at HC-One Scotland’s Ailsa Craig Care Home in Cessnock, celebrated her 99th birthday on the October 2, surrounded by her fellow residents and family.
The wellbeing team at the 90-bedded nursing and nursing dementia care home knew they wanted to make Agnes’ 99th birthday one to remember.
Fiona Pryce, Senior Wellbeing Coordinator, had the perfect idea for the party as a few months previously, Kat Muir a local entertainer came along to the home to perform, and Agnes loved it. Agnes even asked Fiona if she would be able to organise Kat to come along and perform for her birthday.
The wellbeing team planned an excellent birthday party, with a wonderful pink theme, Agnes’ favourite colour. Fiona contacted all of Agnes’ family who were excited to come along to the party. All of Agnes’ extended family came together to celebrate the special day. Everyone enjoyed the party, there was lots of singing, dancing and glasses of pink prosecco flowing. Agnes even performed with Kat, they both sang one of Agnes’ favourite songs, ‘The Rose’ and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Agnes thanked everyone at Ailsa Craig for making her 99th birthday one to remember.
Fiona Pryce, Senior Wellbeing Coordinator at HC-One’s Ailsa Craig Care Home, commented: “Seeing Agnes sing her favourite song was a moment everyone at Ailsa Craig will always treasure.”
IN BRIEF
Glasgow's drug consumption room, the UK’s first Safe Consumption Drug Facility, has been delayed and will not open on October 21 as planned.
A council spokesperson stated that while they are close to launching the facility, complexities have arisen that need to be addressed. Efforts are ongoing to expedite the process, with the facility's opening contingent on passing the stringent NHS Assure safety requirements.
Due to carriageway resurfacing Barrhead Road eastbound & westbound at M77 Ramps between Fairchild Avenue to Boydstone Road will be closed 12 - 14 Oct from 8pm to 6am. Diversions will be signposted.
Plans to turn a Knightswood church hall into a restaurant and takeaway have been turned down over concern the building could be better used by the local community, writes Drew Sandelands, Local Democracy Reporter
Glasgow City Council planners refused a bid to reuse the building on Saxon Road as they said it would be an “unjustified loss” of a community facility.
🚨🚓CRIMEBEAT🚨🔵
Man, 33, Found Guilty of Murder
A man has been convicted of the murder of Allan Doris in Kennishead in 2023.
Alan Robertson, 33, was found guilty of murder at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, 9 October, 2024.
Allan, 43, was found with serious injuries following a disturbance at a flat in Kennishead Avenue, Glasgow, around 10.20pm on Monday, 13 February 2023.
He died a short time later at the scene.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Munogee, Senior Investigating Officer, said: “Allan's murder has left his family absolutely devastated and our thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time. We hope that this conviction brings at least a degree of closure for his relatives and friends.
"I would like to thank responding officers, the investigative team and our partners at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for all their hard work on this case to get justice for Allan and his family.
"We understand the devastating and significant impact violence has on individuals, families and communities and in this regard, will continue to work closely with partners and remain determined to bring perpetrators to justice."
Man Convicted for Role in Serious Organised Crime and Drug Supply
A man has been convicted of his involvement in serious and organised crime and the supply of drugs.
Ian Sweeney, 53, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, 9 October, 2024 following an investigation to disrupt those involved in organised crime groups. The offences took place between March and June, 2020.
Anyone who has information or concerns about the sale and supply of drugs in their community is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101. Alternatively, if you would prefer to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Man, 21, arrested after £92k worth of drugs seized in Yorkhill
A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged after £92,000 worth of drugs were recovered in Glasgow.
Officers executed a warrant at an address on Blantyre Street around 9.30am on Wednesday. Cocaine with an estimated street value of £74,000 and £18,000 worth of ketamine was recovered. The man is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court this week.
The Weekend Weather Forecast
🌧️Today: Expect a mostly cloudy day with scattered showers. Temperatures will average around 12°C, dipping to a low of 8°C.
🌥️Tomorrow: Cloudy in the morning with outbreaks of rain. Drier, brighter weather will spread from the north during the afternoon. The maximum temperature will be 10°C.
☀️Sunday: Mainly dry, bright, and cold with temperatures reaching 9°C and a low of 5°C. Rain is expected to spread in from the west later in the day.