Building Briefs – May 18th

• New Glasgow Space For Distancing lane ready for use

As part of Glasgow’s effort to provide public space for physical distancing during the on-going coronavirus crisis, the new lane runs for 1.5 miles between Saltmarket and the Clyde Arc. Work on the ground started on May 12.

The new lane will ease pressure on the shared space Clyde Walkway, which has a number of pinch points and has remained a place for exercise and active travel during lockdown.

Intended for westbound travel only, the lane also utilises a stretch of the Fastlink bus lane and will also offer a temporary solution to the closure of the walkway at Lancefield Quay following the fire there in December last year.

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction, welcomed the rapid response to the call for Space for Distancing for people who walk, wheel and cycle.

In the support of Glasgow’s overall Space for Distancing scheme, the council has now submitted a bid to receive funding from the £10 million national Spaces for People initiative announced by Sustrans earlier this month.

Glasgow’s bid has focused on securing financial backing for physical distancing measures in the city centre and neighbourhoods and also along cycle routes.

• Abandoned Ayr church could be transformed into cinema

Ross Hunter is planning to convert the Darlington Church into Ayr’s answer to the Glasgow Film Theatre. 

The director of the Iris arts venue has secured £20,000 from South Ayrshire Council for the project. 

He also has the backing of Regional Screen Scotland – and is ready to kick off building work after lockdown. 

Mr Hunter and his partner Kelly Craig are working to turn the 1860-built place of worship into a community arts venue – which would also host theatre and live music. 

The building will be accessible as well as offering a cafe bar and community space.

There will also be the chance for creative people and students to demonstrate their work. 

A mobile cinema, which could show films in arts and community centres is also part of the plan. 

The church is listed in the Buildings At Risk Register for Scotland. 

• Aberdeenshire LDP online consultation to launch on May 25

Aberdeenshire Council will launch an eight-week online consultation on its Proposed Local Development Plan 2020 (LDP) on Monday, May 25.

Aberdeenshire Council formally agreed its Proposed LDP on March 5 and will submit its proposals to Scottish Ministers for examination later this year, following consideration of representations received during the consultation period.

The content of the Proposed LDP remains largely unchanged from the existing Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2017, featuring an ongoing vision of helping develop a strong and resilient economy, promoting a high quality of life and sustainable, low carbon places. 

It also seeks to ensure that the exceptional cultural and natural environment across Aberdeenshire is protected and enhanced.  

New housing opportunities have been identified across Aberdeenshire including sites at Banchory, Echt, Fetterangus, Fyvie, Gourdon, Inverurie, Newburgh, Pitmedden, St Combs and Turriff among others. 

Development continues to be focused towards the three strategic growth areas along the A90 north and south and the A96. 

Aberdeenshire has had a fully up-to-date Local Development Plan for a number of years which ensures that new developments take place alongside the provision of facilities such as schools and in places where the transport system is either suitable for dealing with the increased travel demand or can be improved. 

The Proposed LDP and supporting documents will be published online on May 25 at https://bit.ly/LDP2021.