Public invited to view latest plans for regeneration of North Glasgow’s canal corridor

The people of Woodside, Firhill and Hamiltonhill are being invited to explore and shape the future of North Glasgow at an exhibition showcasing ideas generated by the local community during a series of design workshops – known as a charrette – last year.

Taking place at Firhill Stadium on the 18th and 19th of May, the exhibition will provide an update on the proposals generated at the charrette, which ranged from the establishment of a local nature reserve and the creation of a heritage hub using former canal-side buildings to the provision of new housing opportunities, and explain how the project partners are taking some of the ideas forward.

Christopher Breslin, Strategic Planning and Design Manager at Scottish Canals, said: “Led by the Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership, North Glasgow’s canal corridor is in the midst of a transformation that’s already seen the creation of a flourishing cultural quarter featuring the likes of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; the opening of Scotland’s first urban watersports centre at Pinkston Basin; and the installation of a heritage trail allowing visitors and locals alike to unlock the rich history of the Forth & Clyde.

“This exhibition will showcase the next stage of that ongoing regeneration and the emerging masterplan for the area. I’d encourage anyone who lives, works, studies or runs a business in the area to come along to view the plans and have their say.”

Working with local communities and partners, we’re developing a shared vision for how we celebrate the unique character of the area, create even more opportunities for business, leisure and tourism, and build a sustainable future for the local communities and their canal.

Christopher Breslin, Strategic Planning and Design Manager at Scottish Canals

Held over four days last year and supported by technical experts and designers, the sessions saw more than 300 members of the community help generate ideas and proposals to help maximise the tourism, leisure and business opportunities offered by the Forth & Clyde Canal and ensure the long-term future of the local area. A wide range of agencies, community groups and local representatives are involved in shaping and delivering the shared vision, including Glasgow City Council; NHS Scotland; Scottish Canals; Partick Thistle Football Club; Queens Cross Housing Association; Green Exercise Partnership; and Friends of Possilpark Greenspace.

Niall McKinnon, Head of Development at Queens Cross Housing Association, said: “We’re excited to be a partner in these major regeneration proposals and the opportunity to bring much needed housing to our communities. I’m looking forward to the charrette feedback session and hearing local residents’ views about our initial masterplan proposals for Hamiltonhill.”

The charrette approach, which has been championed by the Scottish Government, has already proven successful in unlocking regeneration opportunities across Scotland, with the £2 million revitalisation of Bowling Basin on the Forth & Clyde Canal a recent example.

The exhibition will take place in Partick Thistle’s bar at Firhill Stadium, Firhill Road, between 3.30pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th May. Full information on the charrette programme and the exhibition can be found at bit.ly/NGcharrette

Notes to Editors

Scottish Canals

Scottish Canals is responsible to the Scottish Government for the management and development of the Union, Monkland, Forth & Clyde, Crinan and Caledonian Canals. As well as the waterways themselves, Scottish Canals care for 251 bridges, 212 buildings, 256 locks, The Falkirk Wheel, The Kelpies and 19 water supply reservoirs in locations across Scotland. The reservoirs cover an area equivalent to 7,494 football pitches and supply the canals with the 332 million litres of water which flow through them each day

The Forth & Clyde, Union and Monkland canals in the Lowlands, the Crinan Canal in Argyll and the Caledonian Canal in the Highlands together extend over 137 miles from coast to coast, across country and into the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

Built two hundred years ago to fire the Industrial Revolution, today the canals contribute to the Scottish Government agenda of developing a Greener; Healthier; Smarter; Safer and Stronger; and Wealthier and Fairer Scotland by acting as a catalyst for sustainable economic development, regeneration and tourism; contributing to education, biodiversity, heritage and promoting active living and healthier lifestyles. The Forth & Clyde, Union, Monkland, Caledonian and Crinan canals are recognised as Scheduled Monuments and attract 22million visits per year

For more information, visit www.scottishcanals.co.uk or follow @ScottishCanals on Twitter

Charrette Mainstreaming programme

The Scottish Government’s Charrette Mainstreaming programme is an initiative aimed at demonstrating the value of collaborative design workshops, known as charrettes, in harnessing the knowledge and expertise within communities, increasing the speed and efficiency of plan-making, and embedding design at an early stage to improve the quality of outcomes.

The current programme is using the charrette approach to demonstrate how ideas and options for the future development of communities can be developed for incorporation in Local Development Plans and is part of the process of modernising the planning system in Scotland.

Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership

The Glasgow Canal Regeneration Partnership, formed in 2004, is a partnership between Glasgow City Council, ISIS Waterside Regeneration, Igloo Regeneration and Scottish Canals. The Partnership is driving regeneration around Glasgow’s Forth & Clyde Canal in order to create a fantastic waterside environment that will bring benefits to those living and working in the area, whilst providing an inspiring setting for visitors to the city.

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