Scotland round-up: Green light for major new Glasgow city centre neighbourhood; Budget backs affordable homes

A round-up of planning news in Scotland: 8 December-14 December, 2018
Green light for major new Glasgow city centre neighbourhood
Glasgow City Council has given approval for a new city centre neighbourhood anchored by Scotland’s largest build-to-rent (BTR) scheme so far.
The Planner
Scottish finance secretary Derek Mackay’s Budget statement this week confirmed that in 2019-20 the government would invest a record £826 million to deliver 50,000 affordable homes over the course of the Parliament as well as establishing a new £50 million capital fund to help town centres diversify and develop.
Scottish Government
Housing, care and property management group Wheatley has secured a groundbreaking investment of £76.5 million that will help it deliver some 700 affordable homes across the country.
Scottish Construction Now
Two more Highland pumped storage power plants planned
The company behind a 450-megawatt pumped storage hydro project at Loch Ness has proposed two similar but larger schemes at Loch Tay and Loch Awe in the Highlands.
The Scotsman
Edinburgh has been named the best city to live in the world, thanks to its low crime rate, high levels of education and the overall health of its workforce, according to a new study from global consultancy Arcadis.
The Scotsman
Aberdeen residential plans
Developer Dandara has submitted proposals to build more than 200 homes as part of a wider housing development at Countesswells on the western outskirts of Aberdeen.
Scottish Construction Now
Filmmakers are questioning what they claim are “very rushed” plans for a new film and TV studio for Scotland in a former wave power factory in Leith.
Edinburgh Evening News
Fresh bid for Galloway national park?
A renewed effort will be made in the new year to secure consultation on a bid to make Galloway Scotland's third national park.
BBC News
Angus station no longer least-used
A more than doubling of the number of passengers using the Barry Links station in Angus has meant it is no longer the least-used railway station in the UK, which it was in 2016/17.
The Scotsman
Affordable homes tally increases by 21 per cent
Latest figures show a 21 per cent rise in the number of affordable homes delivered during the past year with a total of more than 80,000 provided since 2007.
Scottish Government
A project to improve data and digital technology across Scotland’s cities has received a further £15 million in European funding.
The Scotsman
A planning restriction on new takeaways opening within 400 metres of a primary school is being challenged on appeal by retailer Scotmid. It wanted to open an outlet at Bonnyrigg, which was refused by Midlothian Council.
Edinburgh Evening News
Scotland's chief statistician has published details of the country’s carbon footprint between 1998-2015, which highlighted no change between 2014 and 2015.
Scottish Government
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