Green future for derelict Glasgow landmark set for £14million transformation

Plans have been unveiled to transform a derelict east end Glasgow landmark into a state-of-the-art sustainable community nursery.

The £14million project led by Milnbank Housing Association could see the creation of a much needed nursery and education centre to be purpose built on the site of the former Great Eastern Hotel.

Community-run Milnbank Housing Association has already been awarded £982,000 from the Big Lottery Fund towards the nursery project – part of a wider regeneration initiative for the area which will involve the conversion of the A-listed Duke Street building into 48 social rented and 60 private housing units.

The environmentally friendly community nursery engineered by rockenergy – which could be built as early as 2010 pending the outcome of further funding applications – would accommodate 75 children and create 28 full-time posts while saving in the region of 1600 tonnes of carbon over two years.

Milnbank Housing Association is currently developing an Energy Saving and Efficiency Programme across its 1161 properties to reduce carbon emissions across the wider community by changing the attitudes of individuals and organisations towards waste reduction, energy efficiency and lifestyle. An application to support this programme has been submitted to the Climate Challenge Fund.

It has designed a carbon reduction programme for the nursery which will include advanced sustainable design engineering to save 40 per cent of carbon produced during construction and 80 per cent in running costs.

Children from the surrounding area would also benefit from an electric mini bus powered by renewable energy from the building which would be used to pick up and drop off across a wide local radius. The service will also be extended to members of the local community.

Alan Benson, director of Milnbank Housing Association, said: “The Dennistoun area has some of the highest deprivation statistics in Scotland, but Milnbank Housing Association and its committee have been working with other organisations within the community to address poverty and ecological issues in the east end including lack of childcare facilities and transport issues and unemployment.

“If the remainder of the funding is secured we will be able to take a significant step towards tackling these problems through the creation of a long term community owned asset.”

George Chalmers, project co-ordinator at Resource Efficiency Management, added: “Working closely with Milnbank, we have come up with a plan to successfully deliver an energy efficient and sustainable community facility with minimal impact on the environment which will benefit future generations in Glasgow and form an integral part of the wider regeneration of housing and related development across the city.”

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Milnbank Housing Association has done a tremendous amount of work to help people in the community through this project.

"Not only will it create jobs and provide nursery places for children, but it will also help change attitudes about the environment and energy efficiency, and encourage people to play a part in securing a more sustainable future for Glasgow."

Alison Magee, chair of the Big Lottery Fund Scotland, added: “This is an excellent project with 500 families set to use the community nursery over a five-year period.

“Once completed it will provide better services, more opportunities and create a great new facility for the area. This is an excellent fit with our ambitions and will create a sustainable service for many years to come. I wish the project every success for the future.”
 

Colin McGavigan, director of rockenergy, said: “We are delighted that MHA chose rockenergy to design and build their green nursery.

“Through utilising our technology and environmental credentials we will be making a real and great impact on the regeneration of the east end of Glasgow while making a very low impact on the environment, now and in the future.”