Cash to tackle derelict sites
THE value of open space has been clear during the Covid- 19 pandemic. During lockdown, those with access to parks or gardens benefitted from the opportunity to get outdoors.
Now, Glasgow City Council wants to “empower” community action by providing funding to, and working alongside, third sector groups to find “nature- based” solutions for vacant and derelict sites.
The Stalled Spaces programme, which launched 10 years ago, has been reviewed and there are plans to “reinvigorate and reanimate” the project from April.
But first, the focus will be on working alongside community organisations in Drumchapel, Pollok and the South Central area, with £ 30,000 available for pilot schemes.
The council is planning to offer £ 10,000 per area to an organisation, which will work “at speed” with the community on converting stalled or abandoned spaces in the remainder of this financial year.
It is also proposing to put a call out to communities across the city, encouraging them to come forward to develop funding bids for the financial year beginning in 2021.
Councillor Kenny McLean, city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “The Stalled Spaces programme has brought new life to more than 125 derelict or under- used sites all over Glasgow over the past decade, bringing economic, environmental and social benefits to local communities.
“We now propose to develop the programme in three particular areas of the city, and with a focus on nature- based solutions in order to continue to bring these benefits.”
A council report states the Stalled Spaces project was launched as a “positive reaction” to the 2008 financial crash.
“Data suggested over 60% of the Glasgow population was living within 500 metres of vacant and derelict land, which was having a negative impact on their collective mental health and wellbeing,” the report adds.
During the pandemic, people have been furloughed or working from home in “more stressful working conditions”.
“Open space has become valued for the space it provides us to walk, cycle and engage with nature,” the council report states.
The Stalled Spaces review found an increase in temporary growing spaces, landscaping and public art but noted “the variety and geographical spread of funding bids” reduced over the year.
“There was unequal spread of projects within the areas with the most vacant and derelict lands,” the council reported.
It believes some parts of Glasgow’s communities will need more support and encouragement to engage with opportunities, which could “improve their economic outlook, increase social cohesion and improve their health and wellbeing”.
“Underlying all this is a corporate consensus that we need to move towards net zero carbon and net zero biodiversity gain,” the report adds.
Open space has become valued