Latest news with #EvaBolander
The Herald Scotland
27-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Details of Philip Braat's stalking emerge as sentencing deferred
The messages included claims that Braat wished to end his life as a result of the woman ending their three-year relationship. Braat has represented the Anderston/City/Yorkhill ward since 2007 and is subject to an investigation by Scottish Labour. Braat was the deputy Lord Provost in 2017 before taking on the senior role in 2020 until 2022. He left the position after the 2019 resignation of Eva Bolander amid criticism of her expenses claims. Braat was also the former convener of the Strathclyde Police Authority (SPA) and represented Glasgow at COP26. Braat was a member of the Law Society of Scotland, an honorary captain in the Royal Navy Reserves, and a member of the Glasgow Tree Lovers' Society. Read More He pleaded guilty last month at Glasgow Sheriff Court to a single charge of stalking and a narrative of the facts was heard. The court heard that the pair entered a relationship in 2021 and went on to live together. The woman told Braat that she was ending the relationship in July 2024. She received an email the next day from Braat which included a purported resignation letter to his employer sent from his professional account. Prosecutor Paige Phillips said: "The woman thought that this was fake and to get her attention as well as to make her feel guilty." She later contacted Braat emphasise the end of their relationship during a "very emotional and distressing" call. The woman also stated that she did not love him and wanted to get on with her life. Braat attempted to persuade her that the pair should be together and stated that he could "not live" without her." He said: "You better visit my parents and you better keep my legacy alive." The woman believed that this was in reference to Braat ending his life and he said: "I don't want to live without you." When asked if it was in reference to ending his life, Braat replied: "Maybe." Between July and September, the woman received 18 emails, 51 Instagram messages, 15 text messages, 37 WhatsApp messages and a LinkedIn message. Some of the emails contained "goodbye" letters to the woman and Braat's own family. The woman contacted the police and Braat was traced to his parents' address where he was found "safe and well." Braat's LinkedIn message, congratulating her on a professional award she received resulted in the woman going to the police. She stated that the messages were not nasty but there was "no escape" from Braat and she could "not cope any longer." Braat gave a "no comment" interview to police after his arrest. Solicitor advocate Andrew Seggie, defending, told the court: "He was at a low point and felt suicidal and his focus was on winning the woman back during the period of the charge. "As a result of the passage of time, he accepts his behaviour overstepped the mark. He is genuinely remorseful. "He was the Lord Provost during the pandemic and he said he felt additional pressure to assist those who lost loved ones as a result of the pandemic together with his own constituents. "He was trying to manage this and juggle his own family issues and the end of the relationship caused him to suffer a mental health breakdown during this period." Sentence was deferred again until next month by Sheriff Owen Mullan to be addressed on the terms of a non-harassment order. The sheriff stated that Braat, of the city's Broomhill, will be ordered to 60 hours of unpaid work when sentencing is imposed. Sheriff Mullan added: "It should not have taken the passage of time and hindsight to reach the conclusion that perhaps you overstepped the mark - that is why you are here today. "I understand that you have made it clear that it must have been traumatic and stressful for the woman concerned."
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Government needs to call in this disastrous plan for O2 site
It was also clear to me that some members of the committee could not read the drawings provided. Questions asked included if there would be a separation between the public and student entrances? Where would the bins be emptied? Was it stone and what colour was it? Is that arches at the front on Sauchiehall Street? (To which the DRS leader answered yes, when it is not.) Another stated that despite what was proposed not being the most "edifying" design he would support the application. However, the most bizarre was asking for confirmation that the now-demolished ABC portico and other artifacts would be included within the interior of the proposed food hall. In contrast, Councillor Eva Bolander raised the point that 'dereliction of duty' led to the committee being "bounced" into approving the demolition of the ABC and they were now being "bounced" into approving the student accommodation. Accordingly, Cllr Bolander rightly voted against the plans. It is clear that this approval has to be referred to the First Minister and that there should be a proper hearing to give Historic Environment Scotland, The Glasgow School of Art, and particularly the residents of Garnethill, among the many of the 130 who objected, an opportunity to respond to a development which in the short term will be damaging for them and in the long term a disaster for the School of Art and the city. Professor Alan Dunlop FRIAS, Aberfoyle. Read more letters Scots are not so grumpy We read that a report based on annual life satisfaction data found that 13 per cent of Scots live below a "Happiness Poverty Line" ("Scots 'happier than those in England and Wales but still dissatisfied with life'", The Herald, June 19). We are also advised from that report that more than one in 10 Scots are dissatisfied with life in the UK, but people are happier there than those in England and Wales with regard to staying in the UK. I suspect that there will be many who find that comparison with England and Wales difficult to take on board, particularly those who are of the same mind once expressed by PG Wodehouse, writer and humorist : "It is never difficult to distinguish between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine". Ian W Thomson, Lenzie. Why are folk so lazy? Some years ago my mother's neighbour phoned me to say she was concerned for her safety as my mother, who was in her mid-nineties, was up on a pair of steps cutting her hedge. I was by that time helping her a bit and had obviously not got there quick enough. Recently I passed her house and she would be turning in her grave to see the once-neat hedge sadly left to grow too high and too wide and overhanging and obstructing the pavement. Around our city hedges and trees are often unkempt and a disgrace. Surely some legislation should be passed to ensure owners, landlords and tenants are obliged to keep hedges next to pavements neat and tidy. We need to care more for our dear green city. Where is our pride and respect? Jim Barbour, Glasgow. Literary prophets Now in my ninth decade I decided to re-read the short stories written by Ray Bradbury. When I was in my teens these were plausible fantasies about science fiction and other possibilities. What still gets to me is the way that Bradbury painted with words, making my mind see scenes that were amazing and distressing. I am only a short way into a collection by Bantam Books named "Classic Stories Volume 1" and realise that this writer was a prophet in the truest sense of the word. These stories are from his original collection, The Golden Apples of the Sun, and while they were enjoyable to read as a teenager the two that so far stand out are "I See You Never" about a Mexican immigrant being deported from the USA back to Mexico. This was written in 1947. The other, from 1953, is "The Murderer" and concerns the imposition of mass and social media on society. We are there right now. My other go-to author is Issac Asimov, who predicted hand-held computers, flat-screen televisions and AI among lots of other things that we now have and take for granted. Anyone interested in considering what might happen next should read these authors if they haven't already done so and just enjoy great writing at the very least that stretches the imagination. Ian Gray, Croftamie. Keith Lasley, St Mirren's COO (Image: SNS) A very Scottish coo I can face the day with a smile, imagining St Mirren Football Club's Chief Operating Officer ("Scottish football clubs have to think smarter", Agenda, The Herald, June 20) being asked at party what he does for a living. " I'm a COO". "Upon a hill I saw a coo, if it wis there, it's no there noo" (source uncertain). David Miller, Milngavie.
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Plans approved for student accommodation on O2 ABC site
Over nine stories, including a basement, House of Social would include student accommodation, a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym, and more. The councillors first deliberated over whether the proposal contained enough information to make a decision today, and a motion was offered to take the proposal to a hearing. A vote was taken, and the motion for the hearing was refused, with a vote of six to four. Then, after questions between councillors, the plans were approved by a vote of eight to two. The new proposed development (Image: Vita Group)Councillors were told that the proposal was made "as compact as it can viably be", despite the "admitted negative impact on the heritage buildings in the area." Ahead of the meeting, we reported that the Glasgow School of Art said the Sauchiehall Street plans put the rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building 'at significant risk'. And that locals and heritage organisations in the city mirrored calls for a rethink of the design for the mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Councillor Sean Ferguson spoke up during the meeting about the rebuild of the Mackintosh building. He said: "What context are we to consider this in? In no other situation would we be considering the impact on a burnt-out ruin of a building. "Although the global significance of the Mackintosh is understood. "If we don't take this opportunity to approve this proposal, we may see it lie derelict like it has for a decade." The site was ravaged by fire in 2014 and 2018 (Image: Newsquest)Councillor Eva Bolander refuted claims that the Glasgow School of Art had no concrete plans to rebuild the architect's work. She said: "The Art School have never stated any other intention than restoring the Mackintosh Building. However, after satisfying some of the questions the councillors fielded, they came to the vote. The chair of the meeting, Councillor Ken Andrew, approved. He said: "It's with some regret that I will support this. "On balance, I think that the benefits of developing the site outweigh the negatives." The proposal promises an open area to admire the Mackintosh building (Image: Vita Group) Part of the meeting's appeasing of some concerns was the notion that the approval would be subject to conditions. One of the conditions set was that the Macfarlane cast iron screen, which formed part of the portico of the O2 ABC, would be displayed to the public in the development. The other conditions include a Section 75 order, which will require the developers to contribute to the area through the council. The proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage.
The National
17-06-2025
- General
- The National
Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation
The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17. Plans for the nine-storey building include student accommodation, a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym, and more. The councillors first deliberated over whether the proposal contained enough information to make a decision today, and a motion was offered to take the proposal to a hearing. A vote was taken, and the motion for the hearing was refused, with a vote of six to four. READ MORE: Dozens of families to be rehomed and building demolished following fatal fire Then, after questions between councillors, the plans were approved by a vote of eight to two. The new proposed development (Image: Vita Group) Councillors were told that the proposal was made "as compact as it can viably be", despite the "admitted negative impact on the heritage buildings in the area." Ahead of the meeting, we reported that the Glasgow School of Art said the Sauchiehall Street plans put the rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building 'at significant risk'. And that locals and heritage organisations in the city mirrored calls for a rethink of the design for the mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Councillor Sean Ferguson spoke up during the meeting about the rebuild of the Mackintosh building. He said: "What context are we to consider this in? In no other situation would we be considering the impact on a burnt-out ruin of a building. "Although the global significance of the Mackintosh is understood. "If we don't take this opportunity to approve this proposal, we may see it lie derelict like it has for a decade." The site was ravaged by fire in 2014 and 2018 (Image: Newsquest) Councillor Eva Bolander refuted claims that the Glasgow School of Art had no concrete plans to rebuild the architect's work. She said: "The Art School have never stated any other intention than restoring the Mackintosh Building." However, after satisfying some of the questions the councillors fielded, they came to the vote. The chair of the meeting, Councillor Ken Andrew, approved. He said: "It's with some regret that I will support this. "On balance, I think that the benefits of developing the site outweigh the negatives." The proposal promises an open area to admire the Mackintosh building (Image: Vita Group) Part of the meeting's appeasing of some concerns was the notion that the approval would be subject to conditions. One of the conditions set was that the Macfarlane cast iron screen, which formed part of the portico of the O2 ABC, would be displayed to the public in the development. The other conditions include a Section 75 order, which will require the developers to contribute to the area through the council. The proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage.
The National
04-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Battery storage site on greenfield land given go-ahead after 26 objections
The energy storage site, which faced 26 objections, will be built in Glasgow between Nitshill and Barrhead in a field. The system aims to store electricity from the national grid in periods of low demand and then deliver it back during peak times. READ MORE: 200-year-old Highland distillery's whisky available in United States for first time There are to be 12 containers housing the energy storage systems located on 9.5 acres of designated greenbelt land. Residents voiced concerns over health and safety, fire risk, negative impact on wildlife, light pollution and loss of greenspace in objections lodged with the council. Councillors approved the bid from applicant GPC 1184 Ltd at yesterday's planning applications committee subject to conditions. Speaking at the meeting, councillor Eva Bolander described the plan as a 'very interesting development for the city'. She said she had concerns about ecology but was reassured by information from the applicants and council officials adding: 'I would be more than happy to approve it.' Councillor Jill Pidgeon said: 'I feel this is a really well thought out and welcome development to our city. If we are serious about moving towards net zero we have to start allowing this to be part of our city and our landscape.' READ MORE: 'You will be on trial': Pro-Palestine protesters target Westminster Also backing the proposal, councillor Imran Alam said: 'I think it is a good development. The developers have really thought about this with regards to maintaining a good balance with development and the surrounding green space. If there were major issues, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other organisations would have put in objections.' The Parkhouse Road site is to be surrounded by a 1.8 metre perimeter fence and include infrastructure located in a compound, security lighting and CCTV. The system would store up to 24mw of energy.
