Dumfries and Galloway Standard - Local News - Dumfries & Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway Council prepares for jobs cull

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

COUNCIL chiefs are preparing for a “downsizing” operation which could see hundreds of jobs axed.

Thieves hit the region

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

POLICE are on the hunt for thieves following two major robberies within 24 hours.

Dumfries and Galloway running out of burial space

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

TOO many people are being buried in Dumfries and Galloway – leaving the council with a cash conundrum.

Dumfries residents face living amid building site

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:23:00 GMT

ANGRY homeowners in Lochside’s Babbington Crescent say they will be “living in hell” from tomorrow when blocks of flats surrounding their houses are razed to the ground.Rab Clark, Gordon McKean and Douglas Burnside have made a last-minute plea to Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) to halt their plans to bulldoze the 113 houses and flats in central Lochside.“We are going to be living in the middle of a major demolition and construction site for the next two years and DGHP don’t care”, said 51-year-old Mr Clark.“We have asked them to consider buying our properties from us so that they owned the whole area, but they’re not interested.“Some of us work permanent nightshift and we’re dreading the work starting. How are we supposed to sleep with major work going on right outside our windows?“This project should be suspended until we can come to an agreement.“It will be like living in hell.”Mr McKean, 46, added: “If DGHP had approached us and made a realistic offer for our homes, we would have considered it. “We want this area regenerated, but not at the expense of our quality of life.“At the start, we were told we would be compensated for the noise and mess that will be caused, but they changed their minds because they don’t have the funds apparently.“My garden wall is four feet away from one of the blocks being demolished. That will have a major impact on my families lives.”“DGHP continually fob us off and it just seems crazy that they’ll knock down 113 flats and houses and leave the four that are privately owned.“They should have bought us out.“I’m dreading the noise and the mess, and who knows where the all the rats will end up.”Mr Clark’s neighbour Douglas Burnside, 59, also has concerns.“I’ve got an autistic four-year-old grandson who lives with us and we need to keep our car at the door for emergencies all the time. But we don’t even know how we’re going to get access into the street because they are fencing off the top of the road.“As well as devaluing our properties, they will also look out of place surrounded by brand new homes.“I don’t understand why DGHP don’t buy our homes and take down the whole lot.”However, a DGHP spokeswoman said they have no intention of purchasing any more properties in the area. She said: “We are currently investing £77 million to transform and improve the area. We do not intend to purchase any more properties at this time.“What we will be doing, however, is working closely with homeowners and we will be constantly monitoring the works and progress on site. “While this will be a building site, all work will be restricted to normal working hours. If there is any work that would directly disrupt homeowners (roads in front of their property for example), our contractors will be writing out to them to inform them of this.“Work to homeowners properties boundary fences will be carried out during the works, and this was all explained during our recent consultation.“The plans for regeneration in this area have been in the pipeline for some time now and we have fully consulted with all concerned.”

Latest from trial on theft of da Vinci masterpiece

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A SENIOR lawyer said he was about to make art history – or be arrested, a trial heard yesterday.

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray hits out at the SNP

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

THE REVELATION that the Lockerbie bomber could have another five years to live has prompted renewed criticism over his release.

Eco village plans for Dumfries could ease traffic problems

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

PLANS for a 400-home eco village at the southern end of Dumfries could ease the town’s traffic problems, it has been claimed.

Pupils enjoy masterchef challenge

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

THE FINAL of the Dumfries Academy Masterchef competition took place recently.

Dumfries camera club comes in top in digital competition

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

DUMFRIES Camera Club won the 2010 Digital Knock-Out Club Championships at the Scottish Photographic Federation.

Ae Primary School project

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

AE PRIMARY pupils were thrilled to see the final outcome of a long-running school project.

Dumfries University of the Third Age report

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

MEMBERS of Dumfries University of the Third Age were given a superb illustrated talk at their latest monthly meeting.

Guid Nychburris key figures unveiled

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

THE key figures in this year’s Guid Nychburris have been unveiled.

Young Writers Corner

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

THE DUMFRIES and Galloway Standard teamed up with the council’s schools services last year to celebrate new writing from young people across the region.

Annan housing estate gets improved play sports area

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

YOUNGSTERS on an Annan housing estate are being given a new sporting facility.

Council fail to enforce fines on road work rule breakers

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

UTILITY companies have avoided huge fines despite breaking road work legislation.

Troops head to Afghanistan

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

SCOTTISH troops including soldiers from Dumfries and Galloway travelled to Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Penpont woman releases third war book

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A PENPONT historian has released her third book on local war memorials.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway receive record budget

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

NHS Dumfries and Galloway has been handed a record £238 million budget.

Georgetown residents demand road improvements after fears their cars will be damaged by potholes

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

ANGRY Georgetown and Calside residents are demanding road improvements after fears their cars will be damaged by deep potholes.

Dumfries Womans Champion of Chile Marathon

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

A DUMFRIES doctor was the first woman to complete the world’s hardest race — with the best time for a female in the event’s history.