COUNCILLORS rarely have a problem making themselves heard and are used to talking over hectoring opponents.

 

But members of the planning committee had their work cut out when they met for the first session of the city council at the end of the long summer reccess.

A planning official had just started outling a proposal to transform Kelvin Hall into a major arts venue when he was drowned out by the massed bands of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

They had travelled to Glasgow for their annual parade through the city centre ahead of their appearances at Edinburgh Castle.

Unfortunately for both councillors and officials, their starting point was directly below the window of committee room number three where the planning meeting was being held.

For 15 minutes, city planners had no option but to shout to make their views known over the skirl of the assorted bands.

It proved an entertaining interlude in what was otherwise a routine meeting.

Student flats have been on the agenda this week with a development getting the go-ahead and a well established complex risking closure.

A growing number of people in the West End are becoming increasingly frustrated at the large number of student flats which are springing up across the area.

The most recent, which came in front of the planning committee last week, was for more than 700 flats on a site in Partick once targeted by Tesco.

A total of 36 objections were raised by local councillors and community groups unhappy about the impact on the area and on existing properties.

But planning bosses recommended the development got the go-ahead and councillors agreed unanimously.

Experience shows councillors only tend to oppose a student development if it is in their ward.

Otherwise they point to the shortage of purpose-built accommodation for thousands of students.

Glasgow University and Sanctuary Housing Association run accommodation at Murano Street Village which has almost 1200 student bedrooms.

But it fell foul of licensing committee members who refused to renew the university's houses in multiple occupation licenses.

Failure to carry out the improvements demanded by council bosses could result in the massive complex being forced to close.

However, the city's future university and college students are celebrating as it was revealed Glasgow schools recorded their best ever exam results.

The decision some years ago to close and merge secondary schools in the city, many operating in crumbling buildings, was greeted with outrage by parents.

Campaigns were set up across the city in an SOS bid to save schools.

But councillors pressed ahead with the plans which paid off with exam successes improving every year.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk