GLASGOW City Council officials are proposing funding of £1million to restore the storm-damaged Tollcross Winter Gardens.

If approved by councillors, the cash would come from £3million that Glasgow is being given from a Scottish Government scheme aimed at helping town centres.

The winter gardens, in Tollcross Park, were badly damaged in 2011. The glasshouse is a grade B listed building which is now on the Buildings at Risk Register.

The adjacent Millennium Building is scheduled for demolition to make way for a new early years centre. A report by officials states: “This creates an opportunity to bring the [winter gardens] structure back into active re-use as part of the wider project.

“The project will build the profile of Tollcross Town Centre as a visitor destination, linking the historic built form of the town centre and the international class swimming pool, to the new nursery establishment, and enable the re-activation of the park.”

It further states: “The restoration of this building will also link into several other approved council strategies including the Property and Land Strategy in terms of the co-location options that a refurbished glasshouse structure could offer; the community engagement and management options that may be explored including engagement with Friends of Tollcross Park; and the city-wide analysis of the glasshouse structures that form part of the current feasibility report on the People’s Palace Winter Gardens.”

“Additionally, the principles and commitments in the recently approved Council Heritage Assets Plan could also be delivered in relation to this particular structure.

“The ongoing review of Neighbourhoods and Sustainability Depot provision may also be influenced by the restoration of this heritage structure and the services provided from it.”