Building Briefs – August 6th

At a time when things continue to be tough, Lochmaben-based Russell Roof Tiles has reemployed nine members of staff who were previously laid off as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the economic impact of the global virus, the roof-tile manufacturer had to make the difficult decision to reduce staff numbers at its 11-acre Halleaths site in June.

Since then, due to increased sales Russell Roof Tiles has needed to boost its operations and nine members of staff returned to work on August 1.

Bruce Laidlaw, production director at Russell Roof Tiles, said: “The construction sector has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadly, several members of staff, the majority of whom started with us towards the end of last year, were laid off directly due to the impact of the pandemic.

“We are pleased to be able to bring people back in Lochmaben, whilst adhering to new guidelines and appreciate how the team has responded to the new conditions, we have implemented to keep the workforce safe. As one of the largest industries in the UK, we are confident that the construction market will pick up, whilst not at previous levels we hope this is a positive sign moving forward.”

· Compulsory Purchase Order sought for B-listed Glasgow tenement

Glasgow City Council is to take over a deteriorating tenement which has lain empty since 2018.

A Compulsory Purchase Order is being sought for a number of flats at 4-6 Melrose Street, in Woodlands. The council said that the B-listed building has deteriorated after a number were closed when flats being let out were found to be below tolerable standard.

Some of the flats were found to have been let out by an unregistered private landlord who could not prove ownership of the building. The property is also the site where two students died in a fire 20 years ago.

The order will cover all flats at number 4 and number 6 Melrose Street. No owner is currently registered but anyone who does own any of the flats will have the opportunity to claim compensation, The Glasgow Times reports. The flats will be transferred to Charing Cross Housing Association who will carry out building repairs and create eight or nine flats for social housing.

· Council approves new Victoria Road restaurant

Plans for a new restaurant on the South Side of Glasgow have been given the green light. Gosal Properties’ application to change the use of a former office block at 84 Victoria Road has now been approved.

The property, between the Post Office depot and Bar Vini, will also be allowed to offer takeaway food.

Currently vacant, the building has been used as an office and industrial unit – and the developer plans to keep the upper floors as offices. Permission was previously granted in February for the change of use of the whole building. The developer’s proposal would have seen the property used as a restaurant and takeaway but would also have included a function room.

• CALA unveils new collection at Jordanhill Park 

CALA Homes (West) has released the first in a new collection of townhouses at its multi-million-pound Jordanhill Park development in Glasgow’s West End.

Following on from the sell-out success of the Beech Collection – the prestigious development’s first phase of 29 apartments – the townhouses, part of the Oak Collection, are set to make their public debut this month.

Featuring 17 four- and five-bedroom townhouses for sale, the new homes will be available to view by appointment at the flagship site’s brand-new Show Village from August 10.

· Dundee hails second successful Spaces for People bid

A second bid for funds to support projects in Dundee to make it safer for walking or cycling for commuting, essential trips and exercise has been successful.

The £2 million application to Sustrans to back measures around physical distancing in district centres, pop-up cycle lanes on commuter routes and upgrading the Green Circular and other cycling and walking infrastructure was agreed earlier this week.

The charity distributing funds on behalf of the Scottish Government sanctioned the second request after most of the money allocated in the city’s first successful submission was spent. New pop-up cycle lanes will use £700,000 of the money. These will include key commuter routes serving employment areas including Ninewells Hospital. The work will be informed by the Active Travel Audits commissioned by Tactran in 2018 and 2019.

District centre physical distancing measures totalling £500,000 will be implemented after community audits and could include widening of pavements, creation of parklets, decluttering of footways and removal of some parking.

A community support fund to encourage business associations and other community groups to develop bids will also be established. Reinstatement and relaunch of Dundee Green Circular will take £400,000 to re-establish Scotland’s first sustainable “ring-road” by widening paths, resurfacing where necessary, removing vegetation and refreshing lines and signage.

The final £400,000 project will help to boost usage of the established cycling network connecting schools and communities. Among the initiatives will be mapping and signing of cycle paths, lanes and walking routes that lead to schools, resurfacing and filling of missing gaps, renewal of signage and lining, and preparation of new web-based maps.