Building Briefs - June 9th

• Show home opens at Kirkintilloch development with Rennie Mackintosh connection

The Primary, a bespoke 15 home re-development, comprises a sandstone reconversion of the primary school, retaining original features, whilst contemporary styled new build semi and detached homes will take centre stage within the school’s large playground.

The school formerly named Gartconner Public School, was created by the architectural firm Honeyman & Keppie and built in 1897. Created by John Honeyman and John Keppie in 1888, the renowned Charles Rennie Mackintosh joined their practice in April 1889 as a draughtsman and progressed to partner level.

There are six unique homes created by the conversion from the original school building itself, the “Auld Schoolhouse” incorporating the various classrooms, headmaster’s office and sports hall, delivering 2 and 3-bedroom homes. 

There are also a further nine new build homes in the school playground, comprising 3 and 4-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes. 

• Bellway makes a splash with Helensburgh swimmers

Bellway Homes Ltd (Scotland West) has taken the plunge and donated £200 to Helensburgh Amateur Swimming Club (HASC).

HASC is using it to buy a go-pro underwater camera for the club which was founded in 1891 and is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year.

Based at Helensburgh Swimming Pool and run by parent volunteers, it currently has over 50 members ranging in age from 7 to 19 years old, who are enjoying the return to the pool following the easing of restrictions in April.

Sue Macartney, kit convenor at Helensburgh Amateur Swimming Club, said: “A lot of our anniversary fundraising plans have been thwarted by the pandemic and we are so grateful to businesses like Bellway for lending their support.

“We are quite a small club and donations help us to keep fees at affordable levels for our swimmers so that we can be as inclusive as possible.

“The camera will be used to look at how swimmers are performing while in the water and will be a really important tool for coaches to analyse any mistakes and encourage our members to make the necessary improvements.”

• Caol & Lochyside Flood Prevention Scheme starts

A new £11 million flood prevention scheme got under way this week to help protect residents and homes in the Caol and Lochyside areas of Fort William.

The works, being carried out by contractor R.J. MacLeod, are projected to last 104 weeks and are in response to severe flooding in the area in the past.

Pupils from Caol Primary School attended the site last week to cut the first piece of turf signalling the start of the works.

The flood in 2005 caused damage to around 20 homes and the sewerage works. The 2005 flood was significant in that it was caused by a large tidal surge in Loch Linnhe.

Caol and Lochyside is one of 42 prioritised flood protection schemes identified in the National Flood Risk Management Strategy for Scotland. It will increase flood protection to over 300 properties in the Caol and Lochyside area.

The scheme has been designed to protect against a 1:200 year storm surge event from Loch Linnhe. The scheme is being funded by the Scottish Government (80%) and Highland Council (20%).

The scheme was published in April 2018 and received five comments and only one objection during the notification period. An independent hearing was held in March 2019 to consider the objection. The reporter published his findings in July 2019 and it was decided the scheme should be confirmed without modification. Highland Council confirmed the scheme on 15 August 2019.

The 2km long flood protection scheme consists of 1200 metres of embankment and 800 metres of flood wall with two flood gates and associated drainage. The flood defence will be constructed between the Caledonian Canal and Soldier’s Bridge in the River Lochy, as well as providing environmental benefits to the wider community.

There will be improved access to the towpath at the Caledonian Canal and improved walking and cycling routes along the length of the scheme.

• Approval given to Throsk tomato processing plant

A major tomato production operation and river source heat pump near Throsk have been approved by Stirling Council’s planning panel.

Bandeath Holdings Ltd will install a river source heat pump, pumphouse and glasshouses on more than 18 hectares of land at Bandeath Industrial Estate along with a rainwater reservoir.

The glasshouses and buildings would house a tomato production, packing and distribution operation, with an estimated 150 permanent jobs being created.

The energy centre will supply electrical power and heat to the proposed glasshouses via the river source heat pump. Any power generated and not used for food growing in the glasshouses could supply the wider district heat network.

The developers had stressed that the waste to energy plant proposal which had been part of the original pre-application consultation process had been completely withdrawn and was now considered non-viable.

• Plans approved for spa at South Ayrshire hotel

A countryside hotel has got the go-ahead to build a spa in its grounds and erect glamping pods.

The newly built spa in the grounds of Enterkine House Hotel would boast a “leisure pool,” sauna and steam room, gym and treatment area.

Three glamping pods have been given restrospective approval for a lawned area at the hotel, in place of a former marquee.

The single storey cabins take the form of “an interlinked octagonal and hexagonal timber structure” on a platform with a “hot tub” according to a council document.

The spa is to be housed in a newly constructed building with an open courtyard in the centre, designs submitted to South Ayrshire Council show.

• Essential repairs to section of A72 near Lanark

The A72 Kirkfieldbank Brae is to close for essential repairs.

• Taylor Wimpey West Scotland flies the flag for Kilwinning primary school

Taylor Wimpey West Scotland challenged the Primary 5, 6 and 7 pupils of Abbey Primary School in Kilwinning to design a flag to mark the launch of the sales information centre at its Willow Gardens development.

The development was also named by children at Abbey Primary as part of an earlier community engagement project to create a name for the development that reflected the character of the local area.

The winning flag design by Primary 7 pupil, Leah McCalman, has been produced into a flag that now flies at the entrance to the development to welcome new visitors, existing customers and homeowners alike.

Leah won a £50 voucher and the opportunity to visit the development to see her flag in-situ at the development. The standard of the entries was so high that judges also awarded runner-up prizes to Sophia McDonald and Esmee Taggart who each received a £15 voucher and whose designs also form part of additional signage at the development to welcome visitors.