Building Briefs – May 11th

• Sedgwick secures new home at Glasgow’s Sentinel

Sedgwick International – a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk, benefits and integrated business solutions – will occupy 18,268 sq. ft. with more than 200 staff moving from its current office on Bath Street.

Sentinel is the first Grade A refurbishment to complete in 2020 and will offer 63,700 sq. ft. of Grade A office space, following a comprehensive refurbishment which included a completely re-modelled reception and common areas. Each floorplate of 9,100 sq. ft. benefits from excellent natural light, new VRF conditioning system, LED lighting and new high-speed lifts.

The landlord has provided spa-style changing facilities in the basement, with extensive cycle storage and electric vehicle charging stations. The highly specified building has also achieved an EPC rating of ‘B’ while offering excellent digital connectivity with a Wiredscore ‘Gold’ rating.

• Scotland’s Low Emission Zones paused

Plans to implement low emission zones across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee have been paused temporarily in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The decision has been taken by the Low Emission Zone Leadership Group, which includes transport secretary Michael Matheson, climate change secretary Roseanna Cunningham and representatives from the four local authorities, Public Health Scotland & SEPA.

It will provide an opportunity to consider the kind of transport systems we want to see return to our cities after COVID-19.

Low Emission Zones were expected to be implemented across Scotland’s four cities later this year.

• Award created to honour passing of Russell’s employee

Lochmaben-based Russell Roof Tiles has created an award to honour the passing of one of its longest-serving employees, John “Johnny” Jamieson.

Russell Roof Tiles was founded as the Annandale Tile Company in Lochmaben in 1965 on an 11-acre site at Halleaths.

Johnny was a much loved and cared for employee and colleague throughout his 40 plus years at the roof tile manufacturer.

As a tribute to Johnny and his golfing passion, Russell Roof Tiles has created the “Johnny Jamieson Cup”, to be awarded on the manufacturer’s Annual Golf Day, to a player that reflects just some of Johnny’s many qualities.

Johnny joined Russell Roof Tiles Lochmaben site in 1974 aged 21, where he went on to build a successful career and retired after a fruitful 44 years at the company.

For his friends and colleagues, Johnny was very much thought of as part of the original fabric and foundations of the business. He personified the Russell Roof Tiles company ethos of a family-based culture leading to satisfaction and high morale in the workplace no matter the current situation.

• Highland spaceport likely to be delayed

The coronavirus outbreak is expected to delay plans to build the UK’s first vertical launching spaceport on Scotland’s north coast.

Construction work on the £17.3 million scheme, earmarked for the Melness Crofting Estate near Tongue, had been poised to get under way later this year.

But Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), which is leading the ambitious project, has now said that the timetable “needs to be reviewed” in the wake of the pandemic.

A planning application was lodged in February for Space Hub Sutherland, and construction was expected to take about 15 months, with the first rocket carrying small satellites into orbit due to blast off from the A’ Mhoine peninsula within two years.

However, the coronavirus lockdown has caused disruption to the consideration of planning applications by Highland Council.

An HIE spokesman said: “We had been expecting that our plans would be considered by the Highland Council north area planning committee in April or June.

“However, due to Covid-19, the council is reviewing its arrangements and we are currently awaiting a revised timescale.

“We hope that any delay that may result would be minimal, and very much look forward to engaging with the council and the committee members as they determine the Space Hub Sutherland planning application.”

• Plans for safer walking and cycling in Edinburgh

An action plan has been drawn up for creating safe and accessible spaces for walking and cycling in Edinburgh during the coronavirus outbreak, and when the city emerges from the crisis.

On Thursday (14 May), members of the local authority’s policy and sustainability committee will consider a report setting out criteria for temporary walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as a package of short and long-term measures to establish safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians.

The council has already begun implementing changes to help those making essential journeys and taking daily exercise by foot or bike to stay 2m apart, with road closures in Greenbank, Leith and Silverknowes.

Additional improvements are proposed for other ‘pinch points’ across the city, such as road closures, the introduction of bus gates and temporary cycle lanes. As restrictions are eased and traffic increases, further changes to facilitate safe movement are likely to include pedestrian priority at signalised road crossings, extended bus lane hours, widened pavements and a review of speed limits.

To provide extra space in the city centre, and as residents return to a ‘new normal’, it is also intended that key proposals from the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation plan are brought forward to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists. In particular, Bank Street, East Market Street and East Princes Street would be closed to car traffic while on Victoria Street and Cockburn Street through traffic would be eliminated and parking provision reduced.

• New legislation to introduce student accommodation notice periods

Notice periods for student accommodation are to be introduced as part of new emergency coronavirus legislation to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament this week.

Students currently tied to a contract in halls of residence or other purpose built student accommodation would be able to give seven days’ notice before ending their lease.

Subject to Parliament’s approval of the legislation, new agreements entered into by students while the new Bill is in force will also have a ‘28-day-notice to leave’ period.

This measure will ensure that if students entering into accommodation contracts for the next academic year are unable to take them up due to COVID-19 restrictions, they will be able to give notice and not be held liable for accommodation they cannot use.

The Scottish Government intends to introduce the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill to Parliament on today, with publication also today.

These provisions apply only to students living in halls of residence or purpose built student accommodation.

Under the Bill’s provisions, students would be able to give seven days’ notice to leave contracts they are currently still liable for. For those entering into new accommodation contracts during the lifetime of the Bill, a 28-day notice period would apply. Students would only be able to use notice periods for COVID-19 specific reasons and, for example, could not give notice simply because they have changed their mind about attending an education establishment.