Building Briefs – October 28th

The third phase of Hoskins Architects’ masterplan works at The National Museum of Scotland is well underway with the base-build section of the project now complete.

This £14.4 million phase of works sees the refurbishment of 10 Art & Design and Science & Technology galleries including the replacement of over 200sqm of glazed roof. The new glazing provides controlled diffuse natural light throughout the galleries enhancing appreciation of the architectural features of the building itself and the exhibition displays currently being installed.

The new galleries will open to the public in summer 2016.

JM Architects prepare plans for Old Town student homes

JM Architects have submitted plans to build 91 student residences and commercial space in Edinburgh’s Old Town on behalf of Buile Developments, replacing a single storey stone warehouse on Calton Road.

Situated next to Caltongate the scheme makes space for a fifth floor roof terrace fronting a light weight sixth floor, whilst an additional set back to the east respects daylight guidelines for neighbouring social housing.

Carnoustie Golf Hotel backs £3m links centre upgrade

Carnoustie Golf Hotel has given its backing to plans for a £3 million links centre upgrade.

Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee believe the new-look centre in Links Parade would provide a balcony with an “inspiring view” over the first and last holes.

It would be coupled with a significant upgrade to food and drink available.

However, the planning application recently received an objection from Carnoustie Golf Club over fears its approval could put its “very existence” in doubt after 173 years.

Some hoteliers and publicans in the town also intend to object to the proposals but Carnoustie Golf Hotel won’t be one of them.

A decision is expected to go before councillors later this year.

Purcell mastermind office conversion of B-listed Parkhead School

Purcell and Glasgow Building Preservation Trust have announced plans to alter the category B listed Parkhead School, which has been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 2011.

The work will transform the building into flexible office space and meeting rooms for local enterprises, returning window openings to their original configuration and creating a new glazed link entrance space in the process.

Councillors back plans for Dumfries archive centre

Revised plans for a regional archive centre in Dumfries have been backed by councillors.

They have agreed to press ahead with a £2.5 million project to refurbish an extension at the back of the Ewart Library.

A second stage of the plans, to renovate the former Loreburn Church, will depend on the success of a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Dumfries and Galloway Council was forced to re-think its original £6.4m plan after a funding bid failed.

Led street lighting roll-out to save Edinburgh millions

Councillors have approved plans to upgrade 54,000 street lights across Edinburgh to energy-efficient LED (Light Emitting Diodes), saving the city an estimated £77 million over the next 20 years.

The move follows a project to replace 7000 obsolete lanterns with LED lights last year, aiming to reduce the cost of energy consumption for the city’s street lights, which was in the region of £2.97m per year.

With energy rates expected to double within the next ten years, the use of LEDs will allow the council to reduce electricity usage while mitigating the expected rise in carbon costs.

Skye ferry firm given permission in principle for cafe

The operators of the world’s last sea-going, manually-operated, turntable ferry have been given permission in principle to build a cafe.

The 45-year-old MV Glenachulish operates on the oldest crossing to Skye from the mainland.

Its owner, Isle Of Skye Ferry Community Interest Company, sought planning permission in principle for the cafe and toilets at Kylerhea on Skye.

Highland councillors gave their consent at a meeting in Inverness.

Green Party calls for more government commitment to warm homes

The Scottish Green Party has described yesterday’s ministerial statement on Scotland’s greenhouse gas emission targets as a missed opportunity to show real commitment to energy efficient housing as part of efforts to tackle climate change and fuel poverty.

Published yesterday, the latest report on the country’s progress towards its annual targets confirmed that Scotland missed its 2013 target, though the report puts this down to “successive revisions to the Scottish greenhouse gas inventory since the time at which the Climate Change targets were set”.

Patrick Harvie MSP, who asked climate change minister Aileen McLeod to provide information on the funding and timetable for improvements in energy efficient housing planned as part of the government’s National Infrastructure Priority, said concerns over delays in these urgently needed measures were confirmed as Dr McLeod stated she was unable to provide any further detail on the government’s plans.

The MSP for Glasgow and Co-convenor of the Scottish Greens said: “We’ve heard plenty of talk from the Scottish Government on its intentions to prioritise energy efficient housing in tackling climate change, yet we continue to be kept in the dark about how the SNP plan to make homes warmer and better insulated.

“The Scottish Government have managed reductions in some areas, but household emission cuts have dragged far behind. While the SNP push back further action until after the May’s election, climate change targets remain unmet and tens of thousands of Scots are facing yet another cold winter in homes that are not fit for living.”

Funding boost for Argyll and Bute Council’s Hermitage Park redevelopment project

Argyll and Bute Council’s Hermitage Park redevelopment project received another boost last week as the War Memorial Trust awarded the project £60,000 from its Centenary Memorials Restoration FUND (CMRF).

This is double the amount usually awarded from the fund, which reflects the significance of the Helensburgh memorial.

This £60,000 will go towards the repair and renovation of the 40 foot Category A listed memorial designed by distinguished architect Alexander Nisbet Paterson.

Skye Gaelic College building officially opened

Sabhal Mor Ostaig Gaelic College has officially opened a £4.5m administration and education facility at Kilbeg on the Isle of Skye, designed in partnership by Holmes Miller and Rural Design.

The Ian Noble Centre is the first phase of a wider 40 acre Kilbeg Village master plan – the first new village to be built in the Highlands for over a century.