Building Briefs - April 16

Reiach & Hall Architects have moved on-site at Edinburgh’s National Performance Centre for Sport.

The £33m facility for both professional athletes and the wider public, to be known as Oriam (Gaelic for gold), will include a mixture of grass and synthetic indoor and outdoor pitches as well as a conditioning suite, medical centre and a hydrotherapy pool and fitness studios.

Minister for sport Jamie Hepburn said: “I am delighted to be part of the ground breaking ceremony at Scotland’s new Sports Performance Centre.”

Stonehaven development plan goes on display

Aberdeenshire Council‘s proposed local development plan for Stonehaven and the surrounding area has been put out to consultation with the local community.

The blueprints outlining future development – which could include up to 110 homes at Carron Den, up to 205 homes at Ury Estate East Lodge, and a supermarket at Spurryhillock – went on public display yesterday.

A series of drop-in events across the region are being planned by the council to give local residents and developers the chance to submit feedback on the draft plan.

Piers Blaxter, Aberdeenshire Council planning policy team leader, told the Press & Journal there were “no major developments” in the pipeline, adding: “There are no real surprises for communities such as Stonehaven”.

Construction driving growth of Scottish economy

The Scottish economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the last three months of 2014 thanks mostly to a healthy building industry.

The rise in GDP between October t o December was largely driven by growth in the construction sector, which was up by 6.1 per cent.

Output in the service industry remained static, with growth in transport, storage and communications balanced by a shrinking in business and finance services.

The production sector was up 1 per cent, with growth of 3.2 per cent in mining and quarrying and a 4.1 per cent increase in electricity and gas supply partially offset by a manufacturing contraction.

The latest figures show GDP for the UK as a whole also grew by 0.6 per cent during the fourth quarter of last year.

Work starts on major Glasgow care home extension

Work has started on a special recreation area for residents of care home in the West End of Glasgow.

The 46-bed Erskine Glasgow Home opened in October 2007 offering specialist nursing, dementia and palliative care with physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, dentistry and podiatry on site.

The new extension will provide a suitable place to host events for all residents, relatives, friends, staff and volunteers as well as visitors.

Promotions announced at DM Hall Chartered Surveyors

A series of promotions and new appointments have been announced at chartered surveyors DM Hall as the multi- disciplined business continues to grow.

The LLP has appointed a new director and four new associates from within the business, and has engaged the services of two more experienced surveyors.

Jim Honeyman has been elevated to director of in the East Commercial division. Jim has been a long serving associate based in the firm’s Dundee office and has a depth of knowledge of commercial property matters in Tayside and Fife.

Keith Jones, senior partner at DM Hall, said: “Jim’s new position will involve increased responsibility and management duties. He will add strength to the firm as it continues to expand its service throughout Scotland.”

Elevated to Associate are Mark Westbrook, in Dundee residential, Nick Hancock, in Edinburgh residential, Scott Baird, in Irvine residential, and Mark Rutherford of Paisley residential, who also moves to the Ayr office.

Eric Curran, DM Hall’s managing partner said: “These dedicated professionals have already given sterling service to the firm and epitomise high professional standards. We are sure that they will contribute even more in their new and well-deserved roles”

DM Hall’s new surveyor appointments are Margaret Morrison-MacLeod, who joins the Glasgow office and Ian Johnstone, who joins the Paisley office. These new surveyors should add strength and depth to the firm’s busy residential practise in the West of Scotland and compliment the new surveyors progressing and qualifying through the firm’s active graduate training programme.