Building Briefs

The one-time Mearns home of Victorian Prime Minister William Gladstone has soaked up the accolades at the Aberdeenshire Design Awards.

The top honour at the special ceremony in Ellon was given to Fasque House in Fettercairn, which picked up two distinctions and a memorial award.

The B-listed property was commended for the Apple House on the estate - a conservation project undertaken by @rchitects Scotland Ltd - described by judges as a “superb restoration project” using traditional skills and materials.

Fasque House was also handed the Ian Shepherd Award in memory of the council’s former principal archaeologist, who died in 2009.

It was further recognised for a “striking” fixture within the estate house - a distinctive copper bath and canopy which is now back in working order.

Plumbing firm urges workers to vote No

The owners of a plumbing supplies firm in Glasgow have sent out letters urging staff to vote against independence.

McAlpine Plumbing, based in Hillington, has warned its 600-plus workers a Yes vote will put the “future prosperity of the company at risk”.

The 112-year-old firm states in the letter that 66 per cent of its trade is with English customers and just 5 per cent in Scotland, adding it is dependent on orders outside Scotland.

It exports specifically designed products for use in more than 60 countries.

The letter says: “Employees will no doubt be interested in how a vote for independence will affect the security of their employment.”

The letter, signed by its three directors, states in capital letters: “We very much hope that for all concerned there will be a decisive vote against independence which can offer absolutely no benefit to McAlpine & Company Limited.”

Pinsent Masons appoints head of construction team

Law firm Pinsent Masons has promoted the head of its Glasgow office to run its global construction practice.

Fraser McMillan will take charge of a practice which has a turnover of around £55 million and employs 250 of Pinsent Mason’s 1,500 lawyers. Major clients include Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Kier Construction and Hochtief.

Dundas Street resurfacing work begins in Edinburgh

Road resurfacing works will get underway at the foot of Dundas Street from Monday 15 September, scheduled to last three weeks.

The work, part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s 2014/15 Capital Maintenance Programme, will see the carriageway resurfaced on Dundas Street between Fettes Row and the junction with Henderson Row.

One traffic lane will be maintained in each direction under contraflow traffic management and the permanent traffic lights at Henderson Row junction will continue to operate as normal.

However, right turns from Dundas Street into Eyre Place will be prohibited for the duration of the contract.

Kirkliston affordable housing completed for Home Scotland

The final phase of an affordable housing development providing new homes in Kirkliston is complete.

Barratt Homes has worked in partnership with affordable housing provider Home Scotland to build 162 new homes on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Half of the homes will be available to people in need on traditional social housing waiting lists. The other half will be available to households with a joint income of less than £36,000 and offered at a mid-market rent of 80 per cent of a typical private rent.

The properties are all finished to a high standard and the mid-market rent properties come fitted with carpets and blinds, and benefit from kitchen appliances and satellite TV.

The homes have been partially financed by a £6.48 million grant from the City of Edinburgh Council.