Building Briefs – April 10th

Plans to convert a derelict building in Fraserburgh town centre into homes have been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council.

Peterhead firm Kevin O’Brien Architects wants to bring a dilapidated storehouse in Love Lane back into use as two flats.

The building has sat unused for about a decade before being bought by estate agents Solaris Properties.

In a design statement, which accompanied the proposal, a spokesman for the architects confirmed the flats will both be self-contained two-bedroom properties.

He added there would be “minimal” external alterations.

An existing door to the property, once used for vehicles, will be removed and replaced and the building will be finished in wetdash.

The plans instead indicate that the homes could be used for social rent or private sale for single people, couples or small families.

Luxury lodge development for Carnoustie firm

A Carnoustie-based architect’s studio is ready to take the next step in developing one of the biggest holiday resorts in the North-east.

Brunton Design Studio’s plans for the 27-acre site near Fettercairn will include landscaped grounds with private fishing, a restaurant and retail units.

The lodges will be available for holiday rental and for sale as holiday homes.

Personal Achievement in Planning Award

The Scottish Government is continuing the Personal Achievement in Planning Award this year.

This Award is to recognise an individual planner, team, local authorities, consultants, community groups, developers, public agencies or voluntary organisation that have made an outstanding contribution to planning.

This can be for their contribution to a particular project or for lifetime recognition of commitment to the industry.

All entries must be nominated by completing sending a completed Personal Achievement Nomination Form to saqp@gov.scot by the closing date May 19.

Product sales complete fourth year of growth

Sales of UK construction products and materials have now risen for 16 consecutive quarters after further growth was recorded at the start of 2017.

The latest state of trade survey from the Construction Products Association shows that UK construction product manufacturers and materials suppliers registered an increase in sales and activity in the first quarter of 2017, despite a backdrop of increasing input cost pressures.

Comparing Q1 2017 with Q1 2016, a net balance of 65% of heavy side firms reported that sales had increased, while 38% of light side firms reported that sales were higher than a year earlier.

The construction products manufacturing industry has an annual turnover of £55bn. Heavy side products include steel, bricks, timber and concrete, while light side products include insulation, boilers, glass and lighting.

In Q1 2107, 73% of heavy side manufacturers and 80% of those on the light side reported an increase in costs, with input costs for raw materials, fuel and energy exerting the strongest pressures, owing to the depreciation in sterling during 2016. Nevertheless, manufacturers envisage a continued rise in activity in the second quarter of this year. Among heavy side manufacturers, 68% on balance anticipate a rise in sales in Q2 and a balance of 47% of light side manufacturers anticipate a rise during the same period.

Former wartime oil tanks to be redeveloped into new fuel base

Feasibility studies are to begin exploring the possibility of redeveloping former wartime oil tanks into a new fuel base in Lyness.

Scapa Flow Asset Management Limited (SFAML) and Orkney Islands Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to examine how the Wee Fea underground storage tanks could be transformed into a base for the storage and distribution of low sulphur marine gas oil.

The six tanks were tunnelled into the hillside above Lyness during the Second World War to provide protection from air raids. They held up to 132 million litres of fuel oil for supply to British and Allied warships stationed in Scapa Flow.

David Moir, managing director of SFAML, said the tanks’ strategic location, their large storage capacity and their location “potentially add up to a turn-key solution for a project of this kind”.

Work underway on Glasgow railway line repairs project

Work is underway on a railway line repair project in Glasgow.

The Glasgow-Anniesland via Maryhill line was badly damaged after tonnes of mud/stone washed onto the track near Lambhill on April 4.

Engineers are currently working to stabilise the slope and assess damage to the footbridge, which may need to be removed and rebuilt.

An investigation into the landslip is underway, with the line expected to reopen on Wednesday, 12 April.

3D survey to take place on Churchill Barrier

A 3D survey is to be carried out on the first Churchill Barrier causeway in the Orkney Islands.

The survey will generate a clearer picture of the current condition of the surface of the road on the First Barrier.

Once completed, options will be drawn up on how to address the deterioration the inspection has detected.

The four Churchill Barriers were built in the 1940s, primarily as naval defences to protect the anchorage at Scapa Flow. However, they now serve as road links, carrying the A961 road from Kirkwall to Burwick.

Ahead of the survey, a temporary speed limit of 40mph will be in place on the First Barrier. Further information will be provided by the council before work gets underway.

Brandon Landscape to begin Ness Island remedial works

Landscaping company Brandon Landscape Ltd is set to begin major remedial works in Inverness.

The contractor will carry out works involving trees, paths, bridges, and banks at the Ness Islands, with work to start next week.

The overall eight-month project will start with tree works, which will take six months to complete. Signed diversions for the public will be in place.

The council added that the works will protect and prolong the islands as a popular area for years to come and apologise for any inconvenience.