Building Briefs – April 12th

Hearts Football Club have published the first artist’s impression of a planned main grandstand at Tynecastle stadium which would add 3,000 seats, upping maximum capacity to 20,000.

The club also launched an eight week public consultation designed to keep fans abreast of developments as the stadium plan is developed further.

The column free design will include two big screens and entertainment suites with the three existing stands also given a makeover; including improved toilet and kiosk facilities.

Design work is being undertaken by James Clydesdale & Associates with a full planning application anticipated by close of the consultation period.

Indicative plans are currently on show within Tynecastle Stadium, with work expected to get underway by November for completion by the 2017/18 season.

Bilfinger GVA announce five director promotions in Scotland

Bilfinger GVA has announced promotions for two senior directors and three directors in Scotland as it continues to bolster its client-facing teams.

The senior director promotions are Danny Lafferty in building and Gordon Martin in rating while Graham Thompson in lease consultancy, Andrew Renouf in hotels and Tom Davidson in rating have been promoted to director level.

In Glasgow, Danny Lafferty has been promoted to senior director in building and Tom Davidson director in rating while in Edinburgh Gordon Martin has been promoted to senior director position whilst Graham Thompson and Andrew Renouf have been promoted to directors in lease consultancy and hotels respectively.

Ministers ‘call in’ rejected East Dunbartonshire housing scheme plans

A decision by East Dunbartonshire Council to reject a new housing development has been ‘called in’ by Scottish Ministers.

Proposals to build 140 homes on greenbelt land within Tower Farm near Torrance were rejected by the Planning Board in December last year.

The application by Hallam Land Management was rejected after it was decided the proposal was contrary to the local authorities Local Plan as well as the Scottish Planning Policy.

However, an appeal made by Hallam Land Management will now be heard by Scottish Ministers.

Planning Board Chair, Cllr Billy Hendry, said he was “extremely disappointed” to see the application has been appealed.

Work begins on new West Lothian council homes

Building work has started in Livingston where 20 new homes are being built for West Lothian Council.

A total of eight one-bedroom cottage flats and 12 two-bedroom cottage flats will be built by Lovell at Almond Link Road.

The development is due to be completed by March 2017.

The project is part of West Lothian Council’s aim to build 1,000 new council homes. Over 400 properties are already underway, with more new starts planned over the next few months.

Dumfries and Galloway councillors to agree on projects for HEEPS:ABS

Councillors in Dumfries and Galloway are due to discuss proposed projects on the Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland: Area Based scheme (HEEPS:ABS) in the region.

A report on the initiative, which will go before the Housing Sub Committee today, will ask member to note the funding allocation of £1,637,786 as well as agreeing proposed projects for between 2016/17.

The HEEPS-ABS scheme is funded by the Scottish Government and will be delivered in partnership with Energy Agency. It aims to assist both property owners and people living in the private rented sector.

Following on from the 2014/15 programme, the 2015/16 schedule will continue the projects previously agreed by councillors, including solid wall insulation projects in Stranraer, Dumfries and Rural areas for homes in Council Tax bands A – C, and external wall insulation in Upper Nithsdale.

The Energy Agency is responsible for the procurement of the contract for HEEPS:ABS in Dumfries and Galloway.

Local sub-contractors can benefit from the scheme by delivering a range of services such as electrical works, heating installations, gas work and aerial removal and replacement.

Flood grant applications still welcomed as deadline announced

Borders residents, businesses, community groups, farmers and charitable organisations affected by flooding during the winter storms have until 22 April to apply for assistance from Scottish Borders Council.

Funding is available to assist those affected to reinstate their property and protect it from future flooding events by purchasing flood protection materials and carrying out flood resilient repairs.

The flat rate grant is £1,500, with an additional £3,000 available for businesses severely impacted by flooding which affected their ability to trade. These amounts can be increased in individual cases if merited.

The business grants are a one-off payment to offset costs which cannot be covered by existing insurance, for example clean-up costs, materials and exceptional costs to help the business restore trade, such as marketing and promotion.

Stirling Sports Village site investigation works to begin

As part of the ongoing improvement to Stirling Sports Village site investigation works are due to commence in the rear parking area close to the 5 a side pitches from Monday 18th April.

Work will be phased to minimise the impact on parking and is anticipated to be complete within two weeks.

There will be no disruption to sports facilities during these works.

Work underway for the Troon Golf Clubhouse refurbishment

The ten month project to transform the Troon Golf Clubhouse is now underway.

The work involves the refurbishment of the existing building alongside the introduction of an extension, both of which will help to guarantee the building remains an important part of South Ayrshire Council’s sporting portfolio.

The £1.5 million project has been designed by Fleming Muir Architects, with the construction work being undertaken by Ayrshire firm, James Frew Limited. Work on the main phase of construction got underway on Monday 11 April, with the new facility due to open early in 2017.

The refurbishment programme involves the alteration, refurbishment, and extension of the existing clubhouse to provide updated facilities and includes: re-roofing, rot removal, replacement plumbing, glazed extensions, replacement glazing, a new kitchen, new floor finishes, and redecorating. External works include new steps, ramps and alterations to existing paving.

A fully accessible temporary clubhouse was opened in January 2016. This provides facilities including a starter’s office, kitchen, café, golf professional shop, club rooms, as well as male, female and disabled toilets. An external patio area has also been formed. A large external storage unit has also been provided which contains an electrical supply. The golf buggies are stored and charged in this unit when not in use.

Perth and Kinross Council blows the whistle on all-weather pitch construction

A high school has been ordered to halt work on a new all-weather pitch after falling foul of planning regulations.

Perth and Kinross Council issued the school with a temporary stop notice last week when they began work on the artificial pitch at Dallerie without permission.

Morrison’s Academy has submitted plans for two all-weather pitches with floodlighting and car parking at Dallerie sports pitches in Crieff.

Objectors had warned that heavy rain floods the area and overloads a nearby sewerage system, with the resulting mess covering sections planned for the new pitches.

A series of conditions were set by the council, including a revamp of the sewer lines said to pollute the sports fields, preparation of a noise management plan, and installation of suitable lighting that did not spill onto neighbouring properties, before the new pitch could be built.

However, last week planning officers were forced to act swiftly to clamp down on the school when workers began developing the site’s car park without all the conditions having been met.

Council buys former Dundee police office for £5,000

Dundee City Council has bought a former police office for just £5,000.

The former office on Orleans Place in Menzieshill closed in 2000.

But now the Scottish Police Authority and Dundee City Council have struck a deal over the sale of the one-storey building.

The building is part of a row of shop units and could be demolished, although final plans for the site are yet to be confirmed.