Building Briefs - April 15

Glasgow-based Marley Contract Services has won plaudits after successfully completing one of the largest tiled roofing projects within the Scottish education sector during the last 12 months.

Covering an area of 3,500m², the 14 week schedule at Howden St Andrews RC Primary School in Livingston had to be carried out while the school remained a live teaching environment, which created additional scheduling requirements and adherence to strict safety procedures.

In order to address this, Marley Contract Services allocated specific personnel to health and safety duties for the duration of the project. Deliveries were also co-ordinated to avoid disruption to the teaching timetable, which meant working around normal school hours.

“We acted as the main contractor on this project due to our in-house skills and resources necessary to take on a refurbishment of this size and complexity,” said Billy Baird, projects director at Marley Contract Services. “We have completed a number of projects on this scale and so had the experience to help the school ensure there was minimal disruption to the teaching calendar.”

Modern interlocking tiles were specified and have transformed the roof of the 1960s building, providing West Lothian Council with a low maintenance, long term roof covering. Complexity was added by a requirement to install a number of electronically operated roof lights above the school gym. The company also fitted new leadwork and PVC-u plates around the base of several large lantern roofs.

Cala submits plans for 50 new Aberdeenshire homes

Cala Homes has submitted plans to build 50 houses in an Aberdeenshire town.

The upmarket house builder has submitted a proposal of application notice to Aberdeenshire Council for the development in Oldmeldrum.

The site area, west in the Glebe of Urquhart Road, would include affordable homes along with new community facilities.

Cala has also entered into talks with the Church of Scotland to discuss possible improvements as part of the plans.

Managing director of Cala Homes North, Mike Naysmith, said: “We plan to host two community consultation events in the coming months, at which we will present information on our initial plans and considerations, and take time to answer questions and listen to feedback from attendees.

“We would welcome anyone wishing to hear more about, and help form, our proposals for the area to come along and meet our team.”

Residents speak out with fears over Merchant City’s ex-Selfridges site development

Residents have spoken out at a meeting about their fears surrounding a £110 million scheme to introduce more than 1000 new units to Glasgow’s Merchant City.

Locals had their say on the impact of the proposed development at the former Selfridges site which has been lodged with planners.

At this week’s meeting they raised concerns about student flats, lack of parking, the height of a proposed 17-storey building, safety, noise pollution and anti-social behaviour.

Seven day week for Shetland school project

Building work Shetland’s new Anderson High School is to be carried out seven days a week after planners agreed to vary the project’s construction hours to include Sundays.

Meanwhile, due to a slight delay in reaching “financial close” for the project, which also incorporates a new halls of residence, it is likely to be the end of May before work on the school itself can begin.

Council managers said it was not likely to lead to any change to the proposed completion date – which should see pupils moving into the school in autumn 2017.