Building Briefs – April 15th

Forty new affordable homes to be built in East Dunbartonshire

A development of 40 affordable homes launches this month in West Baldoran, Milton of Campsie.

The £5 million ‘Baldoran Gate’ project is being built for East Dunbartonshire Council by Glasgow-based construction and manufacturing company CCG (Scotland) Ltd.

The development will see the construction of one, two and three-bedroom homes. A total of 22 will be available for rent from East Dunbartonshire Council and 18 will be available for sale under the new supply shared equity scheme.

The homes are being built in CCG’s state-of-the-art offsite manufacturing facility in Cambuslang. This particular project will include two plots that utilise an advanced version of this timber kit system where rather than using a traditional brick for the exterior, the homes will feature a factory-applied ‘brick slip’ cladding to replicate a traditional brick finish.

Building the homes offsite in factory conditions is proven to significantly reduce build time and improve environmental efficiency and has been used on a number of CCG’s projects throughout central Scotland.

All of the homes will be fitted with high quality kitchen and bathrooms. Energy efficient boilers and solar panels will also be fitted to reduce energy bills for residents.

Baldoran Gate is due to be completed by December 2016.

Gleneagles Hotel unveils plans for multi-million-pound refurbishment

The new owners of the world famous Gleneagles Hotel have announced a multi-million-pound investment.

The extensive refurbishment programme will see a series of improvements and upgrades throughout the historic establishment.

Ennismore, which took over Gleneagles last year, will be working with renowned designers including the David Collins Studio and Timorous Beasties on the project, which includes enhancements to bedrooms, the Dormy Clubhouse and the main bar.

GDL invests in Scottish expansion

Ground Developments Ltd has revealed new plant machinery worth over £1 million, as well as plans for expansion to larger commercial premises signalling further investment and growth for the Scottish-based ground improvement specialist.

The latest new equipment provides a boost to the extensive plant machinery fleet that GDL owns and controls, and it will increase the scope of projects the team can work on using their innovative GDL Turbojet system.

GDL has invested in a High Pressure Triplex Group Pump which is the first of its kind to be introduced to the UK, and a SR45 Drill Rig that has been specifically imported from Italy to work on its Walney substation project in Lancaster.

This significant investment in plant machinery will help GDL to maximise the capabilities of its current and extensive in-house fleet of plant to fulfil a range of new and existing contracts.

Langholm Reid and Taylor mill demolition plans submitted

Plans have been submitted to demolish a redundant Langholm mill dating back to the middle of the 19th Century.

The proposals would see the former Reid and Taylor factory replaced with housing and industrial units.

The property is situated in the town’s conservation area.

An application to demolish the building said it was “outmoded with serious structural problems” and there were “environmental, economic and social” benefits to its redevelopment.

Work to begin on £90,000 South Lanarkshire resurfacing project

Work is due to begin on a £90,000 carriageway maintenance project in South Lanarkshire.

Scotland TranServ will carry out resurfacing works on the A725 adjacent to the eastbound slip road to Hamilton Road.

The scheme will be carried out overnight between the 21 – 22 April.

For safety reasons, the A725 trunk road will be closed between Whirlies / Mavor and Douglas Street from 8pm to 6am.

Work to begin on spa railing replacement project in Highlands

Work is due to begin next week to replace the boundary railing at Strathpeffer Spa Garden in the Highlands.

Strath Civil Engineering will replace the existing bow top fence with a conservation style railing at the historic health resort.

The project will add to works already carried out by the council last year, which included the creation of a new entrance, path improvements, new handrails and internal fencing.

The gardens will continue to be open to the public during the construction phase.

Work is scheduled to be completed by 08 July.

Dundee youngsters encouraged to apply for apprentice scheme

Young people in Dundee have less than six weeks to apply for an apprenticeship with leading construction company Novus Property Solutions.

The maintenance, refurbishment and new build contractor, which has an office on the Dunsinane Industrial Estate in the city, has been inundated with applications after embarking upon its annual search for the brightest and best apprentices around the UK, with Dundee one of 13 of the company’s selected locations.

With 25 full-time opportunities on offer in a range of trades, including carpentry and joinery as well as decorating and maintenance, Novus hopes to help Dundee’s most ambitious young people start their careers.

A dedicated mentor will guide new apprentices throughout their training and college-based learning. While on site, apprentices will work alongside qualified tradespeople and benefit from their expertise, continuing a tradition that Novus has proudly maintained for more than 75 years.

The company’s chairman, Stuart Seddon, and managing director, Neil Hand, both started out as Novus apprentices, and their success acts equally as an inspiration to new recruits and a reminder of the value of a strong apprentice scheme to the company.

This year’s deadline for applications is 27th May. Candidates must be available for Novus’ ‘Apprentice Week’ 3rd-7thAugust, and ready to enroll for their college course in September.

To apply please visit www.novussolutions.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships and fill out an application form. Alternatively, please contact 01782 598000 for more information.