Building Briefs – April 19th

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOCkPZOx190&feature=youtu.be

Balfour Beatty has reached a key milestone in the development of the new Dundee railway station concourse and hotel, with works to erect the external envelope of the building progressing at pace as part of the new Central Waterfront development.

To celebrate this significant landmark, the firm has released a 44-second video clip showcasing the works undertaken from project infancy, to the erection of the steel superstructure which has provided visible changes to the Dundee Skyline.

Meanwhile, Dundee’s existing train station facilities could undergo a £700,000 revamp if the move is approved by the city council.

An application for a building warrant has been submitted to planning officers by IDP Architects, on behalf of Abellio Scotrail.

In the application, the firm describes how the station could be subject to an “internal fit out” covering almost every aspect of the existing station building.

Among the alterations suggested, architect Francesca Edge has asked for permission to create a new waiting area alongside a revamp of the existing seating facilities.

In addition, the station would also receive new electrical wiring and heating, and existing toilet facilities would be completely refurbished, including the installation of new cubicles.

IDP has also requested permission to create a new wet room for disabled passengers, a shower room and a tea preparation area.

The station’s concourse would also undergo reglazing and have new flooring and decoration installed.

A price tag of £700,000 has been stamped on the cost of the station refit, which will compliment the new £28 million entrance and 120-room Sleeperz hotel under construction.

The application is set to be reviewed by planning officers later this month.

Councillors reject whisky bar plan overlooking Dundee cemetery

Plans for a restaurant to build a glass extension overlooking the historic Howff cemetery in Dundee have been unanimously rejected.

West One Properties wanted permission to transform premises at 5 Bank Street into a 70-cover restaurant with a glass whisky bar extension at the rear overlooking the cemetery.

However, Maryfield councillor Ken Lynn said allowing the development would “be nothing less than an act of civic vandalism”.

Although councillors on Dundee City Council’s development management committee granted permission for the company to create a cafe in the premises, there was no support for the extension plans.

Architect Roger Brunton said it would allow a greater number of people to see the Howff and would rejuvenate a forgotten corner of the cemetery.

He also pointed out that x-rays would be carried out to ensure there were no human remains under the whisky bar.

However, councillors were not swayed and no one on the committee was prepared to put forward a motion to approve the plans.

Developer plans revamp for Cathkin Park

Plans have been unveiled that could see the Cathkin Park stadium in Glasgow rebuilt as a modern footballing centre.

A consortium is in talks over funding for the redevelopment, which would see an all-weather pitch, changing facilities and floodlights installed.

Directors of the project want to see the renovated stadium used for football and cricket.

New initiative shows increasing importance of CSR

A major new survey on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is now open to electrotechnical businesses, after being launched by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA).

The survey, which is being supported by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS), aims to establish the extent to which the electrotechnical sector is actively engaged with CSR, along with identifying the future opportunities and challenges.

The launch of the initiative is the ECA’s next step on the way to leading on the CSR agenda and helping engineering services companies to project the best possible image to stakeholders, backed by effective action.

In autumn last year, the ECA began partnering with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, in a joint effort to promote CSR best practice across the industry. This includes supporting CCS’s ‘Code of Considerate Practice’, which commits scheme registrants to care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety and value their workforce.

The ECA has a preferential arrangement with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which allows member-firms to receive a discount on voluntary registration with the scheme. The ECA already offers a range of tailored support to members, including expert guidance on managing CSR, and associated topics such as sustainability, health and safety, and ethical employment.

The overall survey findings will be shared with key stakeholders in the second quarter of this year. The CSR survey can be completed here by ECA members, with entrants entered into a draw to win an iPad Mini.

The survey is open until Monday 1 May.

New Subsea Power Hub begins producing power

A new ocean current energy conversion system has started producing power off the coast of Orkney.

Aberdeen-based company EC-OG switched on the Subsea Power Hub for the first time on Thursday, 13 April.

The unit, which is being tested at EMEC’s Shapinsay sound test site, is “performing in line with the technical predications”, according to EC-OG.

The SPH is a subsea hybrid drive system which uses a combination of a marine energy convertor coupled directly to a lithium based energy storage system.

The unit will now be left to run 100% autonomously, with wireless data monitored over the summer months.

Edinburgh Flood Prevention Scheme milestone

McLaughlin and Harvey (McL&H) has reached a milestone on a major flood prevention project in Edinburgh.

The contractor has completed work on the Water of Leith Walkway (Pansy Walk), a section of works on the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme.

The walkway, which has now been opened six months ahead of schedule, was closed last July to allow new flood walls and pathways to be built.

The scheme forms part of Phase 2 of the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme, which involves building over approximately 1.2 km of flood defences along the Water of Leith at Murrayfield.

McL&H said the work on the development is progressing well and completion is on schedule for January 2018.