Building Briefs – April 21st

Cunninghame gets new build development in Largs underway

Cunninghame Housing Association, in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and the Scottish Government, has started work on a new build development of 11 two bedroom new build flats for rent at Seamore Street, Largs.

Main contractor Ashleigh Scotland Limited commenced on site on 1st February 2016. The duration of the contract is 30 weeks therefore overall completion is anticipated in September 2016.

The site has lain vacant for some time and redevelopment of this formerly derelict area of ground will transform the area, providing much needed affordable housing for rent within Largs.

CHA also recently marked the completion of a new build development at Dippie Gardens in Largs.

Average speed cameras announced for Aberdeen Bypass Project

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) contractor, Aberdeen Roads Limited, is to install average speed cameras on the A90 between Blackdog and Balmedie to enhance safety for construction workers and road users.

The installation will begin tomorrow, Friday 22 April 2016. Once installed, the cameras will display a sign which reads ‘Cameras Under Test’. These signs will be removed as the system becomes operational.

The average speed cameras are expected to stay in place until the works are complete and the reduced temporary speed limit is removed from this section of the A90.

Glasgow at centre of radical power station plan

Glasgow could become Britain’s biggest and cleanest power station if a radical new method of powering homes and businesses comes to fruition.

The ambitious proposals involve establishing a community-owned company which would convert derelict land or buildings into renewables hubs to wean the city off its reliance on the national grid.

The company would be set up to reinvest profits from power generation into improving insulation of buildings and reducing fuel poverty.

It has been suggested that the city is well positioned to benefit from a wave of urban solar farms and windmills due to the “unusual” amount of vacant land and buildings within its boundaries.

Jim Metcalfe, a trustee and director of the UK Energy Saving Trust, who has been giving talks about the project, is also head of practical projects and development at the policy-led foundation, the Carnegie UK Trust.

The proposals produced by Mr Metcalfe, who leads the Trust’s work on regeneration, sustainable housing in remote communities, urban economic innovation and social finance, are based on research carried out by the Energy Saving Trust.

“Our cities can and must do more,” he said.

“We must take on more responsibility for that concerted energy action.

“Policy makers and the public sector alone cannot deliver the pace of change that is needed.”

£350,000 building repair project begins in Argyll and Bute

A £350,000 building repair project is underway in Argyll and Bute.

The scheme at 10-20 Longrow South is part of the new conservation area regeneration scheme (CARS) in Campbeltown.

The project will save three existing businesses, make premises available for a new one, safeguard six flats and create around 20 new jobs.

Works will be carried out by John Fulton Plumbers and involve extensive external repairs including total re-roofing, repairs to leadwork, stonework and rainwater goods. The failing rear deck that led to the closure of the G10 Bistro in 2014 will also be replaced.

In addition, the project will see vacant units at No.10 and 12 reopened under new ownership. Both units will be converted into a newly refurbished café.

The council will provide £280,000 towards the project, with the remaining balance being met by the owners.

The project is estimated to be completed at the end of autumn this year.

Argyll and Bute Council appoints new chief executive

Argyll and Bute Council has appointed current executive director of community services Cleland Sneddon as its new chief executive.

Cleland will take up post on May 9 following the departure of the current chief executive, Sally Loudon, who leaves the council after seven years in post, to take up the role of chief executive of COSLA.

Cleland has worked previously for Midlothian and South Lanarkshire councils in roles covering education, housing, HR, social work and leisure.

He joined Argyll and Bute Council, as executive director of community services, in May 2010. Community services included social work services, education, housing and community and culture services.

Arrangements for filling the role of executive director of community services will be announced.

New chairman and trustees announced for LAR Housing Trust

The LAR Housing Trust, which was set up six months ago to help tackle the shortage of mid market rental properties in Scotland, has appointed Andrew Robertson as its new chairman.

Robertson, who recently stepped down after eight years as chairman of Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS board, is a well-known figure in the housing sector. A lawyer by profession, he spent almost 40 years at social housing and charity law practice TC Young.

Other board appointments include former KPMG corporate financier Uilleam Cameron, who is currently a partner at Jenson Solutions, providing finance and procurement advice to start up companies and infrastructure projects in the the transport, energy and utilities sectors. He is also a specialist adviser to the Credit Committee of Social Investments Scotland. He is joined by former Scottish Enterprise senior director Pamela Woodburn, a fellow of the Institute of Housing and currently major partnership manager with Voluntary Services Overseas and vice chair of the Court of Edinburgh Napier University.

The line up is completed by Barry White, chief executive of Scottish Futures Trust, which was set up by the Scottish Government to deliver value for money across public sector infrastructure investment and LAR’s chief executive Ann Leslie, formerly a partner in one of Scotland’s leading law firms.

Builder fined £600

A builder has been fined for racially abusing a shop assistant during a row over a pasty.

William McGinley appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted acting in a threatening and abusive manner on March 23.

Fiscal depute Jennifer Pritchard said the 30-year-old had been working in the Bridge of Don area when he stopped at the Esso garage on Ellon Road. She said that after McGinley entered the store, he picked up a pasty and went to heat it up in the microwave.

However, he was soon stopped from warming the food by shop assistant Viraj Obeysekra, who said he would have to pay for it first. This angered McGinley and, during an exchange of words, he called Mr Obeysekra a “brown monkey”.

He was fined £600.

First dip in Scots house prices in eight months, despite surge in sales

Average property prices in Scotland fell 1 per cent in February from the previous month – the first monthly drop seen since June 2015.

The dip comes despite the strongest February for home sales north of the border since 2008, up 19 per cent year-on-year after a buy-to-let flurry, Your Move figures showed.

Hesitation was also registered at the higher end of market before upcoming elections knocks Edinburgh off the top spot.

Although, Midlothian was the only area to break a record for property values in February, surpassing pre-crisis peak.

Demolition under way at Perth Theatre

As construction continues on the restoration and redevelopment of Perth Theatre, demolition work has begun to make way for the new extension.

The three storey extension adjacent to the B-listed Edwardian auditorium will contain new foyer space, restaurant, bars, new 200-seat studio theatre, community room and lift to all floors. The demolition will expose the original auditorium wall, constructed in 1899-1900, which will be retained as a feature of the redeveloped space.

The historic auditorium will be meticulously restored as part of the Transform Perth Theatre project. Features such as walls, plasterwork, seating, flooring and lighting will be repaired and replaced and the original decorative interior of the theatre with walls predominantly red and mouldings accented in cream and gold will be replicated.

The upper circle ‘gods’ will be reinstated and a new orchestra area will be created.

The auditorium will remain and will be completely refurbished with the upper circle, which has remained unused for so long, brought back to life.

Stonehaven residents encouraged to carry out property checks

Aberdeenshire Council is encouraging property owners in Stonehaven to carry out a ‘health check’ of homes and businesses.

Stonehaven Town Centre Improvement Group has distributed a guide to households to help locals check if their properties require maintenance.

Areas of the checklist include roofs, stonework, guttering, windows and doors.

Over the past 12 months, group members have been identifying and coordinating improvement works in the town, while also encouraging the community to regularly check for property issues.

Work includes initial improvements to the town centre, the harbour and removal of graffiti.

In addition, the public toilet at the harbour has been refurbished and benches in the area were repainted. Future proposals involve installing picnic benches along the harbour front.