Building Briefs – April 25th

The restoration of a former East Ayrshire surface coal mine is a step closer following the submission of a restoration proposal by Banks Mining.

The firm has now lodged its restoration proposal with East Ayrshire Council, outlining its ambitions for the site which has remained unrestored since it was abandoned, when former operators, Scottish Coal, went into administration in early 2013.

If approved, work at Spireslack would start upon completion of the restoration of the adjacent Ponesk surface mine, a major transformation project which is also being undertaken by Banks Mining.

That project is running ahead of schedule and could yet be completed by the end of this summer.

The restoration project has been designed to maximise opportunities for the future use of the site, and will see the creation of a new landscape across the site which is in keeping with the local area by reshaping Spireslack’s steep sided mounds, sharp gradients and wide terraces.

The Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT), an independent non-profit making organisation, was established to help facilitate the process of communities and other stakeholders in restoring abandoned open-cast coal sites across Scotland to bring together viable restoration plans for them.

Easter Langlee waste transfer station plan approval advised

Councillors are being advised to approve plans for a £5.5m waste transfer station in the Borders.

The new facility would be built at Easter Langlee near Galashiels.

Scottish Borders Council decided in August 2015 to close a landfill site in the area when it reaches capacity in 2018.

However, before that happens the transfer station has to be up and running to prepare waste to be sent for disposal outside the region.

Objectors have claimed the site is not suitable and is on already-contaminated land.

Concerns have also been raised about potential pollution and increased traffic in the area but council roads officials have said the increase in vehicle numbers would be “minimal”.

Planning officers have advised that the scheme should be given the green light but have said conditions regarding wildlife protection, drainage and landscaping should be imposed.

New superstore on the horizon for Montrose

A £10 million Angus superstore site that was ditched during the credit crunch is set for a fresh development.

Retail giant Sainsbury’s abandoned its plans for a first Angus store in 2015, three years after it aimed to start work in Montrose.

Now Kilmac has launched an application for a large 22,000 square foot retail unit and two 12,000 square foot units with 172 car parking spaces, and junction improvements.

Designs have been submitted with the branding of Home Bargains on the lead unit.

Kilmac stated: “The proposed development will deliver a number of significant benefits to the local economy.

“The development will result in enhancement and increased use of a previously under-utilised site, regeneration and investment into the existing retail and commercial area, creation of new jobs to local people, and further job creation through construction, maintenance and security.”

Coldingham Bay beach hut expansion plans approved

Plans to increase the number of colourful beach huts on a stretch of Borders coastline have been approved.

There are already 60 huts at Coldingham Bay in Berwickshire but another 11 could now be built.

The approval will also allow for the replacement or alteration of the existing huts but with strict conditions on structure and colour.

North Berwick flats plan secures approval

Architecture firm LBA has secured planning permission to build four apartments on North Berwick’s waterfront by way of converting a B-listed former hotel.

This will entail construction of a two storey new build addition to Blenheim House, Westgate, together with a full refurbishment of the existing property retaining its large rooms, original cornicing, sash and case windows and fireplaces.

Esh Border Construction welcomes Women in Property to exclusive preview of historic Calton Hill Observatory site

The contractor delivering the transformation of the historic City Observatory site on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill has welcomed women from across the property scene to enjoy a sneak peak of the project.

Esh Border Construction invited the Association of Women in Property (WiP) - including solicitors, architects, and planning and environmental consultants - to an exclusive tour of the site last week to coincide with World Heritage Day.

They saw significant progress made by the Livingston-based company on the £3million second phase of redevelopment work which commenced last year, ahead of a projected October completion date.

WiP later enjoyed a presentation at the nearby Apex Hotel where they learnt more about the project and its aims.

Esh Border Construction is working hard to open up the 19th century ‘birthplace of astronomy and timekeeping in Edinburgh’ for public use, while significantly enhancing it with a new restaurant and gallery space.

The project – to realise a world-class hub for contemporary visual arts and important new work by local and international practitioners – is being delivered for a partnership of City of Edinburgh Council and visual arts organisation Collective.

Windows manufacturer aims high with new technology

Inverness-based windows manufacturer Cairngorm Group has pressed the button on a record £500,000 of new technology investment.

The cutting edge machinery will enable Cairngorm’s output to jump from just under 400 windows a week to 470.