Building Briefs – April 4th

A two-storey drive-thru restaurant could be created next to an Aberdeenshire supermarket.

The Asda store at Portlethen’s Retail Park has tabled plans to spruce up part of their site, with further developments down the line.

The company is requesting permission to demolish the existing five-pump petrol station and build a fresh six-pump facility in its place.

If the council gives the go-ahead, a drive-thru restaurant would also be built and space would be created for click and collect lockers, where Asda customers can collect shopping ordered online.

A new recycling area would also be part of the plan.

Shoppers would see 115 parking spaces removed to make way for the new facilities, leaving 489.

The council has started a public consultation period which is due to close on April 8 and it is hoping to make a decision by May 19.

Hart Builders to deliver two developments for Eildon Housing Association

Eildon Housing Association’s development programme is moving apace, as part of the record-breaking investment in new affordable homes for the Borders, with approval being granted for another two developments to be built in Galashiels at Huddersfield Street, and Craigpark.

Both of these schemes will be built by Hart Builders for Eildon Housing Association under an innovative partnership arrangement which was supported by housing minister Kevin Stewart MSP during a visit to the Borders last November.

The Huddersfield Street site will comprise of 34 flats, at a total cost of £4.9m with a Scottish Government grant of £2.8m. It is due to start in the summer 2018 and has an estimated completion time of spring 2019.

The Craigpark site will comprise of one existing house and nine new houses at a total cost of £1.9m, with £878,000 Scottish Government grant. The estimated completion for this development will be winter 2018/19.

House prices in Glasgow and Edinburgh set to rise by 20% in five years

House prices in Glasgow and Edinburgh will rise by almost 20% in the coming five years, according to a new report.

Estate agents Rettie found that the two property markets are booming, with prices increasing by 6%-9% last year.

Dr John Boyle, the estate agent’s director of research & strategy, said he did not think that would change in the next five years.

Rettie found that excess demand fuelled average growth of 4% in 2017.

Dr Boyle said: “The housing market in Scotland had a reasonably strong 2017 and the start of 2018 looks like a continuation of this trend. House prices are basically rising because there is much more demand than there is supply.

“This is particularly evident in Edinburgh and Glasgow, where average house prices rose by 6%-8% over the last year alone.

“Our current forecasts suggest house price growth in Scotland of around 19% over the next five years.”

Conversion plans submitted for Monifieth nursery building

Plans have been submitted for the residential conversion of Monifieth’s former Seaview nursery and the creation of 24 new flats in its extensive grounds.

Dundee-based GL Residential has submitted the proposal with Angus Council for conversion of the B-listed former nursery.

The company plans to develop seven new homes within the B-listed main block, which dates back to 1860 and was originally built by architect James MacLaren for James Fairweather Low of Monifieth Foundry.

Plans for A-listed Strichen Town Hall revealed

A new vision for a historic North-east building has been unveiled to the public.

The upgrade of the A-listed Strichen Town Hall would include a glass extension as well as improving disabled access and providing space for public toilets.

The town house was owned by the council but was taken over by the Strichen Community Park Group last year.