Building Briefs - April 6th

Scottish builder backs swimmer at it dives into sponsorship deal

Mark Deans, one of Scotland’s leading open water swimmers, has signed a sponsorship deal with award-winning family housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel Group.

A dedicated swimmer since a young age, Mark (20), who is from Jordanhill in Glasgow, is a member of the City of Glasgow Swim Team, Scottish Open Water Swim Team and British Open Water squad.

One of Scotland’s most experienced open water swimmers, he was crowned the first ever champion of the Red Bull Neptune Steps, a 420m sprint swim that is classed as one of the UK’s toughest swimming races.

This funding will support Mark as he aims to qualify for the 2016 European Open Water Championships.

Expressing how honoured he is to have the backing of one of Scotland’s leading family businesses, Mark commented: “Mactaggart & Mickel Group do a lot for Scotland and local communities, I feel so honoured to have the support of such a respected company.

“Sponsorship is vital to competitive athletes and the support is really going to help me as I work towards achieving my goals this year. Without assistance from Mactaggart & Mickel Group I would have to spend more time at my part-time jobs to supplement my earnings and less time training, which would seriously affect my swimming performance.

“With the Scottish and European Open Water Championships this year, and the 2017 World Championships and 2018 Commonwealth Games just around the corner, it’s so important for me to dedicate as much time as possible to my training schedule. I can’t thank Mactaggart & Mickel Group enough for helping me achieve my dreams.”

Ed Monaghan, chief executive of Mactaggart & Mickel Group, added: “It is a privilege to support such a committed and talented young swimmer like Mark. He is a fantastic role model for aspiring Scottish athletes and we look forward to watching his progress.”

£27.6m for three new health centres for Edinburgh and West Lothian

A trio of new health centres are to be built in Edinburgh and West Lothian in a £27.6m partnership project between NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council and West Lothian Council.

The costs for each of the new centres will be £12.1m for North West Edinburgh in Muirhouse, £7.3m for Firrhill and £8.2m for Blackburn in West Lothian.

The three centres will offer a range of health services, with one also including a sports hall and a library.

Construction of the three centres will start over the next few weeks and they will open to the public in late 2017.

Plans lodged for 116 new Fife homes

New plans have been submitted to build a major housing development within Dunfermline’s eastern expansion.

Developers BDW Trading Limited have lodged formal planning permission for the site requesting full planning consent to build 116 homes on land to the south of Lynebank Hospital’s Mayfield unit and to the east of existing housing on North Larches.

The site was formerly occupied by hospital buildings but after demolition several years ago, the site was allocated for development.

Unused Aberdeen site to see 15 new affordable homes

A planning application has been submitted for the construction of 15 new affordable homes on an unused site in Bridge of Don.

According to the Press and Journal, developers Carlton Rock have lodged papers with Aberdeen City Council following discussions with Grampian Housing Association.

The proposal includes one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, including one fully wheelchair-accessible property.

It follows a prior application by Carlton Rock to build 19 affordable homes on the same site.

The design statement for that project said it would “provide much-needed high quality affordable housing on an area of open space in the north of the city”.

Highland councillors to consider Aberarder Wind Farm

Highland councillors are to consider plans for a 12-turbine wind farm near Inverarnie and Farr.

Developer RES has proposed constructing its Aberarder Wind Farm on hills about 12 miles (20km) south of Inverness.

The site is near the 33-turbine Dunmaglass Wind Farm being developed by SSE, but is not within areas designated as important for natural heritage.