Building Briefs – August 10th

Hardies Property & Construction Consultants has overseen the completion of 173 student studios at Causewayend, Aberdeen for student developer Visage Properties.

The Causewayend project is a cutting-edge pre-fabricated panelised system construction which achieved BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and is testament to a cohesive project team, which included Robertson Construction and GWP Architects.

Murray Warner, partner at Hardies and project manager, said the key to success was ensuring the project team shared common goals and worked together in a collaborative manner to overcome the inevitable challenges that were thrown up.

Shortage of stock keeping Scottish housing market ‘in the doldrums’

Lack of new housing stock, the effect of LBTT on higher-value properties and a fall in the number of new instructions have left the Scottish property market stagnant in July, the latest RICS residential survey has found.

Across the UK, headline price growth gauge slipped from +7% to +1% in July, signalling prices were broadly flat over the period and representing the softest reading since early 2013.

Contributors to the July survey reported on sales prices in comparison to their asking price. Nationally, homes at the top end of the market (those listed at more than £1 million) saw the greatest deviation in agreed prices, with 68% of respondents reporting sales prices coming in below the asking price. Whilst this is not uncommon in a flatter market, 33% of respondents said the agreed price was up to 5% below the asking price and 26% reported between 5% and 10% under.

Looking ahead, near-term price expectations across the UK continue to signal a flat trend over the coming three months at the headline level. Over the next twelve months, respondents remain more optimistic with a net balance of +28% anticipating an increase in prices, albeit this was the least positive reading since last July and the EU referendum results.

Alongside this, sales activity continues to lack momentum, with the net balance readings for buyer enquiries and agreed sales remaining slightly negative, -4% and -5%, respectively. Respondents are not anticipating activity in the sales market to gain impetus at this point in time, with both three and twelve month expectations series virtually flat.

The main element holding back the UK market continues to be a sustained deterioration in the flow of fresh listings, with new instructions dwindling for the seventeenth consecutive month during July. Consequently, average stock levels on estate agents’ books remain close to record lows, limiting choice for potential home buyers.

In the UK lettings market, the quarterly figures*, also portray a more subdued picture. Although tenant demand continued to edge higher, it did so at the slowest quarterly pace going back nearly twenty years. Meanwhile landlord instructions continued to fall with 8% of respondents reporting a decline instead of an increase in listings. The sustained lack of supply means rents expected to grow, albiet only modestly in the coming three months. And looking a little further they are projected to increase by a little under 2% nationally over the next twelve-month point.

Hew Edgar RICS policy manager, Scotland, said: “This latest survey merely reinforces what we have been saying for some time – that the current LBTT bandings are creating a bottleneck in certain areas of the market, and encouraging property owners to eschew moving in favour of improving their current properties.

“The Scottish Government must address this problem by reviewing the LBTT framework and putting in place a structure that would inject some much-needed fluidity into the market.”

New home registrations up 23% in Scotland, reports NHBC

The number of new homes registered by developers in Scotland during the last quarter increased by 23% compared to the same period in 2016, according to latest new home registration statistics from the National House Building Council (NHBC).

A total of 3,709 homes were registered during the period April - June compared to 3,006 in Q2 2016.

Across the UK as a whole, 40,343 new homes were registered during Q2 2017, a marginal 1% decrease on the 40,810 registered 12 months ago.

A total of 29,123 homes were registered in the private sector, representing a 7% decrease on the same period a year ago (31,381), with 11,220 new homes registered in the affordable sector, a 19% increase on 2016 numbers (9,429).

The continued rise in the affordable sector has been attributed to a number of larger housing associations developing homes for market rent, private sale and shared ownership along with a rise in joint ventures with the private sector.

Scotland was one of six out of the 12 UK regions to experience a growth in registrations when compared to the same period last year, with West Midlands (4,223 +33%) and Wales (1,345 +56%) also among the regions with most notable growth.

Selkirk Streetscape Scheme works to get underway

The next phase of ambitious plans to improve the centre of Selkirk begins this month.

Improvements to Market Place will run from Monday 21 August to Saturday 31 March 2018 to allow the £450,000 Selkirk Streetscape Scheme to be completed.

The works are being phased to minimise disruption to visitors and traders whilst allowing construction works to be undertaken.

The plans include safer and improved areas for bus passengers to board, better seating and pavement surfaces, improved pedestrian crossings and provision to allow Market Place to be used for events and markets.

The streetscape scheme has been finalised after consultation with the Selkirk Stakeholder Group, made up of representatives from organisations across the town, as well as members of the public during a drop-in session in September 2016.

There have also been discussions with Historic Environment Scotland, Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), Transport Scotland and Amey.

Floating crane to be delivered by Peterhead Port Authority after contract award

A North-east port has been awarded a major offshore wind contract.

Peterhead Port Authority is set to support the start of offshore construction work for the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre.

The contract will see the port moor one of the world’s largest floating cranes and six barges that will transport foundations for the 11-turbine scheme.

The deal for Peterhead Port Authority was awarded by Boskalis which is Vattenfall’s key supplier for the offshore construction and installation including the foundations and cabling.

Trade body video sets out structural waterproofing essentials

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTx0enaSUA8

National trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) has produced a video guide addressing the main factors surrounding successful structural waterproofing projects.

Michael Earle, a trainer in structural waterproofing for the PCA, gives an overview of the ten main areas which should be considered to achieve successful structural waterproofing projects.

These include groundworks, the grades of waterproofing protection, ventilation and an overview of useful documents.

An insight into the three types of structural waterproofing, Types A, B and C, the inclusion of maintenance features, workmanship and on-site conditions and flood testing are also featured.

The video concludes with an overview of the importance of seeking professional support for structural waterproofing projects.

AWPR - overnight weekend closure for B979 at Stonehaven

The B979 Netherley Road is expected to close overnight between 8pm and 6am on Saturday 12 August and Sunday 13 August to remove scaffolding from the new southbound carriageway bridge, as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project.

Part of historic Broughty Ferry home could be demolished for flats and houses

Part of a historic Broughty Ferry building could be demolished to make way for flats and houses.

Plans are in place for the partial demolition of Anton House, a former care facility for disabled adults.

The 19th Century villa is located in the Forthill Conservation Area but is lying vacant.

Proposals have been lodged to redevelop the property to form a housing development consisting of 19 two-bedroom flats and three three-bedroom houses. Car parking, landscaping and a new vehicle access are also proposed.

Councillors are being asked to approve both the partial demolition of the existing building and opening of the proposed residential development.

The proposals will be voted on at Dundee City Council’s development management committee on Monday.

Plans lodged for new 3G pitch in Clydebank

A planning application has been lodged for a new 3G artificial sports pitch and floodlighting in Clydebank.

Application No DC17/192 proposes the facility, which also includes a perimeter fence and integrated drainage system, be installed at Lilac Avenue in Clydebank. The applicant is West Dunbartonshire Council and the agent is Sports Lab Ltd.

The application will be considered in the coming weeks.

Water mains improvement project to begin in Winchburgh

Work is to begin on a water mains improvement project in West Lothian.

The scheme in Winchburgh will get underway on Monday, 14 August.

The four-week project involves carrying out upgrades to the water mains infrastructure in the area.

As part of the works, a section of the B8020 on the junction of Winchburgh road will be closed with a diversion route around Winchburgh via the A904, and B8046 towards Threemiletown in place.

Views sought over East Renfrewshire walking/cycling upgrade projects

Residents are being encouraged to submit their views over improving walking and cycling routes in Clarkston.

With £100,000 having been awarded to the local authority by the Sustrans Community Links programme, East Renfrewshire Council is seeking views from local people over how to shape future plans.

Opportunities may include safer routes to schools, improved access to shops and services in Clarkston town centre, exploring better links between Overlee Park, Busby Glen and Greenbank Gardens and addressing safety concerns for some groups that may deter journeys being made on foot or by bike.

A drop-in event to identify priorities for enhancing walking and cycling options is taking place at Clarkston Halls from 1pm – 6.30pm on Wednesday, 23 August.