Building Briefs – August 16th

Nestling on the banks of the River kelvin and the Forth and Clyde Canal, in an area previously known as ‘The Botany’, the latest phase of the Maryhill Locks Masterplan is starting to take shape.

Phase 3 of the wider residential regeneration of Maryhill Locks is being constructed by CCG Scotland for Bigg Regeneration (a partnership between Scottish Canals and igloo Regeneration Fund).

The development comprises 40 two, three and four bedroom private homes in a site which is flanked by parkland and offers the new homeowners’ a west facing aspect from the private rear gardens, with views towards the river valley.

It seeks inspiration from its waterside setting ad reflects modern European townhouse design, clearly represented by the stunning mix of white and black brick for the external façade.

Completion of the first phase of 21 homes this August will allow for the first homeowners to move in.

CCG expect to be on site at Phase 3 until February 2017.

Dundee steps up investment in energy efficient homes

More than £25 million has been spent on energy efficiency measures in Dundee homes in the past three years with another £3m in the pipeline.

The figures are revealed in reports set to go before councillors next week which detail progress towards the city’s drive to provide warm, high quality, affordable, low carbon homes for all.

Cash for the next phase from all three sources will see properties in Wester Clepington, Fairbairn Street, Arklay Street and Wolseley Street provided with external wall insulation.

Turner FM, the contractor for these works have been procured by SSE who are project managing the programme on behalf of the council.

Other ongoing programmes are having a positive impact on the energy performance of houses in the city including heating replacement, in particular where an electric heating system is being replaced by energy efficient gas central heating and roof replacement providing enhanced levels of insulation.

Once works are complete all residents whose homes have benefited from the external wall insulation (EWI) programme are offered a visit from a DEEAP energy adviser to ensure that heating systems are set up to maximise savings, while at the same time ensuring people are comfortable with the temperature.

Forth Bridge World Heritage Partnership Project shortlisted for national award

The Forth Bridge World Heritage Partnership Project has been shortlisted for the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2016.

The Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning (SAQP 2016) are one of the most prestigious annual award events in Scotland and recognise outstanding achievements in planning - ranging from creative new developments and inspiring new settlements to innovative new approaches to thinking and process. The awards celebrate ground breaking new achievements in planning and with over 60 applications entered from across Scotland this year, winning a place in the finals is widely recognised as a considerable achievement.

The Scottish Government has introduced a new category for 2016 - the People’s Choice Award, which, to celebrate Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016, allows, for the first time, members of the public to cast a vote for their favourite shortlisted SAQP entry.

This means that everyone now has the chance to show how much they appreciate Scotland’s iconic Forth Bridge by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PeopleschoiceSAQP and casting their vote for the Forth Bridge World Heritage Partnership Project.

The Forth Bridge was inscribed by UNESCO’s as a World Heritage site in July 2015, making it Scotland’s sixth World Heritage site.

Highlands primary school opening delayed

A primary school in the Highlands is to reopen later than usual after work on a repairs project has been delayed.

The council revealed due to delays in roofing repairs and refurbishment work at Duncan Forbes Primary in Inverness, the school will remain closed to pupils until Thursday, 18 August.

Plans go on show for Blairgowrie school

Developers have unveiled their vision for an old Perthshire primary school.

Crieff-based construction firm Corryard is to display its proposals for the former Hill Primary building at Blairgowire.

The firm was announced as Perth and Kinross Council’s preferred bidder for the redevelopment project earlier this year.

The community-led Ericht Trust had been working on its own plan for the school for several years and had hoped to convert the prominent building into a multi-million-pound heritage and culture hub, complete with cinema and cafe.

The trust committed about 3,000 hours to the project and raised £60,000. The £4.8 million plan had won the backing of, amongst others, SSE and the Architectural Heritage Fund.

Council officials said Corryard’s bid featured a better business plan and the company’s finances were assured.

On Saturday, Corryard will unveil its proposal to transform the 19th-century building into new homes.

Plans, including computer-generated images, will go on show at the vacant Upper Allan Street site from 11am-2pm. Feedback will be used to shape a planning application which will be submitted in the coming weeks.

Delight for charity partners as community windfarm work begins

Scotland’s first windfarm to be developed through a partnership between two charities has taken a big leap forward with the conclusion of its financing package and completion of turbine foundations.

Berwickshire Housing Association and Community Energy Scotland are taking the project forward through a joint venture company, Berwickshire Community Renewables.

The Hoprigshiels windfarm in Berwickshire comprises three 2.5MW wind turbines.

Finance for the project was finalised between Christmas and New Year 2015 which has enabled turbines to be ordered and site work to start. Completion and commissioning is expected towards the end of this year.

The windfarm will supply electricity to the national grid over a 25 year period and the revenues from the sale of power will help support the charities’ social purposes.

The project has been financed by Triodos Bank and the Scottish Investment Bank’s Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF).

Berwickshire Housing Association and Community Energy Scotland were keen to work with sustainable and ethical partners with significant experience in lending to social housing and community renewable energy.

The wind turbines are being supplied by Nordex.

Engineers complete repairs to Highland railway line

Work to repair a railway line in the Highlands is now complete.

Engineers have finished repairing the line between Fort William and Mallaig after a landslip occurred near Lochailort on Thursday, 11 August.

Over 100 tonnes of stone and mud was deposited across 70 meres of the track after the mountainside above the railway gave way.

Engineers spent 48 hours over the weekend diverting floodwater and clearing material from the line.

Work included replacing washed away ballast beneath the track and stabilising the slope above the line to minimise future landslip risks.

Transport Scotland seeks views on new carriageway in Inverness

Transport Scotland is inviting local residents to view plans for a new road in Inverness.

Options for a new single carriageway connecting Inshes to Smithton will be on display at public exhibitions in the capital later this month.

The project is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to the £315 million Inverness and Highland City Region Deal.

Kingdom’s new Kirkcaldy homes boast low-cost power bills

Kingdom Housing Association has completed its latest project in Kirkcaldy which will see 15 new energy-efficient flats available for Mid Market Rent (MMR) with power costs as low as £310 - £350 a year.

The £1.52 million project has created the 15 new homes at Ferrard Road as part of a Design & Build contract with local developer Abbotshall Homes, who have also been developing housing for sale on the site.

The Scottish Government provided £506,000 in subsidy to part fund the project which has created one one-bedroomed flat and 14 two-bedroomed flats at rents of between £352 to £429 per month.

All the flats have been designed to the Scottish Government Greener Standards, with high energy performance standards, where the estimated fuel costs, for lighting, heating and hot water are estimated to be in the region of £310 - £350 per annum.

A number of training and employment initiatives have also been delivered as part of the project including work placements and apprenticeships which demonstrate the added value which can be gained through the delivery of affordable housing projects.

Refurbished play park opens in West Lothian

A newly refurbished play park has been reopened in West Lothian.

A total of £124,000 was spent on upgrading the Blaeberryhill Play Park in Whitburn. Children from Croftmalloch and St Joseph’s primary schools were consulted on how they wanted the new park to look.

The old metal equipment at the facility had reached the end of its serviceable life and has been replaced with various features such as new play equipment, a Robinia Timber structure, a Bluetooth station, a mini basketball court and an adjacent football area.