Building Briefs – August 17th

• Initial design proposals for Wick High Street and Market Square revealed

From August 24 to September 14, Wickers will have the opportunity to view, discuss and shape the initial proposals which have been developed in collaboration with the community through a series of activities since September 2019.

These draft designs aim to make High Street more attractive, more accessible and more welcoming to people, as well as highlighting Wick’s cultural heritage.

The public will be able to provide feedback on the proposed designs and recommendations by visiting the project website.

• Delayed Kintore Station due to open by October

A long-awaited new train station in Aberdeenshire is due to open in two months time, after its construction was delayed due to the pandemic.

Construction on the £14.5 million Kintore station was paused during lockdown, but with the loosening of restrictions in recent months, work has re-commenced and now Transport Scotland believes the new facility will be ready by October – if all goes to plan.

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “The opening of the new station at Kintore was delayed as a result of COVID-9.

“However, following the easing of lockdown restrictions, work has re-started with appropriate safety measures and physical distancing in place.

“Network Rail and its principal contractor, Bam, are making good progress with the project.

“Final details of the opening plans will be confirmed in due course, but it’s expected to be well in advance of the December 2020 timetable change date.”

• Council unveils new plans for nursery in Newmachar

Aberdeenshire Council has unveiled plans to relocate children from Newmachar School Nursery into a new building.

The modern building has been proposed to help increase the number of nursery places available in the region.

• Figures reveal housing delivery progress by City of Edinburgh Council

The City of Edinburgh Council has delivered a rise in new homes being built and approved over the last 12 months and a decrease in repeat presentations of homelessness.

Bench-marking reports published last week revealed that a projected 3,006 homes will be built for this year, compared to 1,832 in 2017/18, while 1,930 homes have been approved (2017/18: 1,475),which is 230 above target.

Repeat presentations of homelessness over the period fell to 5.5% from 7.9% in 2017/18.

Other achievements from the city’s annual performance report to date include improvements in road and waste services, reducing carbon emissions and increasing educational attainment.