Building Briefs - August 20th

New retail park planned for north Glasgow could bring over 600 jobs

A new retail park planned for a derelict area of land could bring more than 600 jobs to the north of Glasgow.

The proposals, lodged with Glasgow City Council, are for four business units, a supermarket, a gym, petrol station and coffee shop.

The land next to Carlisle Street in the city’s Possilpark area has been out of use for more than 40 years.

A report submitted to the council states a total of 611 jobs could be created if the plans, lodged by Forge Properties.

The land is next to Morrison Bowmore bottling plant, which the Health and Safety Executive has identified as a major hazard site because of ethanol on the site.

However, the developer has agreed to have the ­ethanol tanks moved to another part of the distillery site making the area safe for development.


Decision on Wind Farm application

The Highland Council has refused to grant planning permission to RWE Innogy UK Limited for a 20 turbine wind farm at Glen Kyllachy near Tomatin.

The motion, moved by Councillor Bill Lobban and seconded by Councillor Carolyn Caddick, was that the application be refused on the grounds that it contravenes Policy 67 of the Highland Wide Local Development Plan in that the development will have a significant detrimental visual impact, both taken cumulatively with Farr Wind Farm and on its own, at areas of regional and local significance, notably, as viewed from the Slochd, Strathnairn, Loch Ashie, Abriachan, and consequently, the Great Glen Way.

The motion was unanimously supported.


Names chosen for new £842m South Glasgow hospitals

Names have been revealed for the adult and children’s facilities at a massive £842m new hospital complex in Glasgow.

The Southern General campus will replace the Southern General Hospital, Western and Victoria Infirmaries, Mansionhouse Unit and Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill.
It will feature a 1,109-bed South Glasgow University Hospital for adults.

The 256-bed facility for children will retain the Royal Hospital for Sick Children name.
Both new hospitals are due to open in 2015.


Shepherd and Wedderburn appoints new partner to Construction and Special Projects Practice

Law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has appointed Gareth Parry to its Construction and Projects Practice.

Gareth’s 24 years in private practice spans periods at major law firms such as McGrigors and DLA Piper, serving as partner and heading construction teams in each, (14 years and 3 years respectively).

He has considerable expertise in major energy, regeneration and infrastructure projects, both in the UK and overseas.

A prolific author in the field of construction regulation, Gareth co-wrote the Annotated Guide to the Construction Design and Management Regulations (Sweet & Maxwell), and is co-author of Scottish Engineering Contracts (Thomas Telford).


Lovell takes Gold for customer satisfaction

Housing developer and regeneration specialist Lovell is celebrating securing a Gold Award for Customer Satisfaction in an independent survey of new homebuyers.

The survey by research specialist In-house Research saw Lovell in Scotland, which is based at the Glasgow Business Park, achieve the top gold rating.

Customers who bought homes from Lovell in 2013 were asked if they would recommend the developer, based on their overall experience of purchasing a new home. More than 90 per cent of customers who responded said they would recommend Lovell to other homebuyers.


Housing plan could preserve former Dundee jute mill

A former Dundee jute mill could be preserved for the future by turning it into “much-needed” housing.

A planning application has been lodged with Dundee City Council to convert part of the former Tay Works building on the corner of Guthrie Street and Brown Street into 18 two-bedroomed flats for rent.

Two commercial units would be formed on the ground floor of the property.

A spokesman for the planning consultants working on the development, DG Coutts Associates, said that the part of the building to be developed for housing was of such historical importance to Dundee that it was listed.

Working alongside Dundee architects Hiddleston and Feist, the developers have come up with a design they are hopeful will fill a local housing need.


Full steam ahead for Borders Railway experience

Trains will be operational on the Borders Railway from September 6, 2015, the First Minister Alex Salmond announced today.

The First Minister further announced a feasibility study, led by Scottish Enterprise in partnership with VisitScotland, Scottish Borders Council and Transport Scotland, which will look at how the Borders Railway will transform the tourism potential of the region.

The study will also look at tourist opportunities from any future development of the line, including the potential for a turntable and the creation of a permanent home at Tweedbank Station for the Great Tapestry of Scotland, the world’s longest embroidered tapestry, reflecting the textile heritage of the area.

The steam train experience will start as early as September 2015. The intention is for a significant expansion as the tapestry centre opens in 2016.


Housing planners aim to allay fears over Cupar build project

Builders working to create a new development north of Cupar have held out an olive branch to concerned locals.

Persimmon Homes East Scotland, Headon Developments and Vico Properties Scotland Ltd have formed a consortium for the so called Cupar North development, consisting of 1,400 houses.

Councillors have raised several worries over the development, including the need for a bypass following roadworks improvements in Cupar town centre.

The plans, which could lead to a 25 per cent increase in the size of Cupar, were first mooted in 2006 but put on ice because of the recession but are back on the agenda.

In a statement, the consortium has now promised to meet Cupar Community Council and local councillors.

As well as the 1,400 houses, the consortium hopes to build retail, business and industry facilities, a care home, a hotel and a primary school.

A relief road, while not mentioned in the formal application, has been described as “a key requirement”.


Flood champion appointed to new protection role

Trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) has appointed acclaimed flood protection campaigner and consumer champion Mary Dhonau OBE.

Mary has been appointed as the head of the PCA’s new Flood Protection Group responsible for helping to steer and shape this developing section of the Association.

The Flood Protection Group has been developed by the PCA to help consumers locate experienced, skilled, dependable specialists who are able to provide reliable flood resistance and resistant solutions that can protect homes and businesses across the UK.

Mary became a powerful advocate for flood resistance and resilience after her home was flooded in 2000 and received an OBE in 2009 for her tireless campaigning on the issue.


Green light for city 70-home development

A substantial new housing development has been given the green light in Dundee despite concerns about the possible presence of methane gas at the site.

Councillors approved the construction of a 70home residential area in Dalrymple Street, Lochee.

But Labour member Laurie Bidwell sought reassurances from the developers that proper checks had been carried out to ensure the site, which sits on an infilled former quarry, is safe.

However a spokesman for the applicant, Persimmon Homes East Scotland, reassured councillors that all proper checks had been carried out.

Persimmon Homes East Scotland, who will build 50 detached and 20 semi-detached homes at the site, were backed by city planner Mike Galloway.