Building Briefs – August 22nd

The Perth skyline has taken on a dramatically different look for the next few months with the addition of a 27-metre-high crane.

Brought on site at Perth Theatre by contractors Robertson Group as part of the historic venue’s on-going restoration and redevelopment, the huge crane will be used to build the frame of the three storey extension adjacent to the B-listed Edwardian auditorium.

With a 40 metre mast capable of operating 70 metres into the Perth skyline, the towering addition to the Fair City firmament will remain in situ until the winter months.

Charitable bond used to fund 50 affordable homes for Fort William

Lochaber Housing Association is to build 50 affordable homes in the Fort William area thanks to the first allocation of this year’s charitable bond funding from social investment charity Allia.

Allia is working with the Scottish Government to fund the development of affordable housing across Scotland, helping to invest more than £50 million in charitable bonds over two years, which will provide support for almost 1,000 new homes.

The bonds provide a new source of finance for housing associations, and are ethical financial products – no profit is taken by Allia, who issue the bonds on the Scottish Government’s behalf.

The interest on this loan to Lochaber Housing Association, over half a million pounds, is converted into a charitable donation, which the Scottish Government gives to housing associations for the construction of new social housing.

There has been considerable success with previous charitable bonds that have been issued with total investments now over £40m. This seventh bond means development finance has now been provided for 581 affordable homes, and generated over £9m for charities of which £6.7m will go towards the construction of new social housing.

Scottish Borders Council contracts help move local people into work

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has helped a group of young and unemployed people from the region gain their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, providing work placements through ongoing council contracts.

Earlier this year Job Centre Plus, Skills Development Scotland and Borders College hosted a Construction Sector Based Work Academy aimed at people who were looking to gain their CSCS card which would allow them to access employment opportunities in the construction industry.

Eight students successfully completed the course and gained an industry recognised safety certificate.

Community Benefit clauses attached to a number of SBC construction contracts provided the successful students the opportunity of a two week work placement giving them valuable experience of working on a live construction project.

Following the work experience, four of the students were able to secure full time employment with the employers who provided the work placements. A further two students relocated to the north of England and were able to secure employment in the construction industry as a direct result of successfully completing the course.

On the back of this success, contractors working on various council contracts are providing 12 work placements to young people entering into a similar course in August. In this instance the training is being provided via Life Skills in Galashiels.

Historic Environment Scotland issues grants to aid repairs

The future of the Category A-listed James Watt Library in Greenock has been secured after receiving nearly £300,000 to carry out urgent repairs.

The library, which was forced to close last month after the roof become dangerously unsafe, has received £297,000 funding from Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Building Repair Grant scheme to carry out restoration work.

The move will see the long-term future of the library, exhibition and archive facility secured, and retain the historic documents inside.

It is named after engineer James Watt, who pioneered the steam engine, and the archive contains many of his original manuscripts.

Also receiving a grant is Castle Leod, Strathpeffer, which is believed to have inspired the fictional Castle Leoch in the best-selling Outlander novels. The castle was awarded £13,680.

The Category A-listed fortress, historic seat of Clan Mackenzie, is internationally important due to its architectural quality and the survival of 16th and 17thcentury fabrics, while its gardens are included on the national inventory for landscapes.

A total of £576,460 has been awarded to seven properties in the latest round of funds.

Work underway on Inverness Castle North Tower redevelopment

Redevelopment work at Inverness Castle’s North Tower has been described as “well underway”, by Highland Council leader Cllr Margaret Davidson.

The North Tower of Inverness Castle is being redeveloped from office space into a visitor attraction and viewpoint with spectacular views from the top, looking both south over the River Ness and beyond and north over the Ness Bridge towards the Black Isle.

The Highland Council, Inverness Common Good Fund and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have all contributed to the cost of the project, which includes new access, a shop and a stairway to the roof and viewing platform.

City Region Deal money was also made available to improve the approaches to the North Tower and Castle, with an upgrade of Castle Wynd.

South Lanarkshire planning and building standards dept to be relocated

South Lanarkshire Council has announced its planning and building standards departments will operate from Montrose House in Hamilton from today.

Officers from the East Kilbride and Lanark offices will keep their existing phone numbers for a limited period of time following the move.

Montrose House is open from Monday to Thursday between 8.45am and 4.45pm and between 8.45am and 4.15pm on a Friday.

People can also continue to make use of any online facilities such as the national ePlanning portal for the submission of applications and the council’s website for any other payment transactions.

Apple to reopen on Buchanan Street after refurbishment

Apple’s store in Glasgow’s Buchanan Street is to reopen this weekend.

The technology retailer has been closed since the start of the year to allow the refurbishment of the store.

Apple have confirmed the store will reopen on Saturday, August 27 at 9am.

Public’s views sought on Jim Clark Museum proposal

A short survey has been developed to help Scottish Borders Council (SBC) advance plans for enlarging and improving the Duns museum celebrating the life and achievements of two-time Formula One World Champion Jim Clark.

In March, development funding of £53,100 was awarded from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help the council progress towards a full grant application at a later date.

The council is working with its partners, Live Borders, the Jim Clark Memorial Room Trust and the Jim Clark Trust, towards that application but wants to get the public’s views on the current Jim Clark Room and what the planned museum could exhibit, how it could attract a wider audience and the type of activities which could be offered.

SBC has already committed almost £620,000 to the project, and a second-stage application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for around £645,000 will be made before the end of the year.

Last week the planning application for the expansion of the existing Jim Clark Room in Newtown Street, Duns was submitted. Proposed is an expanded and enhanced museum, allowing cars raced by Clark to be displayed, along with a wide range of trophies and other memorabilia. The plans for the building have been developed by SBC’s own in-house architects.

The survey is available on the council’s website at www.scotborders.gov.uk/jim-clark-museum and paper copies are also available from the Jim Clark Room in Duns.

The aim is for the new museum to open in 2018.

Clyde Valley Group building on success

Lanarkshire housing association Clyde Valley Group (CVG) has passed a major milestone by building over 1700 houses in the past 15 years, with plans to develop another 660 by 2018.

Through a period of external challenges in the industry and beyond, the Group has continued to grow and diversify its offering to customers, providing high-quality, affordable homes at social, and mid-market, rental values.

ACHA opens new offices in Rothesay

Councillor Isobel Strong from Argyll and Bute Council and former Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) Board member, has officially opened ACHA’s new Longhill Crescent offices in Rothesay.

At a ceremony attended by Argyll and Bute’s Member of Parliament, Brendan O’Hara, the chair of ACHA James Milne MBE and ACHA chief executive Alastair MacGregor, Councillor Strong cut the ribbon to the new offices that were converted from an unused block of four flats that were in need of major renovation.

The offices are used by both ACHA and Argyll Homes For All (AHFA) staff and the conversion was carried out by local company George Hanson Ltd.