Building Briefs – August 3rd

Taylor Wimpey West Scotland is to host a second public exhibition of its proposals to deliver a residential development of new homes through the development of land at Auchinairn Road, Robroyston.

Held in conjunction with its development partner Caledonian Properties Ltd, the event will take place on Wednesday 15 August between 4pm and 8pm at Wallacewell Primary School, Robroyston, G21 3RH.

This pre-application consultation event replicates a similar event that was held in June this year, and is another opportunity for members of the public to view the development proposals for around 300 new homes, with public open space and footpath links together with the associated infrastructure required for a development of this scale.

Part of the site outlined for the proposed development is identified in the adopted Local Development Plan for residential development.

Plans submitted for 11 homes in Aberdeen

Plans have been lodged to build 11 homes in Aberdeen.

Housebuilder AJC Limited hopes to build the properties on land to the north of Culter House Road.

The five-bedroom homes would come with associated car parking, with space for three cars being allocated to each house.

Planning officer Peter Roberts has stated that the development was in keeping with the Cults area.

Young apprentices help deliver energy efficient homes in Yoker

Minister for local government, housing and planning, Kevin Stewart, visited this week to see first-hand, the benefits realised by the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS), an initiative to tackle fuel poverty and increase energy efficiency in homes.

The minister met young apprentices employed by Everwarm, the contractor appointed by Glasgow City Council to deliver an external wall insulation project in Yoker as part of its Affordable Warmth Programme.

Jointly funded by the Scottish Government, Energy Company Obligation funding and owner contributions, this HEEPS Area Based Scheme will also reduce carbon emissions, and enable householders to make fuel savings in their properties. Since its launch in 2013, the HEEPS programme has so far levered in over £95 million in funding into Glasgow, which has benefitted over 10,000 of the city’s residents.

For Everwarm, delivering programmes such as the Yoker project has enabled them to build a strong local in-house capability, providing sustainable employment opportunities across a range of disciplines which includes offering apprenticeship opportunities to young people.

Everwarm is currently delivering external wall insulation works to over 70 Yoker homes. The programme is set to roll into a second phase to meet the demand from owners in that area, which will benefit individual properties and the community as a whole.

Interest-free energy efficiency loan scheme extended

An interest-free loan offer designed to help registered social landlords progress their stock towards meeting the required Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) has been extended until the end of August.

The HEEPS RSL Loan is backed by the Scottish Government and allows suitable housing providers to borrow between £30,000 and £1 million to cover a range of insulations (including internal wall, external wall, cavity wall, lofts, flat roofs, under floor and hot water cylinders), as well as installation of draught proofing and renewable technologies.

To apply, RSLs must have a compliant procurement process, use a Green Deal certified installer and ensure all improvements comply with relevant industry standards.

For more information, including a full list of measures and how to apply, visit the Energy Saving Trust’s website at www.bit.ly/2O8r91n.

Successful loans will be subject to an administrative fee.

New Kirkintilloch affordable housing proposals on show

Local residents are being offered the chance to find out more about proposals to build 38 affordable homes in Kirkintilloch at a public event.

As part of the Kirkintilloch Town Centre Masterplan, East Dunbartonshire Council is proposing to develop affordable housing at the former Lairdsland Primary School in Kirkintilloch. The site is located on Kerr Street near the town centre.

The proposal is to build 38 affordable homes on the site which would include social rented and shared equity flats.

The public will be given an opportunity to meet the architects to discuss the proposals and give feedback.

The event takes place on Thursday 9 August 2018 at Park Centre, Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch, G66 1 LF from 3 - 8pm.

The plans displayed at the engagement event will also be available on the consultation pages of the council’s website.

Exhibition to take place on Gorebridge improvement projects

An exhibition is to take place in Gorebridge to inform locals about the improvement projects planned for the town centre.

Locals can meet the design team at an open event on 15 August, 2pm-7.30pm, at Gorebridge Community Development Trust’s office on 58 Main Street.

The event will notify residents about the Gorebridge Connected Project, a partnership between Midlothian Council, Gorebridge Community Development Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, the Scottish Government and ScotRail.

As well as the repair and restoration of the Gorebridge station building for community use, the project will see improvements to Hunter Square, along with the Main Street Link Project which includes the development of the Gorebridge Heritage Trail.

The Hunter Square improvements will include widened footpaths, new paving and bollards, landscaping, a new pedestrian crossing, and traffic calming measures. A new public space will be created with new seating, new street lighting, new bus shelters, a community notice board and a heritage trail interpretative panel.

Work commenced in July and will take approximately 16 weeks to complete.