Building Briefs – December 10th

The final stage of the Cockenzie Power Station demolition is to take place on Thursday December 17 at 2pm, two years since plant shut down.

The remaining section of the boiler house still stands after the 500ft chimneys were destroyed in a controlled explosion in September.

A second explosion brought down the turbine hall structure immediately after.

The boiler house is 220m in length, 60m in height, 30m in width, and is predominantly made of steel.

Sections of both Edinburgh Road and the John Muir Way near the station will be closed from 1pm, opening after the demolition.

A section of the Greenhills will be open to members of the public wishing to view the demolition.

Continued lack of homes pushing up Scottish house prices

Surveyors have called on the Scottish Government to show a similar appetite for housebuilding as Chancellor George Osborne after a survey revealed the lack of stock is continuing to increase the cost of homes in Scotland.

The latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey found that 45 per cent more chartered surveyors saw prices rise across Scotland during November, an increase on the previous month.

Anecdotal evidence from respondents suggests that the long-term lack of stock is holding back transaction levels. Last year’s introduction of LBTT was also mentioned as holding back the prime market in Scotland.

Sarah Speirs, RICS in Scotland director said: “I can’t recall a set of comments in the residential survey which have so frequently drawn attention to lack of stock on the market. Given this, it is hard not to envisage prices continuing to climb upwards as we move through the early stages of 2016. It remains to be seen if the government will set initiatives to drive up the rate of new build and the impact that it will have on the market. We await the Scottish budget announcement on 16 December to see if the government will emulate the Chancellor’s emphasis on housing.

“A material rise in the cost of borrowing has the potential to take some of the momentum out of the market, but there is, at this stage, little indication that the Bank of England is minded to take a steer from the US Federal Reserve. Moreover, all the signals from the Bank still point to a very gradual upward trajectory for base rates when it eventually decides to move policy in this direction.”

Edinburgh’s City Restaurant gets a new look

Edinburgh’s City Restaurant has undergone a full re-brand and refurbishment after securing £150,000 in funding from Clydesdale Bank.

The redevelopment of the popular eatery on Nicolson Street coincides with its 20th anniversary celebrations.

The family restaurant was established in 1995 by Guiseppe and Margerita Pia, but has been run by their son Marco and his wife, Joanne, since 2009.

Work underway on £1.2m park revamp in West Lothian

Work is underway to redevelop a park in West Lothian.

The council and transport charity Sustrans are together investing £1.2 million at Almondvale Park in Livingston.

Work includes replacing the Amphitheatre with a bespoke adventure playpark, wildflower planting, replacing picnic/seating areas, removing trees to open up paths and improving river views.

In addition, a measured walk and parkrun will be developed, the existing NCN75 cycle path will be re-routed, and a new toucan crossing will be installed on Calder Park Road.

Other features involve landscaping and public art works with a new viewing platform for the Howden Pier. New signage and lighting will also be installed, as well as upgrading existing foot/cycle paths.

Fife plasterer is Scotland’s top Craft Apprentice of 2015

A 24 year old plasterer from Fife has been named Apprentice of the Year at the Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council’s 2015 Apprenticeship Awards.

Now in the third year of his apprenticeship with Fife Council, Lewis McKerchar received the prestigious James Birnie award for Craft Excellence at a special ceremony in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 9th December.

Lewis, who is currently studying for an Advanced Certificate in Plastering at Edinburgh College, was nominated for the award by his employer, Fife Council, in recognition of his tremendous enthusiasm, professionalism and outstanding quality of work. Lewis is following in the footsteps of his own grandfather, who worked for many years as a plasterer to trade before retiring.

The James Birnie Award for Craft Excellence recognises the talents of Scotland’s traditional craft apprentices undertaking any of the four year SVQ level 3 programmes. It is the only dedicated award that recognises excellence in apprenticeships in the traditional building craft trades in Scotland.