Building Briefs – December 13th

Latest phase of affordable Dingwall homes handed over to Albyn Housing Society

Albyn Housing Society has taken handover of a new phase of affordable homes in Dingwall, delivering fresh progress on its commitment to bring 750 new homes to the Highlands by 2020.

The new development comprises a total of 22 modern apartments including 16 available for social rent with Albyn Housing Society and six for mid-market rent with Albyn subsidiary, Highland Residential.

Representing a total investment of £2.8 million including £1.4m support from the Scottish Government, construction commenced at the site in September 2016 with Simpson Builders appointed as developer.

Set up in 2015, Highland Residential leases properties under the new mid-market rent affordable homes model, which evidence shows supports longer, better and more sustainable tenancies. Highland Residential also works with private landlords, driving an increase in affordable private rental properties across the Highlands.

Housing plans lodged for two Dundee sites

Revised plans for new homes on the outskirts of Dundee and a bid to replace a once-popular pub with new build flats have been submitted to the local authority.

Crawford Architectural and Persimmon Homes North Scotland’s new plans for Dykes of Gray propose 30 new homes of various sizes.

Each of the homes will be a detached dwelling, the majority of which will have four bedrooms.

A minority of the homes in the 1.69 hectare site will be slightly smaller and have three bedrooms.

In a planning statement included with the application, Persimmon said there was a focus on providing larger dwellings in an out-of-town setting, in a bid to reduce traffic in the area.

The new plans are a revision of a proposal submitted earlier this year, which had promised up to 42 homes in this first phase of the development.

However, a spokesman for Persimmon Homes said that additional plans were yet to be submitted to the council which would bring a total of 62 houses in addition to the hundreds already planned or built in the area.

Meanwhile the Jimmy Shand pub in Dickson Avenue, Menzieshill, could soon be replaced with new flats, according to new plans lodged with the council.

The plan submitted by MCD Construction Consultancy Ltd is seeking the “demolition of existing derelict public house building and construction of four three-bedroom houses and a block of 12 two-bedroom apartments”.

The reason behind the demolition, stated in the planning statement submitted by Punch Taverns plc, is that the public house has been closed for more than seven years and there is no interest in it being reopened.

The townhouses are set to be over three levels and the apartments over two.

The current site has 20 car parking spaces and plans indicate that an additional two spaces will be added along with parking spaces for bikes.

There will also be space for waste and recycling facilities.

Developer selected to deliver 10 new homes for Hebridean Housing Partnership

Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP) has awarded the contract for the development of 10 new homes for affordable rent in Leurbost to Calmax Construction.

Preparatory works are underway with a view to the building works commencing in January 2018 and keys being handed over to new tenants in November 2018. The total cost of the project at Cleascro Road is £1.52 million of which just over £1m will be funded by Scottish Government Grant. The Comhairle is contributing £24k to the project demonstrating its commitment to developing homes in the rural areas. HHP will provide the remainder of the funding.

Next phase of Port of Leith Housing Association’s window replacement work complete

The planned maintenance division of CCG has completed a further two phases of Port of Leith Housing Association’s window renewal programme.

CCG Asset Management has been based in Leith for several years, undertaking various phases of renewal of the Association’s Pre 1919 and Post 1980 window stock.

The Pre 1919 renewal (Year 2) involved 156 properties in the Leith area of Edinburgh and involved the installation of traditional sash and case windows. The Post 1980 renewal (Year 3), undertaken to 129 properties in Ferry road and Lochend South. The Ferry road development was our own timber windows, and the Lochend South area involved the installation of UPVC windows.

Remains of old St Andrews sawmill to be demolished

The crumbling remains of a St Andrews sawmill dating back more than 150 years are to be pulled down.

St Andrews Sailing Club said the Old Pump House, on its site in Woodburn Place, has become a safety hazard and the club has applied for permission to have it knocked down.

Fife Council, which leases the site to the club, is not opposed to the demolition plans and St Andrews Preservation Trust said the building’s historical interest was “minimal”.

The sailing club has plans to re-use some of the stone blocks from the Old Pump House, in particular the 1851 date carving.