Building Briefs – December 18th

• Cleanship docks at 8 Nelson Mandela Place for new HQ

In a deal brokered by Knight Frank, the business has secured 5,100 sq. ft. on the third floor of 8 Nelson Mandela Place, moving from its previous location at Pacific Quay.

After a six-month search for new premises, Cleanship will now undertake a bold fit-out project on the space using only recycled materials and incorporating activity areas for staff.

Purchased by Topland in July 2017, 8 Nelson Mandela Place has undergone a significant refurbishment, including overcladding of the internal atrium and an overhaul to its reception area. Among the building’s other tenants are Corporate Travel Management, Shawbrook Bank, Watermans and the NHS.

• Grandhome welcomes Aboyne-based housebuilder AJC

AJC Homes has released new properties at the new Grandhome community located on the outskirts of Bridge of Don.

AJC Homes is one of three housebuilders currently developing the first neighbourhood in Grandhome, which is set to have approximately 650 homes, and is building a collection of over 30 properties.

Laura Webster, sales and marketing manager at AJC Homes, said: “Traditionally we are known for building properties in the countryside and small towns however we are very excited to launch our new city homes at Grandhome.

“With a range of house types to choose from and the benefits of the emerging Grandhome community, including parks and community space as well as shops, cafes and schools in the future, this is an opportunity to settle in a new build home with all of the benefits and atmosphere of village life.

“This is also a great chance to purchase a high quality home from a local housebuilder that is proud to include a high level of specification, including traditional copper piped plumbing and staircases handmade in our own joinery workshop.”

• Aggregate Industries provides base for Aberdeen FC development

Building and infrastructure materials supplier Aggregate Industries has supplied Aberdeen Football Club’s state-of-the-art training facilities and academy with its Levenseat ProPitch range of specialist sands and rootzone for the construction of three new training pitches.

The training facilities, known as Cormack Park, opened by Sir Alex Ferguson, are part of the wider Kingsford development.

This 25 hectare site will incorporate both Cormack Park and a stadium which will provide enhanced match-day and non match-day experiences. These will support the ambitions of the Club and its fans, further the award-winning work done in the local community by the AFC Community Trust, and provide wider economic and social benefits to the city and region.

• Barratt Developments celebrates year of giving as total funds raised exceeds £326,000 

Barratt Developments is celebrating a record breaking Christmas after its charitable fundraising efforts across the region topped more than £326,000 in donations.

Each year, the housebuilder works with a wide range of local causes, and this year, it stepped up its efforts by launching the Barratt and David Wilson Community Fund, which donates £1,000 to a deserving local cause in each of its three Scottish divisions every month.

It also partnered with national charities, including the British Heart Foundation, It’s good 2 Give and the Rock Trust, to deliver major fundraising events, while staff also took part in local volunteering opportunities such as charity abseils, beach cleans and work with Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children.

• Council begins preparations for new River Leven waterfront path

West Dunbartonshire Council has carried out clearance works along the shore of the River Leven in the first phase of enabling for a new waterfront walkway.

The work included removing old structures, demolition waste and flotsam, as well as low quality vegetation and invasive species from the area.

The foreshore was also regraded with new materials to make the area more suitable for walking as well as enhancing its  look.

Work was undertaken from the west side of Dumbarton Football Club at the foot of Dumbarton Rock, along the east bank of the River Leven, to the entrance of the tidal basin throughout September and October.

When complete, the waterfront path will link the town centre with the Rock and Castle and provide continuous public access to the foreshore of the River for the first time in 150 years.

Two sections of the path, within the site of the former Ballentie’s Distillery and along the tidal basin, are currently being delivered by the landowners, Culross and Lidl. 

The remaining sections will be delivered by the landowners Turnberry Homes and Dumbarton Football Club in cooperation with the council.

• Dunfermline electrician sparks festive cheer

A Fife electrical firm is celebrating another busy festive season with the delivery of thousands of Christmas lights throughout the UK.

Glynn McFadden Electrical has spent three months delivering more than 30 projects as far afield as Manchester and Newcastle. As well as installing Christmas lights, the firm also carries out work such as eye bolt testing and fittings checks to ensure the safety of installations.

Much of the work is carried out for specialist firm Blachere Illuminations. This year’s biggest job was in Manchester, where the Scottish firm installed lights in 160 trees in the city centre.

• Castle Wynd streetscape improvement works

Streetscape improvement works are to commence on Monday 6th January 2020 at Castle Wynd, Inverness.

Contractor Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd has been appointed the £373,515 project on an estimated 16-week contract which aims to be completed by the end of April 2020 – weather dependent.

Following completion of the works, pedestrians will benefit from an increase in walkways and upgrade of the steps to Inverness Castle and the footsteps leading to the River Ness behind upper Bridge Street will also be improved.

To allow these works to take place, the taxi rank at Castle Wynd will be closed from 6 January 2020 onwards. Full time taxi rank space has been maintained on the south side of Bridge Street.  

Members of the City of Inverness Area City have agreed to the removal of the taxi rank arrangements at the Wynd. The works start date of January 6 has been selected to allow for adequate notice to be given to the public and for the rank to be used through the festive period.

The works will include road and footway reconstruction using granite setts and kerbs, and Caithness flagstones.  New granite steps will be installed on the Castle approach and steps, along with new pedestrian handrails. The former toilet block will be rendered, and its existing signage replaced.

All of Castle Wynd (the U3831) will be affected from the junction with Bridge Street (B861). The Castle Steps and the Castle approach are also affected.  Castle Wynd will be closed to all vehicles except for access to Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, car parks and for refuse collection.

Pedestrian access will be maintained to Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.

• New buyer for Holmston House

Holmston House in Ayr may yet be transformed into new homes now the building has new owners.

South Ayrshire Council revealed a proposal last week for the development of eight affordable homes at the site as part of its strategic housing plan.

Motherwell-based Modern Housing Group is the latest buyer of the Holmston House site, the Ayrshire Post reports.

Planning permission was previously granted to develop homes alongside a care home on the 3.3-acre site.

In recent days, the grounds of the historic house have been full of workmen tackling the overgrown site and B-listed structure.

Holmston House sits on one of the main routes into Ayr on Holmson Road and stands opposite the derelict Station Hotel.

A spokesman from Modern Housing Group said that there are plans to hold discussions about the development over the course of the next few weeks.

The sandstone pile which dates back to 1860, was sold by the council for £1,575 million three years ago.

It has changed hands several times since then and has been marketed by Colliers real estate.

Ayrshire Housing said it has been involved in conversations concerning the creation of affordable homes on the plot.

Jim Whiston, Ayrshire Housing director, said: “informal discussions with both the previous and current owners have taken place.”

• North Ayrshire Council hailed for empty homes initiative

North Ayrshire Council has been congratulated for its outstanding efforts to bring empty homes back into use.

The council’s private sector team was honoured by Shelter Scotland for its work in breathing new life into disused properties.

At Shelter’s annual Scottish Empty Homes Conference, the team was named Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year 2019 for Outstanding Service.

This was in recognition of the progress that North Ayrshire Council has made in the last three years, with a cumulative total of 462 empty homes brought back into use since 2016.

North Ayrshire Council recently announced it is expanding its ambitious masterplan to build hundreds of new council houses.

The recently-approved Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) will secure investment in a total of 1,695 properties across North Ayrshire over the period 2020-2025, working alongside Registered Social Landlords.

The plan includes a commitment for more new-build homes on top of the council’s already ambitious proposals as well providing a catalyst for the regeneration of towns and communities across the area.