Building Briefs – December 8th

Ramboll Environ doubles Edinburgh presence

Ramboll Environ – the environment and health business of global engineering, design and consultancy company Ramboll – has increased its presence in Edinburgh, taking 409 sq m (4,400 sq ft) on the fifth floor of 7 Castle Street at the heart of the city’s historic centre.

The company has moved from Walker Street, where it occupied around 260 sq m (2,800 sq ft). It has taken its new space on assignment from Castle Street Investments.

Two key appointments also reinforce Ramboll Environ’s strength in Scotland. Simon Little has been appointed as a Senior Manager in its Site Solutions team while Kerttu Ots joins the firm’s environmental planning practice area as a Senior Landscape Architect.

Ramboll Environ’s team in Scotland provides a full range of environmental consultancy services, with clients including Aberdeen Asset Management and SSE.

Police investigating arson attack on GHA office

Police are hunting two men who deliberately set fire to a Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) office in Glasgow.

CCTV footage shows the pair break into the property in Ashgill Road, Milton, on Saturday at about 20:15 and attempt to set light to the door.

Police said the blaze did not take hold because of the wind and rain.

They returned at 22:10 and broke into the office before setting another fire which caused substantial damage.

Det Con Katy Allan, of Police Scotland, said: “We know from our enquiries that this was a targeted attack.

“The men, who had been sitting in a silver car opposite the building for some time prior to the incident, had the audacity to come back and set a fire again when the first one didn’t take full hold.

“They were obviously determined to inflict some serious damage to the building which will now be closed until enquiries and repairs are complete.

“As mentioned, the men had the engine running in the car prior to the fire and I am sure they would have been heard or seen by a neighbour for this reason.

“Anyone with information about the fire raising can contact Maryhill CID on 101 or alternatively can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence.”

GHA North West Area director, Jackie Morris, said: “We’ll re-open our Milton office as soon as possible. In the meantime, tenants can use a couple of other GHA offices nearby.

“We are co-operating with the police as they investigate the fire.”

Glasgow Airport runway to get £15m upgrade

Glasgow Airport’s runway is to be resurfaced as part of a £15 million upgrade that will see late night flights rescheduled.

Operations Director Mark Johnston told the Evening Times that passenger numbers could reach 9 million next year and a complete overhaul of the facility’s only runway is essential if expansion is to continue apace.

He said: “We’re doing a full runway rehabilitation in quarter four next year and it’s a biggie. It will cost in the region of £10million to £15million.

“It’s a resurfacing. We take a small strip off the top and build on top of it again. You use the existing substructure but you take enough so that you can then put the new asphalt on top.

“They strip out a bit, they put some down and track all the way along. That takes about three months so you have night closures.”

Hawick flood work ‘must start immediately’

An MSP has called for work on a flood prevention scheme for Hawick to begin “immediately”.

John Lamont has written to the Scottish Government after hundreds of homes were evacuated at the weekend.

Scottish Borders Council has been working on a flood prevention scheme since 2010 and is currently developing outline designs for a preferred option.

The Scottish Government said it helped communities to deliver “appropriate flood protection” for their areas.

Mr Lamont said he was backing calls from councillor Stuart Marshall to accelerate the process of implementing the flood plan.

He wants to see the funding process speeded up with central funding set aside for Hawick “immediately”.

Mr Lamont has asked for officials from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to help the council finalise the preferred flood prevention scheme within a strict timetable, published as soon as possible.

Stirling Council completes new homes in Cowie

The wraps have officially come off ten new homes for Stirling Council tenants in Cowie.

The bungalows in Cowie’s Main Street and Burns Terrace were all built by the council’s own housing service and tenants began moving in this week.

The Cowie bungalows are a mix of one and two-bedroom properties and add to further bungalows completed previously in Cornton and Riverside in Stirling as well as Killearn

Due to be completed shortly are further properties in Cambusbarron and Plean as well as a former shop unit conversion in Stirling’s Top of the Town district.

Since 2012 Stirling Council has either built or purchased more than 100 new flats and houses for social rent.

Mural marks Glasgow regeneration milestone

A mural which celebrates a Glasgow community’s past and present is helping residents look to the future.

The artwork inspired by Anderston’s young and old is now a fixture of Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association’s £50 million area regeneration.

The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) was given a budget of £15,000 for a mural to mark the completion of the regeneration project’s third phase.

Third-year architecture students used the memories and stories of residents to create the unique artwork unveiled on Friday.

GSA tutor Nick Walker, of Collective Architecture, helped guide the process to its conclusion.

Atrium completes office move

Kilmarnock registered social landlord Atrium Homes has completed its long planned move to new purpose built offices at Central Avenue, Shortlees.

The offices are deliberately located in the heart of Atrium’s largest community and will be the central point from which they plan to serve all their communities for years to come.

At present Atrium has 1250 properties spread across nine towns in East Ayrshire, making it the largest RSL in the district, whilst through Choice Places, its factoring subsidiary it also provides factoring services 1450 owners.

Timber Trade Federation appoints new director

The Timber Trade Federation has announced the appointment of David Hopkins as new director.

Mr Hopkins is currently director at Wood for Good, the timber industry communications campaign.

He will now take a position on the Board of Wood for Good as he moves into his new role at TTF.

Councillors agree start date for Kirkintilloch remedial works

Councillors have agreed a start date for remedial works on a primary school in East Dunbartonshire.

Tender documents are now being prepared for the Holy Family Primary School in Kirkintilloch as a result of the Structural Survey.

Works are scheduled to begin in April 2016.

Work begins on £2.7m refurb project in Inverclyde

Work has started on a £2.7 million refurbishment programme in Inverclyde.

A derelict section of Greenock’s Municipal Buildings will undergo redevelopment works.

The former police office is due to be transformed into modern office accommodation.

The work is expected to take up to a year.

In addition, the council also plans to refurbish the former James Watt College.

Glasgow civic space and bandstand to undergo £120,000 refurb

A civic space and bandstand in Glasgow is set to undergo a £120,000 refurbishment.

Work at ‘The Benches’ or ‘The Cobbles’ is part of a community planning Possilpark/Ruchill Thriving Places initiative.

Consultations have been held with the local community over the past six months to see what improvements they would like for the area.

Features of the upgrade projects includes a new bandstand, a market area, activity areas and a greenspace environment.

In addition, new seating, bins and picnic tables will be installed.

Once a contractor is appointed, work is due to begin in Spring 2016 with completion scheduled for that summer.