Building Briefs – February 13th

• ACHA receives Secure by Design award for Helensburgh new build

The new build comprises 32 units at a construction value of just under £5 million. Funding has come from the Scottish Government, ACHA and Argyll and Bute Council.

The Association received a Gold Award in recognition of the level of physical security, development layout and design to reduce the opportunity for crime and anti-social behaviour.

The housing mix at the development ranges from 3 and 4 bedroom houses to 1 and 2 bedroom flats, with five of the properties designed for tenants with special needs.

The development was built by local builders Calum Williamson Limited and designed by Helensburgh-based architect Lawrence Hill.

• West Dunbartonshire Council purchases land for cemetery expansion proposal

Vale of Leven Cemetery could be extended after councillors agreed to purchase a neighbouring piece of land.

The land south of Overton Road, Alexandria, has been assessed as suitable for use as a burial ground, and is big enough to provide 20 years of new lairs as well as providing a sustainable burial environment for the community.

Councillors discussed the £90,000 purchase at the infrastructure, regeneration and economic development committee today.

The proposals for the site will now be considered by the planning committee.

Following the decision, negotiations of the sale of land will now be concluded.

• Albyn Housing Society takes handover of new Nairn homes

An affordable housing scheme in Nairn has welcomed its first residents after Albyn Housing Society took handover of the development.

The 23 new build homes at Farnack Street have been allocated for affordable rent via the Highland Housing Register, providing much needed accommodation for local applicants. This included a specially adapted property to support the needs of a local youngster, Shauni McCallum (age 11), and her family.

Albyn Housing Society worked with lead contractor Springfield Properties to deliver the project in just 12 months. The new housing development represents a total investment of almost £3.2 million, with Scottish Government support totalling over £1.6m.

In the past year, Albyn Housing Society has completed affordable housing developments in Alness, Conon-Bridge, Inverness, Aviemore and Kirkhill.

Springfield Properties has previously worked with Albyn Housing Society to complete affordable housing sites in Alness, Inverness and Nairn.

• New Cumnock flood scheme enters final stage

New Cumnock’s £1.2 million flood defence scheme at the Leggate has entered its final phase of work.

Construction work will commence on the final stage of the scheme on Monday 18 February.

The Flood Prevention Scheme will protect properties close to the Connel Burn from future flooding. The works have been a combination of engineering measures, earth embankments and reinforced concrete walls that help to contain any floodwaters within the Connel Burn.

The works will involve the adjustment of the profile of the B741 carriageway that will compliment the work already carried out. They will also include a complete replacement of sections of the road, a new vertical alignment of this stretch and associated bridge works.

This phase of work will last for six weeks.

• A9 Tain South Junction closure

BEAR Scotland, acting on behalf of Transport Scotland, is planning to carry out essential resurfacing works on a section of the A9 Trunk Road, on the Tain Bypass. 

The works will require the Tain South junction with the A9 to remain closed between the hours of 1900hrs and 0700hrs from Sunday 10th March to Friday 15th March and traffic will be diverted onto the B9174 via the Tain North Junction.