Building Briefs – February 14th

DM Hall unveils innovative new energy department

In recognition of the increasingly crucial role that energy efficiency plays in the UK’s built environment, chartered surveyors DM Hall is launching a new dedicated energy department.

Branded as DM Hall Energy, the new service will be hosted in DM Hall’s Glasgow office and ably supported by a Dunfermline department. It will be fronted by new head of energy, Mark O’Neill, a qualified Non-domestic Energy Assessor and Section 63 Advisor, who joined DM Hall in 2006.

The new department will be responsible for all non-domestic energy issues as well as introducing a consultancy service providing impartial, independent and reliable advice to SMEs, landlords and property occupiers.

Mark O’Neill will head the team which will include Alan Jeffrey and Paul Hope of the firm’s Dunfermline office, as well as a number of energy assessors based across DM Hall’s network of offices.

While providing a country wide service, DM Hall Energy will focus on Scotland’s main commercial and industrial areas to address the growing appetite for sensible and affordable energy solutions.

Borders recycling centre to close for asbestos removal

A recycling centre in the Borders will be forced to close for three days after asbestos was found dumped in a skip.

The Eyemouth site will have to shut from 22 to 24 February in order to safely dispose of the asbestos.

It has been estimated the final cost of dealing with the substance will be a “four-figure sum” for the local authority.

Scottish Borders Council has urged the public and businesses to use licensed contractors to remove the material.

Gleneagles reveals new ‘holiday village’ plans

One of Perthshire’s best known hotels is aiming to create a luxurious multi-million-pound leisure development which will include holiday tepees, a spa and restaurants.

Modelled on an existing site of the Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, the proposal will see buildings at Easterton Farm, near Auchterarder, razed to be replaced by holiday lodges, a pub, residential plots, a retail development, a reception building and parking.

Gleneagles claims the project – if it receives the green light from Perth and Kinross Council – will attract visitors from across the UK and “further afield”, while also creating jobs in the process.

Gleneagles has submitted a proposal of application for the ambitious Perthshire development with the council, with the intention of lodging full plans around April/May.

Construction industry’s Oscars now searching an ocean of talent

Renowned for rewarding the most talented leaders in construction management, the Construction Manager of the Year Awards is open until 6 March 2017 (is still free to enter) and is now open to a wider range of managers in construction than ever before.

For almost 40 years the competition, run by the Chartered Institute of Building, has built a reputation for showcasing the very finest talent in construction. The awards are unique in the industry celebrating the person and not the project.

And for 2017 not only is the competition open to construction managers who are working in programme management, for consulting firms and for clients, a whole new range of categories has been added.

New associate members increases sector representation for Federation of Piling Specialists

The Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) is pleased to welcome three new associate members.

The three new members are Arup Group Ltd, the multinational professional services firm that provides engineering, design, planning, project management and consulting services for all aspects of the built environment; Geofirma Ltd, a niche geotechnical consultancy and Pile Designs Ltd, an independent company providing geotechnical advice and undertaking calculations for pile loading and retaining walls.

Companies encouraged to ‘Meet the Buyer’ in Dundee

Local Tayside companies who are keen to bid for work from the public sector are being encouraged to attend a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event at the Invercarse Hotel next week.

The initiative on Tuesday February 21 will give potential new suppliers the opportunity to talk informally about upcoming contracts, find out about tendering and the criteria for buying goods and services.

A wide range of goods and services are bought in by public bodies including personal care, building works, transport and catering.

Buying personnel from organisations including Angus, Dundee City, Fife and Perth & Kinross councils, NHS Tayside, universities, colleges and Tayside Contracts will be at the Invercarse Hotel between 10am and 2pm.

Companies looking for more information should contact John Scott, Dundee City Council, enterprise co-ordination officer, on 01382 434275 john.scott@dundeecity.gov.uk

Jewson searches Scotland for Young Tradesperson of the Year

Builders’ merchant Jewson is calling on construction professionals from across Scotland to submit their entries for its Young Tradesperson of the Year competition.

Following a successful launch in 2016, Jewson has announced the second Young Tradesperson of the Year competition to showcase and celebrate the work of the building trade’s freshest talent.

New for 2017 is the introduction of five entry categories with a grand prize of VIP festival tickets, a holiday abroad and up to £250 worth of building materials from Jewson. The prizes will be awarded to the entries that impress the judges most.

The competition is open to anyone 30 years of age and under in a skilled trade and working full or part-time in the construction industry. It is also open to apprentices as well as those who have recently received their qualifications.

Entrants are required to demonstrate their levels of skill and professionalism by submitting examples of their work and answering a short series of questions via the Jewson website by 24th February 2017. Video entries are also encouraged, giving candidates a chance to show off some of their personality.