Building Briefs – February 18th

A north-east library has been named one of the most stunning in the world.

Aberdeen University’s Sir Duncan Rice Library figures in a new list compiled by the Mother Nature Network.

The glass structure – which opened to the public in 2012 – is featured alongside the likes of Trinity College Library in Dublin and the George Peabody Library in Maryland, US.

Also on the list are the New York Public Library, the Joanina Library in Portugal and the Haeinsa Temple in South Korea – home to the world’s most expansive collection of Buddhist texts.

The Mother Nature Network website credits Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects for the “stunning modern design” of the Aberdeen venue.

It said: “The library’s minimalist exterior opens to reveal a spiralling atrium; a dynamic vortex that connects the building’s eight storeys.”

The building was named after Sir Duncan Rice, who was at the helm of the university for 14 years.

Edinburgh housing plan delayed

The approval of a vital blueprint for housing development across Edinburgh has been delayed by councillors until after the election.

Discussion and a vote on the second version of the city’s Local Development Plan (LDP2) had been due to take place next week but has now been pushed back to mid-May.

Critics fear the document, which will determine whether homes are built at controversial sites including Cammo, is being held up to avoid political embarrassment ahead of the UK general election.

The planning blueprint won’t now be considered until 14 May at the earliest – a week after the general election on 7 May.

House price inflation still strong, says ONS

House prices in the UK rose by 9.8 per cent in the year to December, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

That was slightly lower than November’s rate, which stood at 9.9 per cent, but prices were still growing “strongly”, the ONS said.

Prices rose fastest in England at 10.2 per cent, and by 5.5 per cent in Scotland, 4.9 per cent in Northern Ireland and 4 per cent in Wales.

The national picture was heavily influenced by London where prices went up by 13.3 per cent.

The average UK home now costs £272,000.

Dedicated Mackintosh visitor and education centre planned

A major new visitor and education centre dedicated to the artist and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh is to be built in Glasgow city centre.

The project is to be made possible by the acquisition of 20,000 square feet of office and retail space, in a deal worth £2.3m, by the trust that owns The Willow Tea Rooms working in concert with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

Last year the building containing the famous tea rooms, a Category A-listed building in Sauchiehall Street, was bought by the Celia Sinclair Charitable Trust for about £400,000.

Now with the acquisition of the adjoining buildings, which recently came on the market, means The Willow Tea Rooms Trust can further expand its Mackintosh-related activity.

Groundwork for Dundee’s waterfront to be laid by year’s end

Groundwork for Dundee’s waterfront development is set to be in place by the end of this year.

With the road network, demolition and restructuring works nearing their completion, construction can get under way.

And as the preparatory phase of the development reaches its end, Councillor Will Dawson said reaching the milestone by the end of the year will enable developers to start putting “tools on the ground”.

Mr Dawson said there would be a focus on ensuring local industry plays a major part in the construction phase.

Lovell to build new East Kilbride council homes

South Lanarkshire Council has appointed Lovell to build a £2.6 million development of 22 environmentally-friendly new council homes at Belmont Drive, East Kilbride.

Lovell is set to start work shortly on the construction of the new homes on the former site of Canberra Primary School. In 2012, the school moved into a brand-new building next to its former location.

The new housing development forms part of South Lanarkshire Council’s new-build housing programme and will help with meeting the need for new high-quality affordable homes for social rent in East Kilbride. The Belmont Drive scheme will create a mix of two and three-bedroom houses, one-bedroom bungalows and two-bedroom cottage flats.

All 22 homes will be extremely energy-efficient - meaning lower fuel costs for residents - and will achieve the Building Standards Sustainability Level of Silver through the use of renewable and green technology, including photovoltaic solar panels.

Lovell was chosen for the scheme through a competitive tendering process. The company has previously carried out a successful large-scale housing refurbishment project for South Lanarkshire Council delivering extensive improvements to five blocks of flats at Greenhill Court, Rutherglen.

Funding agreed for Midlothian town centre study

Midlothian Council has agreed to spend £180,500 on a feasibility study regarding plans to regenerate Dalkeith town centre.

At the full council meeting this week, councillors approved funding to investigate options including building a new council headquarters, library and arts venue and contact centre.

Council leader Councillor Owen Thompson said: “We’re on the threshold of what we hope will be a new beginning for Dalkeith town centre. Working with partner agencies, we’ve already revitalised parts of the High Street and helped restore many historic buildings.

“This is the next step, concentrating this time on the area in and around Jarnac Court. Plans are at very early stages - this could be something we won’t see finished until well in 2023 or beyond. However, by committing the funding now, we can at least get valuable insight into what is and is not feasible in terms of making sure the town centre has the best possible future.”

Sandy Knowe wind farm plan rejected

Plans for a 30-turbine wind farm near Kirkconnel in Upper Nithsdale have been rejected by the Scottish Government.

Energy minister Fergus Ewing refused consent for Burcote Wind’s Sandy Knowe scheme in Dumfries and Galloway.

Developers said it could meet the energy needs of more than 41,000 homes.

However, Mr Ewing said he agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage which had raised serious concerns over cumulative impact and adverse landscape and visual affect the wind farm would have.

He said the Scottish Government wants to see the “right developments in the right places”.

Consultation on community benefit from renewable energy developments

People in Argyll and Bute will have the opportunity to comment on the council’s new framework for community benefits from onshore renewable developments such as windfarms.

The new document sets out guidance that developers and communities should take into account when considering community benefits.

The framework suggests that payments to communities be set at £5,000 per megawatt (MW) of installed capacity per year, that a regional element of funding be introduced and advocates community buy-in to new schemes.

The framework recommends that:

Fife primary school site to be considered for council housing

Fife Council is to consider the site of Tanshall Primary School in Glenrothes to ease the area’s shortfall in social housing.

The council’s education and children’s services directorate confirmed that the site will not be required for educational purposes after the school closes at the end of this school year in July.

Fairfield development nearing completion

Fairfield Housing Co-operative’s development of eight two bedroom flats in Perth city centre is due for completion by the end of March.

Working with Braemore Estates, FMC (Scotland) Ltd and supported by the Scottish Government, the development is an exciting addition to Fairfield’s stock situated in the city’s cafe quarter.

Care home plan for former Dundee nursery site

Abertay Housing Association is bidding to convert a derelict Dundee nursery into a dementia care centre.

The association applied to take over and refurbish the old Fintry nursery on Fintry Road, which has been empty since 2009, through Dundee City Council’s community asset transfer scheme.

The association’s application is currently in phase two of the Community Asset Transfer scheme and is currently being scrutinised by the council.

If the application is successful, Ian Thomson, Abertay chief executive says a lot of funding and investment will be needed to convert the Victorian building into a centre fit for purpose.