Building Briefs – February 21st

Aberdeen to become Scotland’s first gigabit-speed fibre broadband city

Aberdeen is set to become Scotland’s first city in which nearly every home and business will have access to gigabit-speed broadband.

A £40 million investment of private funds will see a new Gigabit-capable full fibre broadband network under the Vodafone and CityFibre Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) programme.

Those behind the partnership said the work will also help the Scottish Government achieve its ‘Reaching 100%’ ambition of making Scotland one of the best connected places in Europe, unlocking its full potential in a digital world.

Fibre optic cables are used for every stage of the connection, from the customer’s home or business to the Internet. This means Vodafone will be able to provide customers with ultrafast and reliable broadband services capable of Gigabit speeds (1,000 Mbps). With no copper wire to slow the network down, the ultrafast connection will transform users’ online experience. At present, just 3% of UK premises have access to these superior standard connections.

New Stornoway homes planned by Hebridean Housing Partnership

Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP) has announced plans to transform the corner of Stag Road in Stornoway with the construction of 12 new homes.

To be located on the site of the former Stag Bakeries, the homes, made up of 8 x 2 bedroom and 4 x 1 bedroom properties, are being built by Lewis Builders and should be ready for tenants by April 2019.

The cost of the development is £1.05 million of which £868k is being funded by Scottish Government Grant.

Bancon Homes launches Banchory apartments development

The second phase of Bancon Homes’ Oaklands development in Banchory has recently been launched.

The independent Aberdeenshire housebuilder has now sold out of its first phase of homes and demand is expected to be just as high for the new phase.

Available to buy off plan now are 12 two-bedroom apartments positioned in the heart of the development

These are the first apartments to be built in Banchory since Bancon Homes’ previous Ambleside development sold out in 2015. They are also available with Help to Buy.

The new properties will add to the high-end development with energy-efficient homes that suit every lifestyle.

Stirling Council completes new homes in Riverside

Eight new properties for Stirling Council tenants have been completed on the site of the former Riverside Swimming Pool.

The James Street development, which was supported by £368,000 of Scottish Government grant funding, comprises four one-bedroom and four two-bedroom cottage flats that were designed and built by the council’s in-house team.

Built to the latest building standards with an ‘A’ rating for energy efficiency, the completed flats benefit from solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage. The development also features an off-site manufactured timber frame system which was delivered to site complete with pre-installed insulation.

This type of construction not only affords control over quality and cost but also allows more efficient use of material within the factory which helps reduce the amount of waste generated on site.

Buckie nursery refurbishment underway

Work has begun on the refurbishment of Lady Cathcart in Buckie to provide a new nursery for local youngsters.

Moray-based contractors Darroch & Allan will transform the building over a six-month period, including installation of new changing facilities, development of a family room and specialist provision for children with additional support needs.

An outdoor learning area, space for messy play and modern garden will also be created as part of the £672,000 investment being delivered by Moray Council. The project is the first phase of the fully-funded commitment by the Scottish Government to offer 1,140 hours of Early Learning & Childcare for three and four year-olds, and eligible two year-olds, by 2020.

Further refurbishments and building programmes for nurseries in Moray will be announced alongside the publication of the Early Learning & Childcare delivery plan later this year.

East Dunbartonshire Council extends Catherine Street upgrade consultation

East Dunbartonshire Council has extended a consultation on potential improvement options for the junction of Catherine Street in Cowgate and Kerr Street in Kirkintilloch.

In 2016/17, a rolling programme of upgrade works were carried out as part of the Kirkintilloch Town Centre Masterplan, which included a redesigned Catherine Street junction and the removal of traffic lights.

Councillors requested a report on potential future options for the junction and in November last year, it was decided to progress consultations with internal, external and community stakeholders. This is being carried out in addition to a process of engagement and information-gathering in partnership with the community.

The consultation, which reveals plans for two potential layouts to reintroduce traffic signals at the Catherine Street junction, is available online for comment until Wednesday, 28 February.

Work begins on Huntly Swimming Pool upgrade

Work is underway to upgrade Huntly Swimming Pool in Aberdeenshire.

More than £300,000 is being invested to improve the facility, with both swimming pool plant systems being modernised to ensure they continue to provide appropriate water treatment.

Other features include:

The project began on Monday and is scheduled to take 12 weeks to complete.

aBV continues £3.2m Rutherglen waste water infrastructure upgrade

amey Black & Veatch (aBV) is continuing work on a £3.2 million waste water infrastructure improvement project in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.

The next phase of the scheme involves installing new pipework and a new sewer chamber on Viewpark Drive. Work is now underway and is anticipated to last around six weeks.

To carry out the scheme safely, a road closure is necessary at the crossroads of Viewpark Drive and Victoria Road. Road traffic management and diversions are in place.

The £3.2m project is part of a £250m, five-year investment programme announced by Scottish Water in 2013 to improve river water quality and the natural environment of the River Clyde, enable the Greater Glasgow area to grow and develop, alleviate sewer flooding and deal with the effects of increased rainfall from climate change.

Demolition of Brechin’s Damacre Centre to begin

The demolition of the Damacre Centre in Brechin will begin on Monday, 26 February.

A site compound is being installed and every effort will be made to keep the contractor’s vehicles within that area.

Work is scheduled to be completed in July.