Building Briefs – February 6th

• Cowiesburn appointed as managing agents for The Charlotte Square Collection

Since its formation in 2010, The Charlotte Square Collection has undertaken substantial improvements to the properties it owns resulting in over 25 businesses relocating to the historic Square including private banks, boutique asset managers and family offices alongside a number of other successful Scottish and global businesses. Future redevelopment projects are planned for an additional six townhouses within The Collection.

Cowiesburn will be responsible for the day-to-day interaction with existing tenants and will play an important role in maintaining the Square’s reputation as Edinburgh’s most prestigious business address.

• Official opening of new Aberdeenshire school

Pupils and staff at Kinellar Primary School in Blackburn today enjoyed marking the facility’s official opening alongside invited guests including Provost Bill Howatson who unveiled a special commemorative plaque.

The £12 million project was completed last year and serves as a unique example of Aberdeenshire’s nationally-recognised primary school building brief, built on two floors and boasting views of the local countryside from a completely different perspective from what the local community might have been able to enjoy before.

Its social staircase is already becoming a well-used architectural feature alongside its many other bright and airy flexible learning spaces, including the glass fronted library and learning area upstairs. The school’s teaching wings benefit from cleverly designed acoustics, modern set up and technology offerings in all 16 classrooms, and are on two levels, with lightwells connecting them.

The process of building this state-of-the-art facility was a unique experience for Aberdeenshire’s property, learning estates and planning teams alongside professional consultants from Halliday Fraser Munro and Fairhurst, and contractors Morrison Construction. It involved decanting more than 400 pupils to nearby Midmill School for 18 months, following a fire in their old building, as well as making temporary accommodation on site suitable for the nursery children. The new school is built on the same site as its predecessor and the building brief was adapted to suit the local landscape.

As part of the build, the project team also used the opportunity to improve facilities in the village by redeveloping a derelict tennis court and constructing an enclosed children’s play park as well as additional parking for use by the school as well as the local community. The project has been well-received by pupils, staff, residents and visitors to Blackburn alike.

• £713,000 to increase community flood resilience

Communities across Scotland will benefit from more than £700,000 additional funding to improve flood protection.

This includes £300,000 to support the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in its role as the national flood forecasting, flood warning and strategic flood risk management authority this year. It is also proposed to increase by a further £200,000 to £1.6 million for 2019/20.

The ‘Scottish Flood Forum’ will receive £33,000 in 2019/20 to work with stakeholders to raise awareness of the importance of making flood resilient repairs and installing flood protection measures for property.

And £180,000 has been made available to gather Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, which surveys terrain and will provide robust data to improve assessment and management of flood risk.  

• Flats plan approved for former Cammachmore hotel ​

Plans to demolish a former hotel have been approved.

Proposals by Rocin Ltd to flatten Cammies Restaurant in Cammachmore, near Newtonhill, to build five homes had been referred to Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee in December.

During the meeting last month, councillors unanimously decided to grant planning permission for the site.

• Dundee moots cycling and walking infrastructure investment

Proposals that could make cycling and walking the natural choice for local journeys in and around Dundee could come a step closer.

The Northern Links project plans investment in cycling and walking routes along three corridors into the city centre; Lochee Road, Victoria Road and Princes Street/King Street to restore the balance away from traffic and in favour of people.

An initial consultation in November showed strong support for moves to make these streets safer and more convenient for active travel by redesigning public spaces in a more attractive, healthier and more sociable way.

People can see and comment on the designs at https://dundeenorthernlinks.com, by email, or by attending an engagement event, details of which will be announced in the coming days on the website and social media.

The process is supported by the Scottish Government and run by Sustrans, who are looking for “big, bold and innovative projects to restore the balance of Scotland’s streets in favour of people walking and cycling.”

Draft proposals will be submitted to Sustrans by the end of April where decisions will be taken on whether they go forward to the next phase of detailed development.

• Regeneration project and Aberdeenshire Council planner both shortlisted for national planning awards

A project to bring silversmithing back to an Aberdeenshire town by redeveloping a derelict listed building has been shortlisted for a prestigious planning industry award.

The Smiddy Centre of Excellence for Silversmithing and Jewellery in Banff has been shortlisted for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2019.

The building was redeveloped by Aberdeenshire Council, with funding support from the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Historic Environment Scotland’s CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme). It was re-opened as a silversmithing hub last year in an effort to restore part of the town’s history.

Aberdeenshire Council senior policy planner Ailsa Anderson has also been shortlisted in the RTPI awards for Young Planner of the Year.

Ailsa works in the Local Development Plan team and was selected for her passion for planning and place-making, shown by her approach to ensuring full and effective engagement with stakeholders and members of the public.

The winners will be announced during a ceremony held at Milton Court Concert Hall in central London on April 24.

• Plans lodged for Elgin nursing home extension

Plans have been unveiled to expand a Moray care home as part of a modernisation project.

Abbeyside Care Group wants to build a 28-bed extension to Grove Residential Home in Elgin.

The care operator, who has three homes in the town, say the single-storey building will allow for a contained garden to do outdoor activities.

The project is expected to cost between £1 million-£2m.

• Crowdfunder launched to help restore Moray bridge

A £2 million crowdfunding campaign has been launched to help restore a Moray bridge.

The Craigellachie Bridge is a local landmark and a popular tourist attraction in Speyside.

Tourists flock to the 200-year-old cast iron crossing every year and it is synonymous with the whisky industry.

However, its condition has deteriorated because the metal is beginning to rust which can lead to then stonework loosening.

Now, a fundraising campaign has been launched by John Stewart, a chartered civil engineer, who wants to refurbish the landmark structure.

• Banff street to close for three months for regeneration works

Highly anticipated works are expected to start on 49-53 Bridge Street as part of the Banff Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS).

Bridge Street is estimated to be closed to traffic for three months from Wednesday, February 20, while the building works take place.

Work to convert the derelict building into three townhouses is being carried out by the North East Scotland Preservation Trust (NESPT) and will provide accommodation for visiting silversmiths at The Smiddy.

Once complete, the works will considerably improve the visual appearance of the street, which will go hand in hand with the works the CARS Project has already carried out in the area.

Banff CARS has so far seen a handful of buildings in Bridge Street and Low Street benefit from grants to improve their appearance, with further properties identified. Notably, the Smiddy and the former Tollbooth hotel are two buildings which have received grants through the scheme.