Building Briefs - January 27th

Work is now underway on 31 new council homes for rent in Thornton, Fife.

The houses will be built in the village’s Orebank Terrace and will be a mix of bungalows, four in a block flats and two storey houses, ranging from one bedroom to five and will include wheelchair and amenity housing.

Cllr Judy Hamilton, executive spokesperson for Housing & Building Services at Fife Council, Cllr Altany Craik, Glenrothes committee area chair, and ward councillors met with council staff on site to mark the occasion.

Cllr Judy Hamilton is pleased with the progress of the affordable housing programme that aims to deliver 2,700 homes by 2017.

She said: “So far over 800 new homes have been built across Fife where families and individuals are settling into good quality rented accommodation that fits their need.

No penalty if Marischal plan is shelved

Aberdeen City Council has said there would be no financial penalty associated with cancelling the Marischal Square development.

Finance convenor Councillor Willie Young had said there would be a cancellation fee of about £100m if the project was scrapped.

The council now says there would be a risk of legal action if it was halted - but no immediate penalty fee.

Barrett Homes unveils new property styles at Dalkieth development

Barratt Homes is releasing two new property styles at its popular Eskbank development in Dalkeith on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

The new releases, The Arkaig and Linnhe, are both two bedroom cottage flats that are ideal for those looking for an investment property or for first time buyers.

The Arkaig is a main door ground floor apartment, which comprises of a lounge with open plan kitchen, dining area and further benefits from a Juliet balcony.

The property also features a master bedroom with ensuite, second bedroom and a family bathroom.

The apartment has ample storage and is available for £175,995.

SSE latest to cut prices

Perth-based energy company SSE has said it will cut its domestic gas prices by 4.1 per cent from 30 April, a move which will save the average customer household £28 a year.

SSE is now the fifth of the “big six” energy firms to have reduced gas prices, following cuts from E.On, British Gas, Scottish Power and Npower.

EDF is the only one of the big six yet to announce price cuts.

Wholesale gas prices have fallen sharply in recent months following the recent big drop in oil prices.

SSE also said it would extend by at least six months its previous guarantee not to increase its gas and electricity prices, until July 2016.