Building Briefs – January 4th

Barratt Homes is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion new market research commissioned by the firm has confirmed it as the UK’s most recognised and well known housebuilder.

Barratt was founded by Sir Lawrie Barratt back in 1958 and it has rapidly grown to become the UK’s largest housebuilder, building more than 17,300 homes last year. Over the past 60 years it has built in total 450,000 houses, helping some 2.8 million families make their home.

As part of its 60th anniversary celebrations the company commissioned new research which asked people which housebuilder first came to mind. The results clearly show Barratt as the most recognised housebuilder with 19% of all the answers, nearly double its nearest competitor.

The housebuilder is also planning a major new marketing campaign throughout 2018 with a special 60th anniversary logo, new advertising, leaflets, webpages and signage to appear across its developments in Scotland.

Douglas McLeod, regional managing director for Barratt Homes Scotland, said: “2018 is a really special year for us as it’s our 60th anniversary. We’re looking forward to celebrating the anniversary with a range of local and national activities. It’s incredible to think that we have helped so many families across the country. We’re looking forward to continuing to build many more 5-star homes over the next 60 years.”

Green light for new flats in listed Aberdeen building

A listed building in Aberdeen is set to be transformed into new flats after councillors gave the plans conditional approval.

The plans will see the three-and-a-half storey Category B former office space at 15 Bon Accord Crescent extended and converted to form the residential space, the Evening Express has reported.

Submitted by Neil Rothnie Architects on behalf of Alan Grant Developments in April, the designs will see the flats created over four floors

Approving the proposals Aberdeen City Council has said no works should take place until plans relating to landscaping and drainage works have been submitted to the planning authority.

Restaurant proposal for Dundee cafe

Plans have been submitted to Dundee City Council to demolish a cafe and replace it with flats, a restaurant and a roof garden.

Architects Brunton Design Studio have submitted the drawings on behalf of developer Mohammed Bhatti to replace the cafe in Broughty Ferry, and lock-up garages to the rear, with a bespoke three-storey complex.

Each of the seven flats included in the proposed King Street development would have at least two bedrooms and 65 sq m of floor space.

In addition, each flat would have a 4.5 sq m private balcony, providing an external viewing area and somewhere for residents to dry washing.

The building would also have indoor storage for bikes, car parking to the rear and a private roof garden for the use of residents overlooking the rest of King Street.

On the ground floor, a restaurant — as yet unallocated— would have provision for covered outdoor seating.

A planning statement from Brunton says the development would complement other established buildings in the area.