Building Briefs - January 7th

• Allanwater Homes targets East Lothian market for first time

Allanwater Haddington, situated in the Letham Mains area of the market town, will offer a selection of energy efficient, three and four-bedroom bungalows, together with three bedroom linked villas.

Several brand new designs – exclusively designed for this new development - will make their debut at Allanwater Haddington, including the Tay three-bedroom detached bungalow, the Clyde and Spey, other three-bedroom detached bungalows, and the Devon, a four-bedroom detached bungalow.   

Added to the mix is another recently launched home which has proved very popular at other Allanwater Homes developments across Scotland – the three-bedroom Sidlaw villa.

Specification wise, Allanwater Haddington features the housebuilder’s new “as included” specification which includes Twyford Sanitaryware, Stainless Steel kitchen appliances with Induction Hobs, thermostatic showers, USB charging points, and monoblocked driveways.

Also planned to launch in 2021, is an additional new development in Chryston, near Glasgow, another brand new geographic area for Allanwater.

• Former student goes back to school to sell his old classrooms

A sales consultant has been given a more unusual first assignment – to help sell his old high school’s classrooms.

Nicholas Levinson, 37, a former pupil of Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh, attended classes while the school was based in its former home, the famed early 20th century building at Viewforth and one of the city’s most prized school buildings – which has been renovated into 87 apartments.

Now, thanks to working with CALA Homes (East), which is behind Boroughmuir’s historic renovation, the Edinburgh native has a rare chance to revisit his youth, each and every day he works from the on-site sales office and show apartment.

While protecting and subtly enhancing the impressive exterior to the Grade B-listed building, the developer is transforming the former classrooms inside into a range of one to four bedroom mezzanine apartments.

Nick, who now lives in Trinity with his partner, said: “When I take people around the different properties and tell them I was a pupil here, they usually ask me straight away which classroom or part of the building an apartment is. The transformation is incredible, it’s just so different on the inside to what it was when it was a school – it’s nice to see the building in its best light now.

“One of my favourite plots so far is Plot 75 on the top floor, as it has huge vaulted ceilings beyond six metres and original feature beams. It was formerly a chemistry classroom. You’d never believe what it’s become.”

Nick is also keenly awaiting to see inside Plots 86 and 87 when they are completed, which will become two four-bedroom apartments and the largest properties at Boroughmuir. They are being built in a space that was the old school library.

Nick added: “I’ve had a couple of old classmates contact me, the building is quite well known in Edinburgh so there’s been a lot of buzz and excitement around it. The feedback we’re getting from clients and visitors has been excellent, they’re amazed at how the architect has ambitiously used the space and how bright and spacious the properties feel.

“The apartments themselves are so impressive, with high spec and the city views from some of the homes on the second floor are something else – I spent many hours daydreaming, looking out those windows!

“Coming back has been quite nostalgic, seeing what we are achieving with the refurbishment has been really nice on a personal level. It’s also great to see the area of Bruntsfield has changed as well – it is now one of the city’s hotspots for independent shops, restaurants and bars – it’s certainly not the area it was when I was at school.”

• Fife quarry expansion plans approved

A Fife quarry could continue for another 40 years after major expansion plans were approved.

The operators of Goathill Quarry, near Donibristle, want to extract a further eight million tonnes of hard rock by extending south into a hillside.

The site produces crushed aggregate used in road building.

It also makes large stone blocks and has secured an order for armoured stone for a stabilisation project on the River Tay.

• Shop and takeaway plan for Glasgow car park

Two commercial units are being proposed for the car park of a vacant pub/restaurant on the southern edge of Glasgow.

An application has been lodged for the site in Corselet Road at Nitshill Road, at the former Darnley at the Mill venue, last used by Cook and Indi’s World Buffet.

Permission is being sought by Harlequin Leisure Investments for one retail unit and one food/drink takeaway in the front car park area.

The building’s total footprint would be 300 square metres. There would be 15 car parking spaces.

• Trio celebrate 40 years of service

Lochmaben-based roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles is celebrating the dedication and long service of three employees who have a combined long service of 40 years.

The deserving staff who have been awarded the accolades include Bruce Laidlaw (production director) for 20 years, William Riddell (production operator) and Charlie Graham (production operator) – who have both worked at Russell Roof Tiles Lockerbie site for 10 years.

In 2020, 11 members of the team were presented with awards ranging from 10 to 30 years.

Andrew Hayward, managing director at Russell Roof Tiles, said: “We’re delighted in these challenging times to have such a dedicated team across our sites, our Long Service Awards not only recognise the hard work they have put in over the years but also says thank you for the commitment to Russell Roof Tiles.

“We look forward to being able to continue celebrating our hardworking staff over the next few years across all sites.”