Building Briefs – July 17th

Work to transform a derelict site in Dundee city centre into more than two dozen flats is now underway.

The development at Trades Lane on the site of the former McLeish’s warehouse will see 28 flats delivered along with the retail space and storage unit for bikes.

The road will be closed for 11 months as the construction work is carried out.

Plans by Dundee architects James Paul Associates to rejuvenate the derelict site were approved by Dundee City Council last year.

City development convener Lynne Short said the flats would bring a breath of fresh air to the area.

In a statement supporting the application, Angus Paul of James Paul Associates, said the block would be “respectful of the flats on both Trades Lane and the Seagate, also adding to the area by building on the site”.

The new block will also feature a public art installation by local artist Nael Hanna to enhance its visual appeal.

Multi-million contract marks further investment in DGHP homes

Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) has signed a contract worth almost £9 million to invest in new windows for more than 2,000 properties.

Tenants in 2,200 homes across Dumfries and Galloway will benefit from the installation of new windows to their properties as a result of the award of the contract to Anglian Building Products Ltd.

The programme is the second of two major investment contracts to be signed recently, with the insulation, rendering and roofing contract signed several weeks ago.

The programme will replace older window units with new PVC double-glazed, high performance windows to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills for tenants.

Comhairle signs affordable housing agreement with Hebridean Housing Partnership

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, in partnership with Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP), has approved its Affordable Housing Programme for 2018/19.

Work is expected to begin later this year on two new housing developments in Harris.

A total of eight 2 bedroom flats will be built on the site of the former Police Station in Tarbert.

A second development will commence in Horgabost with four new houses for sale to first time buyers. These houses will be built by HHP through the Shared Equity Scheme.

It will be the first Shared Equity housing development in Harris.

As well as these two developments, the Comhairle and HHP are also carrying out feasibility studies on a number of other sites in Harris. The results from these feasibility studies will help inform the Affordable Housing programme for next financial year.

Highland Council allocates extra £1.5m to road repairs

Works are to begin on an additional £1.5 million worth of repair schemes on Highland Council roads this summer.

A total £1,450,000 funds are being allocated across the region’s area roads networks according to the council’s road distribution formula and road condition index. A small allocation of £50,000 will also be used to upgrade the Winter Ice Alert systems that the council uses to monitor winter road conditions for gritting.

Borders planning rules changed to encourage town centre business

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has made major changes to the rules governing change of use of commercial properties in town centres.

The measures - designed to encourage new investment in towns and allow businesses to adapt to the radical changes that are underway in the retail sector – were approved unanimously by SBC’s planning committee yesterday.

The changes were made to Core Activity Areas in town centres – designated zones where change of use from one type of business to another are restricted to preserve shop frontages.

The new rules - being piloted for a year - will make it easier for different types of business to invest in town centre properties, with some restrictions scrapped altogether in Hawick and Galashiels and new guidance provided across the Borders to encourage change of use where it makes a positive contribution to the town.