Building Briefs – July 2nd

Thousands of acres of countryside ‘swallowed up by development’

Thousands of acres of the countryside in Scotland and across the UK have been swallowed up by development in the past few years, new land use maps have revealed.

The main change was clear-felling of more than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of coniferous forest, largely in Scotland and Wales where much of the plantation forest is found, while around half the area was regrowing or had been replanted.

Around 3000 hectares (7400 acres) of mixed forest were also clear felled, according to the mapping which used satellite data from 2006 and 2012 and is based on 44 land cover and land use classes.

And nearly 3000 hectares of coniferous forests were cleared for industrial development, largely due to the construction of wind farms in upland areas, particularly Scotland.

Wetlands were among the areas of landscape which were lost between 2006 and 2012, prompting concerns from wildlife experts about the disappearance of important habitat and the natural services such as flood protection they provide.

In total 225,200 hectares or almost 870 square miles of the UK, around 1 per cent of the country, showed changes in land use over the period, according to land cover maps launched by the University of Leicester and consultancy Specto Natura.

The study also revealed that more than 7000 hectares (17,000 acres) of forest was converted to “artificial surfaces” such as buildings, industrial sites and roads, while 14,000 hectares (35,000 acres) of agricultural land was lost to the spread of towns and cities.

Wetlands were also lost to development, with more than 1000 hectares (2500 acres) of such areas vanishing under artificial surfaces.

More than 3000 hectares of arable land and 2000 hectares (5000 acres) of pasture land were converted to mineral extraction sites such as gravel pits, but around 2000 hectares of former extraction works were converted back to pastures.

Kelso firm Border Precision Engineering folds

A specialised engineering firm in the Borders has collapsed with the expected loss of up to 80 jobs.

It is understood staff at Border Precision Engineering were turned away from the factory in Kelso when they arrived on Monday. They were briefed on the situation later in the day.

The company previously went into administration in 2013 - but was saved by a management buyout, backed by investors syndicate Tri Cap.

Twenty five people lost their jobs then - but about 70 to 80 people were still employed at the Pinnaclehill plant.

Leadership ‘improving’ at Aberdeen City Council, says watchdog

Aberdeen City Council has improved how it is run in recent years and has plans for further changes but a great deal more work is needed to deliver these, according to the Accounts Commission.

A new report out today examines progress at the council following changes in management structures and political leadership. The Commission said the report comes amid “strained political working relationships” in the past and with some decisions proving controversial and raising considerable public interest.

In its findings, the Commission noted that a “great deal more improvement needs to be delivered”. It states that “the priority for the council, given its past history, must be to continue its momentum for change, to clearly demonstrate how it is making improvements and make sure these are firmly embedded throughout the local authority”.

The report says the chief executive and the leader of the council have “an effective working relationship and inclusive leadership style”. There is more effective cross-party working, which is contributing to greater consensus, although there are “still occasionally disrespectful exchanges between councillors”.

Accounts Commission chair Douglas Sinclair said: “There are positive signs of improvement in Aberdeen and we’re encouraged by the council’s self-awareness in recognising how it needs to improve. However, it still has much more to do to secure the wider improvements it seeks in the longer term.”

Montrose store plan scrapped by Sainsbury’s

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s has finally axed plans for a £10 million Angus store.

Almost four years after getting the go-ahead for a site on Brechin Road in Montrose, the company has confirmed to The Courier that it will not be opening there.

The firm blamed changing shopping patterns for the decision.

Construction had been scheduled to start in early 2012 after Sainsbury’s won its fight for planning permission but doubts over what would have been the company’s first Angus store intensified when the supermarket chain also pulled out of building a Perth outlet last year.

Former Masonic lodge in city could be converted into flats

A historic Masonic lodge in Aberdeen could be converted into flats if plans are accepted by Aberdeen City Council.

The Woodside St Machar Lodge 319, based at Western Road, close to Great Northern Road, was first built in 1914.

The building shut its doors to members of the Masonic order in 2007 and has been vacant since.

Now, the Arbroath-based Voigt Partnership architectural firm is seeking permission from Aberdeen City Council to convert the C-listed property into six modern apartments.

Sutherland wind farm extension proposal submitted

An application has been submitted for an extension to a wind farm in Sutherland.

SSE is seeking permission from the Scottish Government to expand the Gordonbush facility near Brora.

If successful, the energy company suggested a 16-turbine Section 36 proposal has the potential to provide significant socio-economic benefits,

The wind farm generates enough renewable energy each year to power over 60,000 homes.

It has delivered approximately £20 million in the procurement of goods and services from Highland businesses, including the local supply chain, during construction.

A total of £1.9m has been provided for local road improvements in Strath Brora, along with £1m to the refurbishment of the Old Schoolhouse building in Brora.

A statutory consultation seeking views on the proposal will now be conducted by the Scottish Government.

Asbestos discovered on Cairngorms bridge pathway

A bridge has been closed in Cairngorms National Park after small pieces of asbestos were discovered along the pathway.

The hazardous material was found on 730 metres of path constructed in Ellan Wood Carr-Bridge.

The path has been closed until the risk has been fully assessed.