Building Briefs - July 7th

• Caledonia Housing Association boosts availability of affordable housing in Pitlochry

The development at Elm Court, off Atholl Road, consists of two three-storey buildings that host a total of 12 two-bedroom flats for affordable rent. All 12 flats are now occupied.

Pitlochry is very popular with tourists and has more than 70 hotels, hostels and B&Bs to accommodate large visitor numbers. The town however has a shortage of affordable living options for the staff who are essential to cater for the tourism industry.

The new development is part of Caledonia Housing Association’s current commitment to build more than 750 new affordable homes across its five-year business plan.

• Upgrades to Gordon Primary School Nursery worth £2.4m now complete

Improvements worth £2.4 million to Gordon Primary School Nursery in Aberdeenshire are now completed.

The plans saw the construction of a new nursery on the grounds of Gordon Primary School, the creation of two additional primary one classrooms, upgrades to the toilets and the demolition of temporary accommodation.

A sensory space and places for outdoor learning and play have been created along with areas for growing vegetables and herbs. Inside, the state-of-the-art classrooms boast new sinks, worktops, and carpets and there are doors allowing access to the garden and play area outside. 

• Funding for urban and rural nature restoration projects

The Scottish Government has launched a new £10 million fund to restore nature and tackle biodiversity loss.

The Nature Restoration Fund will support a mix of urban and rural-focussed projects aimed at tackling the causes of biodiversity loss and climate change.

The projects will include plans to improve greenspace for outdoor learning, green active travel routes, planting wildlife corridors, and natural flood management.

Half of the funding will go to local authorities to develop new or existing projects which help address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, but which also aim to promote the health and wellbeing of local communities and reduce inequalities.

The remaining £5m will include a small project competitive fund of £1m to be distributed by NatureScot, and the balance will go directly to established nature restoration projects across Scotland, including native-tree planting, nature restoration in rivers, lochs and coasts, and improving and connecting habitats.

• Stirling houses plan rejected

Plans to build two houses near Plean have been refused by Stirling Council planners.

Mrs Lesley Gordon had applied for permission for the houses in garden ground at 2 Sauchenford Holding, Snabhead Road.

However, the planners said the proposal didn’t suit the predominant development pattern and would result in backland development in the area.

They also felt the application didn’t comply with the Local Development Plan and supplementary guidance on housing in the countryside.

• Clackmannanshire demolition application lodged

A Menstrie resident has applied to have a house in the village demolished due to fire damage.

Douglas Robertson wishes to raze the detached property at 18 Clifford Park.

He has applied to Clackmannanshire Council for the machine demolition of the four-bedroom house with garage to ground floor slab level.

• Edinburgh School Uniform Bank receives funding boost from Taylor Wimpey

As part of its ongoing commitment to working in partnership with local communities, Taylor Wimpey East Scotland has donated £250 to the Edinburgh School Uniform Bank to help boost its efforts to provide new school uniforms for children returning to schools across the city after the summer break.

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank believes that every child deserves to look and feel smart at school, to feel that they belong, and to avoid the negative effects of hardship on their wellbeing and education.