Building Briefs – June 3rd

• School league table prompts top-class results for Miller Homes Scotland

The 2020 table, published in The Times last month, ranks every mainstream high school in Scotland based on the percentage of pupils leaving with five or more Highers.

Since the table was published, Miller Homes has seen an increase in website visits for its developments that fall within the catchment area for four of the schools that made it into the top 20.

Ferrygate Meadow in North Berwick is just a short distance from 19th placed North Berwick High School. The development, which offers a range of four and five-bedroom homes, attracted 28% more website visitors in the week following the publishing of the league table, compared to the previous week.

Also proving popular is Crofthead Maidenhill in East Renfrewshire, which is in the catchment area for  both Mearns Castle High School and St Ninian’s High School, which were named second and fourth in the league table respectively, and Victoria Park in Dunblane, which is in the catchment area for the third-highest performing school – Dunblane High School.

Commenting on the increased interest, Neil Gaffney, area sales & marketing director for Miller Homes in Scotland, said: “There’s a lot to consider when starting the search for your dream home, but we know that proximity to good schools is something that’s really important to families. It’s great to see so many of the schools close to our sites performing well.

“We carefully select the location of each new development to create prime spots in existing communities with good local amenities and transport links.

“Demand for high-quality new homes remains strong, and we have continued to take reservations for properties online over the past couple of months. The increase in interest in Crofthead Maidenhill, Ferrygate Meadow and Victoria Park, shows many people are looking to make a move and provide a great education for their children.”

• Hospital heroes supported by Mactaggart & Mickel 

NHS heroes on the frontline at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh have been given a helping hand by Scottish family housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel.

Caring staff at the hospital’s emergency department have won widespread praise for the way they are rising to the challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.

Now Glasgow-based Mactaggart & Mickel has shown its appreciation by donating £1,000 to the hospital to create a safe haven for staff taking well-earned time-outs from vital duties.

Mactaggart & Mickel made the donation after its architectural manager, Chris McWilliams, whose wife Liz is a nurse at the hospital, brought the project to the company’s attention. 

The money, from their Building Communities Fund, will go towards funding a ‘staff quiet garden’ within the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh grounds - allowing doctors and nurses and other key staff a little escape through their 12-hour shifts. 

A secluded courtyard within the hospital grounds, it will offer comfortable surroundings that ease the strain on doctors and nurses created by the coronavirus pandemic thanks to the feel-good factor that comes with new seating and greenery.

• Vision of AES Solar shines

Two AES Solar employees have been named finalists in a major industry awards ceremony.

Marketing strategist Hannah Jakobsen and sales coordinator Cameron Duncan have had their work recognised in the Young Professionals Green Energy Awards 2020 hosted by Scottish Renewables. The duo will be hoping to win the award under the Culture Change category.

Hannah has been with the solar energy experts for just over a year having joined the company under the Scotgrad scheme following her graduation from university. Cameron joined the company in 2016 directly from Forres Academy and is currently undertaking a Graduate apprenticeship in Business Management at Robert Gordon University.

Following extensive staff consultation and feedback, the pair were tasked by management to develop a fresh vision statement and set of values to embrace and communicate the positive culture surrounding the successful company.

The results will be announced on the week commencing June 15.  

• Delay to construction work at Loanhead Primary

Construction work on the £4.15m extension and refurbishment of Loanhead Primary School has been delayed due to COVID-19.

Work stopped on March 23 when restrictions were announced by the Scottish Government. Employees from across East Ayrshire Council are liaising closely with Ashleigh Construction on a revised programme of works and new completion date.

The works at Loanhead Primary School include a new Early Childhood Centre that will feature a light, bright and modern flexible dining/activity area and will have the capacity for 42 children. A new fully glazed structure will provide a link from the primary school through to the extension. Other works within the primary school include the installation of a new lift rising through the school atrium, and external ramps which will ensure inclusive access to all main levels of the existing school.

New toilets will be installed on all levels, including accessible facilities and a new changing facility, while the former janitor’s house, which was previously used as the school kitchen/dining hall, will be refurbished to provide accommodation for the PEACE Group (Breakfast Club and After School Club). Externally there will be new play areas and landscaping together with dedicated off street parking accessible from Loanhead Street.