Building Briefs – June 6th

LMA Architects were appointed as architect and principal designer by Ayrshire College to refurbish the hospitality suite within the Dam Park building on the Ayrshire Campus, to provide modern up to date facilities including classrooms, kitchens and a commercial restaurant with associated office and staff areas.

The aspiration is to create a facility on a par with the recently completed Kilmarnock Campus project that both students and staff can be proud of.

The project starts on site on this month with the works being carried out during the summer vacation to minimise disruption.

Plans to demolish and rebuild 19th Century Forfar church

Proposals have been launched to demolish an Angus church and replace it with a “21st Century” place of worship.

Five years ago, the kirk session of St Margaret’s Church in Forfar were told vital repairs would cost £300,000, excluding any modernisation.

Decay was first noticed 35 years ago and architects began to look at options for the building and its halls in 1996.

A consensus has formed that “it would be better to demolish” the unlisted church and start again.

Original plans for a 250-seat sanctuary along traditional lines were abandoned due to a £1.65m price tag, and have now been replaced by ideas for a smaller multiple-use building.

A planning policy statement by MBM Planning says it could be a “future distinctive landmark” and would not affect the town centre conservation area.

Tarbolton Community Campus official opening

South Ayrshire Council has officially opened the new Tarbolton Community Campus with children and families among the VIP guests.

Tarbolton Community Campus, incorporates the Primary School and Early Years Centre, the library, sports, leisure facilities and community rooms, all provided under one roof.

The £8.2million project is part of a £94m pipeline of works being delivered across South Ayrshire in the next year, with the aim of enhancing standards through targeted investment.

New chief executive appointed for Scottish Land Commission

The Scottish Government has appointed a permanent chief executive for the newly formed Scottish Land Commission.

Hamish Trench will join the Inverness-based government agency this summer, replacing interim chief executive Hilary Pierce.

He joins from the Cairngorms National Park Authority where he is currently director of conservation and visitor experience.

He has had several pieces of research published on issues such as community ownership and farming tenure.

The Scottish Land Commission was set up as part of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.

It is tasked with reviewing law and policy and making recommendations to government ministers on any matter relating to Scotland’s land.

Glasgow tots given play-time boost by Lovell

Partnership housing provider Lovell has given a major funding boost to the Upstairs Kids Klub in Cambuslang, helping to fund a new storage facility in the nursery’s outdoor play area.

Youngsters donned mini hard hats to take delivery of a £700 cheque donated by Lovell and its subcontractors, which include scaffolding specialist SGB; roofing company McConnells; insulation installer Dormar; window specialist CMS; concrete repairs company CRL; and digital TV aerial and satellite system installer SCI.

Lovell recently finished work on a large-scale refurbishment programme to transform the multi-storey block of flats at Kyle Court, which is just next door to the nursery on Cambuslang’s Main Street.

The work, including repairs to outer walls and installation of an insulated render system, is part of South Lanarkshire Council’s HomeHappening programme of investment for council homes across the area, and has helped to lower residents’ fuel costs by increasing the building’s energy efficiency rating.

During the refurbishment, Lovell held special safety talks and competitions for the nursery children. The youngsters even had the opportunity to design safety-themed posters which were displayed on site.

Healthy growth for West Coast property market

The property market in Argyll and Oban has experienced a strong start to the year with a surge in both the supply and demand of high quality homes, property consultancy Galbraith has reported.

During the first quarter of the year (January to March 2017) the firm’s regional agents for Argyll handled more than double the number of offers compared to the corresponding period of 2016. There was also a rise in the number of new property applications and healthy buyer activity at all price levels.

However, despite this surge in buyer activity, demand continues to exceed the number of new properties coming to the market across the region.

NWH acquires wood processing facility

NWH Group has acquired the business and assets of DJ Laing Recycling Solutions’ wood processing division in Petterden, Dundee.

Processing recycled wood into biomass for energy plants, the six-acre Petterden site will supply around 60,000 tons of biomass per annum. The acquisition sees ten staff transfer to NWH Group, and add £1.8m turnover.

NWH expects to increase the site’s output of fuel for sustainable energy and recruit more employees to support the growth.

Financed with the support of a revolving credit facility (RCF) with Royal Bank of Scotland, NWH was advised by Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, and D J Laing was advised by Stewart Brymer Legal.

Restoration work on Clyde Walkway complete

Restoration work has been carried out to a pathway in South Lanarkshire.

The Clyde Walkway at Mauldslie Woods has been repaired and upgraded as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund supported Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP).

Running for 40 miles from the centre of Glasgow to New Lanark World Heritage Site and the Falls of Clyde, the path provides a scenic access route into Mauldslie Woods.

In recent years the path had significantly degraded, with often very wet and muddy sections developing. With support from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and South Lanarkshire Council, around 1.3km of footpath has been re-established.

Access has been improved at Mauldslie Bridge for the wide range of path users which include pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. This includes access for the community of Law, wider access for the community to the Clyde Walkway was improved via the Law to Mauldslie Clyde Walkway Community Links maintenance project in 2016.

Options for A96 Hardmuir to Fochabers set to go on public display

Locals and road users will get the chance later this month to see and comment on a number of options that have been developed for the 28 mile section of the A96 between Hardmuir and Fochabers.

Details of the public exhibitions:

All run from 12:00 noon until 7:00pm

Bellway makes donation to cancer charity

Bellway lent its support to a recent charity golf day on the Landsdowne Course at Blairgowrie Golf Club.

The housebuilder was among 18 businesses sponsoring holes at the event, to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The competition was a great success generating over £9,000 for the charity.

The golf event was organised by the Macmillan Perth Volunteer Committee and attended by 72 golfers. It is one of the highlights of the calendar of events they organise every year in aid of Macmillan including a fashion show, supermarket collections and a pop up shop.

The funds will help Macmillan fund nurses and therapists supporting people through their treatment; benefit advice services and direct Macmillan grants helping making money one less worry for people facing cancer; as well as helping the Macmillan campaign to continually improve cancer care for the growing number of people living with cancer.