Building Briefs – June 8th

Planning consent was granted this week for an overhaul of the iconic Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry and will include a newly created par-three ninth at the heart of the ambitious project.

Lma architects and planning consultants were acting as Planning Consultants on behalf of the Trump Corporation for the alterations to the Ailsa Course.

The course alterations include a dramatic new 9th hole which will demand a shot over the rocks to a green beside the famous Turnberry Lighthouse, which will also be renovated to become a new halfway house for golfers. The new hole has now been given the go-ahead by planning chiefs at South Ayrshire Council and work is scheduled to begin later this year.

The creation of the new ninth will be the highlight of a stretch of eight holes hugging the coastline with significant changes also planned for the par-five 10th and a new siting of the green at the 11th.

There will be a new hole built at the 14th to create space for a shortened 17th and new-look 18th that will make for a more dramatic finish.

But it’s the creation of the lighthouse hole that is sure to capture the imagination of golf fans when the multi-million-pound redevelopment, scheduled to begin in September, is concluded with an estimated reopening time of June next year.

£21m to help disadvantaged households fund home improvements

The Scottish Government has announced a new three year scheme to help low income owner-occupiers carry out essential repairs and energy efficiency improvements to their homes.

Up to £21 million will be invested in the Help for Homes scheme which will target those with limited income who meet the minimum equity requirements.

The property must have been the homeowner’s sole residence for at least 12 months. The maximum loan is 49 per cent of the valuation.

If there is a mortgage or other secured debt at least 30 per cent of the market valuation in equity must remain in the property after the loan has been deducted. Eligible homeowners will borrow from the Scottish Government and repay when they sell their home, die or transfer ownership.

There will be no means test but the scheme will be limited to properties in Council Tax bands A to C and also to home owners outwith these Council Tax bands in receipt of Council Tax Reduction.

Tay Road Bridge walkway resurfacing to cost £600,000

The Tay Road Bridge’s central walkway is set to be resurfaced at an estimated cost of £600,000.

The bridge’s joint board will be asked to approve the works programme at their next meeting in Dundee today.

A contract for the project is out to tender but is likely to be awarded at the board meeting so that the surface replacement can begin next month.

The existing central walkway surfacing was laid during the overall walkway refurbishment contract in 1998 and has degraded over time to the stage where it must be replaced.

A trial area of durable textured glass reinforced plastic flooring board has been in place for more than two years and is reported to have performed well.

As such, the plan is to entirely replace the existing surface with this material for the whole length of the walkway during a 12-week summer project.

Weslo launches £5m property upgrade programme

Weslo Housing Management has launched a £5 million property upgrade programme for its properties across West Lothian.

The Bathgate-based social landlord has agreed a deal with Bothwell-based MCN (Scotland) Ltd to fit 2,000 new bathrooms at the properties over the next five years.

Following a successful pilot project in 2014 that saw 90 Weslo tenants receive a bathroom upgrade, work will now start on a further 300 properties this year with all work due to be completed by 2019.

The £5m contract with MCN will allow the company to retain ten full-time positions over the next five years – as well as creating a regular flow of trade apprenticeships to attract young people into the building industry.

The upgrading work consists of a complete new bathroom suite, a choice of wall to ceiling boarding, over bath shower and screen, new flooring and redecoration of the ceiling. Each installation will be completed in two days.

Montrose Cinema hopes receive lift after lease deal

A £4.2 million Angus community cinema project has taken a major step forward after a £1 annual lease deal for a local landmark was agreed.

Montrose Playhouse Project will pay the rent for the town’s former swimming pool after Angus Council approved its application for the community asset transfer.

The project was the brainchild of architect David Paton who had been sketching out plans for a cinema in old, disused buildings for several years.

The former Montrose swimming pool has been vacant since the opening of the £9m Montrose sports centre, and was declared surplus by the council in January 2013.

At that time the site was considered for affordable housing but the estimated high cost of clearing the site meant this option was discounted.

The building was marketed for sale thereafter but no offers were received and in October 2013 a stage one application for community asset transfer was submitted by Montrose Playhouse Project.

Eildon’s modernisation programme brings double dividends

Eildon Housing is embarking on a full modernisation programme to replace kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems to over 440 homes.

The £2.75 million contract with Mitie Property Services Ltd, which started in April this year, requires them to employ a number of locally based people who are seeking training or experience in construction or maintenance related work.

Council committed to plans for Dumfries archive centre

Dumfries and Galloway Council has insisted it remains committed to developing an archive centre, despite missing out on crucial lottery funding.

The local authority has committed £3m to developing a site at the Ewart Library in Dumfries for the £6.2m project.

However an application for support from the Heritage Lottery Fund has been unsuccessful.

Councillor John Martin admitted the decision was a “set back”.

He said: “We are waiting for written confirmation and feedback from the Heritage Lottery Fund and then we’ll consider how we can achieve an archive centre that Dumfries and Galloway can be proud of.

“Dumfries and Galloway Council are committed to progressing this project and despite this set back, it will go on.”

The scheme aims to create a new home for a vast collection of historic documents currently held by the council in various locations.

Aberdeenshire details mid-market rent and key worker development progress

The first houses built for mid-market rent are set to be handed over to Aberdeenshire Council by the end of this month, councillors have been informed.

The first development of 12 houses in Westhill is nearly finished with a further 12 being completed by the end of August.

This will provide homes to households on modest incomes who are likely to struggle to afford private renting at current market rents but who are also unlikely to be able to access social housing.

The initiative has been achieved by establishing a Liability Limited Partnership (LLP) between Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT).

Head of housing at Aberdeenshire Council, Douglas Edwardson, also informed elected members on the social work and housing committee that they were in the process of identifying a number of sites where there is potential for developing them as mid-market rental housing for key workers.

This includes Cameron Street in Stonehaven and along with Police Scotland investigating a joint venture site in Inverurie.

Councillors were also updated on Phase 5 of the council’s new build programme which includes plans for 169 affordable houses across Aberdeenshire.

Muirfield Contracts entering administration in February has delayed the progress of two new-build developments in Fraserburgh and Inverurie. However, a retendering exercise was underway and it is hoped work will recommence in August.

The Inverurie Care Village which includes a 60 bed care home and eight bungalows for rent is nearing completion as is the development of 24 extra care units to accommodate people with learning difficulties at St James’s Court in Inverurie.

Developments in Banff, Peterhead, Westhill and Ballater are also nearing completion and should be ready by end of September. A further 72 homes are planned in phase six of the programme with houses being built in Balmedie, Huntly, Peterhead and Turriff.

Work starts at Pittenweem Harbour

Fife Council has appointed Farrans Construction to carry out the repair works to the storm damaged breakwater at Pittenweem Harbour.

Work has just started on site and involves:

The total cost of the repair works is just under £2m and should be completed in six months.

Waverley taxi rank bid on track

A major new taxi rank could be set up for rail passengers at the rear entrance to Waverley train station following the ban on cabs entering the station.

A drop-off area has already been established at the Calton Road site, which passengers requiring assistance are encouraged to use.

And taxi bosses said discussions were under way on changes to the road network nearby to make it viable for cabs to operate from there.

Tony Kenmuir, of the Scottish Taxi Federation, said there needed to be a new junction created as part of the new St James Quarter redevelopment which would allow a right turn. The matter was being discussed, he added.

Housing minister visits major new Stirling development

A major new development in the heart of Stirling’s city centre was visited last week by minister for housing and welfare Margaret Burgess.

Stirling Council has invested £6 million at the development in Goosecroft Road, which will include 53 affordable housing apartments and three retail units, through the National Housing Trust (NHT).

The upper floors will house the 53 one and two bedroom flats, while the ground floor will be used commercially, for either retail or food and drink. The flats will be rented by Stirling Council’s arms-length organisation Steadfast Homes at mid-market rates.

Local residents have been offered training opportunities by building contractor, CCG, through their community benefits package.