Building Briefs – March 14th

Pupils reminded to Play Safe and Stay Safe as work starts on new classrooms for three Edinburgh schools

Construction work is about to start on a £2.8 million investment on new facilities in three schools in Edinburgh as hub South East Scotland assists the City of Edinburgh Council in continuing to tackle the issue of rising rolls in primary schools.

In preparation for site set up this week, children at Liberton Primary took part in a Safety Sam presentation with the contractor Morrison Construction where they were introduced to a range of construction issues, from machinery to PPE and were reminded to Play Safe and Stay Safe whilst work is being carried out in their schools.

Liberton Primary is just one of three schools benefiting from new permanent facilities in this, the fifth year of the Rising Rolls programme of extensions between the Council and its development partner, Hub South East.

Liberton Primary will benefit from a double storey four classroom new build, whilst refurbishment work will create additional space for St Margaret’s and Corstorphine Primary will gain two new classrooms. All work should be completed in time for the start of the new school year in August.

Consultation over plan for new Dundee Lidl and Costa drive-thru

A public consultation is set to be launched over plans for a new budget supermarket and a coffee drive-thru outlet in Dundee.

Lidl and Costa plan to open branches on land at Kingsway East as part of a near-£7 million development.

The plans will be on display to the public on Wednesday April 5 (from 5-8pm) in the Douglas Lounge at Douglas Community Centre in Balmoral Avenue.

Perth-based developer I&H Brown submitted a planning application for the development to Dundee City Council.

The plans also include a car showroom, a family pub/restaurant and industrial units.

If given the green light by councillors, the investment will total £6.9m and create up to 172 long-term jobs.

The site, which has lain vacant for 13 years, was previously the subject of plans for a similar development.

However, no brands have ever committed to opening units on the site until now.

Court approves Dumfries learning hub application

A court has ruled plans to create a learning hub on common good land in Dumfries can go ahead.

Dumfries and Galloway Council had to apply to allow the use of the land at the King George V sports complex.

A sheriff has now granted the application which paves the way for the project to proceed.

The development is part of the multi-million pound Dumfries Learning Town project to overhaul education in the town.

The new facility is designed to offer specialist higher academic and vocational studies.

It is hoped the work could start on the project later this year with completion expected early in 2019.

Aberdeen Town House clock tower repairs could be more than £4.3m

The final bill for repairs to the clock tower at Aberdeen’s Town House could end up at more than £4.3m, it has been revealed.

The work - which began in August 2014 - has now been completed.

More specialist contractors were brought in as the work progressed and the budget began to rise.

A council spokeswoman told BBC Scotland the last agreed budget was just under £4.3m but that the final bill for the project was still being calculated.

East Ayrshire Council underlines commitment to Stewarton Academy and school estate

East Ayrshire Council has assured parents, pupils and the local Stewarton community that it will look immediately at the extension and refurbishment of Stewarton Academy, agreeing almost £13.2 million towards upgrading the school.

The commitment, endorsed by all Cabinet members, was followed up with a pledge for a further £190m in rebuilding, refurbishing and improving schools in the area by 2020.

Additional highlights in the £190m spend include investments in:

Artisan Real Estate Investors purchases Glasgow office in £9.1m deal

Artisan Real Estate Investors has purchased Cotton House in Glasgow for £9.1 million.

The 52,000 sq ft office block lies on the corner of Cochrane Street and Montrose Street in the city’s Merchant City area.

Cotton House represents Artisan Real Estate Investors’ first purchase in Glasgow, having recently purchased Abbeyhill Industrial Estate in Edinburgh.

Makeover for Kirkcaldy buildings at Wemyssfield and East Fergus Place

The grade B listed buildings in Kirkcaldy have received a makeover and stylish restoration to transform them back into offices fit to house a variety of charities and agencies.

The work carried out by Fife Council Building Services has involved sensitive restoration retaining and restoring many of the original features of the buildings.

In the summer of 2015 Building Services agreed to undertake the project at the former Social Work and CARF Offices situated within the buildings at Wemyssfield and East Fergus Place Kirkcaldy.

The final plan was to turn these somewhat neglected gems back into offices fit to house a variety of Charities and Agencies that could provide help to the people of Kirkcaldy and the wider community.

Nearly two years have passed and approaching £1.6 million spent on construction costs an almost top to bottom full refurbishment of the buildings are finally complete.

Glasgow’s Gigabit transformation goes west

The construction of Glasgow’s new full-fibre, Gigabit City network is now moving westwards into the thriving Finnieston area, marking a new milestone for the city’s digital transformation.

Launched in October by alternative infrastructure developer, CityFibre, the network now spans Glasgow city centre, including the Merchant City, giving businesses in more than 300 postcode areas access to 100 per cent fibre connectivity for the very first time.

Construction is set to move into the Finnieston area through Bath Street, Sauchiehall Street and Sky Park in the coming weeks. A number of connections have already been lined up for several businesses including ISO Design, Senshi Digital and V-Ships at Sky Park, demonstrating the city’s growing digital expertise.

The build will move into further areas of the city as demand dictates. Businesses interested in registering their interest can do so at www.cityfibre.com/register_glasgow.

CityFibre is currently completing Gigabit City projects in 42 UK cities including Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Stirling.