Building Briefs – March 16th

Independent property consultancy Galbraith has been appointed to bring six empty properties on a historic Borders estate back into use.

The company is working with Roxburghe Estates to restore the former farm cottages at Cessford which have not been habitable for a number of years.

The project has been awarded 40% grant funding through the Scottish Government’s Rural Housing Fund.

Roxburghe Estates directly employees 170 staff, provides 250 affordable houses and makes available land and buildings for community uses and activities.

Builder dies after wall collapse in Inverness

A builder has died after a wall outside a house in Inverness collapsed on him.

The man has been named locally as Iain Urquhart, 57, from the city.

Police Scotland said it was called to the property in Old Edinburgh Road on Sunday afternoon.

A spokesman said: “Initial inquiries reveal there were no other persons involved and there are no suspicious circumstances.”

AECOM to lead new South West Scotland transport study

Improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel will be considered by a new study looking at improving transport provision in the south west of Scotland. The study will have a particular focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan.

Transport Scotland today announced the intention to award the contract for the work to AECOM Ltd.

Subject to completion of the mandatory standstill period, the study will start in April and is expected to report in Winter 18/19. The findings will help inform the forthcoming review of Scottish Government’s transport investment priorities through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) which will be aligned with the next National Planning Framework and will consider future opportunities across the whole of Scotland.

Housing minister launches 130 new affordable homes in Castlemilk

Residents in a development of 130 new affordable homes in Castlemilk told Scotland’s housing minister yesterday how their new houses had changed their lives.

Kevin Stewart MSP was given a tour of GHA’s £14.8 million development which has been built on the site of old tenements in Dougrie Drive which were demolished 10 years ago.

The minister heard how the project has provided much-needed affordable housing for the area as well as jobs and training opportunities with 10 young people gaining work on the site. Five of them became apprentices in joinery, bricklaying and plumbing.

The development is made up of 130 modern, fuel-efficient homes for social rent with a range of house types including one and two bedroom cottage flats, and three bedroom houses.

There is also an amenity block of 44 self-contained flats, 11 of which are suitable for wheelchair users. The block is designed to support people with a range of different needs and has a common room and a landscaped central courtyard for residents to sit out and socialise.

Tenant Agnes Campbell, 65, moved into Dougrie Court from her former home in nearby Dougrie Road last month. Agnes said her ground floor flat not only suits her much better, she is also delighted with the open-plan layout.

The minister was joined by GHA tenant chair Bernadette Hewitt, tenants, staff of GHA and its parent company Wheatley Group, local housing committee members, local elected members and representatives from the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, contractor CCG and other partners.

The development was part-funded by a Scottish Government grant of £7.3m and £7.5m of private finance raised by Wheatley Group.

Bright spark Brian helps saves £3,000 for homelessness charity

A volunteer with Shelter Scotland’s Prestwick charity shop has helped to save £3,000 for the cause in just six months by passing an electrical safety course.

Brian Birt from Ayr gained his certificate in portable electrical appliance testing in September and has already checked 3,000 donated items as safe to sell and use.

Assuming a £5 minimum sale price per item this means the shop will have raised around £15,000 on those items alone for Shelter Scotland.

Previously it would have cost them £1 to have each item checked so having a trained volunteer has saved £3,000.

Anyone with surplus electrical items are encouraged to donate them to the store at 107 Main Street, Prestwick.