Building Briefs – March 20th

First phase completed at £13.5m development of new council homes in Aberdeen

The first homes in an 80 property development of new Aberdeen City Council houses at Manor Walk have been handed over to tenants.

Featuring a mix of flats and houses, the first nine households are settling in and a second phase will soon be completed.

The development of modern family homes is being built by main contractor Bancon Construction as part of the council’s programme of investment in housing.

At the nearby Smithfield site, which comprises 99 properties, the first phase was handed over in summer 2017 and work continues on both developments.

The handover to the first tenants at Manor Walk coincides with the announcement the development has been recognised with a gold award from Police Scotland for the commitment to the Secure by Design principles, a key feature of the approach taken to modern council housing.

Properties at the Manor Walk development are also joined to the council’s Combined Heat and Power Scheme (CHP), which uses waste heat from electricity generation and provides low cost energy options for tenants to reduce bills. Aberdeen’s CHP scheme has already proven successful in tackling fuel poverty in Aberdeen and reducing carbon emissions.

Earlier this month it was announced the council is to develop plans for the delivery of 2,000 new council homes.

At the 2018/19 budget meeting on March 6 elected members instructed the Director of Resources to report back to the City Growth and Resources Committee with self-financing business plans, in conjunction with private developers, working within an affordable capital investment sum of £250 million.

The council will also aim to expand its work with the private sector in the provision of affordable housing and will prepare a report detailing land holdings that could be made available.

Moray Council invests in essential infrastructure

Moray Council is to invest millions of pounds in safeguarding essential infrastructure over the next 12 months.

Members of the council’s economic development & infrastructure committee this morning gave the green light to action plans for works in harbours, road bridges, street lighting, roads maintenance and flood alleviation schemes.

Urgent works will take place at Buckie, Burghead and Findochty harbours, and will include a diving survey, sheet pile works, cavity repairs and replacement rock armour at a cost of over £1 million.

£130,000 has been allocated for bridge inspections across the portfolio of 371 bridges, with specific repairs to be carried out to 10 of these, including metal barrier and concrete repairs, kerbing and vegetation removal.

Councillors praised the progress of the replacement LED street lighting programme - which is ahead of schedule and £400,000 under budget due to renegotiating the purchase price of LED lanterns. Since 2016/17, 7,630 LED street lights have been installed, with a further 5,000 scheduled for completion this year. Significant energy savings are being made through this project, as installing each LED lantern halves the energy cost compared to traditional street lighting.

More than £8m will be spent on maintaining Moray’s roads, with £2m from the capital budget allocated for resurfacing, surface dressing and reconstruction of roads to prolong the lifespan of the council’s 1,500 km roads network, and a further £1m on maintaining footways, footpaths and drainage works. £1.7m has been earmarked for winter maintenance in 2018/19.

Almost £300,000 will be spent on flood risk management, including maintaining vital flood protection schemes in Longmorn, Lhanbryde, Forres, Elgin and Dallas.

New facilities planned for Highland town

Plans for a new community hall, outdoor nursery and 20 allotment plots are due to come to fruition this year in the Highland’s newest town - Tornagrain – just one year after the first residents moved into their new homes.

Moray Estates has been working together with Tornagrain’s developers to bring a host of new facilities to the area, which will eventually be home to more than 10,000 people. With over 50 homes already occupied, the Estate is now seeking planning permission for an outdoor children’s nursery and a community space which will be used for exercise classes, clubs and local events. Twenty allotment plots will also be created later this year.

Clark Contracts highlights its Academy in new video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INNQ81z1J7g

Clark Contracts has launched a new video about its Academy.

Formed in 2006, the Academy encompasses all employees undertaking modern apprenticeships and college and university courses.

The firm ensures new talent is brought into the company by employing and supporting people through structured training and development, vocational training schemes and on a part time basis where it funds the course undertaken at College or University. These opportunities extend from trade operative positions through to Degree and Masters Courses.

The video launch comes as the company prepares to hold the first of its annual careers evenings in Paisley tonight.

Barratt West Scotland’s Dominique Moscardini dons running shoes in London Marathon fundraising bid

A Glasgow resident has been successful in her bid to take part in the London Marathon but faces her biggest challenge to date – reaching her fundraising target.

Dominique Moscardini, (31) is part of the national Barratt team, representing Barratt West Scotland. She has set herself the target of raising £2000 towards her chosen charity – Whizz Kids – that provides disabled children with the essential wheelchairs and mobility equipment they need lead fun, active lives.

Despite her gruelling training schedule she is finding the time to generate small donations, whether that be online, office events or anonymous donations – every small gesture is helping Dominique reach her fundraising total.

Dominique, a Buyer at Barratt West Scotland said: “My goal is to raise £1000, and if I can make it to that total, my employer, Barratt Homes said that they will match it. If I can reach that total, I’ll keep going until the marathon day.

“For me, doing a marathon was a personal goal that I have been working towards for some time now. I did the Stirling Marathon last year, and when I finished I wanted to top it, and there is no better way to do that than by taking on the London Marathon.

“It’s a great motivator doing this for a charity like Whizz Kids, knowing that the money I raise will go towards helping young children lead a happy and mobile childhood urges you to get your running shoes on, even when it’s lashing with rain.

“Being a part of a national team taking on the London Marathon is really exciting – there are representatives from each of Barratt’s divisions and we’re all really encouraging each other to get out and put the miles in.”

David Scott, managing director, Barratt Homes West Scotland, added: “Dominique is a fantastic representation of the West Division – she’s passionate about the charity she’s running for, dedicated to both the training and the fundraising and a very hard-working member of the Barratt team. I am confident Dominique will do us proud come 22 April.”

To make a donation towards Dominique fundraising total visit here.