Building Briefs – March 23rd

Aberdeen City Council has approved the construction of an apartment-hotel with 71 suites in the city centre.

The council’s Planning Development Management Committee gave the go-ahead for the scheme from Danmor Developments Ltd, which involves demolishing three industrial units and building the ‘apart-hotel’ with associated parking and landscaping.

Planning officials had recommended approval subject to conditions, including that Danmor Developments Ltd enters into a legal agreement with the city council to secure a contribution towards works to paths, environmental and access improvements in the area.

The apart-hotel would employ up to 18 staff and comprise 71 suites incorporating separate sleeping/living areas and small kitchenettes. The outside of the building would be finished in a range of materials including natural granite panels, smooth white and grey render, metallic silver and charcoal grey cladding, dark grey aluminium windows, and glass cladding and panelling.

The 1,495 square metre site historically formed part of Union Glen Distillery.

Work begins on new homes in Barrhead

Work to create 15 new homes in Barrhead is now underway.

Barrhead Housing Association revealed that the demolition contractor has taken possession of the site at Darnley Road to start to clear the former school and council office.

This site has been part of East Renfrewshire Council’s strategic housing plans for some time and the former council office was cleared last year. Following a successful transfer of the site, the Association will complete the £1.6 million development after successfully receiving grant of £837,185 from the Scottish Government.

Main contractor McTaggart Construction will commence the building of 15 properties for social rent as soon as the site has been cleared. The site will provide 12 one, and 3 two bedroom flats, with the main access being taken through the existing Rankin Way development.

The flats will be allocated from the East Renfrewshire Housing Register with 50 per cent being nominated to East Renfrewshire Council. The new homes should be completed by early 2016.

Council unveils affordable housing vision for Forfar school site

A public consultation has given residents the chance to find out more about plans for an affordable housing development in Forfar.

Angus Council has submitted a planning application to convert the former Chapelpark primary school into 29 new homes.

If approved, the Grade B listed buildings will be transformed into 25 affordable apartments and four new build townhouses.

Comments on the plans can be made until 27 March.

Energy blueprint makes case for investing in skills and talent

A Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s energy sector is encouraging the industry to retain and invest in skills to ensure future prosperity.

The action plan is published today by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) after extensive consultations with employers and stakeholders.

Themes identified in the plan include promoting careers to young people, more Modern Apprenticeships and improving gender equality.

Highland turbines scheme opposed

Councillors have opposed plans to build six turbines on the edge of the “world-famous landscape” of Glen Affric; but the final decision will be made by the Scottish Government.

Delays in Highland Council’s planning process since last May when the German developers – the wpd group – first lodged their planning application, meant the local authority ran out of time.

If approved the turbines will be almost 400ft high to a blade’s tip, twice the height of Edinburgh’s Scott Monument.

New Aldi store plan for Dundee

Discount supermarket firm Aldi plans to build a new multi-million-pound store in Dundee.

The German retailer will reveal detailed plans for a new modern food store at Myrekirk during a public consultation event at Charleston Community Centre on March 31.

The new store, which would increase the firm’s portfolio in the city to three shops, is earmarked for vacant development land on the former NCR cash machine factory site next to Asda’s Dundee West superstore.

Aldi’s plan also includes car parking provisions and landscaping.

It plans to take soundings in the local community before moving to the stage of lodging a formal planning application for the development with Dundee City Council.

It is understood a new store would support around 30 full-time equivalent retail jobs, as well as providing a significant boost to the local construction trade during the build phase of the project.