Building Briefs – March 2nd

The public are invited to have their say on the future of one of Edinburgh’s most historic parks.

Consultation has now begun on the proposed master plan for Saughton Park, which is set to undergo a £5.3m renovation.

A series of exhibitions will be held throughout March, allowing people to see ambitious designs by landscape architects Ironside Farrar Ltd and Sutherland Hussey Architects, which aim to restore the 17th century garden’s historic elements.

Detailed proposals were developed using extensive feedback on initial plans given in December by stakeholders and members of the public.

For initial plans the design team, which also includes Peter McGowan Associates, Richard Shorter Architect and David Narro Associates, drew on findings from a visitor satisfaction survey undertaken by Community First Partnership and interactive events held with the public.

Among proposals to revitalise the park are the restoration of the walled gardens, bandstand and winter gardens and development of the stable block and yard to create a new park café, public toilets, staff facilities, community venue and volunteer base.

Council to purchase Cowdenbeath homes for social rent

Fife Council is set to purchase 49 homes from Bellway Homes in Cowdenbeath for social rent

Work on the new Birchwood development in Leuchatsbeath is now underway.

The move is the latest development in the council’s commitment to deliver 2700 new affordable homes by 2017.

Cllr Judy Hamilton, executive spokesperson for housing & building services, and ward councillor Gary Guichan met with Bellway Homes on site to mark the occasion.

The agreement will deliver a mix of one, two, three, four and five bedroom general needs and specific needs properties. These will be made up of 1-bed cottage flats, three & four-bed amenity and wheelchair bungalows and two, three, four and five-bed houses.

There are currently over 800 applicants on the Fife Housing Register for Cowdenbeath.

The Leuchatsbeath site joins six other council house developments which are currently being built.

These are at North Fod in Dunfermline, Abbey Park in St Andrews, Windmill Road in Cellardyke, Orebank Terrace in Thornton, County Buildings in Cupar, and a second phase of homes in Ostlers Way in Kirkcaldy.

Housing option for Aberdeenshire school site

School buildings in a north east town could be demolished to make way for housing and office space.

Aberdeenshire Council is considering turning parts of the current Ellon Academy site into housing while also developing offices.

As part of its proposed masterplan, the council has recommended earmarking the academy’s annexe building, situated on Bridge Street, as a possible site for a housing development. The local authority is also considering using the main academy site, which includes the town’s community centre, as a future base for Aberdeenshire Council employees.

At present, the council offices are situated in different units around the town square. The area’s local development plan states the current site of the main part of the academy would “consolidate” the local authority’s offices.

More than 1,000 Ellon Academy pupils will move from the town centre to the new £36 million community campus once the school building is completed later this year.

The new community campus building will be near a proposed 980 home development which includes a new primary school and GP surgery.

Councillors asked to approve design work for Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme

Aberdeenshire Council has been recommended to approve the progression of design work to deliver a £1.8 million scheme to protect Stonehaven from flooding.

Last year, approval in principle was given to funding construction of the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme up to a value of £15m.

A tender for the design was previously awarded to Mott MacDonald and following a detailed review of work done to date, the firm is ready to begin the next design stage.

The estimated cost of £1.8m includes design development, detailed design, tender preparation and technical support during the tender of the construction contract.

Should development of the scheme continue at the current rate of progress, it is expected the notice for the proposed scheme will be advertised in line with the legislative process by early summer 2015.

Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s policy and resources committee will consider the report at a meeting in Aberdeen on Thursday.

You can see the report to committee on the council website.

Proposed local development plan for Angus

Angus Council has published the Proposed Angus Local Development Plan and Associated Environmental Report for a nine week representation period beginning 27 February 2015 and ending 30 April 2015.

The plan sets out the development strategy, policies for the use of land and sites proposed for development in Angus for the period 2016 - 2026.The environmental report identified, described and evaluated the likely significant effect on the environment of implementing the proposed Angus local development plan.

Copies of the proposed Angus local development plan and environmental report can be viewed on the internet at www.angus.gov.uk/ldpconsult, or at County Buildings, Market Street, Forfar and Angus House, Orchardbank Business Park, Forfar, all local libraries, mobile libraries and ACCESS offices in Angus during normal opening hours.

Representations must be submitted by midnight on Thursday 30 April.