Building Briefs – March 31st

Cleartech completes HVAC commissioning at National HVDC Centre

Construction subcontractor Cleartech Group Ltd has completed HVAC commissioning and water treatment services on The National HVDC Centre in Cumbernauld.

Cleartech, which specialises in HVAC commissioning, water treatment and Legionella compliance, has previously provided these works for Heathrow Terminal 2A, the new Krispy Kreme in Braehead and the Hampton by Hilton hotel which has just opened by Aberdeen Airport.

The National HVDC Centre is due to open on April 26.

Cleartech helped complete the building along with Arc-tech, SSE & the MTTE Project.

Hawick business infrastructure proposals agreed by Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has agreed Scottish Borders Council’s (SBC) proposals for the use of £3.625 million on business infrastructure projects in the town and has formally released the funding to the council.

The proposals, submitted to the Scottish Government earlier this month, include the immediate development of key sites along with a second phase including feasibility studies for some other prominent sites.

It is proposed that these latter sites are presented as priorities for the new South of Scotland Enterprise and Skills Vehicle.

It is anticipated these projects will provide new job opportunities to benefit the local community as well as act as a catalyst for further potential property development in the future.

Due to ongoing negotiations, which are commercially sensitive, specific details of the projects cannot be released at this time.

Councillors decide to replace Lossie pool

Moray councillors have reaffirmed their commitment to include a swimming pool as part of plans for a replacement Lossiemouth High School campus.

Officers had recommended that they consider excluding the pool in the face of rising costs for the project.

But they voted 19 to five in favour of retaining the pool as part of the overall development.

The council agreed a year ago to build a new secondary school with capacity for 800 pupils, along with community facilities and a swimming pool at a cost of £31 million.

However that figure has now risen to £36m as a result of unforeseen ground conditions and additional works insisted on by the Ministry of Defence due to the close proximity to RAF Lossiemouth.

Excluding the swimming pool would have brought the overall cost down to £33.5m.

Pennywell labourer recognised as hero by Considerate Constructors

A member of Urban Union’s construction team at Pennywell in Edinburgh has been chosen as a Considerate Constructors Scheme Hero.

Scheme Heroes is an initiative that helps highlight and reward individuals working in the industry who go above and beyond when being considerate to others.

Site labourer Roy Graham was nominated for the accolade by the entire team for his tireless work making sure that the site is clean, tidy and safe.

Candidates who receive the award are recognised for their exceptional diligence in performing daily duties and for the effort they put in to go the extra mile in any aspect of the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice.

Scheme Heroes pays tribute to individuals who operate at the ‘coalface’ of activity and those whose day-to-day work can often go largely unrecognised but who play an integral part in any site’s operation.

Winning candidates are often staff members who have made particularly strong links with the site or community and have become the approachable and friendly face of construction as well as a fantastic ambassador for the organisation.

Scaled-back Galloway Hills wind farm plan submitted

A renewable energy developer has submitted a revised plan for a proposed wind farm in the Galloway Hills.

It would see 12 turbines constructed - four fewer than previously planned.

Element Power’s scaled-back plan for its Windy Rig development follows “substantial” consultation with the council and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Additional environmental information has been submitted to support the application and it is now subject to a 28-day consultation.

The site lies on the Moorbrock Estate to the north east of Carsphairn and is near a cluster of other wind energy developments.

Each of the proposed 12 turbines would be up to 125m (410ft) in height.

The revisions made to the application - including changes to the layout - have been designed to limit the visual impact of the development.