Building Briefs – May 15th

Susan Stephen Architects has submitted plans to transform a disused car showroom off Industry Lane in Edinburgh into a 23-home residential development.

Under the plans, the existing warehouse will be levelled while retaining stone setts for re-use in a proposed private garden area as well as a shared surface parking and storage space.

The new build will be stepped back in height to respect neighbouring properties in the Leith Conservation Area with facades composed predominantly of facing brick below a zinc clad top level. A feature staircase meanwhile will be partially obscured behind a perforated metal screen.

Fife boiler repair group bought by OVO Energy

OVO Energy has acquired Fife-based home service provider CORGI HomePlan.

The acquisition - the company’s second in 2017 - marks another step in OVO’s transition from core energy supplier towards creating a truly integrated, technology-enabled energy services company.

Since launching in 2011, CORGI HomePlan has grown rapidly with double-digit, year-on-year increases in customer numbers. It has built an exceptionally strong brand and a reputation for great customer service, delivered through its proprietary tech platform and its engineer network.

Adding CORGI HomePlan to OVO’s portfolio expands its current in-home network - which currently installs smart meters and smart-grid services such as VCharge - now providing the capability to install and maintain boilers, thermostats and other technology.

The acquisition builds on OVO’s strategy of growth and diversification, positioning the company strongly in the face of increasing competition and regulation in the market, challenging both incumbent players and new entrants.

Aldi plans 2,000 new stores

The boss of Aldi has outlined aggressive expansion plans that could see the supermarket open nearly 2,000 new stores around the UK.

Chief executive Matthew Barnes was quoted in a trade magazine saying Aldi could open as many eight stores in some towns, piling further pressure on its more established rivals.

He added: “If you look at the population, we think not only could we have a store in every town and city, but for every 25,000 to 30,000 people.”

Aldi currently has 700 UK outlets and, according to Mr Barnes’s calculations and the UK population, this could eventually increase to 2,600 under the firm’s expansion plan.

This kind of growth would see Aldi match Tesco, which has around 2,700 supermarkets and convenience stores around the country.

Mr Barnes also expects Aldi to grow much quicker than its 2022 target of 1,000 stores, with the total closer to 1,300.

Aldi’s current developments in Scotland include a new supermarket in Peterhead. The discounter first raised the prospect of building an outlet in the town more than a decade ago but it was not until last year that planning permission in principle was agreed.

The deal was subject to conditions including an archaeological investigation of the Kirkburn Mill site and a formal demolition plan for a block of flats on the land.

Aldi was granted permission to tear down the three-storey block of derelict flats on the site, which was formerly a textile mill.

In its place, the firm is planning to build two separate stores and a car park for 150 shoppers in a project expected to create 30 jobs and bring £2.5 million into the town’s economy.

Developer and Self/Custom Build Open Day

Housing developers and self-builders are invited to attend an Open Day to hear about proposals for a Simplified Planning Zone (SPZ) at Montgomerie Park, Irvine.

The Open Day will take place on 30 May 2017 between 10 am – 1pm at Hallmark Hotel Irvine, 46 Annick Rd, Irvine KA11 4LD.

The SPZ is a Scottish Government-backed pilot to trial a simplified planning regime on a large scale site to encourage more house building.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Planning Services (Strategic Planning) by email at LDP@north-ayrshire.gov.uk.

C13K to temporarily close for AWPR works

The C13K Lairhillock to Portlethen Road at Rothnick will close for around 14 weeks from Friday 19 May as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty project (AWPR/B-T).

The closure is necessary to enhance the safety of road users and workers while the contractor completes the construction of a new bridge and clears the site, with major earthworks taking place.

Work to repair West Dunbartonshire Road complete

Work to repair a damaged section of road in West Dunbartonshire is now complete.

The Kilbowie Road in Clydebank was shut earlier this year after a section of the route collapsed in January.

Specialist engineers were called in to examine the damage and discovered a six-metre deep cavity on top of a 56-metre deep shaft – dropping to a depth equivalent of 14 double decker buses.

The Coal Authority were alerted and it was initially predicted the road would reopen in six months time, due to the project being complicated by the presence of major utility pipes and cables.

However, the Coal Authority completed their works in April and thanks to dry weather/efficient preparatory work on the site, the council has completed its repairs and plans to reopen the road by today.

New chair appointed to Scottish Natural Heritage Board

Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham has appointed Dr Mike Cantlay as chair of Scottish Natural Heritage’s (SNH) Board.

As current chair of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd, Dr Cantlay has vast experience in the public sector.

Ms Cunningham said in his new role, Dr Cantlay will help promote Scotland’s natural heritage.

SNH is an executive non departmental public body which advises the Government on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland.

Kier Utilities to begin Bearsden waste water network improvements

Kier Utilities is to start carrying out improvements to the waste water network in Bearsden.

The project involves cleaning and surveying of the sewer network to help reduce the risk of sewer flooding. Work will take place in Maxwell Avenue in the Westerton area of Bearsden from Thursday, 25 May.

To allow the three-day scheme to be carried out, a short section of Maxwell Avenue will be closed between its junctions with North View and Monreith Avenue. Diversions will be in place.

Scottish Water said everything will be done to complete the work and lift the road closure as quickly as possible.