Building Briefs – May 16th

Joint venture to begin next phase of Carnoustie housing development

DJ Laing has started work on the next phase of its housing development in Carnoustie.

The 37 homes will add to the 24 units built previously by the developer on the project which now occupies the former Maltings site at Malt Loan.

A show home at the development has been furnished by Millers of Carnoustie in a joint venture between the two companies.

The homes in the next phase will also benefit from integrated solar panels.

This joint venture is a prime example of two local businesses working together to complement their business and their individual products. This initiative could develop further if Carnoustie businesses support the proposal for a BID (Business Improvement District).

The aim of the BID is to make Carnoustie a popular town with interesting and unique activities and a thriving centre enjoyed by residents and visitors. If successful, it is proven that the BID can provide business growth with marketing, events, group buying and an enhanced trading environment for businesses and the town itself.

Wise Property Care scoops award at UK-wide ceremony

A commitment to the latest methods in online communication, as well as the successful undertaking of a complex and challenging project, saw Scottish preservation company Wise Property Care take two industry accolades at a national trade body awards.

The Glasgow-based company took the Website of the Year (Medium/Large Company) title at the Property Care Association’s annual Best Practice awards event, held at The Slate, University of Warwick, as well as a Highly Commended accolade in the Project of the Year category.

A record number of entries were received for the PCA Best Practice awards this year. The winners were selected by an independent panel of three judges, with the Project of the Year award judged by Dr Hector Atlamirano, a building scientist for UCL, Paul Cribbens, standards manager at NHBC and Ray Ferris, head of compliance and standards for the Government-endorsed scheme for trades in and around the home, TrustMark.

Andy Ferguson of Wise Property Care collected the awards alongside colleague Peter Ross.

Taylor Wimpey gives lesson in safety to Kilmarnock school children

A team from Taylor Wimpey West Scotland gave the local children of Hillhead Primary School in Kilmarnock some reminders about health and safety as production at the housebuilder’s development of new homes at Walker’s Gate in Kilmarnock progresses.

This visit follows an earlier presentation to the children a few years ago, however with construction of its new homes continuing for a further phase in the very near future, Taylor Wimpey is keen to remind the children of the dangers associated with playing near any construction site.

The team took the opportunity to raise the awareness of the children’s need to be extra vigilant as construction work continues.

Maclay Civil Engineering starts £1.7m Falkirk public realm upgrade

Maclay Civil Engineering has started work on a £1.7 million public realm improvement project in Falkirk.

The contractor will carry out works to improve the historic town centre as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Falkirk Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

The year-long project is beginning in the Cow Wynd with the introduction of improved heritage footpaths and road resurfacing.

Other highlights include;

The Falkirk THI is jointly funded by HLF, Historic Environment Scotland, Falkirk Council and supported by Falkirk Environment Trust. Between 2013 and 2018, a total of £5.5m will have been invested in the town centre.

Residents invited to submit views on Aberdeen Cycle Route

Residents are being invited to submit their opinions on the current A944 Kingswells to Aberdeen cycle route.

The city council is working with Sustrans to carry out a study into the route and investigate whether any improvements can be made.

The study area comprises of five sections - Westhill-Kingswells, Kingswells-Anderson Drive, Anderson Drive-Westburn Park, Westburn Park-Berryden Road, and Berryden Road-city centre.

As part of the project, a stakeholder consultation exercise is being undertaken by AECOM on behalf of the council to gather feedback on the existing cycle route, and to determine potential opportunities for improvement.

For those who wish to submit their views, participants are asked to write to Transport Strategy and Programmes, Aberdeen City Council, Business Hub 4, Ground Floor North, Marischal College, Broad Street, Aberdeen , AB10 10AB, or email transportstrategy@aberdeencity.gov.uk, by Friday, 26 May.

Work to start on A77 resurfacing project

Work is to begin on a £257,000 resurfacing project in East Ayrshire.

Scotland TranServ will start repairing 1.1km of the A77 Southbound Kilmarnock Bypass from 8pm on Friday, 19 May until 6am on Monday, 22 May. This section of the road will be closed while work is carried out.

Features include work to rectify potholes and address deeper structural cracking.

Further improvements to A7 requires overnight closure

A section of the A7 road will be closed overnight for improvements this month.

The Torsonce corner south of Stow will be improved as part of a £3.8 million programme of surface treatment to the Borders’ road network in 2017/18.

The closure runs from Sunday 21 to Friday 26 May, starting from 8pm to 6am each night. Traffic lights are currently in place at Torsonce for preparatory works.