Building Briefs – May 22nd

Organic Architects has submitted plans to revamp the Lindores Abbey distillery in Fife, home to the earliest recorded example of distilling in Scotland from 1494.

The existing farm steading is to have a contemporary makeover using traditional and modern materials.

Incorporating joint visitor facilities for the abbey and distillery, the £5 million building is situated on the outskirts of Newburgh.

Construction is to start later this year.

£150,000 project to tackle flood risk in Cupar completed

The completion of a £150,000 relief scheme means that residents will no longer face a high risk of sewer flooding in part of Cupar, according to Scottish Water.

An eight-week project has been completed that, the water authority says, removes the threat of internal sewer flooding on the town’s Bank Street and will see a vulnerable property removed from the flood risk register.

Workmen laid 175 metres of a new nine-inch sewer pipe, including four new manholes, which provides additional capacity to the existing sewer at times of heavy rain.

Edinburgh housing development sails off with top award

The Sailmaker Apartments in Leith, which were built by the City of Edinburgh Council and its partners, have won an esteemed industry award.

The development of 145 affordable homes took the title of Best Partnership in Affordable Housing at the prestigious Homes For Scotland Awards 2015.

It was built through the National Housing Trust (NHT) scheme in a partnership between the council, Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), Hillcrest Housing Association, Cruden and Rettie and Co.

Also commended in the same category was Merchant’s Court in Liberton, a council-funded development of social rent and mid-market rent (MMR) properties which were delivered by the Dunedin Canmore Housing Association. The Greendykes C development in Craigmillar, which features 60 MMR and social rent flats, was also shortlisted.

Focused on the theme of “Foundations for the Future”, the 2015 awards showcased a commitment to raising standards across the industry and to overcome barriers that can impede the building of much needed homes.

The ceremony took place in front of a record crowd of some 900 senior industry representatives and their guests at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Plans submitted for new Kelvinside flats

New City Vision has submitted fresh plans to build 90 homes at Clouston Street, Kelvinside, after the original was thrown out for lacking key documentation.

Initially mooted back in 2012, the proposed scheme remains largely unchanged from its previous incarnation, save for the addition of two new homes to Kelbourne Street and an increase in height of flatted accommodation on Sanda Street from four to five storeys.

Designed by Adam Architecture, the scheme would supplant former playing fields, since turned into a community wild space, with traditionally styled new build homes intended to be in keeping with the surrounding conservation area.

Lowther Homes tenants thrilled with new Glasgow affordable homes

Tenants are celebrating moving in to their affordable new homes in the south side of Glasgow.

GHA, part of Wheatley Group, built 32 homes – a mix of mid-market rent and shared equity ownership - in partnership with its sister organisation Lowther Homes on the site of the old St Julie’s Primary School in Croftfoot Road.

The mid-market rent properties are available to people who are working and earning between £15,000 and £40,000. It offers alternative affordable housing for those on a modest income and 13 of the new tenants were previously on a waiting list for social housing.

City Building, as part of its contract with GHA, created 22 full-time jobs, as well as 13 apprenticeships for local people.

New Edinburgh primary school being considered

Edinburgh’s first new primary school in more than 30 years is among a range of options being considered as city chiefs aim to find a solution to overcrowded classrooms.

Three primaries in the south of the city – South Morningside, James Gillespie’s and Bruntsfield – are under extreme pressure from rising rolls.

Conditions are so cramped at South Morningside that almost £700,000 is being spent fitting out nearby Deanbank Resource Centre in Canaan Lane as a temporary solution from August.

Youngsters in primaries one and two are currently being taught in huts in the school playground and at Fairmilehead Church Hall.

The problem was debated at a meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council’s education, children and families committee yesterday as councillors pored over the Primary School Capacity Pressure in South Edinburgh report.

Amongst three options now being considered is a new primary school – which could cost at least £10 million, funded by the sale of Boroughmuir High School – on the site of Deanbank Resource Centre and the adjacent Oaklands Care Home.

Councillors could also set up a permanent annexe there, hosting children from nursery to primary three, or improve the centre by adding a new gym and nursery.

The plans could have implications on catchment areas for James Gillespie’s and Bruntsfield primaries, as well as Tollcross Primary School. A statutory consultation is set to be launched in August.

Provost marks completion of new Forth homes

Forth Housing Association marked the completion of its latest homes in Cultenhove, Stirling with the help of Provost Mike Robbins.

The development of 16 homes for rent is the first fruit of a new joint working partnership involving Cultenhove Opportunities Partnership and Forth. Under this partnership the new homes were planned and designed by a project group made up of local residents and Forth’s staff. The aim was to ensure that the new homes met the needs of the local community and were designed to fit in to the local environment.

The partnership is now moving on to Phase 2 and a Planning Application for 22 further homes nearby is currently being considered by Stirling Council.

Developer loses Perthshire holiday resort appeal

Scottish ministers have rejected plans for a large-scale holiday village in rural Perthshire.

Edinburgh company Exclusive Resorts had its bid for 30 lodges, a network of cycle paths and woodland walks at Bankfoot blocked by councillors last year.

The firm appealed to the Scottish Government in a bid to have the decision overturned. It argued that the development would bring “outstanding benefits” to the local and national economy.

A spokesman claimed that Perth and Kinross Council had set a precedent for rural tourism projects when it approved a separate application to transform Taymouth Castle into a hotel.

The project – earmarked for land at Gellybanks Farm – had hinged on the company also winning consent for 10 luxury homes at the edge of the site. Money made from selling off the private properties would provide crucial backing for the tourism venture, agents said.

Both proposals were thrown out by members of the management development committee, amid fears it could impact on water supplies and cause traffic problems, and that it would be out of character for the surrounding area.

Partick Housing Association reaches void property milestone

Partick Housing Association (PHA) has celebrated the allocation of its 200th modernised void property this month.

Five years ago, the PHA board agreed to set aside a budget to modernise properties, improving the standard and design of the homes to make them fit for modern living and making them more comfortable and easy to heat.

The success of this project is down to the close working relationship with Carillion plc, PHA’s repairs and maintenance partners.

Glenrothes distillery plans withdrawn

A planning application for a new Glenrothes distillery has been suddenly withdrawn.

Australian firm Pure Scot Limited had earmarked a site in the Southfield Industrial Estate for the distillery, along with a bottling hall.

The multi-million-pound project was expected to create in the region of 30 full-time jobs and bolster central Fife’s reputation at the heart of the scotch whisky industry.

However, last week it emerged the planning application for the Crompton Road site had been withdrawn, amid speculation the company was looking elsewhere in Scotland for ready-made premises.