Building Briefs – May 30th

The third Don crossing in Aberdeen is to open next week, following months of delays.

The £22m road bridge linking Danestone and Tillydrone is aimed at easing congestion in the north of the city.

It was supposed to be completed late last year but issues with re-routing underground utilities have caused a series of delays.

The new crossing, which is expected to the called ‘the Diamond Bridge’ - will be opened on Thursday 9 June.

Google Street View technology to be used in Scottish property market

Technology used by Google to produce its Street View maps is being deployed in the Scottish property market to help househunters ‘walk around’ homes using their computer or smartphone.

Special cameras offering 360-degree views of house interiors could transform the way people look for property, according to solicitor estate agent Aberdein Considine.

The firm has teamed up with Scottish technology firm Eskimo Intelligent Solutions to offer the digital viewing experience across Scotland.

The virtual tours are created using rapid 360-degree imaging iSTAR panoramic cameras, which precisely capture full spherical images of the property.

Individual panoramic images are ‘stitched’ together – similar to Google Street View – allowing the viewer to move through the property using their mouse or fingertips.

Since their introduction, Google’s 360-degree maps have become part of everyday life for most.

Lightways to begin £3.25m Erskine Bridge refurb project

Lightways (Contractors) is to begin a £3.25 million bridge refurbishment on the A898.

The company will carry out lighting and electrical refurbishments at the Erskine Bridge from today.

The 20-week project involves replacing internal and bridge deck lighting with lamps on the south approach to the bridge.

In addition, high mast lights at the north of the bridge will be switched to LED lighting while the existing cable network will be refurbished.

Rainton Construction to start improvement work in Kirkintilloch

Contractor Rainton Construction is to carry out improvement work in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire.

Catherine Street and Kerr Street in the town centre will be closed from 29 June to 17 July to allow the work to be carried out.

Union Street will reopen to ensure access is maintained to the Regent Centre and other businesses.

The work includes a new high-quality road and paving, courtesy and controlled crossing points, slim-style lit bollards and reshaped layouts.

It is expected that all four arms of the Catherine Street junction will be closed for approximately 24 hours on 17 and 18 July to allow resurfacing to take place.

Link completes Port Glasgow affordable homes

Link Group Ltd’s new affordable housing development at Lower Mary Street, Port Glasgow has been officially opened by Inverclyde Council’s vice convener for education and communities, Councillor James McColgan.

The £5.1 million development of 46 homes for social rent and shared equity began in December 2014 using £2.8m funding from the Scottish Government. Built by Persimmon Homes, the 38 homes for social rent include two-bedroom terraced houses, one and two-bedroom flats, two-bedroom cottage flats and one two-bedroom cottage flat for a wheelchair user. These properties will be managed by Link Group’s subsidiary, Larkfield Housing Association.

There were also eight homes available to buy through the New Supply Shared Equity scheme - six three-bedroom terraced houses and two three-bedroom semidetached houses. Priority for both types of housing was given to long-term residents of the Clune Park area, whose run-down flats are to be demolished as part of ongoing regeneration by Inverclyde Council.

Ayshire Roads Alliance to begin maintenance work on A71

The Ayshire Roads Alliance has announced it is carrying out essential maintenance work on the A71 on 04 and 05 June.

The works will be carried out between 6am and 3pm from the Bellfield Interchange to Moorfield roundabout and from Moorfield roundabout to the boundary with North Ayrshire.

On Saturday 04 June, lane closures will be in place in both directions between the Moorfield roundabout and the North Ayrshire boundary.

On Sunday 05 June, lane closures will be in place in both directions between the Bellfield Interchange and Moorfield roundabout.

East Ayrshire Council said slight delays are to be expected.

Work starts on new council homes in West Lothian

Housing developer Lovell has started work to develop five new homes in Philpstun, West Lothian.

The new homes being developed in The Avenue area are part of West Lothian Council’s 1,000 new homes scheme.

Four of the houses will be one bedroom cottage flats and one will be a two bedroom detached house.

There are a number of added benefits to the new build project including new apprenticeships and training and employment opportunities for local people and businesses.

Lovell has also installed a public access path into the nearby Bowling Club which is suitable for disabled access.

House prices soar in Scotland’s seaside towns

The average house price in Scotland’s seaside towns has grown by £348 per month since 2005, according new data.

The latest Bank of Scotland Seaside Towns Review found that over the past decade, the average price has grown by 39 per cent, from £108,449 to £150,210 – exceeding the 32 per cent increase for all seaside towns in Britain.

Seven of the top ten coastal towns with the biggest price increases are located in Aberdeenshire, which for much of the period has been well served by the growth in the oil and gas sector. Fraserburgh has seen the greatest level of house price growth with a rise of 139 per cent from £63,540 in 2005 to £151,719 in 2015, equivalent to a monthly increase of £735. Macduff also recorded a doubling on average property values (102 per cent) from £66,226 to £133,567, followed by Peterhead (95 per cent), Cove Bay (94 per cent) and Newtonhill (91 per cent).

Lerwick in the Shetlands saw the second biggest growth amongst Scottish seaside towns, rising by £81,812 to £159, 325 – an increase of 106 per cent. Other towns outside Aberdeenshire with the largest price increases include Millport (84 per cent) and Campbeltown (69 per cent). A further 22 coastal towns – out of the 59 surveyed – have recorded price increases of at least 50 per cent since 2005.

Over the last year, Lossiemouth saw the largest house price increase, going from £118,330 in 2014 to £139,297 (18 per cent). Fraserburgh (14 per cent), Troon and Thurso (both 13 per cent) were the other top performers.

The top five most expensive properties are located on the eastern coastline. North Berwick has become the most expensive seaside town with an average price of £327,124. St Andrews is the second most expensive (£302,536), followed by Newtonhill (£245,507), Stonehaven (£236,057) and Inverbervie (£213,468).

Eight out of ten of the least expensive seaside towns are in West Scotland. Port Bannatyne is the most inexpensive in Scotland with an average price of £77,132. All of the top ten least expensive towns have an average price below £100,000.