Building Briefs – May 3rd

• Construction starts at Taylor Wimpey’s first development in Inverkeithing

The development, which will deliver a range of two, three, four and five bedroom homes, has been designed to provide a range of options for first time buyers and growing families.

As part of the Section 75 planning agreement with Fife Council, Taylor Wimpey is contributing £583,600 toward transportation improvements. This includes £399,600 towards strategic transport improvements and £184,000 towards local road upgrading works. Of the 295 new homes to be developed, 74 will be affordable homes, delivered in partnership with Fife Council.

Pauline Mills, land and planning director at Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, said: “We are so pleased to be starting the construction of our Spencer Fields development in Inverkeithing. The development will not only provide residents from around the local area with a wide selection of homes, but it offers great commutable routes to Edinburgh and the wider Fife area. As one of the largest housebuilders in the UK, we are committed to building more than homes and making sure that we add social, economic and environmental value to the wider communities that we operate in.”

• New homes in Dingwall handed over

Work to convert the former Education Offices on Achany Road in Dingwall into new homes for The Highland Council to rent out has been completed. 

This week the Council has been handed over the keys to the twelve flats, three of which a fully adapted for wheelchair users. They have been designed in-house by the Council’s architect service and built by O’Brien Homes. 

Funding for the Achany court project has come from The Highland Council’s and the Scottish Government.

Dingwall and Seaforth Ward Member, Councillor Angela MacLean said: “I was lucky enough to have a preview of the flats and would like to congratulate all of the Highland Council officers involved in designing this development. It is stunning and has been done sympathetically to reflect the other properties in the vicinity. The standard of workmanship and the thought that has gone into building bespoke future proof homes that can be adapted to suit the needs of our tenants without the need to move, not only benefits our tenants but it also shows that Highland Council is focused on ensuring Best Value from our investment. I can’t wait to see the first tenants move in.”

All of the flats will be for rent by the Council to people of the Highland Housing Register and tenants will be moving in shortly.

• Views wanted on draft plan to tackle fuel poverty and the energy efficiency of local homes

Partners, stakeholders and the wider public are being encourage to give their views as part of a Scottish Borders Council consultation on a draft Affordable Warmth and Home Energy Efficiency Strategy.

The draft strategy sets out the Council’s vision and proposed actions for the next four years to ensure all Borderers have access to healthy homes and can afford to heat them adequately.

Councillor Mark Rowley, Executive Member for Business and Economic Development, said: “It is unacceptable that currently almost a third of households in the Scottish Borders are living in fuel poverty and that is something that we are committed to reducing, working with a range partners. 

“The draft strategy has been developed to link in with the priorities of our partners and also the Scottish Borders Community Plan and Local Housing Strategy, which identify the challenges of fuel poverty and energy efficiency.

“The vision of this strategy is for more people to live in energy efficient and affordably warm homes, and it sets out a wide range of actions to that end. We want our partners, other stakeholders and the public to review these and provide their comments and suggestions as part of the ongoing consultation to help us develop a final strategy that meets the needs of everyone and well help us and our partners deliver on this vision.”

Three main priorities have been identified in the draft strategy:

1. To collectively work with partners to improve affordable warmth and energy efficiency in homes
2. To explore wider measures to better manage energy and increase warmth in the home
3. To ensure that strategy provides opportunities for all in the Scottish Borders.

The consultation is open until 21 May and the draft strategy and consultation questions can be accessed online via scotborders.citizenspace.com or www.scotborders.gov.uk/consultations Hard copies of the strategy and consultation questions can be requested from the Housing Strategy team.

• Revised plans for homes on Dundee factory site

Plans have been re-submitted to redevelop the old Tay Rope Works in Dundee

A previous plans was rejected at committee but now F&H Developments has tried again with a proposal to demolish and rebuild the facade of the factory on Magdalen Yard Road and replace it with a development of five houses and four flats.

Its proposals have been met with some resistance because they would see the stone used in the C-listed facade disposed of.

The developer says it would rebuild the facade in a way that honours the original design, albeit with new materials.

And consultants acting for F&H say the existing frontage would be “difficult to repair for re-use” because of cracks in structurally critical parts of the stonework.

In the new application, F&H’s agents Bidwells say they have attempted to work with the local community to ease their anxieties, holding a number of public meetings in recent weeks.

A statement from the firm said: “The consensus from the residents is that they want the development to proceed.

“They understand that the factory walls do need to come down.”

A decision on the application may be made in June – unless it is delegated to committee.

• Builder submits plans for Fife homes

Plans for six new homes have been submitted to Fife Council.

Wallace Roofing & Building Ltd is seeking approval of a change of use application to create the new development and associated infrastructure on land to the south of Balgove Road in Gauldry.

The site is currently being used for agricultural purposes.

Outline planning consent was originally granted following an appeal in April 2017 but the site was subsequently bought by a local developer.

Detailed plans have now been submitted by the new owner.

• Contractor appointed to flatten Aberdeen academy 

David Smith Contractors Ltd has been awarded the £350,000 contract to demolish a former Aberdeen school.

The flattening of Torry Academy will begin soon after Crimond-based firm was picked for the contract which includes removal of all the existing buildings, link bridges, asbestos, drainage and stairs.

Both Kincorth and Torry academies closed in July and were replaced with the £47m Lochside Academy.

The site of Torry Academy will be transformed into a £25m primary and community centre., which will include a housing office and cafe.