Building Briefs – November 15th

• Consultation on next phase of Glasgow’s Avenues project

People taking part in the consultation will be asked for their views on these initial designs for the Sauchiehall Precinct (between Rose Street and Buchanan Street); the Underline (connecting the West End to the city centre via St George’s Place, Phoenix Road and New City Road); and Cambridge Street.

The £115 million Avenues project is funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, and aims to change the face of the city centre for the better for all those who live, work, and study there as well as those who visit this great location to shop, eat and drink or enjoy a concert or theatre show. It will see key streets in Glasgow city centre redesigned to protect and prioritise space for cyclists and pedestrians, improve connectivity, introduce sustainable green infrastructure through attractive streetscapes and improve the way public transport is accommodated.

The consultation will be both in the city centre on November 16 and 17 and online at www.glasgow.gov.uk/avenues.

• Vision for Loch Linnhe subsea campus

A new vision has been created for an international, multi-use, offshore test and demonstration campus in Loch Linnhe.

The move follows the closure of The Underwater Centre in Fort William, which entered administration last month. The facility’s assets are now being marketed by administrators, with what is believed to be considerable interest from private sector firms.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has been leading efforts to build on the area’s reputation for subsea training and testing services and the associated economic activities locally.

The agency has developed a ‘concept for industry’ with support from Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council and industry bodies.

This is now being disseminated among industry body members for the consideration of potential investors. Its aim is to help the successful bidder establish a commercially viable business that serves the oil and gas, offshore renewables, aquaculture, defence and other subsea sectors.

HIE has also contracted accountancy firm Grant Thornton to provide advice on options for potential public sector support in delivering the proposed campus vision.

• Plans for Glasgow hotel extension to feature restaurant submitted

Plans have been submitted to build a new restaurant onto an existing hotel in Glasgow’s East End.

The application was submitted to Glasgow City Council to erect a three storey extension at the Tartan Lodge Hotel on Alexandra Parade.

In 2017, a similar planning application was submitted and refused.

• Plans for West End coffee shop refused

Glasgow planners have refused a proposal to turn a former retail unit into a coffee bar in the city’s West End.

The proposal for the vacant print shop on Gibson Street was refused by Glasgow City Council. The original application called for a change of use from class one retail unit to class three coffee bar.

• New Royal Hospital for Sick Children faces further delays

The opening of Edinburgh’s £150 million new Sick Kids Hospital is facing further delays after failing to meet the required standards.

An independent assessor has deemed the hospital is not up to scratch after failing to meet all the required specifications with a number of issues still to be resolved.

It is understood staff have been told there is still no completion date set.

• Cost of Aberdeen FC’s new Kingsford stadium rises by £1m

The cost of part of Aberdeen FC’s stadium project has risen by £1 million as the club adds new features to the project.

The first phase of works is under way and includes a community sports hub and training facilities.

The club originally budgeted £10.5 m for the first phase of the £50m Kingsford Stadium scheme – but that has now risen by £1m. With land clearance work due to finish in the next few days, it is understood construction work will start in the coming weeks with a projected finishing date of summer 2019.

Aberdeen FC said costs have increased as one of the pitches will have a hybrid pitch.

A legal hearing into the stadium is due to start next month. A procedural hearing was to be held on November 8, but has been pushed back to December 19. It means the substantive hearing will now start on January 29.

• Milestone reached in Govanhill property acquisition scheme

An initiative to take over and upgrade homes in Govanhill then make them available for social rent is on track for its completion in 2021.

Of 700 targeted properties in the Property Acquisition & Repair scheme, around half have been inspected and 246 properties have been brought into Govanhill Housing Association control.

The latest housing improvements figures were revealed by Glasgow City Council at a Govanhill Regeneration Group meeting.

• Affordable homes shaping new Ayr community

Plans to create a new community in South Ayrshire are now well underway as work to transform a prominent gap site in Ayr gathers pace.

The South Ayrshire Council project will see 26 properties built on the site of the former Whitletts Primary.

The £3.9 million plans will see a mix of homes built, ranging from cottage flats through to townhouses facing onto Main Road. The development is being funded by the Scottish Government’s Housing Subsidy programme, South Ayrshire Council, and income generated from Council Tax levied on second homes.

To allow the project to proceed a block of four council flats on James Brown Avenue were demolished to allow for access to the site. The three affected tenants have been given the option of returning to the new development once it’s been completed in September 2019.

• Borders partnership project recognised at national awards

A joint programme to help young and unemployed people gain construction skills has been recognised at a national awards ceremony.

The Construction Sector Work Academy was highly commended at GO Awards Scotland 2018.

The project is delivered through Scottish Borders Council, Borders College and JobCentre Plus and enables people to get their Construction Skills Certification Scheme card and provides work placements through ongoing contracts. This card allows them to access employment opportunities in the construction industry.

The council has used community benefit clauses attached to a number of construction contracts to provide valuable experience of working on a live construction project.

• Customer investment is top of the agenda for Russells

Pitched roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles is continuing to go the extra mile for its customers and improve its service offering by signing up to the National Building Specification (NBS).

The UK-based system, NBS, works with construction industry professionals to ensure they have the right information and tools at their fingertips. With the support of Russell Roof Tiles, users of the service will have up to date technical information on roofing solutions, legislation and standards, which currently affects the industry today. 

Russell Roof Tiles, which has three sites in Burton-on-Trent and Lochmaben, has always understood the importance of offering unrivalled knowledge and expertise to its customers, to ensure they have the best support available.

Its expert on-site technical team is readily available to assist with customer queries and the manufacturer has introduced a number of tools on its website, such as a tile estimator and fixing specification, which was launched last year. These tools help customers get hold of specifications and advice in a timely and efficient manner.

By signing up to NBS, Russell Roof Tiles will now be able to further its commitment to its customers and other construction professionals, helping them to make informed decisions and create outstanding projects.