Building Briefs – November 22nd

Artisan Canonmills Ltd has announced dates for a second round of community consultation exhibitions for its proposed Canonmills Gardens development planned for the former B&Q site at 13 Warriston Road in Edinburgh.

Since initial consultation exhibitions held in July, Artisan have been reviewing feedback and liaising with City of Edinburgh Council’s planning team.

Members of the public can view the plans in the Nelson Hall of McDonald Road Library from 12 noon to 4pm on Saturday 3rd December 2016 and on Monday 5th December from 2pm to 8pm. In addition, information on the revised scheme will be available for viewing and comment from the 6th December on the project website www.canonmillsgarden.com. The closing date for comments is Tuesday 13th December 2016.

Sheppard Robson has been appointed to design the scheme and ensure that a range of high quality materials will be used for both the buildings and wider green landscaped site.

The site was previously occupied by B&Q and ownership is due to transfer to Artisan in March 2017. Following the exhibitions, Artisan will lodge a detailed planning application with City of Edinburgh Council.

Keirs Hill wind farm refused over impact on historic sites

Planning consent for a new 17 turbine wind farm near Patna, East Ayrshire has been refused by Keith Brown, cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, following a public inquiry.

When considering the Keirs Hill wind farm ministers decided that the proposed scheme is not acceptable because of the height of the turbines in this location, as well as the impact on the nearby houses and on historic sites, notably the Waterside ironworks complex.

Ministers concluded that on balance the impacts of the proposed development would not be outweighed by any wider benefit in respect of energy generation and climate change mitigation.

Link and Tigh Grian to showcase new development in Alva

Link Group Ltd and Tigh Grian Ltd are holding an open day at their site in Queen Street, Alva.

This 48 unit project is Scotland’s first off-site manufactured housing development built to the Gold Standard of Sustainability.

As it nears completion, Link and Tigh Grian would like to share their experience of this Modern Method of Construction.

This ‘turnkey’ development is being built by Tigh Grian Ltd, supported by the Scottish Government’s Greener Homes Initiative Scheme, on behalf of Link Group Ltd who are also acting on behalf of Paragon Housing Association.

The Open Day is being held on Tuesday 6 December 2016 from 9.00am to 3.15pm.

Visitors will be able to gain an understanding of what has been involved both on and off-site, as well as view properties at various stages of construction.

Tours are being run throughout the day at 9.00am, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm.

If you are interested in attending please contact Ruth MacKenzie on 01324 417160 or email rmack@linkhaltd.co.uk by Monday 28 November 2016.

Linlithgow architectural graduate receives top award

A West Lothian architectural graduate has had a meteoric rise to the top at Persimmon Homes after being awarded the firms most sought after accolade.

Stephen Old was named the overall Young Achiever 2016 at the housebuilder’s national Young Achievers awards this week.

Stephen, who lives in Linlithgow, began work with Persimmon Homes East Scotland just over a year ago after completing an architectural technology course at Edinburgh College’s Grantham campus.

Stephen said he had always wanted a career in housebuilding and decided that joining one of the UK’s largest housebuilders graduate scheme would give him the experience and training that he was looking for.

The Duncan Davidson Award seeks to recognise young people who have demonstrated the same entrepreneurial flair and spirit that Duncan demonstrated over 40 years ago when Persimmon was founded.

Council housing development begins in Livingston

Work has started on a new council housing development being built on the former Lammermuir office block site in the centre of Livingston.

A total of 44 new homes, including a mix of cottage flats, houses and wheelchair accessible bungalows, are being developed with completion scheduled for the end of August 2017.

The development will contribute towards West Lothian Council’s £100 million investment to build 1,000 new social homes.

An important part of the project is the community benefits that this construction project will bring with it, including training and employment opportunities for local people.

Scottish Water green schemes generate power for 11,200 homes

New figures have revealed Scottish Water’s green schemes generated enough power for 11,200 homes last year.

With 37GWh of electricity generated, carbon emissions were down 3.5 per cent compared to the previous year, and 16 per cent overall since 2006/07.

The data, unveiled in its 2016 Sustainability Report, comes as Scottish Water secured £9 million to boost 24 existing solar sites. The water utility company already has 25 sites with hydro turbines, as well as 18 wind-powered sites.

The schemes form part of a £3.5 billion six-year investment plan to improve drinking water quality, enhance the environment and support the economy.

Stirling Council re-affirms commitment to more affordable homes

Stirling Council has agreed a plan to provide over 400 more affordable homes over the next five years.

Members of the local authority’s environment & housing committee approved the submission of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan for 2017/18 to 2021/22 to the Scottish Government.

Prepared in consultation with local housing associations, the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and Raploch Urban Regeneration Company, the plan sets out the council’s key investment priorities for affordable housing over the next five years.

The priorities include progressing the regeneration of Cornton, Cultenhove and Raploch, responding to clearly identified housing needs in pressured rural areas and delivering a new community at Durieshill. The plan identifies a requirement for over £23.7 million of Scottish Government grant funding to deliver 429 new social rented homes.

£2m BMX track plans for Glasgow lodged

Plans have been lodged for a new £2 million BMX track which will be built in Knightswood Park, Glasgow.

It will be the first world championship and Olympic standard BMX track in Scotland and only the second in the UK outside of Manchester.

The new track will be the home of the Western Titans BMX Club and will also be used by local clubs, schools and community groups.

It will first be used in major competition during the European Championships which brings together the existing championships of athletics, aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon along with a new golf team event.

Broadwood BMX track is based in Cumbernauld to the east of Glasgow so the decision was made to build the new track in the West End.

The new venture will be open to the public but users of the BMX track will need to complete a short accreditation process before using it unsupervised.

The planning application was lodged on November 3 triggering a 12 week consultation process.

It is hoped the scheme will get the go-ahead in spring next year with work beginning in the summer and finishing in spring 2018.

Considerate Constructors Scheme announces National Federation of Builders partnership

The Considerate Constructors Scheme - the national scheme established by the construction industry to improve its image - and the National Federation of Builders (NFB) – the construction trade association for England and Wales - have formed a partnership to promote best practice and raise standards across construction industry SMEs.

The collaboration between two construction industry organisations heralds a new way in which like-minded organisations can work effectively together to offer greater benefits to members, at no additional cost.

The partnership will provide NFB members, with a turnover banding of £500,000 to £3.5 million, free Company Registration with the Considerate Constructors Scheme. It will come in to effect from 1 January 2017.

New park and ride facility opens in Carstairs

A new £325,000 park and ride facility has opened in South Lanarkshire.

The scheme at Carstairs Junction was built by the council and funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

Features include 25 new off-street parking spaces, two new disabled spaces, improved lighting and the relocation of the bus stop which now has high access kerbs to assist in boarding and alighting. A further 14 spaces remain on-street and cycle storage facilities will be developed in the near future.

Work begins on £1.8m bike trails project in Fife

Work is underway to build £1.8 million of new bike trails in Fife.

The investment is being carried out at Lochore Meadows Country Park and is set to be completed by the end of March 2017.

Other features include a new visitor centre, golf club house and pavilion being built.

The bike trails project will also benefit from £69,000 of funding from sportscotland Legacy Active Places, while a further £83,000 is being allocated to the golf club house scheme.