Building Briefs – November 27th

Savills has announced the appointment of directors Craig Timney, as head of its Edinburgh office, and David Cobban, as head of Glasgow, with effect from 1st January 2018, working alongside Nick Penny, head of Scotland at Savills.

In Edinburgh, Craig takes over the role from Charles Dudgeon who has been at the helm of the Edinburgh business for the last 18 years and remains a senior director in the business, managing the UK Rural Agency Division. During this time the office has expanded from seven to 64 staff. Craig joined Savills in 2011 to head the Scottish valuation team from Edinburgh.

In Glasgow, David will assume the role of head of office from Bruce Patrick, who has held the position since 2013. Promoted to head the mixed-use and commercial development team in Scotland in 2016, Bruce has been a key member of the Glasgow office since 2000.

Moray Council plans to compulsory purchase derelict building

Moray Council has revealed plans to compulsory purchase a derelict property on Prospect Terrace in Lossiemouth.

The Braelossie building has lain empty for 20 years and after suffering extensive fire damage in 2015, it was made the subject of a demolition order.

Following a full meeting of the council last week, the local authority has agreed to pursue a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) from Scottish Ministers which would see the council purchase the property before selling it on the open market.

As attempts to contact the building’s last owner have failed, legislation allows the council to apply for a CPO or enforce a demolition order when all other attempts to address issues at the site have been unsuccessful.

The large residential building is split into two flats and has had to be secured on numerous occasions by the council’s building standards officers.

The council said it hopes the building can be brought back into residential use.

Emtec wins Willow Tea Rooms deal

Emtec Fire Systems has been selected to install a high pressure water mist system in Glasgow’s Charles Rennie Mackintosh Willow Tea Rooms Building on Sauchiehall Street.

This type of high pressure water mist system uses 10% of the water than a standard sprinkler system would normally use. The system is very effective and causes very little water damage in the event of a fire.

Emtec has commenced works in the building with the tea rooms and new visitor centre scheduled to open for Glasgow’s celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Mackintosh’s birth in June 2018.

Council provides another affordable housing boost for Leven

An affordable housing development by Fife Council in Leven is now complete with all 31 houses now occupied.

The Turpie Road project consists of a mix of flats, houses and wheelchair accessible homes, building a new community.

RSBi signals the way to a more inclusive Scotland with sign language lessons

Window factory workers at Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industry (RSBi), the manufacturing arm of construction firm City Building, have been learning British Sign Language (BSL) as part of ambitious new national plans to boost opportunities for deaf people.

The Scottish Government’s national BSL strategy, announced last month, is the first of its kind and aims to make Scotland the most inclusive place for BSL users to work, live and visit.

RSBi embraced the new initiative by enlisting the help of non-hearing and BSL approved employee Mark McGowan to teach classes at its window factory in Queenslie.

Staff have been studying everyday phrases as well as words which will improve communication and staff participation. The lessons, which have been running since October, have increased day-to-day communication amongst workmates, creating a more happy and confident team. As well boosting inclusion at the site it is hoped that the classes will also lead to increased productivity.

RSBi’s Queenslie factory was established in 2014 to create jobs for unemployed military veterans. More than half of RSBi’s 260 employees have a disability, including hearing and visual impairments.