Building Briefs – November 3rd
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Flats planned for Broughty Ferry site
A new development containing nine luxury flats is planned for a prime site in Broughty Ferry.
Dundee architect Jon Frullani has lodged a planning application with Dundee City Council to demolish the existing house, Winnocks, at the site, which sits on the corner of Strathern Road and Gardyne Road.
Mr Frullani said the flats would be two-bedroom, 100 sq ft properties situated within an ‘arts and crafts’ style building.
If permission is given the work would start in the spring or summer.
Stewart Milne loses fight to lift Aberdeenshire site’s housing limit
Stewart Milne Homes has lost its fight to increase the number of homes it can construct on a site in Aberdeenshire.
The firm wanted to have the 840-home cap on its development at Schoolhill, Portlethen, removed.
But local councillors rejected the plans earlier this year, amid concerns that local amenities would not be able to cope.
The developers appealed to the Scottish Government, but now a Reporter has echoed the concerns of locals and upheld the Kincardine and Mearns area committee’s refusal.
Stewart Milne Homes has already built 773 properties on the Schoolhill site, with a further 67 due to be completed next year.
The firm was keen to develop another area of land within the settlement, in the hope of building a further 190-260 houses.
But in her ruling, reporter Sinead Lynch acknowledged there were a “number of objections” relating to the application, and noted that Transport Scotland had suggested the expansion be limited to 190 to prevent any potential adverse impact on the A90 Dundee to Aberdeen road.
Ms Lynch was also concerned about the impact of lifting the cap on local amenities – and warned it would put the yet-to-built Hillside Primary School overcapacity in its first year.
She said an additional 190 homes would mean almost 80 more places would have to be found at the area’s already cramped schools.
Next phase of Helensburgh regeneration project to start six weeks ahead of schedule
The second element of Phase 4 of the Helensburgh regeneration project can now begin as the renovation work in phases 3 (Colquhoun Street North and East Princes Street, from Maitland Street to Sinclair Street) and 4A (Sinclair Street, from West/East King Street to West/East Princes Street) are set to be completed well ahead of the original Christmas forecast.
The old pavement and road surface has been completely replaced, with the installation of new lay-bys for loading and unloading, improved drainage, new parking bays and new street lighting. The new footpaths are wider to make it easier for pedestrians to get around the town and access local businesses. As a result, the road is narrower which encourages traffic to move more slowly and, as a result, makes the town centre safer.
Phase 3 is now complete, which will mean the re-opening of East Princes Street, allowing buses to return to their normal routes, with the remaining phase 4A work expected to finish by Friday 14th November.
When these phases are complete and the roads closures lifted, the 23 new on-street parking bays will be available to motorists, in addition to the Sinclair Street car park, which is continuing to offer ‘first two hours free’.
Following a series of consultations with local retailers in the bottom section of Sinclair Street, the contractor has proposed to complete the works on the eastern pavement before breaking for Christmas on Friday 12th December.
Isle of Arran primary school upgrade works completed
Construction works at Corrie Primary School have completed.
The upgrade of the existing primary school, which is located on the Isle of Arran 4 miles North of Brodick, was completed this month in time for the pupils returning from their mid-term break.
The upgrade works, which were designed by Lawrence McPherson Associates on behalf of North Ayrshire Council, saw the conversion of the existing school house into a new library, kitchen, dining and nursery with the converted school house linked to the existing school by the introduction of a new glazed link.
The construction works were carried out by John Thompson Construction Ltd who are based on the Island.
EU funding for Scottish energy infrastructure welcomed
Alyn Smith, Scottish MEP and former member of the European Parliament’s Energy Committee, has hailed the announcement of new European investment in upgrading Scotland’s electricity network as a vote of confidence in Scotland’s renewables revolution.
The European Commission has published the first list of energy projects to actually receive funding as Projects of Common Interest from the Connecting Europe Facility.
The total funding amounts to €647m of which around €100m will be invested in projects involving Scottish energy systems. The three projects to be awarded this funding are:
Alyn said the announcement is excellent news for Scotland and shows that the Government’s commitment to a clean, green energy supply through new generations of renewables technology is being noticed at the highest levels.
Shetland’s Eric Gray Centre plans to be submitted
A planning application for a new £5.6 million Eric Gray Centre at Seafield is to be submitted this month.
Councillors heard last week that the new day centre for adults with learning difficulties and complex needs could be completed by August 2017.
CIH makes Smith Commission submission to call for more powers for Scotland
Giving the Scottish Government extra powers could help it build more homes and improve the country’s housing system, according to the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland.
CIH Scotland’s submission to the Smith Commission on Devolution says that granting Scotland more fiscal, borrowing, welfare and energy market powers would allow it to build on its existing powers on housing policy and investment.
It recommends:
A review of the relationship between the UK tax system and the Scottish housing system
Devolving more powers on property and land (such as elements of inheritance and capital gains tax) and on income tax (such as the power to set rates, bands, reliefs and personal allowances)
Giving the Scottish Government the power to vary or reduce VAT on housing repairs and improvements
Maximising the devolution of powers over energy and climate change legislation, including regulation and energy supplier obligations.
Glenkerie wind farm extension approval advised
Plans for an extension to an existing wind farm in Peeblesshire are being recommended for approval.
Members of Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee are meeting to discuss the application for the site near Tweedsmuir.
Operators Infinis want to build another six turbines at Glenkerie, next to the existing 11 approved in 2008.
There have been 23 letters of objection to the bid but officials have advised that it should be given permission.
However, they have recommended that some 36 conditions should be attached covering everything from environmental issues to construction hours.
Architect honoured with city street names
One of Scotland’s most respected architects, William Adam, is to be commemorated by Dundee City Council which will name two streets in a housing development after him.
William Adam designed the former “Pillars” Town House in the city centre, which was demolished to make way for the city square in 1932.
The two new streets, Adam Drive and Adam Crescent, lie immediately to the west of St Martin Crescent, part of the new housing development bounded by Strathmartine Road and Sidlaw Avenue to the north of St Mary’s.
Dundee City archivist Iain Flett suggested to the city development committee that Adam was a suitable candidate for the new development’s street names and the committee members approved his proposal.
Call for entries for UK Roofing Awards
Entries are now being accepted for the UK Roofing Awards 2015 which recognise outstanding standards of workmanship and safety among competent roofing companies.
The awards are open to roofing companies who are members of one of the supporting trade associations, including the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. Submissions from manufacturers, architects and specifiers are also welcome.
The Awards are comprised of 13 categories covering all the major roofing disciplines from single ply to heritage. Over the years the judges have faced the tough challenge of selecting the winners from some outstanding projects from private dwellings to castles and the 2014 Awards featured the Heathrow Terminal 2a to a jetty in the middle of the Thames.
If you have a roofing project that has been completed, or set to be between 1st December 2013 and 31st December 2014, download and complete an entry form today; recognised for your outstanding work and secure a competitive edge over your peers. The awards are free to enter and you are not limited to one submission.
For more information regarding the awards and to download the entry forms go to www.nfrc.co.uk.
Dates set for crane drivers strike action
Major construction sites are set for severe disruption from this Friday as crane drivers employed by HTC Plant Limited begin industrial action.
The 180 plus crane drivers voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay.
Three 24 hour stoppages have been called for successive Fridays (7th, 14th and 21st November).
Major construction contractors set to be affected include Kier, Lend Lease, BAM, Costain, Mace and Vinci.
Plan for affordable housing investment in Clackmannanshire unveiled
Clackmannanshire Council’s plans for investing in affordable housing over the next five years have been published.
The council’s Housing, Health and Care Committee heard a Strategic Housing Investment Plan report which outlined the council’s plans to continue the impressive work already completed and underway to provide more affordable homes for local people over the next five years.
This includes the council’s own resources, other external funding streams, investment from registered social landlords such as Kingdom Housing Association and grants made available through the Scottish Government’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme.
As part of the five year development plan, a number of developments are on site or have approval including:
The report also looks at future plans for possible development in the county, some of which are planned in partnership with Kingdom Housing Association.
Most improved award for Waverley apprentice
An apprentice plumber at Waverley Housing has picked up an award after passing his exams with flying colours.
James Burns was awarded the ‘Most Improved Student’ award by both Borders College and Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employer’s Association (SNIPEF).
Waverley property services manager Lindsey Jefferson joined James to collect his award at the SNIPEF awards ceremony held on 30th October at Forth Valley College in Stirling.
The ceremony saw students from Borders College, Edinburgh College and Forth Valley College along with board members from SNIPEF and the director of the Plumb Centre who were sponsoring the event.
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