Building Briefs – October 10th

Lomond Plant has bought more than 250 JCB models in a deal worth in excess of £13 million – including a fleet of the brand new JCB X Series excavators.

Operators at the Falkirk-based firm, which offers plant hire services across the UK, have described the new X Series as the by far the best excavator JCB has ever produced.

Supplied by dealer Scot JCB, Lomond Plant’s new 220X models are being used across a range of projects including housebuilding, windfarms and utility work.

The huge investment forms part of Lomond Plant’s ongoing expansion plans, which has already seen growth in to the North West of England and the Midlands with a new depot in Yorkshire set to open. Other JCB models making up the massive order include mini excavators, tracked excavators, site dumpers, backhoe loaders and compaction equipment.

New all-weather sports pitch for Clydebank gets go-ahead

Plans for a new all-weather multi-use sports pitch in Clydebank have been approved by Councillors.

The field at Cornock Street has been used recreationally in the past but no longer meets the required standard.

As part of the transformation the site will be raised in places to make it level, with new boundary fencing and floodlights installed.

It means the new facility will be suitable for use all year round, as well as providing a community hub for children and sports teams.

Residents who supported the plans highlighted benefits including improved health and well-being in the surrounding area, potential for lowered anti-social behaviour and the area feeling safer because of the introduction of lighting.

Eildon and Hart Builders triumph at Scottish Procurement Alliance awards

Eildon Housing Association in partnership with Hart Builders have been recognised at the first ever Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) awards for their creation of a dedicated community benefits project officer.

The ceremony at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow saw community benefits project officer Alison Lowrie receive the Best Community Benefit Initiative Award on behalf of both companies.

The entries sought had been ones that demonstrated a positive social impact on their community, no matter what size or scope, and were judged by Alice Thompson, co-founder of Social Bite.

Scottish Procurement Alliance said it had been impressed by the high quality of entries received for all their awards categories, including the Best Community Benefit Fund.

East Ayrshire and CCG (Scotland) Ltd double winners at awards

East Ayrshire Council and strategic partners CCG (Scotland) Ltd were double winners at the inaugural Scottish Procurement Alliance awards.

Hosted by world famous cyclist Marc Beaumont, the ceremony at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow was a celebration of procurement excellence within the public sector.

The council with CCG won Best Housing Project for Barbieston Road, Dalrymple and Most Innovative Project for Hearth Place, Cumnock.

Barbieston Road is a new £1.74 million development providing eleven new build affordable homes for rent in the heart of the village. It includes eight two-bedroom homes, two two-bedroom homes specially designed for older people and a two-bedroom home designed for wheelchair users.

Hearth Place saw the conversion and upgrade of seven existing non-traditional dwellings built after the Second World War that have been transformed into modern, comfortable homes.

Both projects were supported by funding from the Scottish Government.

Urgent repairs required at Skye primary school

Urgent repairs are being made to Dunvegan Primary School on the Isle of Skye after heavy rainfall caused groundwater to enter a disused basement plant room.

The local maintenance team is organising for the water to be pumped out of the basement and the area will then dried out. Surrounding land drainage will be checked and repaired if found necessary. Arrangements will be made to permanently fill in the disused basement area. Pupils have not been affected and a dehumidifier has been placed in the classroom as a precaution.

Dunvegan was listed as one of Highland Council’s priorities for bidding to Scottish Government for funding.