Building Briefs – October 11th

Local authorities who do not use their house building funding face losing their allocation altogether, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned.

Delivering her 2017 conference speech to SNP members yesterday, the party leader repeated the Scottish Government’s commitment to delivering 50,000 affordable homes over this Parliamentary term – including 35,000 for social rent.

However, while ensuring funding is given to councils to deliver social housing, Ms Sturgeon said the funding will be redirected to other councils if not used.

The First Minister said: “We’ve already set out how much money councils will be allocated each year. And we will not allow any of it to be diverted to other priorities.

“Let me make this clear to every council today. If you don’t use all of your allocation to deliver new housing, we will take back the balance and give it to one that can.

“On money for housing - if you don’t use it, you will lose it.

“Every last penny of our investment will go to delivering the new houses that people across this country need. That is our guarantee.”

Details of each local authority’s full funding allocation totalling more than £1.75 billion for affordable housing over the next three years were unveiled in June.

In 2018-19, £532 million will be shared amongst local authorities – rising to £591m in 2019-20 and £630m in 2020-21.

Glasgow to have Scotland’s first Low Emission Zone by 2018

The city of Glasgow will be the first in Scotland to put in place a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced.

Glasgow City Council is partnering with the Scottish Government to prepare the LEZ design and proposals that will improve air quality in Glasgow. Eliminating air pollution hotspots will result in improved health, and will ensure Glasgow continues to be one of the most attractive places to live, work and visit.

The final design of the Glasgow LEZ will be informed by the guiding principles that are currently being developed through the Transport Scotland ‘Building Scotland’s Low Emission Zones’ consultation. Preparation for the Glasgow LEZ is underway with a LEZ Leadership Group and associated Glasgow LEZ Delivery Group already set up.

The Scottish Government continues to seek views on ‘Building Scotland’s Low Emission Zones.’ The consultation will be available until 28 November 2017. Views can also be shared on Twitter using the hashtag #lezconsultation.

Alford handover for Osprey Housing

Osprey Housing has taken possession of the first phase of properties at a new development in Aberdeenshire.

The first 15 high quality homes for rent in Alford have now been handed over.

In total the new Osprey development will comprise 27 properties with an overall project cost of just under £3 million. Grant funding has been provided by the Scottish Government and private funding is coming from Lloyds Banking Group.

The first phase of properties includes a mix of houses and flats with tenants already selected and ready to move straight in.

The second phase of 12 properties at the development is likely to be ready for handover by December 2017.

Plans for affordable housing development in Moray rejected

Moray councillors have unanimously voted against the building of 22 homes in Hopeman.

Springfield Properties submitted its application for the building of affordable flats and houses on Forsyth Street in November 2016.

But members of Moray Council’s planning & regulatory services committee yesterday upheld officers’ recommendation to refuse permission.

A report to councillors stated that the size and scale of the proposal did not reflect the settlement pattern, failed to integrate into the surrounding area and would be detrimental to the existing open character and identity of Forsyth Street and Hopeman.

The application received four representations of support but 254 objections to the development, mainly from local residents raising concerns about siting and design.

Chair of the committee, Councillor Wilson, said that “although the need for more affordable housing in Moray is recognised, the council felt this development fell outside the current planning guidelines”.

Major works complete at Kirkintilloch Town Hall

Major works have been completed at Kirkintilloch Town Hall and Union Street has reopened to traffic.

An industrial heritage display and flexible exhibition and activity space is now being created on the first floor of the town hall - celebrating the heritage of Kirkintilloch and its people.

East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust will be providing a programme of co-curated exhibitions with local community groups as part of the Made in Kirkintilloch project. There will also be creative activities for visitors.

Work is due to be completed on the exhibition space in December, after which the building will be open to the public. An official opening will be held next year.

The B-listed building is being transformed into a facility which blends past, present and future, including:

First-floor balconies and the old stage - which were in poor condition - have been removed.

The £5.5 million project was funded by East Dunbartonshire Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The council has been working with development partner hub West Scotland, contractor CBC and EDLC Trust to deliver the project.

Perth’s Mill Street improvement works head into the final straight

The ongoing public realm improvement works to create a ‘Cultural Quarter’ in Perth’s Mill Street are heading into the final straight as the phase 2 works are due to come to an end this month.

The final phase of the work will see Mill Street closed at Kinnoull Street to allow work to be carried out. There will be a full closure on Monday October 16 and Friday October 20 to allow for resurfacing works, and a partial closure from Tuesday October 17 to Thursday October 19.

A diversion will be in place, with access maintained to the car park adjacent to Marks & Spencer. To access the car park on those days, drivers should take access from the George Street end of Mill Street. Delivery access for businesses will be maintained throughout this phase of the works.

To allow this work to be carried out safely, a temporary road closure is required

Pedestrian access to Mill Street will be maintained throughout the works.

The arrangements for the works have been the subject of prior discussions with neighbouring businesses. Contractors Kilmac Construction will endeavour to keep noise and disruption to a minimum however some disruption should be anticipated while the works are ongoing.

Top talent recognised at Russell Roof Tiles

A Lochmaben firm is recognising its workforce with the launch of a new scheme which sees Kyle Gallacher aged 24 from Moffat awarded Employee of the Quarter by his colleagues. He received a certificate and £150 in retail vouchers.

Tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles launched the Employee of the Quarter scheme to reward exceptional staff who have displayed outstanding service. Staff are encouraged their workforce to nominate colleagues who have gone the extra mile and deserved to be recognised.

The company - which employs 80 staff on an 11-acre site in Halleaths - produces roof tiles and accessories for the UK’s top house builders and high profile social housing and commercial projects, where sustainability and eco-credentials are of the utmost priority.

CGC transforms senior citizens’ gardens for free

Senior citizens at a Paisley housing complex are celebrating after a construction firm came to their rescue.

Residents at the complex in Barrhead Road discovered their pathways needed widened to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

So City Gate Construction based in Paisley answered their call for help – and did it all for free.

The firm carried out original work some time ago to create a patio area at the Renfrewshire Council-run development for which it was paid.

But when CGC heard there was a need to help residents negotiate gates and pathways due to increasing use of wheelchairs and scooters, CGC told the residents: ”Hang on to your money – we’ll do it for free!”

CGC sent a squad of workers into the development known as “amenity housing” which offers people in later life the benefit of independent living.

For five days workers installed new concrete slabs to widen the paths, added a border of decorative chips, created a new area for flowers to be planted and will soon erect a bird table which the residents bought themselves.

Now the residents – some who also use sticks in addition to wheelchairs and mobility scooters - can negotiate the pathways and gate to the development with ease.