Building Briefs – October 16th

The construction lorries and workmen moved into Seabraes in Dundee this week for the start of work on the new £3.5 million footbridge.

The bridge will connect one of the city’s busiest streets, Perth Road, with Riverside Drive and the rest of the waterfront. The two major thoroughfares are currently separated by a railway track meaning a long walk around the railway station to reach the riverside.

It is expected that the planned bridge could cut journey times for pedestrians and cyclists in the city by half.

Developer withdraws application to build 17 turbines

Developers behind a wind farm plan have withdrawn their application for consent for 17 turbines just a few miles from the Cairngorms National Park but insist they are committed to the pursuing a project on the site.

Edinburgh-based Eurowind UK said current investors had taken the decision on Nathro Hill Wind Farm near Brechin “after making their own assessment of the current planning climate”.

The Ministry of Defence and RSPB Scotland had originally opposed the development but withdrew their objections following assurances from the developers. But the Mountaineering Council of Scotland maintained its opposition because of the location of the site in relation to Scotland’s largest national park.

A82 Ground work on Bonnie Bonnie Banks

Vital ground investigations got underway yesterday on the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan.

Transport Minister Keith Brown was on hand as the work began which will help identify a preferred route for the scheme by next summer.

The work is expected to be completed by mid-December 2014.

Forth Replacement Crossing project roadworks progressing

Drivers using the A90, M9 Spur and B800 to the south of the Forth Road Bridge are being advised of a series of overnight closures planned to start later this month.

Two separate phases of restrictions are required to allow the safe installation of the new B800 overbridge and ITS driver information gantries as part of improvements to the existing network being made by the Forth Replacement Crossing project (FRC).

The initial phase of the works will see a limited, localised section of the B800 to the south east of South Queensferry fully closed from 20:00 hrs to 06:00 hrs each night from Tuesday October 28 through to Thursday October 30 inclusive. This will allow the contractor Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) to install the bridge beams for the initial phase.

Tay Road Bridge work postponed due to weather

Planned maintenance work on the Tay Road Bridge this weekend has been postponed.

Forecasts of high wind and heavy rain mean the work on the carriageway resurfacing has been put off until Friday October 24.

From 1am that morning marker posts will be installed on the southbound carriageway to prepare for a contraflow system that will operate during the weekend works.

Project to tackle rusting piers on Orkney

Orkney Islands Council has started a tendering process for an estimated £3.7m project to repair piers across the islands.

Orkney’s steel pier structures are being damaged by accelerated low water corrosion.

The problem came to light following surveys carried out five years ago.

The piers at Kirkwall, Hatston and Coplands Dock have been fitted with a protection system, but others require protection and repairs.

The scheme would be carried out over 11 years.

JK Rowling to build ‘Hagrid Hut’ on estate grounds

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is to build a “Hagrid Hut” in the grounds of her Scottish estate in Perthshire.

The writer wants to install the stone-built summerhouse on the edge of the 19th century 162-acre Killiechassie Estate, near Aberfeldy.

Rowling bought the house and grounds for £1.9 million in 2001 and married husband Dr Neil Murray in the library in December of that year.

The application, submitted in her husband’s name, was approved by Perth and Kinross Council planning officials last week.

The local authority’s papers present the author’s vision of the structure, which bears a striking resemblance to the home of one of her most well-loved characters, Hagrid.

Design plans show a circular structure, open to the front, containing a stone bench and featuring a slate roof.

Like her fictional character’s home, the structure is set on the edge of a forest.

Alloa skate park plans progress

The Alloa skate park project has been awarded up to a maximum of £100,000 from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund.

The skate park is one of 47 projects across Scotland which will share £2.4 million from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, the Scottish Government’s £10m pot to upgrade or create new sports and physical activity infrastructure.

A site adjacent to the Bowmar Centre has been identified as suitable for the skate park.

Clackmannanshire Council will now progress gaining planning permission for the project, as well as the tender process to appoint a contractor to build the park.

CIH appoints new director for Scotland, Wales and Ireland

A new director for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been appointed by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

Annie Mauger will take on the new role of executive director of CIH’s national business units, which means she will oversee the organisation’s operations in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. She will be based in Edinburgh.

Fairfield celebrates Green Deal funding

Fairfield Housing Co-operative has successfully applied to the Scottish Government’s Green Homes Cash Scheme for a grant to help make homes warmer and cheaper to heat.

The Association has been awarded £250,000 to improve properties in Perth which to enhance internal wall insulation in electrically heated flats.

The contractor for the project is Sustainable Energy Scotland from Dundee, who assisted Fairfield in securing the grant funding.

Argyll and Bute Council wins silver award for bringing empty homes back to life

Close partnership working between Argyll and Bute Council’s Housing and Council Tax teams on an innovative policy to deal with empty homes has netted national recognition and a silver award.

The team took a silver award at the national Institute of Revenues, Ratings and Valuations (IRRV) Performance Awards 2014 for their entry to the Excellence in Innovation category.

Councillor officially opens Eildon Housing Association development

Councillor David Parker, the leader of Scottish Borders Council, officiated at the opening ceremony of Eildon Housing Association’s award winning development at Old School Place, Lauder last week.

The new development was built on the site of the former Lauder Primary School which had lain derelict since a new school had been built in 2009.

This development of 12 three bedroomed homes recently received a ‘Commended Award’ at the Homes for Scotland Awards 2014 for its sympathetic design which includes the use of the whinstone from the former school building as well as the date stone which has been incorporated as a feature. The development was also shortlisted for a Herald Property Award.

The development consists of 9 family homes for affordable rent and 3 for mid-market rent. This is the first time Eildon has offered properties to rent at a mid-market level and they have proved extremely popular.

The £1.67 million project was funded by a combination of contributions from the Scottish Government, Scottish Borders Council and Eildon Housing Association.

Local children get hands-on construction skills training at Mount Carmel Primary School

Mount Carmel Primary School’s P7 class has been shown the basics of construction in a hands-on learning session, thanks to a joint initiative by Barratt Homes West Scotland and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) designed to encourage the youngsters to consider a career in the industry.

30 pupils joined in the activities, learning about building and construction before working together to build their own giant tetrahedron.

The classroom activity will be followed with a visit to Barratt Homes’ Westlin Walk development in Kilmarnock next spring, where the children will see the skills they have learnt in action and take a tour of the finished product when they visit the development’s show home.