Building Briefs – October 16th

A ceremonial cutting of the first ‘sod’ of turf marked the beginning of a multi-million pound development of almost 100 new homes in the Slaemuir area of Port Glasgow.

River Clyde Homes plans to build the homes in the coming years and the first phase of 28 new homes began last week.

The plans include the demolition of all the ‘stub block flats’ to make way for modern homes, all of which are two storey, own door, energy efficient properties.

Owners and tenants voted overwhelmingly in favour of the demolition of the blocks and new build option and River Clyde Homes has appointed Cruden Buildings and Renewals Limited to build the homes.

Stage one of the development will see 28 new properties to provide safe, comfortable homes to the highest standard possible.

Slaemuir was built in the late 60s/early 70s to alleviate overcrowding in Port Glasgow and the estate remains popular with residents. The new builds will include a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroomed houses to cater for the varied needs of the residents.

Wates named Organisation of the Year at UK Social Mobility Awards

Wates has been named Organisation of the Year at the inaugural UK Social Mobility Awards.

The accolade, presented to the company by BBC Breakfast business journalist Steph McGovern at the awards ceremony in London on 12 October, recognised Wates’ commitment to advancing social mobility in the communities in which it works, and through its award-winning sustainability programme, Reshaping Tomorrow.

Wates Group, which was established by the Wates family in 1897, employs around 4,000 people in the UK, and was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for sustainable development in 2016.

Other finalists in the award category were: Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Rolls Royce; the Ministry of Justice; CBRE; and the Civil Service Fast Stream and Early Talent.

Major refurbishment requires closure of Clackmae Bridge

Clackmae Bridge in the Scottish Borders will be closed for ten weeks to allow major refurbishment and strengthening works to take place.

The bridge, which is situated on the C76 road near Earlston, will be closed from Monday 16 October to Friday 22 December to allow the replacement of the existing deck and strengthening works to be carried out safely.

Diversions will be in place, with the signed alternative route via the A68 through Earlston, the D4/4 at South Blainslie and the C76.

The £690,000 Clackmae works are part of a programme of bridge repairs in 2017/18 which also include improvements to Lowood Bridge between Galashiels and Melrose, Bowanhill Bridge near Teviothead and Bowden Church Bridge.

Taylor Wimpey senior site manager ‘seals’ success for Castle Gardens

David McClure, a Taylor Wimpey West Scotland senior site manager, has scooped a Seal of Excellence Award week at the NHBC Pride in the Job awards lunch in Glasgow.

This award positions him within the top ten site managers in Scotland, and makes this development one of the top places to buy a new home.

The NHBC Seal of Excellence Award follows David’s sixth Pride in the Job award this year and recognises his outstanding work and leadership at Castle Gardens development in Crookston.

This year’s awards follow several Pride in the Job accolades over the years since David’s first Pride in the Job Award in 2011, as well as a ‘Seal of Excellence’ top ten ranking in that year too.

David joined Taylor Wimpey 17 years ago, as an assistant site manager, and he has been a senior site manager for the last eleven years.

Newton Property strengthens management team

Glasgow-based factoring and letting services provider Newton Property has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Riccardo Giovanacci ARLA, NAEA, as associate director & head of letting.

Riccardo will head up Newton’s letting division, which manages the letting requirements of over 600 homes, including many at the luxury end of the market.

Riccardo started his career at Newton Property as a trainee letting valuer and went on to work in management roles with Clyde Property and Foxtons in London.

As well as managing a portfolio of over 600 rental homes, Newton Property manages factoring for 20,000 throughout Scotland.

Public display for A90 Laurencekirk options

Locals and road users will get the opportunity on October 30 to view and comment on the options under consideration for the much-needed Laurencekirk Junction Improvement scheme.

The event is taking place at St Laurence Hall, 7 Conveth Place, Laurencekirk AB30 1AD.

The exhibition material showing the options for the Laurencekirk Junction Improvement scheme will be available to view from 12:00 noon 30 October 2017.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “Since we appointed design consultants last September, we have been working hard to identify and undertake an initial assessment of options for the planned improvements at Laurencekirk.

“We are now able to let the public see and comment on the options that are under consideration for this much-needed upgrade.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to attend the exhibition on 30 October or view the material online and give us their views.

“All comments received will be considered as we look to identify a preferred option next year.

Scottish Water pick up ‘Diversity in the Public Sector Award’ at prestigious event

Scottish Water picked up a prestigious award for diversity at a ceremony in Glasgow recently.

The utility was recognised with the ‘Diversity in the Public Sector’ Award at the Herald and GenAnalytics Scottish Diversity Awards.

The prize highlights an organisation in the public sector that has made significant improvement in ensuring greater diversity and inclusion in delivery of services to clients and communities.

It also recognises the work done internally, rewarding the demonstration of progress within an organisation on diversity and inclusion.

Judges noted that Scottish Water “…recognises that as a major employer and service provider, they are in an influential position to positively contribute to promoting the importance of Diversity and Inclusion.”