Building Briefs – October 19th

After 18 months on site, the brand-new £28.8m Elgin High School has been completed and the building handed over.

Students will be welcomed into the new school, which was delivered by Balfour Beatty Construction, Moray Council and hub North Scotland, after the October holidays.

As part of the project, a new teaching and sports facility has been built adjacent to the existing Elgin High School, which will also have an important role as a community facility, with sports provisions and performance facilities open for use by the wider public.

The second phase of the redevelopment scheme is due to commence imminently and will see the old school being demolished to make way for the construction of a new 3G sports pitch and upgraded parking facilities.

Borders councillors endorse strategy for over 1,100 affordable homes

A strategic housing plan which could see over 1,100 new affordable homes built in the Borders over the next five years has been approved by councillors.

Covering the period from 2018 to 2023, the Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) identifies how local housing needs and priorities will be addressed, including which housing projects are anticipated to be delivered over the five years.

The plan suggests that 1,177 affordable homes could be delivered across the region, based on assumed funding amounts and that all land and infrastructure challenges are resolved in a timely manner and the construction sector has capacity to deliver projects.

It is anticipated that the large majority of the homes would be delivered by local registered social landlords.

Green light for new 40-bed Black Isle care home

Plans have been approved for a new 40-bed care home to be built in the Scottish Highlands.

The new facility will be delivered in Fortrose on the Black Isle.

The application by Parklands Developments was initially recommended for refusal by planners.

However during a committee meeting in Inverness on Tuesday, local councillors Jennifer Barclay and Gordon Adam spoke in support of the application.

Following a debate, the committee granted approval subject to a number of conditions to be agreed with planning officials, the chair and local members.

Weaker third quarter for construction product manufacturers

UK construction product manufacturers are seeing sales slow and costs rise, according to the latest state of trade survey.

The Construction Product Association (CPA) found that in the third quarter of 2017 sales were still up for most firms, but less markedly than in the previous quarter. In Q2 the net balance of firms reporting sales growth had been a solid 40% for heavy side manufacturers and 55% for light side manufacturers; but in Q3 the net balance was reduced to 10% and 36% respectively. Still positive territory, therefore, but less so than three months ago.

The weaker performance in Q3, along with rising costs for raw materials, fuel and energy, echoes the slower construction activity already seen across industry data and recent surveys, the CPA said. It has also lowered manufacturers’ expectations for product sales in Q4. There is no clear majority of firms on the light side anticipating an increase in sales during the October to December period, while a net balance of 21% of heavy side firms expect sales to decline.

The UK construction products manufacturing industry has an annual turnover of £55bn, employing 300,000 people across 22,000 companies. Heavy side products include steel, bricks, timber and concrete; light side products include insulation materials, boilers, glass and lighting. For the year ahead, 28% of heavy side firms anticipate an increase in product sales, while on the light side, 33% of firms expect sales to increase.

Chris Primett steps down from Aarsleff Ground Engineering

Chris Primett, MD of ground engineering specialist Aarsleff, has left the business following a management restructure.

Primett stepped down after 25 years of positive service at the firm as the Danish parent company took a decision to refocus the business.

The business has seen significant growth and diversification over 3 years and now is implementing plans to consolidate their services and refocus on markets with optimum opportunity.

Stig Weis will step in as temporary MD working from Denmark and the daily business will be led by Kevin Hague, deputy MD, supported by Paul Pendleton, factory manager, and Frances Harvey, head of finance who will form the UK management team.

The board of directors wish Chris well in the future and thank him for 25 years of continued service with the UK business.

Plans to go on display for new Greenock health centre

Plans have been unveiled to create a new health and social care centre in Inverclyde.

Proposals for the facility, which will replace the current Greenock Health Centre in Duncan Street, will go on public display next month.

The centre is planned to open in 2020.

The information sessions will be held in the nearby Inverclyde Association Mental Health (IAMH) centre in Mearns Street on the following dates and times:

Robertson Homes opens doors to first development in England

Robertson Homes has taken its wares into England with the launch of its first showhome south of the border.

The company officially launched the Cragside Gardens development of 40 homes in the market town of Rothbury, Northumberland, a local market starved of new housing stock for some years.

Robertson Homes has fifty years’ experience in building homes. Its second foray into England is already underway with a further showhome launch expected before the end of the year.

AMA Homes launches Canon Quarters development in Edinburgh

AMA Homes has announced the completion of its new Canon Quarters development in Edinburgh.

The development comprises 29 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments including two penthouses, located in the fashionable Canonmills area of the city.

The capital remains a property hotspot with the latest Registers of Scotland (RoS) statistics for August 2017 revealing that the average house price in Edinburgh rose 10.4% year on year to £246,611 compared to an average Scottish price of £146,354 which was a 3.9% rise on the same period the previous year.

Residents invited to view plans for Aberfeldy public realm upgrade

Residents are being invited to find out more information about a public realm improvement project in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross.

The scheme aims to create a new town square which will serve the community and visitors both now and in the future.

In addition, the new square will the town’s capacity for future events as well as helping to promote the area as an all year round destination. Other features include job sustainability and creation, including reducing reliance on seasonal trends.

A public exhibition displaying the final proposal for the improvements will take place between 12 noon and 7pm at Breadalbane Community Campus on 25 and 26 October.

Sections of the A821 near Aberfoyle to close for repairs

Roadworks to carry out necessary repairs to sections of the A821 near Aberfoyle will begin on Monday 23rd October.

Work will begin on the A821 between the Rob Roy Hotel and Aberfoyle on Monday 23rd October, which is scheduled to last for five days.

It will then be followed by roadworks on the A821 at the Byre Inn from Monday 30th October. These works are also scheduled to last for five days.

Although both schemes will be conducted under a road closure, as the road is not wide enough for the work to be completed under traffic lights, Stirling Council has made provisions for traffic by introducing access periods throughout the working day.

The closure times for both roads will be between 9am – 10.30am, 11am – 1pm and 1.30pm – 3.30pm. This allows for three 30 minute slots so traffic can access and egress Aberfoyle during these periods.

Both of these schemes have been held back to this time of year to avoid the peak tourist periods and the major disruption to businesses that this would cause. In addition, late October temperatures do not permit resurfacing work overnight.

Work to start on Highlands level crossing upgrade

Work is to begin on a level crossing improvement project in the Scottish Highlands.

Network Rail will start repairs and road surfacing work at Forsinard level crossing on October 22.

Work required at the crossing follows recent activity to resolve flooding and drainage issues and the renewal of track ballast through the station. The scheme will see the completion of the project, with the rubber road panels removed and settlement issues with the ballast addressed.

To carry out the scheme safely, the A897 will be shut from 3pm until 8am on October 23.

Knight Property Group sponsors Westdykes football teams

Commercial developer Knight Property Group is the new sponsors of the Westdykes under 13’s and under 15’s football team.

In addition to securing kit sponsors the team have also graduated from 7 vs 7 non-competitive games to 11 aside games, with the most recent win being 12-1.

Knight Property Group director, Howard Crawshaw, said: “We’re delighted to sponsor Westdykes football teams, it’s important for young individuals to feel part of a group and take part in something they enjoy on a regular basis.

“Being part of a team will not only improve their athletic development but help them learn discipline, team work and develop key interpersonal skills that will benefit them in the future.”