Building Briefs – October 20th
Leith Street Bridge to be scrapped in revamp
One of Edinburgh’s most prominent footbridges will be torn down to make way for the new £850 million St James Quarter development.
The wavy steel and glass crossing over Leith Street is most likely destined for the scrapyard but it is understood the door has been left open for a its relocation elsewhere.
Unveiled in 2003, the bridge – linking St James Centre to the carpark at Greenside Place – has divided opinion since opening as part of the Omni centre development and its probable demolition is expected to take place next year.
Hilton plans £6.5m Dundee hotel
A Hilton hotel is set to return to the centre of Dundee in a £6.5 million development.
Argyll House and the adjoining Waverley House in West Marketgait could become a hotel in the Hampton by Hilton franchise as soon as early 2016.
The two empty office blocks would be stripped back to their concrete shells for a complete refurbishment and external recladding to create a modern attractive 105-bedroom middle market hotel.
Plans have been lodged and it is understood they have been well received by Dundee City Council, which is keen to bring more hotels to the city.
Hilton closed its 129-bedroom Garl Grey Hotel 18 months ago as the site was needed for the £1 billion waterfront project and it was looking for a new central location.
Owner of key Perth development site goes bust
The future of a key development site on the edge of Perth is in doubt after its owners went into administration.
Following the decision by Sainsbury’s that it was no longer interested in pursuing the £41 million plan for the former Perth Mart site on Crieff Road, The Courier understands that the limited partnership Perth City West has gone bust.
It is the latest setback for the site and casts doubt over the future of various projects in the city.
Cash to unblock the traffic-choked A85/A9 junction — desperately needed for its impact in other areas — was to have come from the development of the area.
In August, Sainsbury’s announced it was not proceeding with its proposed supermarket due to an ongoing legal battle with Tesco and also after it had tried to establish a proper sewerage and drainage system for the site.
The controversial plan was granted in May 2012 by Perth and Kinross Council and the local authority caused further consternation when they later told Sainsbury’s it could start building the supermarket before vital roadworks on the A9/A85 were under way.
Tesco lodged an 11th hour bid in February last year to try to have this stopped but failed.
However, the firm then submitted an official appeal against the council’s decision with the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
The legal battle between the two supermarkets is ongoing.
Police HQ sparks jobs boost
A new police HQ on the banks of the Clyde has triggered work for dozens of job-seekers across the East End of Glasgow.
More than 50 locals have been recruited since construction firm Morgan Sindall began building the £24million Police Scotland office development in Dalmarnock.
Bosses say they want to create a lasting legacy and have been working on an employment programme with regeneration chiefs at Clyde Gateway.
So far 11 apprenticeships have been established, 23 others have secured jobs while 25 more have had work experience either with the firm or contractors.
Students to colonise more redundant office space in Glasgow’s West End
Elder & Cannon Architects have submitted plans on behalf of Lysander Student Properties to convert a vacant office building at Clifton Place, Glasgow, into managed student accommodation.
Clifton House will be subdivided internally to form 142 single bed flats and 71 studio flats together with a new ground floor common room extending onto a formal landscape of timber decking, steps and seating laid over an existing concrete embankment connecting to Sauchiehall Street.
Internally a paved courtyard with inbuilt timber seating will be created with existing footpaths retained whilst roads and parking spaces give way to new street furniture and planting.
Homes plan for Midlothian village
Developers have submitted plans to increase the size of a Midlothian village by more than a third.
The proposal would transform the village of Rosewell by adding almost 300 properties to a community that has just 800.
The 42-acre Gorton Loan site would be constructed in several stages and include road and infrastructure works.
Jobs at risk as joiner hits trouble
Shetland-based T&N Joinery Ltd had gone into administration, putting 60 local jobs at risk.
The company called in administrators on Tuesday after running into working capital difficulties.
Lerwick-based T&N Joinery provides a range of products and services including timber windows, UPVC windows, conservatories, stairs, roofing, fitting and installation and general contracting.
The company currently employs 60 local craftsmen, fitters and operational staff.
James Stephen and Bryan Jackson of BDO were appointed joint administrators to the company on Tuesday.
The administrators said they plan to keep the company trading while they review the business and market the sale of the business and assets.
Boutique hotel plan for old council HQ
A former municipal building that has become a popular backdrop for wedding photo sessions is to be transformed into a boutique hotel.
The 123-year-old Boclair House in Bearsden, formerly used by East Dunbartonshire Council as its educational department headquarters, has been sold and is set to be redeveloped by its new owners.
The Tudor Gothic house dates back to 1890 and has a castellated tower and series of porticoed archways, said to resemble Italian cloisters.
The buyer, WPH Developments/Westpoint Homes, plans to build nine four, five and six-bedroom detached homes to the rear of the building, while Boclair House itself is set to be converted
Land plan’s approval clears way for Angus homes
Angus Council has approved plans for 23 new village homes.
A council committee approved Allied Irish Bank’s application for change of use of land at Kingston Place in Kingsmuir, demolishing former industrial buildings to make way for houses and a road.
Rob Murray, Angus Council’s development standards committee convener, said: “I’m satisfied this provides a comprehensive package to upgrade this land and develops the site into more appropriate land.”
Kingston Place is not within the applicant’s control and a part may be owned by Forfar Common Good Fund, and, as such, may require landowner consent. The development was approved subject to no work taking place until Kingston Place has been brought up to adoptable standard between its junction with the Lownie Road and the southwest corner of the site.
Dunedin Canmore and Wheatley take major step towards partnership
Two of Scotland’s leading affordable housing groups, Dunedin Canmore and Wheatley, now look set to form a new partnership following a members’ vote.
Dunedin Canmore’s shareholding members voted overwhelmingly in favour of a rule change at a Special General Meeting in a change which will enable Dunedin Canmore to join Wheatley early next year. The move would still be subject to satisfactory completion of the remaining milestones including final consent from the Scottish Housing Regulator.
Meanwhile, according to a statement by the Scottish Housing Regulator, West Highland Housing Association, which owns and manages 743 homes across Argyll and Bute, is set to merge with 6,156-home Link Group after members voted for the move at the beginning of October.
The Scottish Housing Regulator also announced that Gardeen and Kingsridge Cleddans housing associations have been moved from ‘medium engagement’ to ‘low engagement’ – meaning they will receive lower regulatory scrutiny.
Glasgow workers roll up their sleeves to give blood
Glasgow staff at Lovell are continuing to roll up their sleeves and help save lives – by giving blood.
The company hosts regular blood donor sessions organised by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) at its Glasgow Business Park offices. The latest session attracted more than 40 donors - including workers from Lovell and other Glasgow firms - resulting in the donation of 33 pints of blood.
According to SNBTS, Scotland needs 5,000 blood donations each week just to keep up with demand.
Lovell has been hosting blood donor sessions in Glasgow for the past nine years, with staff from some 20 local businesses joining Lovell employees to give life-saving donations.