Building Briefs – October 3rd

Kawneer has renewed its preferred supplier status with Kier Construction, one of the UK’s largest construction companies.

The supplier of architectural aluminium systems has signed a new two-year UK-wide supply chain framework agreement with Kier.

As a framework partner, Kawneer will continue to provide Kier with comprehensive design, technical, value engineering and installation assistance for the supply of curtain walling, window, door and framing systems on a wide range of building projects in the residential, commercial, healthcare, education, leisure and industrial sectors, from conception to completion and beyond.

This renewed agreement is the latest in a series of similar partnerships Kawneer have secured with some of the UK’s largest construction firms.

Gleneagles A9 bridge campaigners secure ‘very significant’ pledge from Scottish Government

A firm commitment has been given by the Scottish Government to explore the creation of a permanent crossing at an A9 blackspot.

Thousands of people are backing a petition calling for a permanent footbridge at Gleneagles train station.

A temporary bridge, which was put in place for the Ryder Cup, is due to be dismantled by Transport Scotland today.

Locals want to see a full-time replacement to slash the stretch’s tally of serious accidents, including two recent fatalities.

In a parliamentary debate on the success of the Ryder Cup, cabinet secretary for sports, equalities and pensioners’ rights Shona Robison revealed that transport minister Keith Brown had given his commitment to investigate the prospect of a new footbridge.

Stallan-Brand submit phase II Speirs Locks plan

Stallan-Brand architects have submitted phase II proposals for their Speirs Locks master plan, outlining the delivery of two student blocks containing a further 304 beds.

Looking out over an arrival plaza, which will double as an outdoor amenity for the adjacent Glue Factory and Whisky Bond arts venue, the scheme aims to deliver the “best urban space in Glasgow”.

Edinburgh outlines vision for cycling hub in Hunter’s Hall

The City of Edinburgh Council has revealed proposals to create a new cycling hub at Hunter’s Hall Park, home of the Jack Kane Centre.

Four possible options to create new cycling facilities within the park are being made public today before they are put forward to the Culture and Sport Committee in December for approval.

A survey has been launched to collect feedback from local people and cycling clubs on the proposals, which aim to offer low cost access to first class cycling facilities for all ages and abilities. Members of the Council’s sport team will tour local public venues including libraries, schools, and Edinburgh Leisure facilities to consult on the cycling hub vision.

The facilities illustrated in the options include a closed road circuit - designed to be safe for young people to learn cycling and racing skills - plus BMX and small cycle speedway tracks. The plans also outline designs for an outdoor velodrome for track cycling, and the provision of new synthetic turf 3G football/rugby pitches, to compensate for the loss of grass pitches on the site.

The plans have been allocated £1.215m of funding and have been drawn up by architects Reaich and Hall, working to a brief from the council.

Planning notice submitted for Aberdeen hotel

A new hotel development could soon be opening its doors in Aberdeen.

The 175-bed project would be built on a vacant site in the D2 Business Park on Dyce Drive close to Aberdeen Airport.

A proposal of application notice has been submitted for the hotel and associated infrastructure by Miller Developments, who first started building the park in 2013. The notice has been submitted ahead of a full planning application which it is expected will be ready by early December.

A separate planning application has also been submitted for an executive apartment hotel in the city centre.

North-east firm DANMOR Developments Ltd has proposed the hotel, which would consist of 71 suites and be built at Union Glen, near Union Street.

The development, if approved, will be primarily aimed at business travellers. The suites will be split into sleeping and living areas with a small kitchen. Each room will be fully serviced, with cleaning and laundry facilities.

A buffet area will also be included in the design of the hotel, on the ground floor.

NHBC announces second series of Home User Guide seminars

In response to growing demand from builders and following successful events held in the summer, NHBC have announced a second series of seminars to showcase the NHBC HUG system.

Taking place during November and December, this new series of six interactive seminars will allow builders to fully understand the functionality of HUG, how it is of benefit to homeowners, and how it can help to sell new-build homes and reduce customer care calls. The free-to-attend seminars are taking place as follows:

Forfar set for £5m council housing development

Angus Council is to build 29 new homes in Forfar at an estimated cost of nearly £5 million.

Original funding to convert the existing Chapelpark Primary School to 30 flats has been revised to 25 flats and four new-build terraced houses.

The new homes will comprise 18 one-bedroom flats, six two-bedroom flats, one three-bedroom flat and four four-bedroom new build terraced houses.

As part of the Scottish Government’s affordable housing programme, Angus Council has received grant funding of £1,305,000 to assist in meeting the council’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme with the remaining £3.7m being funded by Angus Council.

Fife Housing Group to embark on multi-million pound energy efficiency drive

Fife Housing Group is to spend quarter of a million pounds to help cut tenants’ energy bills and make their homes warmer.

The funding will provide cavity wall insulation for 290 flats in Kirkcaldy, Kennoway, Lumphinnans and Lochgelly.

It is part of a £4.5 million Green Homes Cashback Scheme award for housing associations and other social landlords announced by the Scottish Government.

Work on installing the insulation will be completed by the end of March 2015.

Landlords responsible for the prevention of Legionnaires’ disease

Private landlords must take suitable precautions to prevent or control the risk their tenants contracting Legionnaires’ disease, property consultancy CKD Galbraith has warned.

Under recent legislation, duty holders, which include; employers, those in control of premises and those with health and safety responsibilities for others, must take suitable precautions to prevent or control the risk of exposure to legionella.

CKD Galbraith has strongly advised all landlords to check that their managing agent is aware of recent legislative changes and is taking the appropriate action to ensure compliance with the current legislation.

Dumfries Peter Pan house secures Creative Scotland boost

Funding has been secured for plans to create Scotland’s first centre for children’s literature at a house which helped to inspire the Peter Pan story.

Creative Scotland will give £687,500 towards the project at Moat Brae House in Dumfries.

It has also awarded £400,000 towards the upgrade and restoration of one of the UK’s oldest cinemas in Campbeltown.

A further award of more than £250,000 goes to the Ness River Public Art Programme in Inverness.

The funds to Campbeltown Community Business (CCB) will see the town’s cinema - which first opened in 1913 - restored and a second screen and modern café and foyer area will be created.

The final funding award goes to Highland Council for its River Connections project.

Four artists have been commissioned to create new public art pieces as part of the area’s Ness River Public Art Programme.

180 jobs axed at Fife window manufacturer

One of Fife’s’ biggest employers is to axe 180 jobs.

Window manufacturer Velux confirmed that a 12-month consultation process had started with staff at its Glenrothes factory as part of a Europe-wide reorganisation of its business.

Fife Joinery Manufacturing, which operates numerous premises at the Eastfield Industrial Estate for Velux, is set to close as a consequence, with the distribution wing of the business now set to move to England to reduce transport costs.