Building Briefs – October 6th

Turley strengthens its residential expertise

Turley has announced the appointment of Stephen Partington as a director in its Glasgow planning team.

Having previously worked for 12 years at Stewart Milne Group in the Strategic Land Division, Stephen brings with him a wealth of knowledge, particularly across the residential sector in central, west and east Scotland.

Stephen successfully led teams on multiple projects to complete a number of housing schemes including a 2,000-home Community Growth Area Release at Hamilton West in South Lanarkshire.

In his previous role, Stephen was chair of the Strathclyde Committee of Homes for Scotland, and prior to this, vice-chair. This has provided him with invaluable insight into the Scottish market and how to identify areas of Scotland that can be further developed for housing.

Funding to support Build to Rent housing extended

Scotland’s Build to Rent (BTR) sector is today being boosted by the announcement of an extension to funding for the Scottish Government-supported Private Rented Sector (PRS) Champion.

Gerry More has been tasked with driving forward initiatives which could see a rapid increase in the supply at scale of new purpose-built, professionally-managed, energy-efficient properties to rent across the country.

The funding will see Gerry’s work, supported by a Working Party of experts, continue for a further 12 months, focusing on how such schemes could be rapidly delivered with the backing of institutional investors, offering tenants improved customer experience and choice.

It will also support the launch of a dedicated Build to Rent in Scotland “opportunity” document in early 2017, outlining the potential benefits on offer to investors, local authorities, developers and other associated organisations.

Lucky number seven for award winning site manager

Seven is certainly a lucky number for Jim Martin from Livingston who has picked up his seventh NHBC Pride in Job Award.

The Miller Homes site manager received the much sought after Seal of Excellence award for the Scottish region last week at an awards ceremony in the Hilton, Glasgow.

NHBC (National House Builders Council) Pride in the Job is the only UK-wide competition dedicated to recognising site managers who achieve the highest standards in house-building.

Jim Martin, 55, has worked in the construction industry for 40 years. He received the Seal of Excellence for his commitment to safety standards and quality at the builders’ Roselea development in Rosewell, Midlothian.

£15m revamp plan for Jacobite mansion

Campaigners have announced plans to spend up to £15 million purchasing and redeveloping Bannockburn House.

The Grade A-listed mansion, which sits in extensive private grounds near the M9 on the outskirts of Stirling, is subject to a bid for a community buy-out.

The now-dilapidated mansion, occupied only by caretakers for the past 40 years, is said to have been commissioned in 1675.

Plans for the mansion include an equestrian centre and stables, a health and wellness centre, a visitors centre, a spacious amphitheatre, a glass conservatory and a series of incubator units for local businesses and workshops for artists and craftsmen.

£1.2m extension opens at West Lothian school

A new extension at Pinewood School in Blackburn has been officially opened.

Representing an investment of more than £1.2 million by West Lothian Council, the extension provides the school five new classrooms, a new central hub space and therapist room, as well as a link corridor connecting the extension to the existing school; and a fantastic new outdoor MUGA (multi-use games area).

Along with the new MUGA, Pinewood School has extensive outdoor space, with an accessible playground, sensory garden, raised beds, and forest schools areas.

The new extension at Pinewood has been delivered by the council’s development partner - hub South East Scotland Ltd, with Morrison Construction appointed as the main contractor.

A924 Main Road to close for roadworks

Roadworks are due to start on the A924 Main Road, Kinnaird to Moulin on Monday 24 October for a period of two weeks.

A road closure which will be in place 24 hours per day (excluding weekends) will be from Kinnaird Burn Bridge to the access of Balnakeilly House.

The closure is required to allow a new drainage pipe to be installed and carriageway resurfacing to take place.

Fallen window forces closure of Inverness school

Inverness High School closed to some pupils today because of a problem with windows in part of the building.

A child was been taken to hospital after being injured by glass believed to have fallen from a classroom window.

The child was treated at Raigmore Hospital’s accident and emergency unit but the extent of their injuries is unclear.

S1 to S3 pupils have been sent home from the secondary school while repairs are carried out.

Highland Council said the building remained open to S4-6 students.

CMS finalist in prestigious European Business Awards

Window, door and curtain walling designer, manufacturer and installer CMS Window Systems has been named as one of the most sustainable businesses in Europe by reaching the finals of the prestigious European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE).

The company, which is based near Glasgow and employs more than 250 people, has excelled in the face of tough competition from companies across Europe to be shortlisted in the ‘management’ category for medium and large companies.

The overall winner, from the four shortlisted companies, will be announced at an awards evening later this month in Tallinn, Estonia.

If CMS wins by beating the three other finalists, from Bulgaria, Greece and the Netherlands, it will follow in the footsteps of Marks & Spencer who won the award in 2012 for its renowned ‘Plan A’ environmental initiative.