Building Briefs – October 6th

Next steps for city region deals outlined

The Scottish Government has announced that it will support the “creation of regional economic partnerships across Scotland as a vehicle to drive inclusive economic growth”.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown confirmed the plan as he outlined in the Enterprise and Skills Review, the expansion of the regional economic policy beyond city deals will pave the way for regional economic partnerships for every part of Scotland.

The Scottish Government said it is committed to securing Heads of Terms agreements for Stirling and Clackmannanshire and the Tay Cities Regions (Angus, Dundee, Fife, and Perth & Kinross) and to work to secure the first regional deal in Scotland for the three Ayrshire Councils.

Confirming the move during a statement to Parliament, Mr Brown said: “City region deals act as enablers to drive inclusive economic growth by enhancing alignment between national, regional and local ambitions, strategies and resources. They bring in crucial investment and engagement from the private sector, and pave the way for regional economic partnerships, focused on delivering long-term economic growth.

“Having committed over £1 billion over the next 10-20 years for city region deals, it is now vital that we expand our regional economic policy to go beyond our cities and I am calling on the UK Government to work with us on regional deals across the country.

“The Scottish Government is driving this work forward and I am urging the UK Government to match our commitment to transform Scotland’s regional economies.”

Lottery support to complete National Museum of Scotland masterplan

The National Lottery has confirmed a grant of over £1 million towards the fourth and final stage of the masterplan to transform the National Museum of Scotland.

The grant supports a £3.3m project which will create two new galleries displaying National Museums Scotland’s internationally important collections of Ancient Egyptian and East Asian material, together with a programme of activities across Scotland. Confirmation of this major award means that £2.3m of funding is now in place for the project, and a campaign is underway to secure the final £1m from private sources.

The new galleries will explore the remarkable cultural heritage of Ancient Egypt and East Asia. Showcasing over 1200 objects, 40% of which have never been on display in over a generation, the galleries will be created in spaces within the National Museum which have previously not been accessible to the public. They are due to open in early 2019.

The development is the final stage of an ambitious £80m masterplan to restore the much loved Victorian building to its former grandeur, reveal the remarkable treasures of National Museums Scotland’s collections and create inspiring visitor experiences.

The third phase was completed on time and on budget, opening to the public in the summer of last year, presenting ten award-winning new galleries of science and technology, decorative art, fashion and design.

Work on £2.5 million Highland Games heritage centre starts but £1.5m still needed

Work has begun on a £2.5 million heritage centre in Royal Deeside.

Building contractor Gordon Mitchell started ground clearing this week in the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park following the granting of planning permission in June for a Highland games centre at Braemar.

Incorporating a gallery, exhibition hall, cafe and gift shop, the centre will tell the story of royal links to the village and of the early beginnings of Highland games across Scotland.

However, despite the project being the first purpose-built attraction of its kind, more than half the funds are still needed before it can be completed.

It is hoped the facility will be completed in time for next year’s gathering on September 1, but President of Braemar Royal Highland Society David Geddes has appealed to fans of highland games to get behind the project and plug the £1.5m gap in funding that remains after news a further £250,000 had been committed from the Braemar Royal charity.

Mr Geddes said the attraction, which has already been backed with £250,000 from the Duke of Rothesay’s Dumfries House Trust and £500,000 from local hotelier Iwan Wirth, will help “preserve Highland traditions”.

Strong winds again deliver more than Scotland’s entire electricity needs

Wind turbines generated enough to meet all Scotland’s electricity needs on Monday, said environmental groups today.

WWF Scotland confirmed this was a record for 2017 and continued to call for the forthcoming Climate Change Bill to help secure the benefits of renewables and deliver a net zero economy.

Analysis by WWF of wind power data provided by Weather Energy found that for Monday 2 Oct:

Plans submitted to convert 19th Century Angus church into grand home

Dundee architects Andrew Black Design has submitted an application on behalf of their client, RB Developments that would see a 19th century listed Angus church turned into a single grand house.

Plans have been handed to Angus Council seeking permission to transform South Church, which sits on the corner of Queen Street and Hill Street in Monifieth, into a single grandiose house complete with open-plan living room, dining room and games room.

The proposals would see the 19th century listed building – which has served as a church for nearby Seaview primary school and the local Boys Brigade battalion since it was built in 1872 – converted into a two-storey, five bedroom dwelling.

The building has lain empty for several years following the amalgamation of the burgh’s kirks.

The combined Monifieth Parish Church wants to build a new place of worship on the site of the current South Church halls in High Street.

It is understood a decision on whether the works can go ahead will be made by the local authority in November.