Building Briefs Sept 22

The developers behind the conversion of an old Dundee primary have lodged plans to rebuild part of the building.

TOR Homes recently obtained planning permission to convert the former Eastern Primary in Broughty Ferry into 26 new flats.

The developers initially said the project would mainly result in interior changes to the A-listed building, on the corner of Whinnie Brae and Monifieth Road.

But new proposals have now been submitted to “remove and extend” a part of the building at the north-east corner which is described as being in “poor repair”.

Double first for Kingdom at Abernethy

The first tenants have moved in to Kingdom Housing Association’s first development in Abernethy and were welcomed to their new homes by the association’s chairperson Charles Milne.

The development of 12 new three-bedroomed homes has been built for the association by A&J Stephen, at the Provost Mains site.

The new homes have been developed at a total cost of £1.4 million and funding assistance of £431,000 was provided by the Scottish Government, which will allow Kingdom to let the homes at a mid market rent, to priority applicants.

Mid market rent projects aim to help people on low or modest incomes, who are employed, to access high quality affordable rented accommodation.

John Stephen, from A and J Stephen Ltd’s expressed his support for the Mid Market rent initiative and the opportunity to work with Kingdom Housing to deliver quality homes on time and within budget.

The project was supported by Perth & Kinross Council and the Kingdom units make a contribution to the council’s Affordable Housing Policy.

Meeting over third Aberdeen River Don crossing

A public meeting about the new third Don crossing road bridge project in Aberdeen is to be held in Bridge of Don Academy tonight from 19:00 to 21:00.

The council said the meeting is open to members of the Bridge of Don and Danestone communities who want to know more about the scheme.

Balfour Beatty has been appointed to construct the new bridge.

Construction will start later this year and the new bridge is due to be open to the public by late 2015.

The total cost is expected to be about £18m.

The bridge was given the go-ahead last year after the council’s ruling Labour party - which had long been against the bridge - dropped its opposition.

Tay Road Bridge works to start next week

Essential maintenance repair works are to be carried out to the carriageway and expansion joints of the Tay Road Bridge in Dundee from next week.

In an effort to minimise inconvenience to bridge users, the works will be carried out over three consecutive weekends from Friday 7.30pm to Monday at 6.00am.

Tayside Contracts are undertaking the works through the Dundee Roads Maintenance Partnership.

Civil engineer makes addition to board

An Inverness civil engineering firm has appointed a new director after winning a motorway upgrade contract on the A1.

Daviot Farms Ltd (DFL) has appointed Ian Phillips as a director. Mr Phillips, 39, joins the business from national rival Morgan Sindall.

The firm, which employs over 150, was also responsible for the construction of or than 30 miles of earthworks and access tracks on the Beauly to Denny Overhead Transmission Line project.

Sanctuary Group announces new chair

Housing, care and community services provider Sanctuary Group has announced the appointment of Jonathan Lander as Group Chair with effect from 17 September 2014.

Jonathan, who was previously a senior partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) until his retirement in 2008, succeeds Nick Baldwin who is stepping down from the Board after completing two terms.

New HQ for Sureclean opens in Alness

The new global headquarters of Sureclean have been officially opened in Alness.

The facilities are located adjacent to the original site at River Drive in the area, where most of the company’s workforce is based.

The £2m development has been part-funded by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and has resulted in a modern, 7,000 sq ft office in an open-plan environment, which aims to improve workflow and inter-departmental communication with effective use of training and meeting facilities. In addition to the new office facility, the development has also extended the firms Support Services base, increasing its warehouse and workshop space by 6,000 sq ft.

The new facilities have also been designed to minimise Sureclean’s carbon footprint and features biomass, solar and air source technologies to enhance the efficiency of the building.

Green light for specialist children’s facility

Plans to construct a new specialist children’s facility in the Scottish Borders has been approved.

The £1.5m centre will be located on the former site of Earlston High School and will accommodate up to 40 pupils. According to the designs, the building will consist of a single-storey, with a garden and external play area contained within the perimeter fencing. Dedicated parking bays for staff and visitors are also included.

It is understood that existing facilities in Hawick, Innerleithen and Jedburgh will continue to accommodate for 18 children, with more in mainstream schools.

The site in Earlston was selected in 2013 after another alternative, the site of Galashiels Academy, was ruled out by planners.

Edinburgh music hall gets £6m makeover

A 250 year-old music hall on the Cowgate in Edinburgh is set to be given a new lease of life after plans for a £6.5 million redevelopment were approved by council officials.

Work will begin before the end of the year to restore St Cecilia’s Hall and redevelop the land around it to turn the hidden historic garden off the High Street into a major new tourist attraction.

Cameo cinema set for foyer renovation

One of Edinburgh’s best-loved cinemas is set for a facelift after planners cleared the way for a new canopy and remodelling work to the Cameo.

The Home Street institution is a mecca for film buffs and has attracted fans from around the globe, with cult director Quentin Tarantino reportedly calling it “the best arthouse cinema in the world”.

Now it will get a gleaming new facade after proposals to renovate the entrance were given the green light.