Building Briefs – September 10th

Inverclyde Council has submitted a planning application for a £2 million refurbishment of the former James Watt Memorial College in Greenock.

Plans involve developing modern standards of office accommodation for the council’s environmental services.

The design team have developed their plans for the building in conjunction with the Planning Authority, Historic Scotland and the council.

Lack of supply to continue house price and rent rises

House prices in Scotland are projected to rise by 5 per cent over course of the year as supply continues to fail to meet a rising demand for homes, according to surveyors.

The latest UK Residential Market Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) found that 28 per cent more chartered surveyors expect prices to continue rising in Scotland over the next three months.

In the lettings market, tenant demand in Scotland again outstripped demand with rents expected to increase in the near term as a result. Around 20 per cent of respondents to the survey are predicting a rise in rents during the next three months.

Regeneration funding available for Keith Institute repairs

A regeneration scheme could meet the bulk of the funding for urgent repairs to a listed building in the centre of Keith.

The Institute building in Mid Street – which formerly housed Moray Council offices – has been closed for the past three years because of its deteriorating condition.

An inspection has found that £166,000 is needed to prevent further damage to the external fabric of the structure, which dates from 1886 and is in a conservation area.

Moray councillors will be told next week that £90,000 is available from the Keith Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) provided the council comes up with the other £76,000.

However, the money is only available until next spring and a full meeting of the council on Wednesday will be asked to agree to meet the balance.

A report to the meeting says that timescales are tight but the completion of the essential repairs to the roof and external stonework would protect the building from potentially expensive internal damage.

The report notes that failure to deal with the current issues meant that the structure would decay further and potentially lead to health and safety implications for the public.

It also cautions that the opportunity to access the CARS funding is one that may not present itself again.

Fife Council launches survey on planning modernisation

Fife Council is launching a survey for local people and communities to have their say on the future of development planning and housing delivery.

The planning system is used to make decisions about the future development and use of land in our villages, towns and countryside.

The ‘Your Place, Your Views’ survey www.fifedirect.org.uk/yourplace is a chance for people, communities and businesses to give Fife Council their ideas about the future of development planning.

Over 6,000 Scottish homebuyers benefit from Help to Buy

Thousands of homebuyers in Scotland have benefitted from the Help to Buy scheme since it was launched two years ago.

Figures released yesterday have shown that 6,817 successful mortgage applications have gone through north of the border under the scheme which sees government cash used to guarantee deposits for banks, making it easier for first time buyers to get mortgages and step on to the housing ladder.

This a higher rate than the UK average, meaning Scotland has benefited more than most other parts of the country since the initiative was launched in October 2013.

The Treasury report revealed around 78 per cent of the successful applications involved first-time buyers, and UK-wide more than 56,000 people have been assisted.

Call to reject Moray windfarm application

A planning application to develop a 12-turbine windfarm in Moray is being recommended for refusal.

Over 1,300 people have lodged their objections with the council to the proposed development at Brown Muir.

However, the plans have received 20 representations of support.

The application will be considered at a meeting of the council’s planning and regulatory services committee on 15 September.