Building Briefs – September 18th

CALA Homes (West) has offered Corpus Christi Primary School a cash boost of £1,500 as part of its 2018 community bursary, helping them to complete work on their new state-of-the-art playground.

The Glasgow primary school applied to the luxury homebuilder’s community bursary for additional funding to help them meet their target of £87,000 needed for the installation.

The new playground – designed by Danish company Kompan – is the first of its kind within Glasgow City Council and will promote creativity and social interactivity as well as health and fitness. It is also an inclusive playground suitable for children with additional support needs.

The CALA Homes (West) community bursary has supported 15 different charities and community groups across the West of Scotland throughout 2018 by funding vital equipment and services. Beneficiaries include EK Community Transport, Baby, Birth and Beyond, Kibble, Give the Dog a Bone, Erskine Reid McEwan Activity Centre and Bothwell Road Action Group.

Dundee housing proposal rejected on economic and industrial grounds

Plans have been refused for a residential development on the site of the former whisky bottling plant in Dundee.

Persimmon Homes had applied for planning approval in principle to build 90 affordable homes on the area which was formerly occupied by the Stewarts Cream of the Barley whisky bottling plant.

The brownfield site sits directly across from Kingsway East fire station and is next to a site currently the subject of plans for a new Costa coffee shop and Lidl supermarket.

Ian Goldrick, representing the housebuilder, told councillors the demand for affordable housing in the area was high, while supply was relatively low.

He said the firm had received more than 200 inquiries, the vast majority from people who still wanted to live in the immediate area.

Convener Will Dawson moved for the application to be refused, following advice from council officers that it was contrary to Dundee City Council’s development plan.

He said the space was being earmarked for economic and industrial use, due to its proximity to the city’s port, deeming the land unsuitable for housing.

Councillor Lynne Short tabled an amendment seeking to approve the bid, which was seconded by Councillor Kevin Cordell.

The amendment was defeated by 17 votes to six.

In 2012, plans for almost 60 new homes were lodged as part of a social housing project.

However, the proposals fell through amid concerns over traffic congestion and parking.

New chief executive appointed at Highland Council

Highland Council has appointed the current service director for children and young people in the Scottish Borders as its new chief executive.

Donna Manson was appointed by a senior members’ appointment panel on September 14 and will take up her role following the retirement of chief executive Steve Barron.

Having started her career teaching in areas of deprivation and with a real passion for reducing inequalities for families, Donna worked in education in Edinburgh and Fife before going into her current post with the Scottish Borders Council, where she has gained extensive experience of all council areas and working with partners as a corporate director.

New Wester Way route launched in Bishopbriggs

The new Wester Way travel route has been officially launched in Bishopbriggs.

Running alongside Phase 4 of Bishopbriggs Relief Road, Wester Way provides a new paved path for people walking, cycling and using scooters.

It was developed using funding from Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links programme, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and East Dunbartonshire Council. An all-weather surface was constructed along with several lighting installations.

It follows the route of the old Westerhill Road, between Westerhill Roundabout and Aviva, and uses the previous bridge over the railway line.

The route ties in with the path network developed near Phase Three of Bishopbriggs Relief Road, Kintessack Place and Westerhill Road – providing a key link which supports the Council’s Active Travel Strategy.

The new path was opened by Councillor Susan Murray, vice convener of place, neighbourhood and corporate assets, alongside the local children who came up with the name and gateway signs.

Resurfacing works postponed in Dunlop

Resurfacing work on the A735 Lugton Road in Dunlop has been postponed after coal tar was identified in the surface.

Test results of road cores samples confirmed that coal tar materials are present within the lower base course layer.

The recent excavation works have not disturbed this material layer and work can now continue with the original project design.

Works will recommence on Tuesday 25 September and will be completed on Friday 28 September, subject to weather conditions.

A road closure will be implemented for the duration of the works. Local vehicle access will be restricted but access for Emergency Vehicle will be maintained at all times.

The project is being completed as part of East Ayrshire’s £6 million road resurfacing programme.

£10m investment secured to upgrade Shetland water infrastructure

An investment of around £10 million has been secured to complete three water infrastructure projects in Shetland.

Scottish Water’s funding will help support improvements to the two public drinking water supplies serving Mainland, Shetland.

A £2m project at Eela Water Water Treatment Works is already underway to extend the existing building and install a new rapid gravity filter, increasing the capacity of the works and providing more flexibility to meet demand from customers. The existing four filters will also be refurbished to ensure they are working as efficiently as possible.

In addition, a £1.7m project is due to start this autumn at Sandy Loch Water Treatment Works and will also see a fifth rapid gravity filter installed, with refurbishment of the existing filters that supply customers in Lerwick, Scalloway, South Mainland, Burra, Trondra and Bressay.

Finally, a £6m project will see two existing steel drinking water storage tanks at Staney Hill replaced by a new twin compartment tank with greater storage capacity at Sandy Loch. A new gravity pipeline, just under three kilometres long, will connect Sandy Loch to the existing network at Holmsgarth Brae and remove the requirement to pump water over the Staney Hill.

The work is being delivered by Scottish Water’s alliance partner ESD.

Work continues on £700k sewer project in Arbroath

Work is continuing on a £700,000 sewer upgrade project in Arbroath.

The first phase of the project started in May, and has recommenced today, 17 September, after a summer break to minimise disruption. It involves the installation of new valves accessed from the manhole in the road next to The Old Brewhouse.

Phase two works will immediately follow the completion of the new valves. A new control kiosk will be built along with the upgrade of the existing pumping station at Old Shore Head.

Scottish Water alliance partner aBV is carrying out the works.

The project is expected to be complete in approximately 10 weeks.