Building Briefs – September 1st

ACHA to build eight new family homes in Oban

Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has confirmed it will be going on site next month to build eight new family homes in Glenshellach.

The contract worth ££1,092,400 has been awarded to MacLeod Construction Ltd of Lochgilphead which is currently working for the Association on new build developments in the Oban and Lorn area.

There is currently a waiting list of 740 applicants for housing in Oban, with 590 of these applicants wishing to be considered for Glenshellach, and this development is part of the Association’s strategy to provide desperately needed affordable housing for rent in the town.

The eight units comprise four 2 bedroom and four 3 bedroom houses.

Moray residents invited to submit future development ideas

Moray Council is inviting residents in Forres to submit their views on the future development of the town.

The ‘Forres 2020 Vision’ initiative allows the public to contribute ideas on how the town could look in a number of years via a large scale 3D map.

The ‘Planning for Real’ process has already been used in similar projects at Dufftown, Aberlour, Portgordon and Lhanbryde.

The scheme is being led by a group of local volunteers along with the council’s community support unit.

A public drop-in exhibition to gather ideas will take place at Forres Town Hall from 10am – 4pm on Saturday, 03 September and from 5pm – 8pm on Monday, 12 September.

Bilfinger GVA appoints new head of business rates in Scotland

Bilfinger GVA has confirmed a key appointment ahead of the General Revaluation set to take place in Scotland in April 2017.

Senior director Gordon Martin will take charge of the largest dedicated business rates team in Scotland with immediate effect as they prepare for the expected adjustment to the rateable values of all non-domestic property in Scotland.

The seven-strong team has considerable depth and experience across all sectors, operating within the largest business rates team in the UK and covering portfolios across the whole country.

With the largest number of appeals lodged in the 2010 revaluation, Bilfinger GVA retains clients such as Edinburgh Airport, the Scottish Government, RBS, Pinsent Masons and the Ministry of Defence.

Edinburgh-based Martin, who is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Rating Surveyors Association, is stepping up to the role after nine years within Bilfinger GVA

During this time and his previous employment at senior level within the Assessors service, he has built up a wealth of experience in the inspection, survey and valuation of all non-domestic property for rates purposes, including the valuation of public buildings, large industrial, commercial and military installations.

Views sought on Edinburgh Open Space Strategy

The City of Edinburgh Council is inviting residents to submit their views on a draft Open Space Strategy for the city.

A total of 15 parks and 22 play areas have been improved or upgraded under the initiative since 2010. In addition, new residential green spaces have been created alongside new homes.

The draft Strategy, which sets out open space needs up until 2021, includes securing new parks and active travel links, as well as creating spaces which encourage outdoor activity.

The document also supports redeveloping under-used green spaces into community gardens and wildlife areas, as well as improving the city’s historic cemeteries and burial grounds.

The consultation is currently underway and will run until 21 October.

Hardies’ double success in Investors in People

Hardies Property and Constructions Consultants has achieved Investors in People Gold and Investors in Young People accreditations.

The firm is one of only two organisations within the Scottish consultancy and surveying industry to have achieved such recognition.

In gaining accreditation at Gold level, Hardies’ solid foundation of good practice, which remains aspirational and challenging for many organisations, is demonstrated. Their true commitment to the training and development of their people is also illustrated.

Investors in Young People accreditation demonstrates Hardies as an employer of choice for young people and testifies to their effective Youth Employment practices.

Work continues on Glasgow waste water network upgrade project

Contractors are continuing work on a waste water upgrade project in Glasgow.

A total of 100 metres of new sewer piping is being installed along Clarence Drive in the Hyndland area of the city.

The 12-week scheme is part of Scottish Water’s £250 million five-year programme to improve river water quality and the natural environment, as well as building the Shieldhall waste water tunnel and tackling flooding in the Greater Glasgow area.

As part of the works, road traffic management and temporary traffic lights are in place to control traffic on Clarence Drive between Airlie Street and Hayburn Lane.

CMS celebrates cultural diversity with African challenge donation

Cumbernauld window, door and curtain walling designer, manufacturer and installer CMS Window Systems has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to engaging and supporting the communities in which it operates, after making a generous donation to a Glasgow enterprise dedicated to celebrating African cultures and heritage in Scotland.

CMS made the donation to African Challenge Scotland’s annual Multicultural Summer Event as part of its ten-year anniversary charity initiative, during which it will make ten donations of £1000 each to charities nominated by its most valued customers.

ng homes, a North Glasgow housing association and esteemed CMS client, nominated African Challenge Scotland to receive the business’s latest donation.

A Glasgow-based voluntary organisation which aims to promote cohesion between Scotland’s African communities and the country’s wider population through sport and cultural exchange, African Challenge Scotland’s work focuses on relieving poverty, advancing education, and promoting cultural and sporting links between the African and Scottish population.

CMS was delighted to provide sponsorship for the enterprise’s Multicultural Summer Event, a week of events celebrating African culture with the people of North Glasgow.

The third annual summer events programme organised by African Challenge Scotland took place between 1st to 6th August 2016.

The programme, which brought together people of different backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities in Scotland, kicked off at ng homes’ Saracen House office with a talk from Professor Tahseen Jafry of Glasgow Caledonian University, which explored global warming and how it transforms the lives of people in Scotland and Africa.