Building Briefs - September 23rd

Forbes Place signals new age for property rental in Aberdeen

The first tenants of a new community built specifically for the rental market built by Dandara Living at Stoneywood in Aberdeen.

Forbes Place is the first private rental scheme (PRS) to be developed in Aberdeen, constructed in response to continuous high-demand for homes for lease which provide security of tenure.

The development has been nominated for three awards at the upcoming UK round of the International Property Awards, receiving nods in the Residential High Rise Development, Apartment/Condominium and Development Marketing categories.

Forbes Place features 276 apartments and 16 townhouses, all fully furnished and available for rental only, offering tenants reliable and luxurious accommodation within a community focused neighbourhood.

Forbes Place attracted more than 600 enquiries from prospective tenants, and more than 50% were pre-let before the first properties were completed.

It was purchased by global property leader LaSalle Investment Management before construction began, in July 2015, and is being managed by Dandara Living.

Planners back plan for a restaurant and 60 houses and at Inverness site

Plans for a major new Inverness development consisting of 60 new homes and a family restaurant have been recommended for approval by council planners.

Aberdeen-based developer Kirkwood Homes and Tweed Estates have applied to build 60 houses on land close to the city’s Asda supermarket at Slackbuie.

The plans will be considered by councillors next week, with officials suggesting the plans should be given the go-ahead.

The plans involve building on fields above Asda with access being taken from the roundabout outside the supermarket.

Three objections were raised against the scheme, with nearby residents concerned about pedestrian and cycle access and a loss of the land for potential community use.

Dunedin Canmore to deliver more affordable homes for older people

Work is underway on 31 new homes in East Lothian for the over-55s.

The development, in Musselburgh, is part of a drive to help older people live independently in their homes for longer.

Work began in April and comes after Phase 1 at Eskmills which saw 31 flats built, also for over-55s. The homes for Phase 2 are being built for Dunedin Canmore, part of Wheatley Group, by Hart Builders, part of the Cruden Group, and are on schedule for completion in July 2017.

The development, being part-funded by a £1.26million Scottish Government grant, is in Musselburgh town centre, close to all major amenities including the Musselburgh to Edinburgh rail link.

Dunedin Canmore Chief Executive Ewan Fraser said: “These new homes will provide much needed affordable housing for the over-55 age group.

“Our homes for over-55s are designed to be homes for life, so if tenants develop higher health and social care needs, then additional support can be provided with no need for people to move into sheltered accommodation.

“It is an innovative alternative that allows people to continue an independent lifestyle.”

The amenity flats, for social rent, will have lift access and a facility to connect to the council’s telecare emergency call system. Residents will also have use of a laundry drying room and resident parking.

Councillors to consider options for Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre location

A Scottish Borders Council meeting to be held next Thursday (29 September) will see Councillors consider a private report on two potential locations for the Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre – Tweedbank and Galashiels.

The opportunity to consider an alternative development in central Galashiels only came about earlier this summer.

Buildings have now become available that were not vacant or available when the Council carried out the original assessment of potential sites.

The report will be considered in private due to the inclusion of commercially sensitive information, which must be put before Councillors as part of the decision-making process.

Elected members will hear that both the previously identified Tweedbank site, opposite Tweedbank Railway Station, and a town centre site in Galashiels are viable options for the siting of the visitor centre.

Councillor David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Council, said: “We are proposing that we proceed to look in further detail at the Galashiels option as this may attract further additional funding that the Tweedbank project could not access and it would also act as a significant town centre regeneration project.

“Siting the visitor centre in Galashiels town centre would have the potential to unlock substantial benefits for the town, including transforming it into a true visitor destination, which could encourage further positive developments in the town over a number of years.

If councillors agree to proceed in line with the recommendation a further report will be brought back before the Council in November, setting out more project details, including potential phasing, and also confirm the potential funding sources for the project.

The Great Tapestry of Scotland is a joint project with the Scottish Government. The Government is committing up to £2.5million towards the project’s delivery and the Council agreed to spend up to £3.5m.

Perth city street improvements delayed

Work to improve the section of Perth High Street between Tay Street and George Street is now expected to be complete up to two weeks later than originally expected.

The delay will mean that the section of road, which has been closed with diversions in place since the end of July, is likely to remain closed until Friday 7 October 2016.

While work has been continuing throughout this time, due to unforeseen circumstances with utility companies and various other complications on site, the original completion date is no longer achievable.

Councillor John Kellas, Convener of the Enterprise & Infrastructure Committee, said: “It is unfortunate that work is going to take longer than expected. While the contractors have been working on later into the evenings and weekends in an attempt to finish in time for the original end date, this hasn’t proved feasible.”

The project has involved upgrading the existing lower High Street using high quality material and street furniture, providing a better space for vehicles and pedestrians. This will help to create a continuous streetscape linking the City Centre to the riverside