Building Briefs – September 29th

Loch Lomond resort Cameron House has revealed the results of a £3 million refurbishment in what is the first stage of a year-long multimillion-pound renovation.

This initial phase has focussed on revamping the food and beverage offering along with the hotel’s other public spaces.

At the heart of the hotel, the Cameron Grill dining establishment has been refreshed with new interiors.

A new cocktail bar has also been added to the Great Scots Bar with additional tables and new seating overlooking the loch.

Elsewhere, the public spaces - including the swimming pool and meeting rooms - have been upgraded most notably with four statement chandeliers at the reception.

Overlooking the enhanced marina at the water’s edge meanwhile, the Boathouse restaurant has been updated.

Housing minister sees North Toryglen transformation first hand

Housing minister Kevin Stewart saw for himself yesterday how a Glasgow community has been transformed.

The first phase of North Toryglen has seen 100 new, spacious energy-efficient homes for GHA already complete, along with 55 for private sale by Cruden Homes.

Mr Stewart joined GHA Board member Kate Willis, local elected members, GHA tenants and staff as well as representatives from contractors Cruden, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to meet some of the new tenants and see how the area has changed.

North Toryglen is one of eight areas in Glasgow earmarked as a priority for regeneration by Transforming Communities: Glasgow (TC:G), a partnership between Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government and GHA.

A 120-bed care home for older people operated by Glasgow City Council has also been built, along with a new play park and improved facilities at a community centre.

The £9.9m GHA development, built by contractors Cruden, is a mix of 66 houses and 34 flats, with 10 of the homes designed to wheelchair standard.

The development in North Toryglen won ‘Best Affordable Housing Development’ at the Herald Property Awards last week.

GHA is currently demolishing two blocks at 99 and 101 Prospecthill Circus using a long-reach machine.

The demolition of the two remaining blocks should be complete by Christmas, with the site cleared by early 2017.

Future regeneration plans for North Toryglen include 49 homes for private sale and new shop units.

Early completion targeted at Wilton Lodge Park revamp

The £3.64 million regeneration of Wilton Lodge Park, being funded by Scottish Borders Council (SBC) and the Heritage Lottery Fund, has experienced a busy summer of activity across the park with a number of infrastructure projects being taken forward.

It means the majority of the new infrastructure will be completed by Easter 2017, one year ahead of the overall project completion date of April 2018.

Esh Border Construction commenced works on the new café and bridge, and agreement has been reached with Wickstead - the developer of the new play-park - that both contractors will share access and facilities to allow the play-park works to begin early in October, rather than January 2017.

This will ensure both contracts are fully co-ordinated and ready to open ahead of the April 2017 target.

Esh is also working closely with Malcolm Construction, which is constructing the Hawick 3G pitch in nearby Volunteer Park, in order to allow the installation of the bridge to take place as smoothly as possible.

The upgraded waterfall walk and education area adjacent to Hawick Museum have been completed providing a purpose built seating and demonstration space for the museum and outdoor events.

SBC’s successful application to Sustrans for £100,000 to improve the surface of footways, lighting and signage, along with a further £20,000 from Smarter Choices, Smarter Placed fund to promote cycling, will further enhance Wilton Lodge Park.

Preparatory works have been completed around the fountain which has included the removal of a number of trees and shrubs in order to restore the original setting for the feature and open up views to and from the museum.

Landscape work is due to take place later this year and in early 2017 to make the area more accessible, as well as the refurbishment of the fountain.

To enable work to progress on the 3G pitch, the Volunteer Park car park will be closed through the day on weekdays for around a month. A safe pedestrian route will be established and the car park will be open in the evenings and at weekends.

Funding for developments along Borders Railway

Towns and villages along the Borders Railway are set to benefit after Midlothian Council agreed to pump an extra £450,000 into a string of developments.

Gorebridge town centre improvements are among a dozen projects being considered for investment.

The new cash comes on top of £300,000 already committed by the council towards Borders Railway promotional activities.

Road closures for A90 overnight works

Overhead gantries are to be installed on the A90 between Ferrytoll and Admiralty Junctions north of the Forth from 9pm tomorrow resulting in closures in both directions.

The closure will be in place on the A90 north of the Forth Road Bridge in both directions until 5am on Saturday October 1.

The first to the south of Dunfermline Wynd and the second on the south side of Admiralty Junction at the start of the northbound diverge (off-slip).

This work is part of the ongoing installation of a complete system of overhead gantries in support of the Forth Replacement Crossing Scheme. There will be further overnight works to install another two gantries in October and November and details of this will be issued ahead of these operations.

West Lothian library refurb complete

A £500,000 library refurbishment project has been completed in West Lothian.

The West Calder Library was reopened by deputy council leader Cathy Muldoon on Monday.

The year-long scheme involved restoring the building as well as retaining its original features. Highlights included installing new shelving and furniture, restoring the original floor and refurbishing the Library house for the Breich Valley Housing Team.

Planners back Borders turbine expansion

Scottish Borders Council has been advised not to oppose plans to expand a controversial wind farm.

Developers want to build another 12 turbines at Fallago Rig near Lauder, which was the subject of a six-year opposition campaign.

The Court of Session rejected a bid by opponents of the original turbine for a judicial review of its approval.

Edinburgh sets sights on collective city vision

Edinburgh residents, businesses, partners and stakeholders are being called upon to share their vision for the Capital’s future.

The ‘2050 Edinburgh City Vision’ will encompass the diverse needs of the city, ensuring it continues to thrive as a great place to live, work and visit over the next 30 years.

A city-wide engagement campaign will run until December, inviting all other interested parties to share their vision for the future and unlock creative potential for collaboration across all sectors. A draft document will be produced based on the responses received before being refined, agreed and published next summer.

Anyone who lives, works or studies in the city can join the conversation by answering the following three questions at the Edinburgh 2050 webpage and on social media (@edinburgh) using #Edinburgh2050.