Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for January 2012
31/01/2012
The refurbished Waverley Steps at Edinburgh Waverley Station reopened to the public on Monday as the first phase of a multi-million-pound project to overhaul the station’s Princes Street entrance came to an end. The historic station steps have been rebuilt, and three banks of double escalators inst
31/01/2012
A £1.8m Scottish Water project will reduce leakage and bursts on some of Glasgow’s key water mains. Scottish Water has started work on the installation of seven Pressure Control Valves, which will allow them to better manage pressure in the city’s trunk main network. The installation of the valves
31/01/2012
Construction work to dual the A9 between Luncarty and Birnam will get underway in 2017 Transport Minister, Keith Brown announced today. The Minister was speaking as he visited exhibitions in Perth which set out the design options for this vital scheme to improve the region’s main transport artery.
31/01/2012
Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell MSP has officially opened a new integrated Dundee child protection facility. The £2.65 million Seymour House base has been built to strengthen ongoing partnership working between Dundee City Council, NHS Tayside and Tayside Police. It has been
31/01/2012
Rental portal Citylets.co.uk has published strong results for 2011 with visitor traffic up 22% on 2010 and enquiries to agents up by 21%. The performance cements the Scottish-based company’s position as the UK’s most visited dedicated residential lettings site. The continued growth means Citylets
31/01/2012
Three young construction workers from Aberdeenshire based specialist natural stone contractor Kirk Natural Stone Developments Ltd, have recently completed the installation of new granite facades to the Schoolhill and George Street entrances of the Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen on night shifts. Proj
31/01/2012
Work to remove fallen and unsafe trees, plant new trees, build footpaths and improve access at Gean Wood and Arns Brae Pleasure Grounds in Alloa will get underway on Monday 6th February. The improvement work at the two woodlands, which is being carried out following a successful application by the
31/01/2012
A series of road resurfacing projects are getting under way across Aberdeen as the council spends an extra £1million on fixing the city streets. The money is being used to carry out repair work in mostly residential areas. It will be split between: footways (£65,000); replacing street lanterns (£50
30/01/2012
A Moray-based visual artist has been commissioned to create a piece of public art for a new housing development in Kemnay. Mary Bourne has been chosen to create the art which will form the centrepiece of the Cairn View development in Kemnay which comprises 54 two, three, four and five bedroom famil
30/01/2012
Scottish Water has launched a new division which will export the expertise it has built up in the past 10 years. The utility has landed what it hopes will be the first of many contracts to supply industry expertise abroad. This follows a tradition of Scots taking their scientific and engineering sk
30/01/2012
Interserve, the international support services and construction group, is shortly to complete the first phase of a £6.5 million contract to refurbish George House in Glasgow’s famous George Square for the international real estate company, Redevco. The first phase of the contract is due for comple
30/01/2012
Land Securities has secured four more retailers at 185–221 Buchanan Street, a 155,000 sq ft development in Glasgow. The development is scheduled for retail opening in March 2013. These new deals emphasise that Buchanan Street remains a sought after retail location. The four new brands, which are
30/01/2012
Contractors working on the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) have confirmed where they will be sourcing the steel required by the new bridge. Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) - the consortium who’s successful tender for the FRC’s Principal Contract came in around £400 million under budget,
30/01/2012
Greater local integration in public services must deliver better outcomes for people, Local Government Minister Derek Mackay said. Addressing the COSLA leaders meeting in Edinburgh on Friday for the first time, Mr Mackay affirmed that the Scottish Government and local government have begun a joint
27/01/2012
Another £1.75 million of Government funding has been committed to the V&A at Dundee over the next three years. It brings the total Scottish Government support for the project to more than £18 million, including the £15 million capital investment already confirmed. The new revenue funding was annou
27/01/2012
Creative business units in restored former platform buildings at Burntisland Station were opened this week by Gordon Brown MP, Patron of Fife Historic Buildings Trust, who completed the work. In 2010 the derelict Station House was restored and transformed into a thriving business centre and is now
27/01/2012
Argyll and Bute Council have recently approved the designation of some housing settlements as 'Pressured Areas'. This decision, which does not affect Bute or Kintyre, means that for some ACHA tenants their right to buy will be suspended for a period of 10 years, commencing on 31st January 2012.
27/01/2012
Scottish Ministers today set out the "utterly convincing" case for High Speed Rail to come to Scotland. They also highlighted advice from the Scottish Partnership Group which recommends that work in Scotland could actually start ahead of planned completion in England. Addressing the ‘Making HS2 H
27/01/2012
Two more GHA sheltered housing complexes are to benefit from purpose-built community rooms later this year. The new facilities, at Sannox Gardens in Dennistoun, and at Sandford Gardens in Baillieston, will mean older tenants have extra space for a wider range of social activities. The new communit
27/01/2012
The final dates for Aberdeenshire Council's school estate consultation are approaching. In August last year, councillors approved the launch of an extensive consultation on Aberdeenshire schools which runs until February 2012. The first stage of the process took the form of an online questionnaire
27/01/2012
Glasgow is planning to use the energy from the ground in order to help power homes and communities. The British Geological Survey (BGS) has identified significant potential in Glasgow to harness heat contained in the ground. Work is now under way by officers at Glasgow City Council and the BGS to
27/01/2012
A blueprint for the future of Aberdeen has been approved by Aberdeen City Council. The approval of the Proposed Aberdeen Local Development Plan (as Modified 2012) brings to a conclusion a major project to deliver the plan for the city and marks a significant change in the strategy for growth for Ab
26/01/2012
Up to 16,000 private properties in Grangemouth, Denny and Bonnybridge are eligible to receive free loft and/or cavity wall insulation from Falkirk Council following an £800k award from the Scottish Government. Allocated on a first come, first served basis, the scheme, which is not means tested (ope
26/01/2012
A crumbling 18th century building in the Clachan of Campsie Churchyard in Lennoxtown – the Lennox Waiting Room - has been restored to its former glory thanks to the dedication of a local group and funding awards of almost £40k. The Lennoxtown Heritage and Preservation Trust worked closely with East
26/01/2012
A new housing development by Angus Council has received the Government’s seal of approval. Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, visited the Kinloch development in Carnoustie on Wednesday 25 January. The development marks the first council housing to be built in A
26/01/2012
Aberdeen city councillors have agreed to progress the City Garden Project for Union Terrace Gardens – subject to a "yes" vote in the public referendum to be held in March. Elected members agreed a range of recommendations designed to prepare the way for progress to be made if the citizens of Aberde
26/01/2012
Aberdeen-based Knight Property Group has secured £45million in funding from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to continue the purchase and development of prime acreage throughout Aberdeen city and shire for its development of commercial property. The commercial property specialist has developed in exce
26/01/2012
Memories of the Red Road flats will be brought to life in a new exhibition next month – including stunning photos of the former underground bingo hall. The ‘Red Road Underground’ exhibition looks at the history of the multi-storey flats in the North of Glasgow and records the memories of the people
26/01/2012
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is holding a public event in Broadford on February 10 to give the community an opportunity to comment on initial proposals for further development at the Industrial Estate. Following tree felling work, the agency is investigating the opening up of further area
26/01/2012
Scotlands leading conservatory solutions company Clyde Windows and Construction has just experienced its busiest ever period handling a surge of emergency repair requests brought by the early New Year stormy weather from over forty different insurers in relation to conservatory storm damage all over
26/01/2012
Powerwall, a leading developer of modular building systems and high tech building materials, is the first UK firm to achieve a 60 year life expectancy certificate for its external insulation materials from the British Board of Agrément (BBA). This follows on from the previous 60 year life expectanc
26/01/2012
The City of Edinburgh Council is top of the tree among Scottish local authorities after approving new sustainable procurement and timber policies. Today the Council's Policy and Strategy Committee agreed to sign up to a WWF pledge to ensure it only purchases timber and wood-derived products from su
25/01/2012
The Scottish construction industry will continue to contract in 2012 but is expected to return to growth in 2013, according to the latest figures published today from the Construction Skills Network (CSN). The annual report from CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Traini
25/01/2012
Infrastructure and Capital Investment Secretary Alex Neil has welcomed news that Scottish Water will freeze household water charges for 2012-13. In April 2012 household water charges will remain frozen, which means water charges have remained at the same level for four years. The average household
25/01/2012
Scottish Government funding of £1 million to repair the roof of the Scottish Maritime Museum (SMM) in Irvine has been announced. On a visit to the Museum’s Linthouse building in Irvine, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "Scotland’s remarkable shipbuilding skills and maritime achievements are pa
25/01/2012
Evictions by social landlords across Scotland have continued to decrease and the numbers of tenants in arrears is down over the last year, according to new analysis by Shelter Scotland. In total, there were 1,918 evictions in 2010/2011 - 13% fewer than the previous year - bringing the total cut in
25/01/2012
Around 69,500 more homes and businesses in 14 Scottish communities now have access to faster broadband, BT announced today. They’re the latest places in the country to benefit from the roll-out of BT’s next generation broadband service delivered over copper lines. The communities are: Dyce and Bie
25/01/2012
Proposals for dualling the A9 between Luncarty and Tay Crossing are to go on display to the public next week. Communities along this section of the route will have an opportunity to comment on the proposals at exhibitions in Perth, Dunkeld and Bankfoot. The exhibitions also feature information on
25/01/2012
Midlothian Council has committed £164million to building new homes in Midlothian since 2006 and the next step in our new-build programme is due to be completed later this year. The council is set to deliver a further 180 new homes by summer 2012. These are the final homes in the £108 million fir
25/01/2012
Free play opportunities for Scotland’s children will be increased following a £3 million investment from the Scottish Government. Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell announced the funding during a visit to Thornlie Primary in Wishaw. The money will see an expansion of a selected number of ‘Play Ran
25/01/2012
Acting on behalf of Diageo Scotland, James Barr recently obtained planning permission for a mixed use development, including a new further education college, on the 30 acre site in Kilmarnock which is to close in 2012. This planning consent is seen as the first stage to pave the way for the redevel
24/01/2012
After many years of planning, work has started on site to build Inverness Campus. Highlands and Islands Enterprise's (HIE's) contractor, Inverness based Morgan Sindall moved onto the land at Beechwood at the end of last week to start the site set-up, creating a base for up to 250 workers over the c
24/01/2012
Plans for Newesk, the £250million sustainable community proposed for land at Edzell on the border of South Aberdeenshire and Angus, have been lodged after a year-long master-planning process informed by local residents. Aberdeenshire Council planning officials have now received the outline planning
24/01/2012
A new report has named Aberdeen as one of five cities best placed to aid the UK's economic recovery. Cities Outlook 2012, which is the authoritative economic index of the 64 largest cities and towns in the UK, identified the Granite City as being well placed to drive the national recovery. The rep
24/01/2012
On behalf of a private investor James Barr’s Edinburgh agency team has concluded a third letting to a new tenant at Vantage Point, Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh. Global wind turbine manufacturer Enercon will manage their UK sales and project management operations from the building and have taken a
24/01/2012
GHA has installed solar panels to the first of 500 homes – to help tenants save money on their fuel bills. The solar panels generate free electricity during daylight hours for householders. Tenants whose homes are fitted with solar panels can expect to save around £100 every year on their fuel bil
24/01/2012
The only detailed report into Scotland's private rental market has reached a five year milestone, showing the sector to be in fine health. After 20 consecutive quarterly publications, the latest Citylets Report – for the last 3 months of 2011 - caps five full years of analysis and reveals a thrivin
24/01/2012
The refurbished centre of Irvine will be designed to be as accessible as possible. Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and North Ayrshire Council are to meet with the North Ayrshire Access Panel on January 30th in Ardrossan to talk through the plans and progress for the revitalisation of Irvine town ce
24/01/2012
Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing today announced the re-appointment of Professor Jim McDonald and Mr Graeme Waddell to the board of Scottish Enterprise. Scottish Enterprise is the Scottish Government’s main agency for economic development in North East, Central and Lowland S
24/01/2012
Developer, Sheratan Ltd, is to hold a number of community engagement events to consult on its proposed residential development at the Edmonstone Estate. The scheme is in close proximity to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary at Little France (bound to the south by Old Dalkeith Road and to the east by the
24/01/2012
The Red Tree Business Suites at Stonelaw Road, Rutherglen, which were officially opened in July 2011, have proven to be an instant success. Nine of the eleven suites are now occupied, providing employment for forty-one people. The rate of occupancy and the number of jobs is well ahead of the exp
23/01/2012
Planning consent has been granted for a change to the electricity grid that will allow new renewables developments to be connected to the grid. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has approved a change to the route of the existing Anglo-Scottish Interconnector 400 kilo Volt (kV) overhead electricity trans
23/01/2012
Time is running out in the race to win a truly unique prize – a genuine bandstand! Young people in Irvine Bay are being prompted to make sure they get their entries in for the competition to win the Irvine town centre bandstand. Artist and Sculptor Peter McCaughey – commissioned to create a new gia
23/01/2012
Keith Brown has announced the go-ahead for a detailed investigation into mitigation works on a notorious landslip site on the A83. The Transport Minister said the investigation will look at look at potential contingency measures and solutions following a landslip last month at the Rest and Be Thank
23/01/2012
Developer SCOT Sheridan is set to commence work later this month on the first phase of the £14 million development of Clyde Gateway East Business Park in the East End of Glasgow. SCOT Sheridan will create 57,500 sq ft of modern, flexible business accommodation in three separate buildings at the par
23/01/2012
Councillors in Edinburgh have voted to terminate the procurement process without award of any contract for the Integrated Facilities Management and Corporate and Transactional workstreams. Officers will now focus on implementing a programme of improvement based on the vision set out in the Council'
23/01/2012
Businesses across the Highlands and Islands are being encouraged to celebrate the Year of the Dragon by getting advice on exporting to China. Organised by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), a free event is being held at Cowan House in Inverness on
23/01/2012
Morgan Sindall, a leading UK construction, infrastructure and design business, is to commence using the Builder’s Profile service to collect and maintain its supply chain information from February 2012. The Builder’s Profile, supported by NSCC and The Builders’ Conference, offers the construction i
23/01/2012
Industry body Homes for Scotland has launched its 2012 Awards scheme, focusing on four themes which remain critical to the home building industry’s future success: customers, people, partnership and design. Two awards are attached to each theme and entries are now being invited from Homes for Scot
23/01/2012
The government consultation on the ‘green deal’ closed last week and the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is calling on them to radically review its proposals before they are implemented later this year. If not, the danger is that the those who need most help will miss out. The "green deal" is
23/01/2012
Council house tenants in Dundee have backed the idea of paying more rent to generate investment in energy efficiency measures and help continue improvements to homes across the city. A report to the city council's housing committee on today will be asked to approve a rise of 4.75% after more than 1
20/01/2012
Work begins this week on the next phase of work designed to breathe new life into Trinity Church, one of Irvine’s historic landmark buildings. Clark Contracts has been appointed to carry out a package of advance works – designed to prepare the site in advance of the main redevelopment works and to
20/01/2012
Highlands and Islands Enterprise have received planning permission for a pedestrian bridge linking Inverness Campus with the city centre through the Raigmore Estate on 17 January. This means HIE's contractor Morgan Sindall will now start on site to build the infrastructure works for the Campus, one
20/01/2012
Plans to build a state-of-the-art building to accommodate James Gillespie’s High School have now been approved. The innovative plans for the new high school have been designed around the principles of the Curriculum for Excellence and will form a part of the new £42m campus development. The ground
20/01/2012
East Lothian Council is seeking the views of residents and others on future land-use and development in East Lothian. The plan will eventually replace the East Lothian Local Plan 2008. Councillor Barry Turner, the Council’s planning spokesman said: "The Council is interested in hearing the views o
20/01/2012
Lochee residents could have the chance to give their views on the need for a new health centre/community facility, similar to the Life Services building being built in Whitfield, if a proposed redevelopment plan goes ahead. The plan, which also recommends the creation of a car park, public transpor
20/01/2012
Plans for a permanent clubhouse which will serve the Trump International Golf Links Scotland resort near Balmedie have been approved by councillors. The Trump organisation sought permission for the clubhouse and turning circle at the Menie Estate. Plans for a temporary clubhouse at the site were ap
20/01/2012
Two apprentice mechanics have started work with Argyll and Bute Council as part of its fleet service review. Steven Walsh (18) will work in the James Street Depot, Helensburgh and David Butler (20) in Hamilton Street Dunoon. Both will start a four year apprenticeship on March 12 2012. During the
20/01/2012
A proposal worth more than £1 million is being recommended for a four classroom extension to Kingspark School, Dundee. A report to be considered by the education and policy and resources committees on Monday January 23 highlights the expanding roll of Kingspark. It also underlines the council's st
20/01/2012
East Dunbartonshire Council’s Trading Standards Department is warning local residents to be on their guard in respect of doorstep callers and bogus workmen following the recent period of stormy weather. There have already been some reports of rogue traders making unsolicited approaches to local re
20/01/2012
Kilmarnock firm Mackenzie Hall have announced plans to expand their premises and create 103 new jobs in the town centre. The firm recently acquired three new units around its Portland Road base to accommodate the expansion. And in a new development, the entire company has just been acquired by Por
19/01/2012
Latest GDP figures for the Scottish economy have shown a fourth consecutive quarter of stagnation in the Scottish construction industry. During the third quarter of 2011, output from the industry fell by 1.2%. This followed falls in output of 1.3%, 1.8% and 1.4% over the preceding three quarters.
19/01/2012
SMS, Aberdeen-based sand management specialist and steering committee member of The Sand Management Network, is to facilitate and host a pre-conference workshop for the SPE SMN 5th European Sand Management Forum. The workshop will be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on 20th Ma
19/01/2012
More than 1600 older tenants have now signed up for a winter home check as part of GHA’s campaign to help vulnerable tenants beat the freezing temperatures. And with Glasgow shivering its way through a January cold snap, tenants are being reminded they still have until the end of the month to regis
19/01/2012
Planning Aid for Scotland’s (PAS) Planning for Community Developments guide provides people who are trying to develop community assets with an introduction to the planning issues they are likely to face, including advice on development management and community engagement, as well as advice on specif
19/01/2012
One of Scotland’s largest commercial property specialists has helped the Scottish Wildlife Trust make a landmark move from their heritage building headquarters to a newly refurbished office in Edinburgh. Harbourside House in Leith was chosen by The Scottish Wildlife trust as its new base after spe
19/01/2012
Offshore drilling activity across North West Europe fell 12% in 2011 with 122 exploration and appraisal wells drilled across the region, compared to 139 in 2010, according to an end of year review released by Deloitte. The report, which documents drilling, licensing, field developments and new fiel
19/01/2012
Four enterprise areas are to be created in Scotland with an emphasis on some of our most dynamic industries with the greatest potential to create new employment opportunities, stimulate private investment and boost economic growth. Finance Secretary John Swinney announced the 14 sites on a visit to
19/01/2012
A £50 million fund will deliver real benefits for sustainable transport over the next four years said Transport Minister Keith Brown today. The Minister was speaking as he met with Wardie Primary pupils currently taking part in a Sustrans’ I-bike project, one of a range of initiatives which will be
19/01/2012
Glasgow City Council has approved the Tesco and Glasgow Harbour proposals to regenerate two prominent West End sites, create over 500 local job opportunities and provide more value and choice for local residents. The plans will create modern housing and office space at Beith Street, Partick, and si
19/01/2012
Premier Inn has announced it is to open two new hotels and a restaurant development in Inverness, bringing a total of 98 new jobs to the local area. The brand new Premier Inn Inverness West hotel and Beefeater Grill will open on Glenurquhat Road on 23rd January 2012. A second hotel, Premier Inn In
18/01/2012
The Scottish Government’s decision to create an Enterprise Area in Irvine was today hailed as "fantastic news" by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company. The regeneration company, working with North Ayrshire Council, had worked hard to lobby for the new Enterprise Area status, saying it will give a focus
18/01/2012
Community groups and organisations are being invited by Angus Council to contribute to the design and development of a new community campus in the burgh. The new campus will incorporate the replacement for Brechin High School, enhanced community leisure facilities, and a performance space and accom
18/01/2012
Following a landslip in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire Council is working to ensure there is no danger to the public. The land started to slip near the town’s Lido over the festive period, but there has been further movement since then and engineers fear there may be more. Council engineers called in a
18/01/2012
Aberdeen's success in the oil and gas industry is to be showcased at a British High Commission event in Ghana this week. Gordon McIntosh, the city council's director of Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure, will lead the event in the capital city, Accra. He will tell Aberdeen's success story a
18/01/2012
CBI Scotland Director Iain McMillan has welcomed the Scottish Government’s pledge to offer employers up to £2000 when they take on any apprentice. The Employer Recruitment Incentive (ERI) is delivered by Skills Development Scotland – Scotland’s skills body – and supported by the Scottish Government
18/01/2012
BRE and the International Passivhaus Association have announced the names of the finalists in a competition to create Passivhaus demonstration homes for the BRE Innovation Parks in Watford and Scotland. The aim of the competition has been to demonstrate that the Passivhaus standard can provide an a
18/01/2012
Keith Brown has announced a £1.7m contract be awarded to RJ McLeod, which will see work start on a new motorway interchange. The award, part of the £2.8m slip roads scheme for the M876 at Glenbervie, will support jobs and act as a catalyst for economic growth in Central Scotland. Mr Brown said: "I
18/01/2012
Recent positive engagement between Orkney And Shetland Isles communities and the Scottish Government has concluded with agreement on this year’s NorthLink drydock timetable. Further commitment was also reached by all parties to work together to minimise disruption this year and ensure reduced serv
18/01/2012
Scotland’s position as a leading player in renewables has been reinforced this week with the signing of an agreement between First Minister Alex Salmond and one of the world’s leading renewables innovators. The signing at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi quickly follows discussions betw
18/01/2012
Households in south Edinburgh are getting free home insulation to help them stay warm and cut energy bills this winter. The free insulation offer is overseen by the City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre South East and is funded by the Scottish Govern
17/01/2012
Work is set to begin on the construction of a new feature entrance to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design as part of a major refurbishment of one of the UK’s top art colleges. Once completed, the main entrance to DJCAD, part of the University of Dundee, will comprise a well-lit, glass-f
17/01/2012
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Premier Wen of China and shared his vision of a global society with a secure energy future. Yesterday the First Minister took part in a majilis – a public audience held by the ruler Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
17/01/2012
City of Edinburgh Council housing leader, Cllr Paul Edie, met HRH The Princess Royal as she opened a new affordable housing development in Leith on Monday. The Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) 60-flat Quayside development at Coburg Street comprises a mix of 44 social rented and 16 shared o
17/01/2012
Aberdeen’s city centre could be spectacularly transformed by a stunning contemporary design that will give Aberdeen an additional 70,000 square feet of green space within eight distinct gardens, an iconic cultural and arts centre with café and other facilities and two new plazas on Union Street and
17/01/2012
A leading industrial roofing contractor Weatherproofing Advisors ltd, who this year celebrate 25 years in operation, have announced the opening of their new office in Kent to service their expanding number of clients in the London area. The new service centre, which is local to all London airports,
17/01/2012
West Dunbartonshire Council is making its roads as safe as possible by dedicating teams to repair the numerous potholes created by the recent severe weather conditions. As well as responding to reports of potholes from residents, West Dunbartonshire has specialist Find and Fix teams which drive rou
17/01/2012
Pamela Gray, Richard Higgins and Ian Forbes of Scottish independent property consultants CKD Galbraith have offered their predictions for the commercial property investment market in 2012. They believe 2011 was a "tricky year" for the commercial property market: fewer transactions, a widening yield
17/01/2012
AMEC, the international engineering and project management company, has been awarded a £10 million contract to provide project services to BP for the Kinneil Enhanced Gas Separation (EGS) project, Grangemouth, Scotland. The project will modify and extend BP’s existing Kinneil Crude Oil Stabilisatio
17/01/2012
Annandale Estates has successfully carried out an innovative insulation treatment for a number of their tenants. The traditionally built properties comprised solid masonry walls, strapped and lined internally which were treated by licensed Icynene contractor eco Insulate Ltd. The process has involv
17/01/2012
Edinburgh's transport leader has thanked motorists and other road users for their cooperation during the latest phase of tram works in the city centre. Cllr Gordon Mackenzie said: "I would like to thank drivers for their cooperation and patience so far but also remind them that there are further me
16/01/2012
Housing association staff are helping hundreds of Edinburgh tenants repair their properties after the recent storms. Dunedin Canmore Housing Association's Customer Service Centre has dealt with hundreds of calls from tenants reporting problems due to the bad weather over the last two weeks. Burst
16/01/2012
The City of Dunfermline Area Committee has given the green light on a £1.2 million refurbishment planning application for the City Chambers. Work on the Grade ‘A’ listed building can now commence next month and will include new toilets and baby changing facilities, repair work to the masonry walls
16/01/2012
A £500,000 contract underway on the A82 near Loch Lomond marks the start of preparatory work for major improvements said Transport Minister Keith Brown today. The contract, being delivered by Amey, will see detailed surveys on north Loch Lomondside between Tarbet and Inverarnan as part of early inv
16/01/2012
Research by specialist buy-to-let lender, Paragon Group, has revealed that landlords are expecting tenant demand to continue to remain high in 2012. More than half (56%) of the landlords who took part in the quarterly survey said that they expect tenant demand to either grow or boom in the New Year
16/01/2012
BRE has, on behalf of DECC, launched a public consultation on the latest proposed changes to SAP – the Standard Assessment Procedure for the Energy Rating of Dwellings. A principal purpose for the new SAP 2012 will be to underpin the 2013 update of Part L of the Building Regulations and equivalent
16/01/2012
Speaking on ‘The World Tonight' on Radio 4 recently, Dr Peter Hughes, Chief Executive of Scottish Engineering answered a number of questions on the current political wrangle over the Scottish independence referendum. He highlighted the fact that while none of the members have raised concerns public
16/01/2012
The National Landlords Association (NLA) has issued guidelines on how to protect properties from the effects of cold weather, after last winter saw a large spike in claims due to frozen pipes bursting. NLA Property Insurance saw a 48% increase in claims during December 2010 and January 2011, for da
16/01/2012
Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, announces today that it has been awarded construction contracts in the commercial sector totalling £100 million. In Glasgow, Balfour Beatty has been awarded an £18 million contract for 185-221 Buchanan Street for Land Securities to provide a n
16/01/2012
The re-opened Airdrie to Bathgate rail link has resulted in a large boost in passenger numbers along the route. The new £300m Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link was opened on 12th December 2010 and usage figures for the first 12 months show a significant increase in passenger numbers at existing stations.
16/01/2012
Legislation to complete a programme of property law reform in Scotland has been published. The Long Leases (Scotland) Bill will bring an end to ultra-long leases (let for more than 175 years and with more than 100 years to run) by converting them to ownership. The Bill forms part of a programme of
16/01/2012
Scotland’s leading housing and homelessness charity saw an increase in sales in December, according to latest figures. According to data from Shelter Scotland, its retail arm of 34 shops saw turnover rise by 8.5% in December with a 7.7% increase in like-for-like sales during the same period. The n
13/01/2012
Dundee College welcomed nearly 50 'first foots' on Wednesday, when four dozen guys, keen to build a career in construction, were enrolled on the pre-apprenticeship course. The students, aged between 16 and thirty-something, enjoyed a morning’s induction before taking to the tools over the next 16 w
13/01/2012
Scottish Water’s £860,000 investment at Cardenden will help to improve the natural environment of the River Ore. Improvements to the Cardenden waste water transfer system will help to address the risk of pollution to the river, which flows through large parts of central and west Fife. Senior Const
13/01/2012
The Fraserburgh community is being invited to help shape how an iconic sculpture could look as construction of a major new facility for the town continues. Artist and sculptor Carn Standing has been commissioned to create a large scale sculpture that will be suspended above the main social area of
13/01/2012
Plans for a new household waste recycling centre in the west of Aberdeen have been approved by Aberdeen City Council's Development Management Sub-committee. Sita UK's planning application for a 1.2 hectare site in the north-west corner of the disused Grove Nursery at Hazlehead, which was previously
13/01/2012
First Minister Alex Salmond MSP has carried out the official opening of Aberdeen oil and gas manufacturing company Omega Completion Technology’s £2 million purpose-built headquarters in Dyce. Omega has recently made an additional investment of £250,000 in new machinery in an effort to keep up with
13/01/2012
Premium housebuilder Stewart Milne Homes has appointed Jonathan Fair as managing director of its Central Scotland division. Fair, previously chief executive of Homes for Scotland will take full responsibility for driving further growth of the successful Stewart Milne Homes Division based in Tanno
13/01/2012
Peterson SBS has announced a £1.5 million capital investment in its quayside operations at Aberdeen Harbour. The company has leased a further two berths from Aberdeen Harbour Board and has secured additional accommodation, including a transit warehouse for the receipt and containerisation of items
13/01/2012
Housing association staff are helping hundreds of Edinburgh tenants repair their properties after the recent storms. Dunedin Canmore Housing Association's Customer Service Centre has dealt with hundreds of calls from tenants reporting problems due to the bad weather over the last two weeks. Burst
12/01/2012
Talks will begin immediately to bring high speed rail to Scotland after Transport Minister Keith Brown met with his Westminster counterpart. Mr Brown was disappointed yesterday to hear Westminster Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening announce that the first phase of the new line would
12/01/2012
Despite battling against the unforgiving Scottish weather, Bachy Soletanche has started piling at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow in preparation for a new Multi-Storey Car Park. Known to be a potentially problematic site due to the positioning over a former dock tha
12/01/2012
Thousands of people in the Lochwinnoch and Kilmacolm areas are to benefit from two key Scottish Water projects with a combined value of £1.5m that will help provide clearer, fresher drinking water. Scottish Water is about to start a £300,000 project to carry out substantial improvement work at the
12/01/2012
At their Association of Public Service Excellence's Performance Networks awards evening, Dumfries and Galloway was named most improved council for Street Lighting. The event was heldrecently at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool and was hosted by Samia Smith, best known for her role in Coronation Street a
12/01/2012
A date and venue has been set for the hearing into supermarket firm Waitrose’s application to build a foodstore and petrol station in Helensburgh. The hearing will start at 10.30am on Tuesday, February 21 2012 in Helensburgh’s Victoria Hall. Councillor Daniel Kelly, chair of the planning, protecti
12/01/2012
Construction union UCATT is seeking urgent answers concerning the future of construction workers at WJ Harte. It is believed the Scottish civil engineering contractor will formally enter administration this week and up to 700 jobs could go should no buyer be found. Harry Frew, Regional Secretary
12/01/2012
Ogilvie Construction is playing its part in a £10 million project to help a charity expand its activities in rural Stirlingshire. Camphill Blair Drummond runs a 'warm and welcoming' facility, providing homes and meaningful daily activities for people with learning disabilities. The charity’s operat
12/01/2012
Construction output is forecast to fall by more than 5% next year and remain flat throughout 2013 according to the latest forecasts, published today by the Construction Products Association. It will be 2014 before the industry is expected to see any significant signs of recovery, by which time out
12/01/2012
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show takes place at The SECC, Glasgow from 19-20th May and is attended by 7,000 serious self builders and renovators who will be spending £385 million on building materials over the next 12 months. The country’s largest and most established homebuilding exhib
11/01/2012
Karen Vigar has joined Miller Construction as Strategy and Development Director. Key to her new role, Karen will be responsible for working with existing clients in the public sector and will further strengthen the presence of the business in its developing markets including Community Regeneration
11/01/2012
The leader of Argyll and Bute Council has stressed that the drive to secure sustainable economic development will be at the heart of the authority’s deliberations over two key Helensburgh sites. Councillor Dick Walsh was speaking as the public consultation process for the pier head and former Hermi
11/01/2012
The latest investment by Angus Council in its ongoing campaign to keep the county moving during severe weather has been unveiled. A new £320,000 storage facility at Kirriemuir Road in Forfar will help the council manage its salt stocks more effectively. Keeping the rock salt under cover will preve
11/01/2012
Aberdeen City planners have backed plans for a new residential development on the site of the Bon Accord soft drinks factory in Torry. Members of the city council's Development Management Sub-committee will consider the proposals to build 69 flats and a small commercial unit at the Greyhope Road si
11/01/2012
During his military service with the Parachute Regiment Kevin Lee was a fearless soldier who fought in Afghanistan with a broken shoulder that required three operations to repair. But like many ex-servicemen, finding work after his distinguished eight-year career proved an equally tough challenge,
11/01/2012
Finance Secretary John Swinney has met some of the young people benefitting from Forestry Commission employment programmes in Scotland. Mr Swinney spent the morning with trainees who are gaining employability skills and experience by helping to improve one of Scotland's main cycle routes near Uddin
11/01/2012
Aberdeen City Council's new-build housing programme will mark a major milestone on Thursday with the topping out ceremony at Oldcroft Gardens. The development in the Stockethill area aims to provide much-needed accommodation in the city and will boast 20 two-bed flats and 11 three-bed houses. It i
11/01/2012
The public have been invited to take part in the public consultation about the new golf course and resort, The Ayrshire, on the edge of Irvine, being developed by The Ayrshire Golf Company. They can come along to see the developing plans on 11 January 2012, 1pm - 8pm at Harbour Arts Centre, 114-116
10/01/2012
The latest programme of work to progress the Edinburgh Trams project in 2012 is due to get underway in the city centre. As announced in November 2011, St Andrew Street and Shandwick Place will be closed from 5am on Saturday January the 7th and 14th respectively, with a series of diversions being pu
10/01/2012
The City of Edinburgh Council has rapidly put in place temporary measures to ensure that pupils of Kaimes School are able to return near to the start of term, after the high winds caused significant roof damage. The school, which provides primary and secondary education for pupils with additional s
10/01/2012
A north east event which showcases the very best of local business is to return even bigger and better in 2012. In October, the inaugural Granite Expo SME showcase attracted around 1,000 visitors and exhibitors when it was held at Aberdeen’s Hilton Treetops Hotel, and organisers have announced that
10/01/2012
Youngsters from three Drumchapel schools have had their artwork turned into a community calendar for 2012. Staff at the GHA Drumchapel office invited pupils from local schools to submit drawings for a calendar competition. And they were bowled over by the standard of entries from the kids aged 5 t
10/01/2012
Minister for Housing and Transport Keith Brown has visited Shetland for a series of transport and housing engagements. Mr Brown met with representatives from Shetland Islands Council and other transport stakeholders to discuss local transport issues, in particular external and internal ferry servic
10/01/2012
Transport Minister Keith Brown has repeated his assurances over the future of the Stranraer railway line. The Minister confirmed that a Task Force formed to discuss how best to develop the Stranraer waterfront and led by Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil will mee
09/01/2012
An Engineering Hall of Fame has been launched within the headquarters of Scottish Engineering, the support group for the industry in Scotland by the 3rd Viscount Weir, grandson of one of the first engineers to be so honoured. At the opening, Lord Weir said: "If this idea of a Hall of Fame inspires
09/01/2012
Link Group Ltd and the Helix Trust recently joined forces to improve a local community facility by planting 420 trees with the help from 6th year pupils from Braes High School. The trees were made available from a joint bid to the Woodland Trust which Link’s Energy Sustainability Officer Colin Reid
09/01/2012
Mark Simpson has joined BDP’s Design group as a Director to strengthen BDP’s design leadership and help in work winning. Mark, who comes from HKS Architects, has 25 years’ experience in interior design having worked for a variety of established architects and design firms – including BDP in the mid
09/01/2012
After major stone repair work, an historic building on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street unwrapped the scaffolding to reveal its new façade to shoppers. Occupied by luxury cosmetics retailer Molten Brown, Planet and Accessorize, the prominent ‘B’ Listed building at 55-59 Buchanan Street, is situated on the
09/01/2012
A new phase of works at Dundee Waterfront is set to get underway. From Tuesday January 10 there will be off peak lane closures on the approaches to, and around, Riverside Roundabout up until the end of May 2012 so that roads can be realigned to create the new grid pattern. The work, which will see
09/01/2012
A series of Aberdeen streets will start to close from Monday to allow for ongoing pipe-laying works. The closures and parking restrictions are necessary to protect public safety as contractors carry out heating duct pipe-laying works. On Monday Frederick Street will be closed from its junction wit
09/01/2012
Energyflo Insulation Technologies has completed a cutting-edge carbon reduction retrofit project for Willmott Dixon and South Cambridgeshire Council. The Edinburgh-based company’s Dynamic Insulation product has been retrofitted to homes in Longstanton, Cambridgeshire as part of the Rampton Drift p
09/01/2012
The First Minister Alex Salmond will travel to the Middle East next week to sign a ground-breaking deal on renewables. Mr Salmond will sign Scotland up to a landmark agreement to develop tangible green energy products with the world's leading innovator, Masdar, based in Abu Dhabi. The deal to be s
09/01/2012
Almondale Investments has announced the letting of 852 sq ft to public services agency, Action 4 Employment. The firm has taken space in Soutra Point which is a multi-let office building occupying a prominent High Street position in Dalkeith town centre. Almondale's Group Managing Director, Iain
09/01/2012
Inspired by the good works of a local group of volunteers, building services company James Frew has handed over a cheque for £1,911 to Cancer Research UK Ltd. James Frew, which is based in Stevenston in Ayrshire, made the generous gift to the charity after hearing about the fundraising efforts of e
06/01/2012
A new training initiative has been launched in Scotland which aims to save the lives of tradesmen across the country. Over 40 colleges and training providers came together in Dundee recently to learn about the free Health and Safety Executive (HSE) training package which will help get the message a
06/01/2012
The findings of a new report which identifies that false self-employment is used to exploit migrant workers and calls for the Gangmasters legislation to be extended into the construction industry, has been welcomed by construction union UCATT. The recommendations form part of the recently published
06/01/2012
One of Scotland’s largest construction firms has secured a contract worth £800,000 per year to provide kitchen units and fitments for North Ayrshire Council. City Building – Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction company – will provide the units from its supported manufacturing facility a
06/01/2012
Water quality engineering firm Panton McLeod has taken a significant step forward towards expanding its innovative robotic division after purchasing a pair of state-of-the-art underwater inspection machines. The firm has invested in the new robots – which they have affectionately named “Ringo” and
06/01/2012
The Highland Council is examining a number of short and longer term measures to combat disruption on the A 890 Stromeferry By-pass between Lochcarron and Plockton/Kyle, which has been closed since 22 December following a series of rockfalls. The main east-west road diversion remains the A82/A87 tru
06/01/2012
Motorists are advised that an abnormal load will be transported between Methil Docks and Tullis Russell’s Bio-Mass Plant in Glenrothes between 22:00hrs on Saturday 14 January and run till 08:00 on Sunday 15th January, 2012. This movement is necessary in relation to the installation of a 213 tonne g
05/01/2012
A £4.6 million extension to Shetland College is to go ahead, the council has decided, in order to safeguard the future of training and education in the isles. The phase three development was, said Professor David Gray, college director, "absolutely crucial", especially in the current economic condi
05/01/2012
Highland Solicitors Property Centre (HSPC) released its 2011 results, showing average house prices in the area dropped 2% last year. However, a rise in prices in the second half of the year meant the average house was only down fractionally across the year. The average in the final quarter, at £162
05/01/2012
Following a period of discussions, the Council and Airport Civil Engineering Ltd have agreed to wind up their contract to build the new Walls Pier. It was recently announced that the contractor was having difficulty in resourcing the project and a delay to the date of final delivery had been feare
05/01/2012
Pipeline engineering company, STATS Group, has completed an isolation project on behalf of AMEC to allow maintenance and replacement works on the North Everest platform in the central North Sea. The work covered three maintenance valves and one ESD valve on a 20-inch gas import line onboard the BG
05/01/2012
The savings made by the tourism and culture sectors as a result of the Scottish Government's Small Business Bonus Scheme and other reliefs have been detailed by Finance Secretary John Swinney. Almost three out of five properties or 57% of premises paid reduced or zero business rates this year. As
05/01/2012
Consultation on the future development of the Aberdeen City and Shire region closes on Friday. The views of citizens, businesses and community groups are being sought on a new Main Issues Report, which suggests updates to the Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan 2009 to address the difficult eco
05/01/2012
Research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Housing for the Guardian has found that welfare reforms will leave low income families with shortfalls in their rent payments. These changes will mean that housing benefit claimants face the unenviable choice of debt, cutting back on basic living exp
05/01/2012
In a New Year message, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has called on the renewable energy industry to build on the successes of 2011. Two weeks after Department for Energy and Climate Change figures were released, 2011 was shown to be on track to be the best year ever for renewable energy in Scotland
05/01/2012
The starting gun for the first ever crofting elections was fired on Thursday with the official publication of the Notice of Elections. For the first time, six people will be democratically elected by Scotland's crofting community to represent their interests. The remaining three spaces are to be fi
05/01/2012
Security fencing costing over £60,000 could be erected in response to break-ins and fire raising incidents at Dundee Law allotments. The city council's environment committee will hear on Monday January 9 that Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue has been called to the West Law and Stirling Pa
04/01/2012
Fifteen people lost their lives while at work in Scotland last year and 2,645 suffered a major injury, according to the latest statistics. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a fresh warning about workplace safety after the number of deaths rose across Great Britain in 2010/11. It is u
04/01/2012
Construction work continues apace on new and improved health facilities across Scotland. During this year's spending review it was confirmed over £2 billion will be invested on improving NHS infrastructure over the next three years. Work is now underway on the following projects: Glasgow's New So
04/01/2012
The installation of new shutters in the waiting areas at Kilmarnock Bus Station is the latest in a number of improvements to the bus station facilities in recent months. Two security shutters have been installed in the waiting area to close off the Burns Mall shopping centre outside normal shop ope
04/01/2012
Changes to whether or not planning permission will be required for householder development take effect on 6th February 2012 Important changes to whether or not planning permission will be required for householder development (i.e. alteration and extension to a house, development within the garden o
04/01/2012
Glasgow City Council is preparing its next Local Development Plan – due to be published in 2014 – and has asked East Dunbartonshire Council to comment on some of the early draft content in its Main Issues Report (MIR). East Dunbartonshire officers and Councillors have looked carefully at the MIR an
04/01/2012
Former student flats in a quiet residential area of Dundee could be put up for sale as a single lot, if councillors back the move. The 24 flats at 12-39 Clepington Street are no longer needed by Dundee College and would be uneconomical for the council to bring up to the Scottish Housing Quality Sta
04/01/2012
£73,000 plans to improve Camperdown Park facilities including the sensory garden, inclusive play area and duck pond are to go before the city council's environment committee on Monday January 9. Councillors will also consider a recommendation to spend £15,000 to prepare a development plan and five
04/01/2012
The £344,000 refurbishment of Alva's popular Cochrane Hall is complete. The extensive refurbishment programme means the future of the Hall as a community facility is secured in the long-term for the people of the Hillfoots. The refurbishment started in September with the building's exterior and in
04/01/2012
Proposals by supermarket giant Waitrose to build a store opposite Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh are to go to a public hearing in the new year. Argyll and Bute Council’s Planning, Protective Services and Licensing (PPSL) Committee decided that the number of representations received made it approp
04/01/2012
Angus Council is to write to all private tenants who receive the local housing allowance rate (LHA) of Housing Benefit to inform them of changes to the system. The UK Government introduced changes to the LHA on 1 April 2011. Those private tenants who receive LHA are reviewed yearly and from the dat
03/01/2012
Network Rail has announced £55m-worth of contracts associated with the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. Morgan Sindall will construct a new £25m station at Haymarket, in Edinburgh, to create a fully accessible station as well as an integrated train, tram, bus and taxi transport hub. BamNut
03/01/2012
Continuing progress in the construction of its large capital projects means that SSE plc now has over one gigawatt (GW) or one thousand megawatts (MW) of onshore wind farm capacity in operation for the first time. Good progress made at sites such as Clyde, Griffin and Gordonbush in Scotland and Sli
03/01/2012
The lettings market for residential property in Scotland, including Ayrshire is thriving according to Scotland’s leading independent property consultancy CKD Galbraith, as many would-be property owners are continuing to rent during uncertain economic times. The firm, with six regional lettings divi
03/01/2012
Following a public meeting on the future artistic shape of John O'Groats, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is offering professional artists an early opportunity to transform the coast around the village. Award-winning artists Dalziel + Scullion, who are the concept artists putting together a
03/01/2012
Balfour Beatty engineering services has awarded £2.1m to refurbish the West Wing at Intertek Phase 2 development in Aberdeen. Intertek, a provider of quality and safety services, has invested £15m in its Aberdeen headquarters for its energy services operation. The company will move in phases to th
03/01/2012
The opening of Primark at The Centre, Livingston, proved to be one of the most successful in Scotland with 10,000 visiting on its first day. More than 800 eager shoppers from Edinburgh and the Lothians queued to get into the top discount retailer’s latest store which was the first Primark to open
03/01/2012
New rules mean UK travel firms, including a number in Scotland, will for the first time have to pay something toward the environmental damage their operations cause as result of pollution from air travel. On Sunday 1 January 2012, Scottish-registered bmi Regional, Loganair and Milburn World Travel
03/01/2012
Rental portal Citylets has cemented its strong Scottish credentials by sponsoring the country’s biggest Hogmanay celebrations. Citylets was one of the sponsors of 2011’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festivities and the Concert in the Gardens on December 31, which was headlined by indie rock legends Primal
03/01/2012
Picton UK Listed Real Estate, landlords at Queens House at 19-29 St Vincent Street, has announced a raft of new companies that have taken space in the building. Solicitors Wilson McKendrick LLP has secured the top floor extending to 1,126sq ft on a 5 year lease at a rental of £15.00 per sq ft. Add
03/01/2012
New rules governing payment processes and adjudication for the construction industry should help to reduce the number of claims for non-payment of bills, says leading independent legal firm Tods Murray, by creating a level playing field for both contractors and their employers. The changes to the H
