Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for December 2008
19/12/2008
A century-old reservoir containing 15 million gallons that used to provide drinking water for the Moray town of Buckie is set to vanish. Rochomie Reservoir, in the hills south of the town, was formed in 1908 by building a large dam across the steep sided valley of the Bogfud burn. It stopped being
19/12/2008
The Scottish Government and the insurance industry have reached an agreement that will ensure greater protection for homes and businesses from flooding, Environment Minister Mike Russell announced yesterday. The Scottish Government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have agreed to work t
19/12/2008
At a meeting of the Dalgety Bay Forum on Tuesday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) presented the findings of its latest survey of radioactivity on Dalgety Bay foreshore. During SEPA's latest survey, in September 2008, further radioactive contamination was found and samples were sen
19/12/2008
T-Mobile is the latest retailer to sign up to Glasgow’s Buchanan Galleries shopping centre. T-Mobile, one of the UK’s leading mobile network operators and internet providers, has agreed a 15-year lease on a prime unit which extends to approximately 1,781sq ft. Hamish Millar, General Manager at Buc
19/12/2008
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson today welcomed the news that Norfolkline is taking bookings for its new Rosyth-Zeebrugge service. Norfolkline have also confirmed that sailings on the route are due to begin on May 18, 2009. Stewart Stevenson said: "The launch of the booking service is gr
19/12/2008
Plans for a new garden centre on the outskirts of Aberdeen have been conditionally approved by the city council's planning committee. The Ben Reid and Company nursery, shop and car park is to be created on two overgrown fields on the outskirts of Aberdeen. The development is to be built on Green Be
18/12/2008
Scotland will lead a team of Scottish, Irish and Northern Irish marine science experts to pioneer innovative research into marine renewable energy after being awarded £5m supported by the European Union. The Scottish Association for Marine Sciences in Oban will lead development work on the cross-bo
18/12/2008
The rapid expansion of Goodrich Corporation in Prestwick will potentially create a further 220 jobs in Scotland. During a visit to the company's Prestwick facility, First Minister Alex Salmond officially opened a new extension to the plant. Mr Salmond said: "Goodrich is a major global company who
18/12/2008
Tram track laying and the construction of other tram infrastructure will begin on Princes Street early next year. Edinburgh Councillors later today will make final decisions on traffic management. The recommendation is that Princes Street is temporarily closed to all traffic during the works. Tram
18/12/2008
The drive to make Scotland a Zero Waste society today received a further boost with the distribution of almost £18m to local authorities. The investment, which will aim to improve recycling rates and cut the amount of waste going to landfill, comes from the Scottish Government's Zero Waste Fund for
18/12/2008
One of Scotland's leading solicitor estate agents has suggested that the housing market will start to show the first signs of recovery when the Bank of England levels out interest rates. As he predicts what lies in store for the Scottish property market in 2009, Warners' estate agency partner Sco
18/12/2008
Work on the second phase of a Lochaber marine leisure business to improve facilities has started with completion due at the start of the 2009 season. Arisaig Marine Ltd is developing a new harbour office with a waiting area, wildlife interpretation displays and information about the Small Isles in
18/12/2008
Shoppers visiting The Elements retail centre in Livingston, Scotland, are unlikely to know that 14,000m2 of STYROFOAM™ boards will be helping to keep them warm over winter. Insulation products specialist Dow Building Solutions supplied thousands of ROOFMATE™ SL-A extruded polystyrene boards made of
17/12/2008
Social landlords are evicting twice as many people as are being repossessed for mortgage default. That’s the alarming finding from Shelter Scotland, the leading housing and homelessness charity, in its last published report of 2008, ‘Evictions by social landlords in Scotland’. The report shows th
17/12/2008
Pupils at Inverclyde Academy have been given their first look at their new state-of-the-art building and it didn't disappoint. There were smiles all round as groups were given guided tours around the £29m facility. Architects Studio E were commissioned by Inverclyde Council because of their proven
17/12/2008
More homeless people have been housed by the Council since a policy change in their favour members of Stirling Council have heard. At the meeting of the Council on Thursday 11 December members were informed that in the first six months of 2008 following the policy change 56% of all council house al
17/12/2008
The Competition Commission (CC) has confirmed that, subject to final consultation, it will require BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted airports as well as Edinburgh airport. It also proposes to introduce measures to ensure that investment and levels of service at Heathrow, and possibly Gatwick a
17/12/2008
As part of the company's ongoing dynamic expansion, building contractors William Skinner & Son of Ayrshire in Scotland and Cambridgeshire in England have appointed Liz Warrs as Office Manager of their Southern Division based in Meldreth near Cambridge. Liz (31) was formerly Transport Co-ordinator a
17/12/2008
Moray councillors gave the go-ahead for affordable housing developments in Elgin and Buckie yesterday. But a planning application for a third scheme, in Forres, was deferred to allow council officials and the developers to examine alternative access arrangements. The schemes at Waulkmill, on the e
17/12/2008
Glasgow City Council have approved the masterplans for the development of Maryhill Locks and Spiers Locks on the Forth and Clyde canal in the city. The executive committee considered the implications of both masterplans, the impact of a public consultation process on the masterplans and how the Gla
17/12/2008
A proposal to invest an estimated £41.5m in a new Portobello High School as part of the Wave 3 programme to rebuild five schools in Edinburgh is the subject of a report to be considered by the City of Edinburgh Council next week. The full project value is estimated at between £162m and £182m, depen
16/12/2008
First Minister Alex Salmond today announced Catalonia's support for Scotland's £10m renewable marine energy challenge after President Jose Montilla Aguilera officially signed up as a Friend of the Saltire Prize. The endorsement follows the First Minister's meeting with President Montilla in Barcel
16/12/2008
The Church of Scotland has joined the National Landlords Association (NLA), the leading representative body for private-residential landlords in the United Kingdom, becoming its first ecclesiastical member. The General Trustees of the Church of Scotland, currently housing 25 tenants, are responsibl
16/12/2008
A new public artwork by internationally renowned sculptor Andy Scott has been erected in Menstrie. Nicknamed 'Fox Boy' the sculpture features a boy with a fox's head sitting on a water wheel. It has been installed in the village's Midtown gardens. A number of Menstrie residents have been closely i
16/12/2008
The Scottish Parliament's Finance Committee has called on the Scottish Government to improve the way it costs and assesses all the options for capital investment projects, dealing a major blow to the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT). The committee warned that the Scottish Government's alternative to PF
16/12/2008
A Glasgow cemetery is to be extended, creating space for 2,500 new lairs. The new 14.7 hectare plot at the city council’s Linn cemetery will provide a burial ground for Glasgow's Muslim community. The Linn extension was granted planning permission after plans attracted no objections. Now Glasgow
16/12/2008
Stirling's first Zero Waste Community has been launched at Stirling's Riverside. Local residents gathered for the launch of the pioneering pilot project at a festive 'Winter Home Composting Day' held at the Riverbank Centre. The event, organised by Riverside Community Council, local groups, resi
16/12/2008
Craigowl Primary School, built under Dundee City Council's £90m Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme, was officially opened by Depute Lord Provost Ian Borthwick yesterday. Pupils celebrated with a school song and a school dance, along with a Christmas medley, to mark the historic occasion. C
16/12/2008
Argyll and Bute Council have informed people living in the Helensburgh and Lomond area that work to realign the A814 between Cardross and Helensburgh is due to begin on Wednesday 5th January 2009. The work, which will be carried out near the access to Cardross Crematorium, is due to be completed by
16/12/2008
A final decision on the construction of the tram from Edinburgh's Haymarket to Granton is to be made at the end of March 2009, following further analysis and investigations. This would allow construction to begin in July 2009. An update on the proposed section of tram line, commonly referred to as
16/12/2008
As work progresses on the new £6.2m Seaview Primary School in Monifieth, Angus council's Corporate Services Committee agreed at its meeting on December 4 that the surplus land created by the development will be advertised for sale on the open market in the near future. The committee heard that the
15/12/2008
Up to 20,000 jobs in the Scottish construction industry will have been lost in 2008, according to new figures published by the Scottish Building Federation. The figure contained in the latest versions of the quarterly Scottish Construction Monitor have raised serious concerns about Scotland's abili
15/12/2008
The new train service between Glasgow and London has been disrupted on the first working day of the new timetable. The £9m newly upgraded mainline between the two cities aims to reduce journey times however this morning two of the four tracks through a section in north London have been closed after
15/12/2008
St Andrews-based Sasol Technology UK Ltd has secured funding for an innovative research project that could have a major impact on the global fuel industry. The £4.5m, four-year project to improve the efficiency of eco and engine-friendly petrol and diesel has been boosted by a £700,000 research g
15/12/2008
Barcelona's economic, cultural and health transformation resulting from the 1992 Olympics will be a 'template for success' as Scotland looks to secure a strong and lasting legacy from Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games. That was the message from First Minister Alex Salmond when he heard first-hand o
15/12/2008
The Muir Group has been appointed by Unicorn Property Group to deliver a £11.7m new office complex on the banks of the River Tay, Dundee. The 100,000 square feet proposal will consist of two buildings, River Court and City Court. DundeeOne, which aims to address the city centre's shortage of offi
15/12/2008
A new state-of-the-art security search area, the centre piece of a multi-million pound transformation of Glasgow Airport, was recently formally opened at Glasgow Airport by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond MSP. The ceremony on December 3 coincided with a pledge by airport operator BAA Glasgo
15/12/2008
J&E Shepherd, one of the largest independent firms of chartered surveyors in the UK, has promoted Andrew Neil to an Associate following his move earlier this year to head up its busy Greenock office to help serve Inverclyde's housing market. 25-year-old Paisley-born Mr Neil joined Shepherd aged 17
15/12/2008
The paperless marketing programme for EDI's Ratho Park took another step forward with a special email campaign, encouraging people to visit
15/12/2008
Aberdeenshire Council has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government is contributing £500,000 towards further land stabilisation works at Pennan. The announcement, made last week, recognises the unique situation at Pennan and the costs incurred following the landslide which occurred in August 2
15/12/2008
Sailing duo Patience and Grube, who are sponsored by The Miller Group, have made a real splash in 2008 by moving closer to Olympic selection after achieving the British number one spot and reaching number 16 in the world rankings. Luke Patience (22), from Helensburgh, and Chris Grube (23), from Che
12/12/2008
Plans for the tallest building in Glasgow have been shelved due to the current economic downturn. The £300m, 30-floor hotel and office block development at 236 Broomielaw will no longer be developed by Kenmore Property Group. The Sheraton Hotel Group was tipped to let the waterfront development.
12/12/2008
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) announced this week that it has brought forward construction of a £2.5m state-of-the-art business unit on The Enterprise Park, Forres in Moray. The move follows last week's announcement by the agency that it intends to accelerate its capital spending programme
12/12/2008
Aberbeen City Councillors have unanimously approved a planning application to create a 97 bedroom hotel in the buildings previously occupied by Aberdeen department store Esslemont and Macintosh. Aberdeen City Council's planning committee has granted detailed planning permission, subject to conditio
12/12/2008
Stirling Council's administration team is laying the foundations to encourage the construction industry to continue to build across the Council area with the announcement of the possible deferral of commuted payments and other financial contributions attached to Planning Approvals. Following consid
12/12/2008
Officials from the European Commission are visiting Scotland today as part of their ongoing investigation into ferry services. Speaking ahead of meeting the Commission, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "The Scottish Government extends a warm welcome to the European Commission. We hope th
12/12/2008
North Ayrshire Council are to seek Scottish Government funding for a new generation of council houses. If it succeeds the Council will give the go-ahead for the first council housing development in its area for 27 years. The Council's Executive decided this week to apply for a share of a £25m Gove
12/12/2008
Our Lady’s High School in Lanarkshire, Scotland, has benefited from Marley Waterproofing’s high performance roofing materials. The original school roof was suffering from a number of leaks which were causing disruption to the day to day running of the school. The problem was such that the roof fin
12/12/2008
Following a successful year of growth, building contractors William Skinner & Son have announced the reorganisation of the company into two divisions, based respectively in Cambridgeshire, England and Ayrshire in Scotland. The company headquarters located on the perimeter of Glasgow Prestwick Airpo
12/12/2008
J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has been appointed to lease an end terraced 'B' listed townhouse office building recently refurbished throughout to a modern standard in Ayr. Located on 6 Miller Road, the offices occupy the ground floor of the building and include two car parking spaces. The proper
12/12/2008
The new teaching block at Dundee University has been completed. The block has a dramatic design and an equally attractive decorative finish. Designed by the Edinburgh architectural practice of Campbell and Arnott Limited, the building houses a series of lecture theatres and demonstration rooms as
11/12/2008
Ministers yesterday set out a multi-billion pound transport blueprint to grow Scotland's economy. The details were announced in the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR), which sets out the future investment programme for transport in Scotland over the next 20 years - the biggest and most ambi
11/12/2008
The development of a new campus for University of the West of Scotland and Scottish Agricultural College in Ayr took a further step forward this week following revised agreements between South Ayrshire Council and the University as a consequence of the present economic downturn. South Ayrshire Coun
11/12/2008
Miller Homes, part of the Miller Group, have renewed their lone worker safety solution with, Dunoon based, solutions firm Argyll. Despite the economic downturn Miller's commitment to worker safety remains a priority. Miller Homes is the nation's largest privately-owned housebuilder. Since 1934 the
11/12/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning construction companies to ensure they provide safe systems of work after part of a man's leg was amputated when a tipper truck fell onto him, trapping him against a pile of brick rubble. M.J.Curle Ltd, of Naird Lane, Shifnal, was fined £5,000 and ord
11/12/2008
Councillor Leslie Angus, Chair of Services Committee, has announced the appointment of a dedicated project manager for the new Anderson High School Project. The firm which has been appointed is Robinson Low Francis LLP (RLF), a construction and property consultancy with offices in Edinburgh. The c
11/12/2008
The first phase of a brand new business park for the Aberdeen area has been launched by Stewart Milne Developments. Axcess Business Park on the outskirts of the city is a 36-acre site with planning consent for Class Four office use which, when complete, will represent the biggest park of its type
11/12/2008
Super energy efficient Pilling St John's School in Lancashire has been awarded £11,850 from ScottishPower to install a wind turbine to boost its green credentials. The turbine, funded by ScottishPower's Green Energy Trust, has been up and running since September, and forms part of a thriving Eco-Cl
11/12/2008
J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has been appointed to let The Auld Hoose in Kilmarnock at a competitive rental with barrelage discount available. The Auld Hoose is a substantial detached public house formed over two levels with the bar currently operating on the ground floor only and the upper flo
10/12/2008
East Lothian Council has approved its five year Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP), which commits to a £110m affordable housing programme during 2009-2014. The Plan was approved at a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday. SHIPs are used to improve long-term strategic planning and show how investme
10/12/2008
Scotland can hit its target of 50% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020 and keep exporting electricity to England and Northern Ireland, according to the first major independent study of the Scottish Government's renewable energy targets. This is likely to mean a 500% increase in the numbe
10/12/2008
The City of Edinburgh Council has warned that the recession will deepen the city's housing crisis unless urgent action is taken to address the need for more investment in affordable housing. The city’s Strategic Housing Investment Programme 2009/14 sets out the investment required for the next 5 ye
10/12/2008
In recognition of the importance of forestry to the economy, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has confirmed a further two years' support to the Highlands & Islands Forest Industry Cluster (HIFIC). The Cluster aims to increase co-operation within the forest industry and look for innovation to
10/12/2008
McTavish Ramsay, the Dundee door specialist, has supplied bespoke frames and doors as part of Dumbarton Sheriff Court's £10m revamp. McTavish Ramsay was closely involved in the multi-million pound upgrade and extension of the court and its work has helped maintain the traditional feel in older part
10/12/2008
Bideford College in Devon has been given £21,150 to kick-start its eco-friendly makeover in a bid to become carbon neutral in the next two years. The school, which received the bumper grant from ScottishPower's Green Energy Trust, is dedicated to lowering its energy consumption and is embarking on
10/12/2008
Spring can't come early enough for the pupils at Islay High School on the Island of Islay, thanks to a shed size donation from the Co-perative and Scottish fitout and maintenance specialists Morris & Spottiswood. Morris & Spottiswood, a leading regional provider of fitout and maintenance services t
10/12/2008
More small businesses will now be able to take out a Scottish Government loan to cover up to 100 per cent of the cost of increasing their energy efficiency. The Energy Saving Scotland small business loans (formerly known as Loan Action Scotland) will be extended to private landlords and agriculture
10/12/2008
Glasgow City Council’s new Construction Skills Academy was opened by the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Friday. The academy will provide training for people to give them the chance of finding jobs in the construction industry to help with the continued regeneration of t
10/12/2008
J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors is inviting offers in excess of £850k for a former art deco cinema in Prestwick representing a prime town centre development opportunity. Located on a third of an acre site at 80 Main Street, Prestwick, a prominent location in the main retailing area of the town, th
09/12/2008
Proposals to help meet the demand for affordable homes while safeguarding taxpayers money were announced today. The consultation on the future of housing investment in Scotland outlines plans for a network of lead developers. This will allow housing associations to increase efficiency and maximise
09/12/2008
Tulloch Homes has proposed a £20m housing development in Conon Bridge, near Inverness. The construction firm has proposed to build 200 new properties; 50 of which will be marked as low-cost. Tulloch boss David Sutherland said: "It underlines our forward confidence and is a positive action to take
09/12/2008
Two BDP designed shopping centres, Silverburn on the outskirts of Glasgow and Victoria Square in Belfast have won Gold awards at Friday night's BCSC awards dinner held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Gold awards are given by the jury to any project that they consider demonstrates innovation
09/12/2008
The vision for Edinburgh's waterfront for the next two decades will be formally revealed tomorrow by Forth Ports, with the launch of the masterplan covering the first two urban villages at Leith Docks. Following City of Edinburgh Council's approval in August for the Leith Docks outline planning app
09/12/2008
The New Year may at last bring community ownership to the Isle of Rum, Environment Minister Michael Russell announced today. Mr Russell announced that the Scottish Government was ready to transfer land and assets worth around £250,000 to the community from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) along with
09/12/2008
Building and maintenance company Rok has been awarded three new contracts totaling over £11m. A £7.2m contract has been granted by the Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association to build 77 homes in Portree, on the Isle of Skye. The homes are due for completed in 2010. A £3.5m swimming pool scheme for
09/12/2008
A £12m fund which will encourage ambitious Third Sector organisations to become more enterprising is to open for applications in the new year. The Scottish Government's Third Sector Enterprise Fund will offer between £25,000 and £100,000 to organisations wishing to build their capacity, capability
09/12/2008
Knight Frank's planning and development team has been granted planning consent by Scottish Borders Council to create the first five star hotel in the Scottish Borders. Knight Frank submitted the plans to create a luxurious five star hotel and conference facility in West Linton on behalf of Manor Ki
09/12/2008
Delicatessen and restaurant group Peckham's has agreed a lease on two units at Elements Square, Land Securities’ newly-opened shopping centre in Livingston. Established in 1982, the family-owned Scottish company is now widely regarded as being Scotland's leading independent specialist food and drin
08/12/2008
Christmas has come early for over 6,600 factored homeowners across the city who are set to receive a share of a one-off energy efficiency payment, thanks to Glasgow Housing Association (Management) Ltd (GHAM). The grant of up to £311 per home was awarded by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) becau
08/12/2008
Fyne Homes subsidiary company, Fyne Initiatives, has recently launched four new homes, constructed from local products by local people. Located at the head of the Holy Loch in Kilmun these new spacious family homes are aimed at first time home buyers to help them get their foot on the property ladd
08/12/2008
The Scottish Government is to provide an extra £5 million this year for its existing Mortgage to Rent (MTR) scheme which helps families at risk of losing their home. Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said the additional funding was in response to increased demand, and brings total investment in
08/12/2008
Cumbernauld-based security fence manufacturer Lochrin Bain, which next year celebrates its 150th anniversary, has defied the credit crunch by landing a £500,000 contract from a UK utility company to supply its patented 'Lochrin Bain Combi' fencing product. The company is also in advanced discussion
08/12/2008
J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors is marketing a self-contained office suite to let in a prominent ground floor location to the south of the River Clyde and within close proximity to Glasgow City Centre. Located at 33 Dalintober Street, just off Morrison Street, the recently refurbished premises for
08/12/2008
Wick, on the east coast of Caithness, received a major confidence boost this week, following news that a £576,000 funding package (loan and grant) has been secured to install a marina development in the town's harbour. The deal has required complex negotiations between the Nuclear Decommissioning A
08/12/2008
Glasgow Housing Association's (GHA) efforts to ensure its tenants are given excellent customer service have been recognised nationally. The organisation has become the first accredited 'Vanguard' centre in the UK thanks to its major improvements in designing its process around the customer. Martin
08/12/2008
The Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) has welcomed Thursday's announcement by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) of a range of actions to support the region’s businesses in the economic downturn. Gareth Williams, SCDI Highlands and Islands Manager, said: "Businesses are loo
05/12/2008
Trailblazing businesses and individuals who have played a key part in helping reduce Scotland's carbon footprint have won major accolades at the Scottish Renewables Green Energy Awards. Winners of the seventh annual awards, sponsored by npower renewables, were announced at a gala ceremony on Thurs
05/12/2008
Scottish Ministers are to consult on a draft Bill to amend existing heritage legislation next year, Culture Minister Linda Fabiani has announced. Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, said: "It's the government’s priority that the bill achieves the correct balance -
05/12/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is inviting people across Scotland to have their say on its new strategy 'The Health and Safety System of Great Britain\Be Part of the Solution'. As part of a three month consultation an event is to be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Congress Road, Glasgow on
05/12/2008
Plans to move forward with a canal side development in Falkirk have taken another significant step forward as members of Falkirk Council's Economic Development Committee backed plans to form a joint venture between Falkirk Council and British Waterways Scotland and commence a marketing plan for the
05/12/2008
Argyll and Bute Council's Building Standards Service has received one of the best audit reports in Scotland. The audit was carried out by a three-man team from the Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government, who visited offices in Oban, Mid Argyll and Helensburgh. The Council did extre
05/12/2008
Morris & Spottiswood's laboratory division, ASSAB, has completed a £240k contract at Ninewells Hospital to construct a pioneering new translational medicines research centre for the University of Dundee. The contract, which was won by competitive tender, was for the supply, delivery and installati
05/12/2008
Patients can now attend diabetes clinics at the new Highland Diabetes Institute following completion of the third phase of the Centre for Health Science (Ionad Eòlas Slàinte) this week. To coincide with the completion of the building, the lead architects, Keppie, have donated £500 to a charity nomi
05/12/2008
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, announced the winners of the 2008 Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum (SURF) Awards for Best Practice at a dinner in Glasgow's Radisson Hotel on Thursday 4th December 2008. Now in its 10th year, the prestigious annual awards recognise and promote best practice i
04/12/2008
Donald Trump is to convert the 14th Century Menie House on his controversial £1bn Aberdeenshire golf resort into a personal residence. The Property on Menie Estate near Balmedie will be renovated and restored by a number of local companies. George Sorial, the property tycoon's spokesman, said Mr T
04/12/2008
Two new hydro schemes capable of powering over 3,500 homes have been approved by the Government. The 3.5 Megawatt Black Rock scheme, near Evanton in Ross-shire, will supply electricity for over 2,000 homes. The 2.5 Megawatt scheme on Allt Coire Chaorach, near Crianlarich, will power over 1,500 hom
04/12/2008
A major housing fair being held in Inverness in the summer of 2010 is being rebranded to reflect its national importance. Linda Fabiani, the Scottish Government's Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, has endorsed the name change to Scotland’s Housing Expo - the Highland Housing Fair.
04/12/2008
Scottish residents under-insure their home contents by more than £4.2bn, leaving millions struggling to replace their belongings in the event of disaster - and at risk of invalidating their policy - a survey commissioned by AXA has revealed today. The average home's contents in the region are insur
04/12/2008
Stirling Council's Administration has welcomed the news that a further 34 new rented homes are set to be built in Cambusbarron. The Scottish Government announced that Forth Housing Association were successful in a bid for £2.5m of development funding available from the Accelerated Housing Grants fo
04/12/2008
Downtown Space, developer of Glasgow's newest property icon, The Hub at Pacific Quay, has today launched the development's website. The site,
04/12/2008
A classroom with state-of-the-art equipment has opened in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens and will be used by thousands of pupils every year. The Hopkirk Building located in the Botanic Gardens has undergone an £18,000 refurbishment thanks to funding from Glasgow City Council’s Park Development Fund and
04/12/2008
Parents from Eastern Dunfermline have been told that Fife Council hopes to have a new school up and running for the north Dunfermline East area by August 2009. The proposal would see children from this new school taught within Inverkeithing Primary School for the next two years until their new sch
04/12/2008
Aberdeenshire Council has announced that Bruce Robertson will temporarily take over managerial responsibility for the Housing and Social Work service when Colin Mackenzie becomes Chief Executive on 18th December 2008. Bruce will provide leadership to the service whilst the recruitment process for a
04/12/2008
Social housing refurbishment and maintenance specialists, Connaught Partnerships Ltd has carried out 25,000 repairs on DGHP homes over the past six months and has presented Mrs Patterson with a Christmas Flower arrangement and £50 of M&S vouchers to mark the milestone in the repairs service. Mrs Pa
03/12/2008
Plans to create the world's largest data centre at Peelhouses outside Lockerbie were unveiled today by Scottish firm, Lockerbie Data Centres Ltd. A first for Scotland, the £800m Peelhouses Data Centre and Sustainable Village will give Lockerbie international prestige and make it a leading internati
03/12/2008
Fewer household developments would require planning applications under proposals unveiled today by the Scottish Government. The consultation on permitted development rights seeks views on removing red tape for people who want to carry out alterations or minor developments in and around their homes.
03/12/2008
The national approval rate for Scotland's Landlord Registration Scheme has risen to 85%, up from only 15% in April 2007. Figures show 131,706 landlords and agents have now applied for the scheme which aims to ensure Scotland's private landlords meet minimum legal requirements. This covers 80% of S
03/12/2008
Plans to transform the Rutherford Castle Golf Club near West Linton in the Scottish Borders have been recommended for approval. The £50m plans for a 150-bedroom, five-star hotel, with conference and leisure facilities, could create up to 300 jobs and increase tourism in the area. Brian Frater, he
03/12/2008
A service that provides face-to-face support for householders on all aspects of microgeneration and energy efficiency installation is to be extended. Yesterday Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said 10 advisers will offer hands-on support as part of the £500,000 Energy Saving Scotland Home Help
03/12/2008
Edinburgh Quay Limited, a joint venture between Miller Developments and British Waterways Scotland, has made a generous donation to Re-Union Canal Boats, a social enterprise which runs a number of beneficial community and commercial projects along Scotland's Union Canal. Formed in 2004, Re-Union Ca
03/12/2008
Almost half of the 3,000 affected properties in Kelso have now had their gas supply restored - including Kelso Hospital and Health Centre, Kelso High School and Edenside Primary School. Approximately 800 further properties are expected to have their supply restored by the end of today. This will me
03/12/2008
What is required to win the £10m Saltire Prize Challenge - the world's biggest marine energy innovation competition - was announced in Edinburgh last night. At a ceremony in Edinburgh Castle, the details were revealed to an audience of leading scientists, environmentalists and potential entrants af
03/12/2008
The Health and Safety Executive and Jewson, the UK's leading supplier of timber and building materials, have joined forces to help warn tradesmen of the dangers of asbestos. The Jewson branch in Aberdeen is backing the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Asbestos: The Hidden Killer campaign which w
03/12/2008
Scottish football teams have helped raised more than £11,500 for the Prostate Cancer charity, after battling it out in Rok's 5-a-side Real Man Charity Cup. Players from building firm Rok were joined by teams from businesses across Scotland to compete in the regional tournament, with the winning tea
02/12/2008
Work to alleviate flooding problems in the Kilbride Road area of Dunoon has now started. There is a long history of properties in the area being affected by flooding due to the existing drains being unable to cope with heavy rainfall. However, following a competitive tendering process, Argyll and
02/12/2008
Skills experts from Australia and Finland will be in Scotland this week to provide advice on how organisations and businesses can make better use of the skills of their workforce. While Scotland's construction industry has a good record on skills acquisition and development, the improvements in the
02/12/2008
Perth & Kinross Council is to restore Aberfeldy Town Hall for community use. The hall had to be closed recently due to unforeseen health and safety requirements arising from the discovery of dry rot and associated problems with the building's electrics. Leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Miller
02/12/2008
The international engineering, construction, services and investment group, Balfour Beatty, has announced today that Balfour Beatty WorkPlace - formerly known as Haden Building Management - and a market leader in the provision of facilities management and M&E services to both the private and public
02/12/2008
Investing in training and job creation has paid off for a Scottish housing body. Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has been highly commended in the first ever Herald Society Award for investing in training, jobs and improving neighbourhoods. GHA was highly commended in the Environmental Initiative
02/12/2008
The new President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Dr Jean Venables, made a stop at Halcrow's City Park offices during her tour of the West of Scotland. As part of her tour, Dr Venables, the first ever female ICE President, was shown around the company's offices for an introductory pre
02/12/2008
Aberdeenshire Council has announced that Bruce Robertson will temporarily take over managerial responsibility for the Housing and Social Work service when Colin Mackenzie becomes Chief Executive later this month. Mr Robertson will provide leadership to the service whilst the recruitment process for
02/12/2008
Sue Bruce has said she is 'delighted' to have been appointed Chief Executive of Aberdeen City Council, assuring she will push forward change at the local authority. Mrs Bruce said: "This move is an exciting opportunity for me and I am delighted to be taking up the role of Chief Executive at Aberd
02/12/2008
Shelter has welcomed The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)'s promise not to repossess properties from customers with mortgage arrears for at least six months, and has called on other lenders to follow suit. RBS, which owns NatWest, is Britain's fifth largest lender with 7% of the mortgage market. The ba
01/12/2008
From today, most homeowners in Scotland will have to purchase a comprehensive survey before they put their property on the market. The Home Reports will cost between £300 and £800 each and cover the condition, valuation and energy efficiency of the property. Those selling new or converted propert
01/12/2008
Royal Bank of Scotland Plc said it will give homeowners who miss mortgage repayments at least six months before starting repossession action - that’s double the three month period the bank used to give. The policy will remain in place until at least the end of 2009 and applies to all customers incl
01/12/2008
Scottish companies can lead the world in the development of green technology, whilst helping Scotland achieve its ambitious targets on climate change, Finance Secretary John Swinney has said. Mr Swinney was speaking ahead of today's visit to Allied Vehicles, an innovative Glasgow based manufacturer
01/12/2008
A major oil industry research and development facility was officially opened today by Enterprise Minister Jim Mather. FMC Technologies' £12m Subsea Product Centre at Bellshill near Glasgow boasts three laboratories and will lead in the development of new subsea technology and products. The project
01/12/2008
Dundee-based door and doorset specialist McTavish Ramsay is reaping the rewards from the £1m Highland Schools contract it completed earlier in the year. Working in primary and secondary schools from Dingwall to the Isle of Skye, the firm supplied doors and doorsets for a range of different projects
01/12/2008
More seats and more trains are just some of the benefits rail passengers in south west Scotland will gain from a £28.5m package of rail infrastructure enhancements Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson announced today. Network Rail is already carrying out extensive engineering works, on behalf of Tr
01/12/2008
Subway passengers in Glasgow today become the first in the UK to be able to use their mobile phones on underground platforms due to a link-up between SPT and with network operator O2 and transmission provider Arqiva. The service will be available from today in the five busiest stations on the Subw
01/12/2008
Scotland will have a vital role to play in contributing towards UK-wide effort to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 34% by 2020, relative to 1990 levels (21% relative to 2005), revealed the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) today. This should be increased to 42% relative to 1990 (31% relativ
