Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for January 2010
29/01/2010
Construction union UCATT have welcomed the announcement that the Government will formally recognise Workers Memorial Day, as an important step forward. The announcement came on the same day that two construction workers in Scotland were killed within 12 hours of each other. UCATT has long campaig
29/01/2010
Fyne Homes, an Argyll based registered social landlord, are gearing up to commence an ambitious £7.7m project for affordable housing in Lochgilphead, Argyll. The project, which starts on site on Monday 1st February is the result of hard work by Fyne Home’s New Business Director, Peter McDonald, al
29/01/2010
The unoccupied flats above the former Fairways garage in Carnoustie are to be advertised for lease by Angus Council. The council owned flats will be advertised for lease to the private sector or a housing association with a view to bringing them back into use as residential properties. The lease o
29/01/2010
A £3.2m refurbishment is planned for Brunton Hall, Musselburgh. Complete illustrations providing details of the proposed work, due to start later this year, have been put on public display within the building. The work includes extensive redevelopment of the Main Hall, improved access into, and w
29/01/2010
East Lothian Council has begun a six-week consultation on the draft Blindwells development framework, and the public have also been invited to have their say. The draft framework was approved at a meeting of the Council's Cabinet this month. It outlines the vision, infrastructure requirements and d
29/01/2010
Aberdeen Lord Provost Peter Stephen has officially opened the new £2million Woodside Community Access Point. The one-stop-shop for local people includes a new housing office and is home to a range of community groups. Local people can access a range of council services at the Access Point, along w
29/01/2010
Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning Keith Brown MSP has officially opened Fintry Primary. The school has been constructed under Dundee City Council's £90 million PPP project, which has delivered a total of six primaries and two secondaries. The two-stream Fintry Primary School has 14 classro
29/01/2010
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) are warning that the combination of the ongoing recession and the recent cold snap will create a ‘nightmare’ for many Scots when their winter fuel bills arrive over the next few weeks. With consumer experts predicting that bills could rise by at least 10% as a result
28/01/2010
A construction worker has died after he fell onto a ledge while working on the Tay Bridge. British Transport Police have said Inquiries surrounding the circumstances of the death are ongoing. A spokesperson for the force said: "At 6.40am on Thursday, 28 January, BTP received a report of a man ha
28/01/2010
The Scottish Building Federation has today unveiled a seven-point recovery plan for the Scottish construction industry, describing the measures proposed as "vital" to prevent a further loss of skills and capacity from the sector in the course of 2010. Giving a keynote speech to the 2010 Scottish Co
28/01/2010
Using curtain walling, windows and doors from architectural aluminium systems supplier Kawneer on a new civic centre for West Lothian has proved an enlightening experience for architects BDP. The firm's mullion-drained curtain walling with concealed vents has been used extensively on the facades an
28/01/2010
Manufacturer of tensile fabric structures, J&J Carter, has created an iconic cover for the North Stand at the recently opened Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. The stand is part of a recent £18 million pound refurbishment to create a state-of-the-art 2014 Commonwealth Games venue, officially opened by
28/01/2010
Figures released today show a record number of households got help to slash heating costs during the recent freezing conditions and heavy snowfalls. Nearly 7,000 people called the government's energy assistance hotline, averaging 428 calls a day. A total of 2,041 households will be considered for
28/01/2010
Proposals for a new industrial development at Netherton Industrial Estate in Wishaw have taken a step forward with North Lanarkshire council funding being agreed. The £1.5 million development will create accessible, affordable accommodation for new and existing small to medium-sized (SME) businesse
28/01/2010
A construction worker has died after falling from a ladder on the north side of the Forth Rail Bridge. The man fell approximately 150ft onto scaffolding below the railway tracks at around 9pm on Wednesday. Emergency services were called out but the worker died at the scene of the accident. The Ra
28/01/2010
Students up and down the county are raising their glasses to leisure furniture specialists Satelliet-Browns who have challenged them to design their own bar. The winning designs will be showcased on the firm's stand at the Bar 10 Exhibition, the major trade show which will be held in London in June
27/01/2010
Government and public sector funders in Scotland are being urged to provide a sustained approach to public sector construction investment, as new figures published today from the Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecasts cautious growth in 2010. The annual CSN report, produced by ConstructionSkil
27/01/2010
Culture Minister, Fiona Hyslop has today released 'cutting edge', 3D digital images of the historical Rosslyn Chapel. Rosslyn Chapel, a Category A listed building dating back to 1446, gained worldwide fame from the publication of Dan Brown’s book the Da Vinci Code in 2004 followed by the film in 2
27/01/2010
North Lanarkshire Council's plans to build new homes are gathering pace with the first of these, being built in Holytown under the £31m programme, set to open their doors to tenants this spring. Over the years the housing stock has fallen due to people using the 'Right to Buy' legislation. This red
27/01/2010
Early designs for NHS Lothian's new birthing centre have been unveiled. Pictures and initial plans have been revealed for the first time and give an idea how the midwife-led facility will look when it is built at Simpson’s Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE). F
27/01/2010
Ten new homes for social rent will be built in Aith, on Shetland, it was announced today. The new development will provide a mix of one, two and three bedroom houses and will be managed by Hjaltland Housing Association. The Scottish Government is providing a grant of £971,014 towards the £1,457,90
27/01/2010
A new exhibition that takes a look at housing in North Lanarkshire through the ages opens at Summerlee on Saturday 20 February. Titled 'Through the Keyhole - A Glimpse into North Lanarkshire's Homes', the exhibition takes the visitor from the era of the crannog loch dwellings at Drumpellier to the
27/01/2010
The Scottish Housing Regulator has published its inspection report on Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), awarding it a 'Fair' rating overall. The purpose of inspection is to provide an independent external assessment of the effectiveness of housing service delivery, and make recommendatio
27/01/2010
A highland-based construction firm has lodged a planning application for the first of 37 homes in an 81-property development in Dingwall. With plans to development sites in Inverness, Evanton, Marybank, Muir of Ord and Drumnadrochit, Roy Homes is gearing up for they believe could be the firm's "be
26/01/2010
Knight Frank’s building consultancy team has completed the design and project management of a new purpose built depot for Scottish Water at Westhill, Aberdeen. The new depot extends to 10,500 sq ft and incorporates storage for Scottish Water's plant and materials. It also provides workshop space
26/01/2010
Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has welcomed the first group of residents into its new affordable housing development at Edinburgh’s waterfront. The block of 102 homes at Newhaven Place at Western Harbour, by the Asda supermarket, in Western Harbour, Newhaven is due to be fully occupied b
26/01/2010
Glasgow City Council has made a new agreement for the proposed Custom House Quay development on the north bank of the River Clyde. In 2003 and 2005 the Council approved entering into a development agreement with Clydeside Properties (Glasgow) Ltd to deliver an integrated development of Custom House
26/01/2010
DTZ Residential Estate Agency Business in Scotland has been bought over by Blackie Ballantyne. The deal, launching Blackie Ballantyne as Scotland’s newest estate agency, involves former DTZ employees Cameron Blackie and Rory Ballantyne, who are predicting a positive year for the housing market and
26/01/2010
£1.2 million plans to regenerate the historic centres of two Argyll and Bute towns have taken another step forward. The Argyll and Bute Council has now secured the services of an external project manager, who will oversee the next phases of the proposals for Dunoon and Bowmore. Scott Wilson Ltd wi
26/01/2010
A day-long series of workshops highlighting electrical and home safety is to be held at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel on 23 February. The event, aimed at the over-sixties and people with disabilities who are tenants or owner-occupiers in Angus, is designed to cut the number of accidents in the home. W
26/01/2010
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has been instructed by Persimmon Homes to sell development land for retail/leisure use on its behalf at its current base in Garthamlock, where it is in the process of building a new estate. To date 350 homes have been built with a further 450 planned in the estate. Th
26/01/2010
An oil and gas well flow management company, Expro North Sea Ltd, has agreed a new lease on a 3,772 sq ft office suite at Kings Park House, Laurelhill Business Park, Stirling. In a deal structured by Ryden, Expro has taken a new five-year lease on the ground floor suite at a rent of £13 per sq ft.
25/01/2010
The West Harris Trust will today become the first community group to buy out a Scottish Government owned crofting estate. Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham will tonight witness the ownership transfer of the Borve, Luskentyre and Scaristavore estates during an historic signing which will take
25/01/2010
Morrison Construction, part of the Galliford Try group, has been awarded a £3.5 million contract to build a new learning disability resource centre in Livingston on behalf of West Lothian Council. The 1,550 sqm, purpose-built centre will be located on Craigshill East Road and will replace the exist
25/01/2010
Space Solutions, A workplace design specialist, has stepped up its plans for continued growth in 2010 by appointing a new Business Development Manager. The firm has recruited Scott Cadenhead to its team in Aberdeen, in order to help promote and grow its client base throughout the north of Scotland.
25/01/2010
A group of 'old timers' have returned to Dounreay to retrace their steps after working on the construction of the prototype fast reactor over 40 years ago. JGC Engineering & Technical Services Ltd electricians who helped build the plant in the late 60's were brought back to help identify redundant
25/01/2010
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has confirmed that the blueprint for its future has been given the formal support of the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council. This now paves the way for GHA to take forward its plans to bring the organisation closer to its tenants, its communities and its
25/01/2010
Aberdeen based Accommodation Services Management (ASM) is celebrating the completion of its first major contract in Glasgow. The contract came on the back of a successful design and fit-out project by ASM at Westhill, Aberdeenshire for Central Insurance Services Limited. Located at 140 West Geor
25/01/2010
A young oil and gas services company in Aberdeenshire celebrated a successful start to 2010 having doubled its turnover to £500,000, moved to new premises and increased staff numbers. Westhill-based Industrial Solutions International Ltd (ISI) has expanded following support received from Aberdeens
25/01/2010
Nine vacant retail units in Torry, Aberdeen, could be brought back into use as part of a regeneration and business development scheme. Retail Rocks is an innovative concept which focuses on the creation of successful, local retail firms. It aims to revitalise and regenerate town centres and communi
22/01/2010
Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture and External Affairs, has announced the appointment of the new Chair of Architecture and Design Scotland. The new Chair is Karen Anderson, an architect and a founding partner of Anderson Bell Christie Architects, Glasgow. She graduated from Glasgow's Mackintosh
22/01/2010
Inverclyde Council's Education and Lifelong Learning Committee has approved ambitious plans for nursery provision in Gourock. Binnie Street Community Centre will be extended and refurbished thanks to a £1.3 million investment to become a new Children's Centre offering places for 120 youngsters. Th
22/01/2010
The snow may have gone, and the ice has retreated, but East Dunbartonshire Council workers are still busy gritting and salting roads and filling the mass of potholes that have been left because of frost heave. Despite the improved weather, temperatures are still falling low enough to mean that grit
22/01/2010
First Minister Alex Salmond joined Public Health Minister Shona Robison on Tuesday to officially open the new £20m Aberdeen Dental School. Robertson Eastern, part of the national Robertson Construction Group, built the new complex which includes facilities for radiography, restorative dentistry and
22/01/2010
Graham Construction's Environmental Services arm has secured a Legionella Risk Assessment contract for Dumfries and Galloway NHS. Under the scope of the contract, the firm will undertake Risk Assessments for over 60 NHS properties in the Dumfries and Galloway region, drawing on a team of local envi
22/01/2010
Scottish Borders councillors have agreed to select Sainsbury Supermarkets as the preferred bidder for the Pinnaclehill site in Kelso. A report on the outcome of the re-marketing exercise for the site was considered in private at a full Council meeting on Thursday. The decision is now subject to th
22/01/2010
A New York-style store design has proved so successful on the Scottish High Street that a card retailer is now planning to roll out the concept across its other units. Sales at Scribbler Glasgow – a 500 sq ft glass-fronted outlet at 176 Buchanan Street - rocketed to make it the third best performin
22/01/2010
Homeowners in Scotland have been urged to consider winter-proofing their homes or face huge repair bills in the coming months. Property maintenance company One Call Home Assist has warned people across the country to take extra care of their properties during the ongoing winter snap if they want to
21/01/2010
The quarry that gave Aberdeen its name of the "Granite City" is being put on the open market for the first time in 150 years. Rubislaw Quarry, in the heart of the west end of the city is the biggest man-made hole in Europe. The quarry was closed in 1971 and is now fenced in and mostly hidden by t
21/01/2010
Scottish independent legal firm Tods Murray LLP is to host a lunchtime briefing and networking event on how to halve construction waste and cut costs to improve bottom- line. Chaired by Susie Thornton, partner and member of the firm's planning and development team, the event on 3rd March 2010 inclu
21/01/2010
Scotland's hydro potential is nearly double the amount previously estimated, according to a study published today. An update on a 2008 study on Scotland's hydro resources now estimates there could be 1.2 Gigawatts of potential new hydro capacity in 7,043 schemes. This compares to 657 Megawatts (MW
21/01/2010
The £130m extension to The Centre, Livingston, Elements Square, which opened in October 2008, has helped attract over 12 million shoppers during 2009. Around three million additional shoppers descended on the Livingston shopping centre last year compared to 2008, despite the challenging economic cl
21/01/2010
Plans to change Dundee City Council's house-letting policy should make it easier for people to get a home in the city. A report to the council's housing, Dundee Contract Services and environment services committee recommends approval of amendments to the current system. The recommendations are bei
21/01/2010
The final phase of the Cliffburn regeneration project in Arbroath is set to begin. The long-standing project set out to demolish the hard-to-let flats in Mayfield Terrace, re-roof the privately-owned shop units, and carry out other improvements to the surroundings of these properties, and to form a
21/01/2010
A series of events aimed at ensuring local businesses get every chance to benefit from the work of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has been hailed as a success. Three events were held in Ardrossan, Irvine and Kilwinning to provide local firms with information on procurement and on the regeneration
21/01/2010
The UK's first purpose-built bungee jump platform has been given the green light. The scheme to be constructed under the Garry Bridge, north of Pitlochry in highland Perthshire, has been approved by Perth and Kinross Council. Thrill seekers will be able to take the 40m jump off the bridge with the
20/01/2010
Scottish GDP fell by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2009 and 4.6% over the year. But the rate of decline has eased since the first and second quarters of last year, with some sectors - such as production and manufacturing - reporting a return to growth. Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "
20/01/2010
Design work for a replacement railway bridge east of Dundee Station will now also incorporate plans for a new station entrance complex in front of the existing station building. Dundee Council said this approach has been agreed to minimise disruption and get the best value for public money. Offici
20/01/2010
Work has begun on the multi-million pound refurbishment of the five-star Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh. In a project which will increase the number of bedrooms as well as creating a luxurious Grand Suite and exclusive "Club" floor. The works will be completed by July 2010, with a first s
20/01/2010
Mechanical services group, EnerMech Ltd, has been awarded the rights for the sale and hire of GGR Group's UNIC mini cranes to the UK offshore market. GGR Group is one of Europe's suppliers of restricted access lifting equipment and UNIC mini crawler cranes which were originally designed to operate
20/01/2010
A new way of getting the best out of 200 council buildings worth £244m, including offices, halls, community centres, schools and sports centres, has been given the go-ahead by East Renfrewshire Council's cabinet. The council's first corporate asset management plan brings together facts and figures
20/01/2010
Angus Council's Neighbourhood Services committee has agreed to provide up to £6,000 towards design costs of an affordable housing development in Dundee Road, Forfar. The Association moved to new premises at Orchardbank, Forfar and their previous site has been identified for housing. The 15 afford
20/01/2010
Commercial property consultants, FG Burnett, has appointed Ewen White as an Associate based in the company's Glasgow office. Ewen specialises in the sale and purchase of investment properties and his appointment is part of FG Burnett’s strategy of extending the range of services and expertise it o
20/01/2010
A brand new school for children with additional learning needs has opened in Edinburgh. The purpose built school which sits on the Longstone Primary campus will provide educational opportunities for around 64 pupils of primary school age with moderate learning difficulties. Staff including speech
19/01/2010
Drivers Jonas (DJ) has successfully secured the planning permission for phase 1 of a new £36m fire and rescue training centre at Clydesmill Industrial Estate in Cambuslang for Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service. The permission follows on from the outline planning permission won by DJ in October 20
19/01/2010
As the Scottish Parliament gears up for a critical debate on Wednesday on the Scottish Government's proposed budget for 2010-11, the Scottish Building Federation has issued a last minute plea to MSPs to prioritise additional funding for investment in capital projects and improved energy efficiency o
19/01/2010
A £1.1m bridge upgrade on the A82 is to start next month, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson announced today. Transport Scotland recently awarded a contract to the ERDC Group Limited to undertake maintenance, strengthening and refurbishment works on the current bridge. The work, which will commen
19/01/2010
Aberdeenshire Council is to enter into discussions with Trump International Golf Links Scotland over the sale of a former car park owned by the council at the Menie Estate, Balmedie. The decision was made during a meeting of the Formartine Area Committee in Ellon's Kirk Centre this morning. The ma
19/01/2010
Scotland's letting sector is shaping up for a solid recovery in 2010 as demand increases for rental properties, according to latest research by letting portal Citylets. Landlords have seen the time to let (TTL) in Scotland – a key market indicator – come down significantly throughout 2009 which is
19/01/2010
A total of 26 new council houses are to be built in Winton Avenue, Kilwinning. Erected on the site of the former St Michael's Academy, the new development will be the second council house new-build project in North Ayrshire within the past two years. The announcement follows a successful bid for £
19/01/2010
The award-winning Pollok Civic Realm in Glasgow, designed by Archial Architects, has received special recognition from the Civic Trust Awards National Panel as a strong community initiative and for the positive impact it has had on the people it serves. Russell Baxter of Archial Architects is delig
19/01/2010
Nikola Miller, a planner with property consultancy GVA Grimley, has been seconded to work with Planning Aid for Scotland, an organisation that helps individuals and communities to become more involved in the planning process. Planning Aid for Scotland provides free professional advice, support and
18/01/2010
Increasing the roads budget by £50 million – while the housing budget falls by £204 million is "unjustifiable and a road to nowhere", according to housing charity Shelter Scotland. The charity is issuing a rallying call to politicians from all parties to "put the money where their mouths are" and m
18/01/2010
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICs) has sent four team members to Haiti in response to the devastating earthquake that recently struck the country. Supporting NGO MapAction, the specialists are travelling with the UK's urban search and rescue (USAR) specialists provided by regional
18/01/2010
Construction union UCATT have revealed their "disgust" at the announcement that leading insurance companies will appeal against the findings of a judicial review, which entirely rejected their claim that the right to compensation for pleural plaques victims should not be restored in Scotland. Alan
18/01/2010
The Civil Engineering Division of I&H Brown has won a further contract of work at the Avondale landfill near Polmont. This is the firms sixth package of work for Avondale Environmental Ltd since 2002. The scope of work includes the construction of new General Waste Cells 10 and 11, the constructio
18/01/2010
UBC Hebrides have just completed the second phase of Milkinghill housing development in the village of Tong, on the Isle of Lewis. The first phase was for the Muirneag Housing Association, the second phase was for the Hebridean Housing Partnership. As well as working successfully with the associa
18/01/2010
An award-winning architect based at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, has demonstrated that cutting-edge design and affordability are not mutually exclusive. Professor Gokay Deveci, of the University's Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Environment, has applied his world-renowned expertis
18/01/2010
Ryden, on the instructions of The Joint Administrators of Duncarse Ltd, has announced the sale of two further property assets of the Dundee based residential developer who went into administration in late 2008. The two assets are a 4.5 acre site with permission for residential development at West G
18/01/2010
Real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle has published a survey-based analysis of the UK banking sector's approach to commercial property lending between now and 2011. They have found that although banks that are lending are positive in their outlook, some respondents are disappointed by activity l
15/01/2010
A consultation published today seeks to find responsible solutions to managing Scotland's legacy of radioactive waste. Scotland's Higher Activity Radioactive Waste Policy aims to ensure that the treatment, storage and disposal of such waste is done in a way that offers maximum protection to people
15/01/2010
The newly refurbished Portobello Library has been officially re-opened by Edinburgh Councillor Deidre Brock. Since closing its doors in October 2009, the library has undergone a programme of upgrading works transforming it into a revitalised and modernised facility for the whole community. The re
15/01/2010
A new Primary school will be built for the Milton of Leys area of Inverness. Members of the Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee have agreed funding for the construction of the school will be provided from within their Education, Culture and Sport Service capital programme. T
15/01/2010
Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil MSP has visited a dilapidated block of Musselburgh flats due be demolished and replaced with new council housing fit for the future. Mr Neil's visit yesterday coincided with the publication of the Housing Bill in the Scottish Parliament, which offers a blu
15/01/2010
Engineering students from universities and colleges came together with practising engineering and craftsmen recently for a prestigious awards ceremony honouring those individuals who have shown commitment and ability in engineering. Reid Kerr student Oliver Hay, 18, from Ralston, was awarded the In
15/01/2010
Stirling Council's Planning Panel has given a cautious welcome to the redevelopment of one of city's last major brown field sites in the city centre. The Planning Panel, Chaired by Councillor Alasdair MacPherson, carefully considered two applications for outline planning permission, which would tra
15/01/2010
A new supermarket in St. Ninians may get the go ahead but only if concerns over the size of the development and road traffic issues can be addressed. Stirling Council Planning Panel agreed in principle with the application by Allan Water Developments to build a supermarket on the site of the former
14/01/2010
The first large scale wind farm in the Western Isles has been approved. Energy Minister Jim Mather has approved a 33 turbine, 118 Megawatt (MW) wind farm at Muaitheabhal providing green electricity for 55,000 homes, nearly four times the number of homes on the islands. The development will create
14/01/2010
New council house and housing association tenants will no longer have the Right to Buy (RTB) their homes, it was confirmed in proposals unveiled to MSPs today. RTB for new-build social housing in Scotland will also be scrapped. The reforms are part of the Housing Bill, a legislative package of mea
14/01/2010
Clydebank's Civic Heart project is set to move to the development stage, after West Dunbartonshire Council's Housing, Environmental and Economic Development (HEED) Committee gave the scheme the green light. The £3.17 million plans will see the Town Hall's main and lesser halls refurbished, and the
14/01/2010
Shelter Scotland has welcomed the draft Housing (Scotland) Bill launched today by Alex Neil but urged the Scottish Government to go further in its reforms. The charity has argued for Right to Buy reform to be simplified. It is also arguing for better protection for social tenants from eviction and
14/01/2010
Drum Property Group has completed the redevelopment of the former Bank of Scotland at Aberdeen's Holburn Junction. Drum acquired the property with the assistance of property consultants FG Burnett after both companies agreed the location at the west end of Union Street would be of interest to occu
14/01/2010
Work has started on clearing the site of the former Douglas Bader Garden for the Disabled in Duffus Park, Cupar. The site, which has been fenced off for a number of years, will be re-landscaped to form a new rugby/football grass pitch by the Council’s Parks and Countryside Service. The initial wo
14/01/2010
The second phase of a £947,000 package of town centre improvements is due to start in Dingwall High Street next month. Scheduled for commencement on February 8th, the Highland Council has appointed Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd as contractors to implement streetscape works, which will last for approximate
14/01/2010
David Leishman has been appointed as BAM FM's new Director. BAM FM manages facilities for around 30 UK schools and is part of Britain's largest health and education contractor, BAM Construct UK. It has appointed David Leishman who was previously Commercial Director for BAM Construction in Scotland.
13/01/2010
Construction union UCATT have learnt that a major new campaign, which is trying to block Treasury proposals to change the way construction companies operate, is being directed by leading PR Lobbyists Brunswick Group. Last summer the Treasury opened a consultation on proposals to end bogus self-empl
13/01/2010
Alex Neil, Minister for Housing and Communities, joined community and economic development leaders yesterday to celebrate the completion of ForthQuarter. The 150 unit mixed tenure housing development forms part of the regeneration of North Edinburgh linking the city's Waterfront development to the
13/01/2010
The next stage of Network Rail's £130m revamp of Edinburgh Waverley came closer this week with the announcement of a key new contract. Passengers will see a brighter station, with new lighting and a completely reglazed roof. Balfour Betty has been appointed by Network Rail to undertake the major im
13/01/2010
New Council homes across Stirling will start to be built shortly thanks to an additional £1.175 million in funding from the Scottish Government. The Council has made a second successful bid for money to build new council houses and now has enough money to provide a total of 72 new homes across the
13/01/2010
Independent property consultancies, CKD Galbraith, is cautiously optimistic that 'cash-buyers' will help drive recovery in the Scottish property market over the forthcoming year. The firm has also experienced an increase in the number of prospective purchasers across its network of 12 offices from
13/01/2010
Knight Property Group has acquired a six acre site in Westhill, Aberdeen in a deal expected to have an investment value in excess of £35 million for the firm upon completion of the development. The site was purchased on a speculative basis from Westhill Development Company and is one of the last re
13/01/2010
Scotland's financial sector is ideally placed to create the means to develop major green energy projects, First Minister Alex Salmond said last night in a speech entitled Choosing Scotland's Future as part of the Edinburgh Lecture series. The FM said that the financial industry has the capacity to
13/01/2010
Around 10,000 more families will get help to save around £900 a year on fuel bills, through the Scottish Government's Energy Assistance Package. Central heating systems, home insulation, thermostats and green energy devices will be on offer to low-income families with children under 16. Families w
12/01/2010
Two wind farm schemes that can supply around 45,000 homes with electricity have been approved. The 52.5 Megawatt (MW) Baillie wind farm near Thurso will supply almost 25,000 homes and feed electricity in to the upgraded Beauly-Denny line. The £80 million scheme will create 30 jobs during construc
12/01/2010
A rise in house prices last month in Scotland has been reported by 25% of chartered surveyors, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Scotland. Scotland was the the only part of the UK where house prices did not fall and 75% of chartered surveyors said prices had remained stable.
12/01/2010
Over 128,000 householders in Scotland are using credit cards to pay for their mortgage or rent in an effort to stave off potential repossession or eviction, a new survey by Shelter reveals. An exclusive You Gov poll for the charity's ROOF magazine reveals a disturbing picture of tens of thousands o
12/01/2010
A multi-million pound project aimed at regenerating Campbeltown's historic town centre is about to be boosted by the official launch of one of its major strands. The Campbeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI), for which the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) earmarked £700,000, aims to rejuvenate run
12/01/2010
It has never been more critical for the Government to recognise the value of the British construction industry and how it can be deployed to re-energise the UK economy – says the Get Britain Building (GBB) campaign. The latest research published by the Construction Trade Survey (CTS) reveals the re
12/01/2010
A high level of activity in the Aberdeen office market with an upsurge in recent office requirements has been reported by commercial property consultants, FG Burnett. The Albyn Place consultancy say the increased activity points to greater optimism in the business community and signals a potential
12/01/2010
A European cash injection of more than £34 million will be invested in programmes to develop Scotland's workforce and safeguard and create jobs. Speaking at a National Job Summit in Glasgow, First Minister Alex Salmond outlined the new allocations from the European Social Fund (ESF) and European Re
12/01/2010
Construction workers in Lanarkshire are being invited to an event on Wednesday 13 January to find out more about protecting themselves from Silicosis − a potentially lethal lung disease caused by breathing in stone dust. Around 10 construction workers die each week as a result of breathing in
11/01/2010
A legal bid by insurance firms to overturn a law allowing victims of an asbestos-related condition in Scotland to claim damages has been rejected by the courts. Lord Emslie backed the legislation which came into force in Scotland last June and rejected a bid by insurers to have it thrown out. The
11/01/2010
Following the collapse of farm buildings in recent days under accumulated snow, Aberdeenshire Council has warned residents to be aware of potential dangers. According to the council it is not just farm buildings which can be affected – any roof with a shallow pitch or which is very well insulated c
11/01/2010
Inverclyde Council’s Planning Board has approved the £10m Arts Guild which will provide state-of-the-art facilities on Greenock's waterfront. The building will be built opposite the historic Custom House and will boast a 500 seat main auditorium, a 100 seat performance space, four meeting rooms and
11/01/2010
A £500,000 catering facility which provides training opportunities for pupils has been officially opened. Le Bistro at Glencryan School in Cumbernauld caters for pupils with special educational needs and is run by staff and pupils. Councillor Jim Logue said: "The new building is wonderful and it's
11/01/2010
Property maintenance experts at a Scottish building firm have helped save a West Lothian family from suffering a festive disaster. Edinburgh-based maintenance company One Call Home Assist was called out on December 25th to help a stranded family in Livingston, whose gas supply had broken down just
11/01/2010
Controversial plans to create a £140m civic square in the centre of Aberdeen are now the subject of a public consultation. Views on the City Square Project, based in the Union Terrace Gardens, are being sought by Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef), however a rival scheme for Peacock Vi
11/01/2010
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has brought together volunteers running a new community venture in Fife and one of the UK’s largest oil companies. As a result Shell U.K. Limited will send a team of volunteers from its Fife Natural Gas Liquids Plant at Mossmorran to give the former Royal Oak Socia
08/01/2010
A pensioner's legal bid to halt the construction of Donald Trump's £1bn golf resort on her land has been denied. Molly Forbes, 85, from Menie, was seeking an interim interdict over Aberdeenshire Council's decision to grant planning permission for five pockets of land at the Menie Estate. She was d
08/01/2010
The green light has been given for companies to expand offshore wind power in Scotland. The Crown Estate, which is the owner of the UK's coastal seabeds, has granted offshore wind licences to energy firms in the Moray Firth and the Firth of Forth. The new wind rights could see hundreds of new tur
08/01/2010
One of the largest regeneration projects to be undertaken in Scotland has been given the go ahead. Inverclyde Council's Planning Board has given permission, in principle, to the £180 million redevelopment of Inverclyde's historic James Watt Dock by urban regeneration company Riverside Inverclyde (r
08/01/2010
It has been confirmed that the Apprenticeship Matching Service (AMS) delivered by ConstructionSkills, will now be able to extend the funding available to employers for taking on a displaced apprentice from within the Construction Footprint. The news means that more employers will now be eligible
08/01/2010
Efforts to build an offshore electricity transmission network linking Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland have taken a step forward. RPS Group have been awarded a contract to examine the feasibility of the construction of an offshore grid in the Irish Sea. The study, on behalf of the Scottish G
08/01/2010
A meeting of Monifieth Community Council will be held to discuss the enhancements for the town centre. The meeting, which will be open to the public, is to be held on Wednesday 13 January at 7pm in the Burgh Chambers, High Street, Monifieth. Officers from Angus Council will attend to describe the
07/01/2010
The Beauly - Denny power line upgrade has been approved. The upgrade will boost grid capacity along the line and unlock Scotland's onshore and offshore renewables potential. Extensive conditions have been imposed to protect the interests of communities and minimise the impact on the environment
07/01/2010
New regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament today will allow greater use of the private rented sector for rehousing those made unintentionally homeless. Local authorities will have the option to negotiate short assured tenancies with private landlords; ensuring stringent conditions are met in t
07/01/2010
The Scottish system of setting "offers over" pricing on properties is unlikely to ever return to its peak 2007 level, when house sales were automatically expected to achieve high premiums. According to Edinburgh solicitor estate agent Warners, the Scottish property market has been fundamentally cha
07/01/2010
Scottish independent law firm, Tods Murray, has acted in two major property deals on behalf of long-standing client, Co-operative Insurance Society Limited (CIS) totalling a combined value of £74.5m. The Tods commercial property team, led by partner Angus McIntyre, are acting for CIS in the sale o
07/01/2010
Mechanical services company, EnerMech Ltd, has achieved ISO 9001:2008 status for its quality management system. The international standard covers all operations in Aberdeen, Great Yarmouth and Stavanger and encompasses for the first time all the company’s service lines. The benchmark award incor
07/01/2010
A global market leader in the design and manufacture of robotic handling equipment, Clansman Dynamics, has become an employee-owned business after the senior management team was 'inspired' by employee-ownership at a workshop run by Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS). Founded in 1994 by Dick Ph
07/01/2010
Funding of £96.6 million has been awarded to more than 1,000 projects across rural Scotland. The cash investment comes from the Rural Priorities scheme within the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). Projects approved from this round alone will create or sustain more than 200 jobs and bring
07/01/2010
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is backing major expansion plans by a leading Orkney food company with a funding package worth more than £100,000. The support from HIE will enable Tods of Orkney to invest in the equipment needed for a big increase in oatcake production. Made in Stromness to
06/01/2010
Construction work has begun on the National Indoor Sports Arena (NISA) and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, a facility that will host two events - badminton and cycling - at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Counci
06/01/2010
The Scottish Government is set to approve controversial plans for the £400m Beauly to Denny power line. Ministers are due to outline conditions for the scheme which would see a line of 600 giant pylons spanning the Highlands to central Scotland carrying electricity generated by renewable power pro
06/01/2010
SNIPEF has urged the Scottish Government to follow the lead of Westminster and introduce a 'Boiler Scrappage Scheme' in Scotland. The plea follows the launch of such a scheme in England yesterday. The scheme is offering a £400 cash incentive to those householders who wish to upgrade their central h
06/01/2010
St Moluag's Heritage Museum on Lismore is to receive an accolade for exceptional design quality at a prestigious awards ceremony next month. The Argyll and Bute Sustainable Design Awards will be presented at Oban's Corran Halls on 12th February. Eleven shortlisted entries were drawn up for the awa
06/01/2010
Absenteeism and neglect of croft land will be tackled head on this year through direct action from the Crofters Commission, it has been announced. With absenteeism running at 10 per cent and increasing numbers applying to remove land from croft tenure, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham endor
06/01/2010
Lovell has been chosen by Paisley South Housing Association to carry out a £4.3 million modernisation programme for 53 tenement flats in Gordon Street, Paisley. The improvement programme is set to be completed in the summer of 2011. The work will involve the complete refurbishment of seven tenemen
06/01/2010
Gary Lothian, from the Roads and Fleet Management team at Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has scooped the APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Transport and Vehicle Maintenance Apprentice/trainee of the year award. The APSE apprentice and trainee awards scheme has been running for 12 yea
06/01/2010
Biggart Baillie LLP and Herbert Smith have advised a joint venture set up by Hammerson and new client Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) on their acquisition of Silverburn Shopping Centre near Glasgow. The 50:50 joint venture has acquired the property owning vehicle Retail Property Holdin
05/01/2010
The Chief Executive of ConstructionSkills, Mark Farrar, has welcomed the announcement that Geoff Russell has been appointed Chief Executive of the new Skills Funding Agency. Previously, Geoff led the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), and brings with him a wealth of financial, auditing and consult
05/01/2010
The Scottish property market is likely to remain stable in 2010, but further growth is unlikely to occur until the second half of the year, according to a leading Edinburgh property solicitor. Warners said that house prices are likely to remain stable during the first six months of the year but wil
05/01/2010
The most energy efficient building in Argyll and Bute Council's portfolio is taking shape on the island of Mull. Work has now started on the new Pre 5s unit at Tobermory High School, which will be the authority's first 'A' rated building. After a short delay to allow the diversion of a water main,
05/01/2010
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has agreed to provide £1.5 million in funding over three years to help secure the future of Abbotsford House as a major tourist attraction for the Borders. The Abbotsford Estate is managed by the Abbotsford Trust – a registered charity which owns the house, 100 acres
05/01/2010
Tender prices for building work will continue to fall nationally for the next two years, by 6.0% over the next year and by a further 1.0% in the year to the 4th quarter of 2011, according to the latest Market View research conducted by EC Harris. The report flags up the dangers in the market presen
05/01/2010
The Scottish Government has decided to proceed with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) after considering the findings and recommendations of the public local inquiry. The 28-mile bypass will provide a fast link between towns in the North, South and West of Aberdeen, bringing significant
05/01/2010
Angus Council and Hillcrest Housing Association have launched a common housing register (CHR) and common allocations policy to make it easier for people seeking homes for rent. The Angus CHR allows applicants to complete one housing application form, giving them access to two landlords with a combi
05/01/2010
A solution to prevent otters from being hit on a busy Perthshire trunk road has been hailed a success following the installation of specially designed otter-friendly apparatus into the road drainage system. New otter sized steps and ramps, along with headlight reflectors installed at otter height,
04/01/2010
A major new survey of Scottish construction industry bosses has found many firms still fearful about industry prospects in 2010. The survey also suggests that the majority of smaller construction firms are actively avoiding participation in public tenders because the associated costs are prohibitiv
04/01/2010
Scotland needs the power to manage its own natural resources so it can become the energy powerhouse of Europe, First Minister Alex Salmond said in his New Year message. Mr Salmond predicted a 'renewables revolution' emanating from a Scotland which had won the 'natural lottery' - with wind, wave and
04/01/2010
Scotland's gateway airport has announced a multi-million pound investment package over the next two years as bosses predict a return to growth in 2010. Glasgow Airport is to spend £25m on new capital projects designed to provide a better experience for passengers, upgrade essential infrastructure a
04/01/2010
Experts whose aerodynamic research has influenced the design of the London Eye, Ferrari Formula 1 cars, and the sails of the America's Cup Team are carrying out tests on the wind shield for the proposed Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC). Engineers at Italian university Politecnico di Milano in Milan
04/01/2010
The Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has approved nine NHS schemes costing £187m. Projects include the £9.8m refurbishment of Cupar Hospital in Fife and the £8.3m replacement of Migdale Hospital in the Highlands. The new Southern General Hospital in Glasgow will benefit from new labs which will
04/01/2010
Disabled rail passengers can now enjoy full step-free access to all platforms at Dalmuir and Motherwell stations after an extensive £7 million programme of investment. A new footbridge with three lifts spanning all five platforms has recently been completed at Dalmuir, while a new footbridge and li
04/01/2010
Repair work has begun on the tower and spire of the B-listed St Andrew's Parish Church in Ayr. A Heritage Lottery Fund grant has been received for the repair of stonework, finial and stained glass. The project architect, Lynne Yuille of ARPL Architects Ltd, climbed to the top of the scaffold to ca
04/01/2010
An Ayrshire firm of building contractors ended the year on a triumphant note after receiving recognition for work carried out at an Aberdeen shopping centre. At the recent British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) Gold Awards, the Scottish Retail Property Limited Partnership (a joint venture betwe
