Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for March 2010
31/03/2010
Fiona Hyslop, the Minister for Culture and External Affairs, has announced the appointment of nine Members to the Board of Architecture and Design Scotland. The members appointed are: Mr Sandy Beattie - an architect and Masterplanning and Design Team Leader with Aberdeen City Council. Mr Beattie h
31/03/2010
Transport Scotland is to appoint an archaeological 'time team' to carry out studies on the land required for the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC). This aims to recover and record any items of historical interest found on land owned by Ministers. The work which will start this summer will help to
31/03/2010
Award-winning Aberdeen office design and fit-out specialists ASM have been awarded a RoSPA Silver Award for occupational health and safety performance. This continues the high standards previously set, with Silver Awards also being won in 2009 and in 2006; in fact, every year the company has entere
31/03/2010
The archaeological heritage of Scotland is to the focus in April as BBC Alba brings viewers a six-part series exploring what lies under the surface of Scotland's landscape. Presented by keen amateur archaeologist Kirsty MacDonald from North Uist, Talamh Tròcair, (Revealing Scotland's Past) has been
31/03/2010
The Basketball Arena is rising out of the ground with the first of the venue's 20 steel arches already lifted into place. Each of these steel arches will be 35m high and span 96m. The Arena is being built on the Olympic Park by companies from nations and regions across the UK. Most of the steel is
31/03/2010
The Government's 'welfare-to-work' programme has indirectly led to a further letting at Harbour Point, Musselburgh, taking the office building to full occupancy for the first time since it was acquired and redeveloped by the landlord, Cosmopolitan Investments, in 2001. The latest tenant is Ingeus U
31/03/2010
Research, development and advice consultancy Archial Sustainable Futures has appointed Peter Smith, an architect in Archial's Glasgow design studio. He is on a nine month secondment to broaden and deepen the sustainable design capabilities of Archial Architects and Alsop Sparch. Since joining Arch
31/03/2010
A total of 232 communities the length and breadth of Scotland have received a share of the £27.4 million Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) to help reduce their carbon footprint. Today, 90 new projects received awards totalling over £5.5 million. Over the last three years, CCF has invested to save an e
31/03/2010
Islanders on Bute have been given the green light to buy the picturesque Rhubodach Forest from film director Lord Attenborough. Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, visited the island to announce her approval of plans by the Bute Community Land Company (BCLC) to buy the 1,700 acre forest unde
31/03/2010
Sidey have shown their customers a clear cut commitment to health & safety, having recently been accredited with CHAS (The Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme). CHAS was created in 2001 with two main aims – to improve health & safety standards in Britain and to reduce duplicated safety ap
30/03/2010
A radical initiative with the potential to create at least 1000 new affordable homes for rent, a similar number of jobs, and stimulate Scotland’s house building industry, has been unveiled. The Scottish Government and the Scottish Futures Trust have devised the National Housing Trust (NHT) initiati
30/03/2010
Plans to redevelop one of Scotland's largest derelict industrial sites have been given a major boost. Renfrewshire Council's Planning and Economic Development Policy Board has granted planning permission for a remediation programme and construction of a dedicated landfill facility on the site of th
30/03/2010
Staff from Glasgow Housing Association pulled on their Sport Relief t-shirts and turned call-handlers for one of the UK’s biggest fundraising drives. The 130 volunteers took in more than £94,000 in donations – and had a ball in the process. By 7pm as the show went live on national telly, GHA’s Cus
30/03/2010
An £8.2 million Glasgow primary school, autism unit and early years campus has been officially opened. Children and staff from Aultmore Park Primary School, Aultmore Park Autism Unit and Beechwood Nursery worked very hard on the final arrangements for the official opening of their new building. On
30/03/2010
Specialist engineering company, STATS Group, is supporting the engineers of the future by signing up to an industry-wide Skills and Training Charter. The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) charter is aimed at developing the pool of talent in the sector by improving training a
30/03/2010
A campaign encouraging Fifers to stop wasting good quality furniture and household goods and instead donate them for the use of those in need launches this week. Householders are asked to look out for their blue guide coming through their door which tells them everything they need to know about how
30/03/2010
Porthlethen-based Downhole Products has appointed George Richardson as a sales engineer to enhance the completion side of the company. George joins with more than 25 years of oilfield experience both on and offshore. He has previously held positions in Weatherford Completions department, Mi Swaco
30/03/2010
Cosmopolitan Investments has achieved a significant letting at Innovation Park, Bellshill, Lanarkshire, by attracting Greggs plc, the UK's largest chain of high street bakers. Greggs has taken a 15-year lease on the shop unit at Alexander Graham Bell House, one of the three office buildings at Inno
30/03/2010
Fort William residents are being invited to attend a community engagement event on proposals for a new supermarket on North Road. The event, to be held from 10am to 9pm on Wednesday March 31 at the Nevis Centre, will showcase the current proposals by developers Morbaine Ltd for a 55,000 sq ft store
30/03/2010
The first stage report of a masterplan for the use of the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters has been published. The report will provide a marine spatial plan framework and draft regional locational guidance for wave and tidal energy development. The final Marine Spatial Plan for the Pentland Firth
29/03/2010
The £4m project to regenerate Renfrew Town Centre has gained a top national award. The Renfrew initiative, which was funded by Renfrewshire Council, Scottish Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund, won the 'Development on the Ground' category in the Scottish Awards for Quality in Pla
29/03/2010
One of the largest regeneration projects in Europe has reached a significant milestone with construction work on the first family homes at the 1,100 acre site of the former Ravenscraig steelworks, getting underway. Representatives from Ravenscraig Ltd, North Lanarkshire Council, the Scottish Govern
29/03/2010
Bo'ness is set to welcome a major new housing development as Weslo Housing Management releases 16 two-bedroom flats available for social rent and six for market rent. The social rented properties will be made available to applicants on Falkirk Council's housing list as part of an initiative at The
29/03/2010
A Renfrewshire primary school has received almost £10,000 to improve their playground. Rashielea Primary have been awarded the £9,700 grant by the Big Lottery Fund to go towards the second phase of their playground improvement plan. The plan is being worked on by the school's eco-committee in part
29/03/2010
The new Glenearn Community Campus in Perth was officially opened on Friday by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham. The campus, part of Perth & Kinross Council's £136m Investment in Learning Programme, has been the home of the new Inch View Primary and Nursery School since it opened its doors i
29/03/2010
A new flagship project designed to promote the West of Scotland and the surrounding areas as a world-class sailing destination has secured some £150,000 of European funding for Campbeltown The money, which will be matched by £50,000 from Argyll and Bute Council, will fund a full technical feasibili
29/03/2010
The first of 94,000 trees to be planted in Aberdeen as part of the Tree for Every Resident project have been put into the ground. Aberdeen City Council convener for Housing and Environment, Councillor Aileen Malone, was joined by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs & The Environment, Richard Lochhe
29/03/2010
Apprentices from across Scotland are calling on people to get behind a campaign to save jobs and skills in the building industry. The young trainees are urging Scots to support the Repairing Scotland drive spearheaded by building firm Rok, to get the UK Government to cut VAT on repair and maintenan
29/03/2010
For the first time in over 40 years, the City of Edinburgh Council is making a comprehensive plan for open space in the city. And they want your views. A draft open space strategy had been drawn up and is open to public consultation from today until Friday 21 May. It is the first strategy of its ki
29/03/2010
Litter clearing and planting work will be carried out on a piece of derelict land next week to create a new miniature woodland. Aberdeen City Council staff will be teaming up with Aberdeen Greenspace and volunteers to clear the neglected area behind Ruthrieston Crescent of rubbish, including concre
26/03/2010
Representatives from produced water treatment, oil and gas separation and aquatic toxicology specialist, Opus, are set to undertake international trips and attend prestigious industry events later this month, as the firm looks to further expand its global reach. The company is exhibiting at the Aus
26/03/2010
Argyll and Bute Council's Building Standards section has consistently exceeded its targets regarding public response times. A report to committee which highlighted its latest returns showed that between October and December 2009: 93.57% of requests for a building warrant were responded to within 20
26/03/2010
The transfer of a forest in a remote Argyll community takes place today following successful fundraising by a group of volunteers. The Kilfinan Community Forest Company (KCFC) near Tighnabruaich, a Scottish charity, raised £130,000 to buy 125 hectares of Acharossan Forest from the Forestry Commissi
26/03/2010
Almost three hundred people attended the third Annual Public Meeting of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, held at the Menzies Hotel in Irvine today. The audience - made up largely of business people, community groups and interested individuals - heard Chief Executive Patrick Wiggins outline the sign
26/03/2010
Edinburgh's skateboarders, bladers and BMXers are almost ready for 'take-off' as work on the brand new Saughton Skatepark approaches completion. The facility, which will be officially opened later this Spring, brings to an end many years of campaigning by the Edinburgh Skatepark Project (ESP), whic
26/03/2010
Eight companies and their collaborative partners have been given grants by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) today to explore smart technology. The grants are part of the UK's plan to move to smarter energy supplies including smart meters in every home, a smart grid and entire smar
26/03/2010
The brand new Hazlehead Primary School has opened its doors to pupils. This is the fifth school in Aberdeen City Council's £120million 3Rs project to be completed. The new school can accommodate up to 360 P1-P7 pupils and a nursery, it also incorporates community facilities and a police office. I
26/03/2010
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is backing ambitious expansion plans by a leading Lochaber bakery with a funding package worth nearly £70,000. Nevis Bakery has a 30-strong workforce and support from HIE will enable the company to upgrade to new premises to keep up with the high level of dema
26/03/2010
An Edinburgh property solicitor has welcomed the decision by Chancellor Darling to scrap Stamp Duty on purchases of up to £250,000 for first-time buyers. Following the announcement in today’s Budget, Warners’ estate agency partner Scott Brown said: "First time buyers are the key to revitalising the
26/03/2010
Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing formally opened the brand new Allander GP Surgery this week at its’ official opening ceremony in Glasgow. Glasgow based contractors David H Allan Joiners & Building Contractors built and fitted out the impressive £800K medical premises
25/03/2010
The new Loch Leven Community Campus in Kinross has been officially opened by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond. The campus, part of the Council's £136 million Investment in Learning Programme, brings together state of the art facilities for school pupils and Kinross-shire residents. It opened
25/03/2010
One of the largest regeneration projects in Europe has reached a significant milestone with construction work on the first family homes at the 1,100 acre site of the former Ravenscraig steelworks, getting underway. Representatives from Ravenscraig Ltd, North Lanarkshire Council, the Scottish Govern
25/03/2010
Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership are cooking up success this week as they have just completed work on their 9000th new kitchen installation in their ongoing investment programme across the region. The kitchen, in Waterloo Place in New Abbey, is the 500th by current contractors, Connaught.
25/03/2010
Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) is proactively raising Tenants' awareness of asbestos which may exist in their homes, to help ensure that the issue is understood and managed in full compliance with current legislation. A Guidance Note for SBHA Tenants will shortly be issued with their r
25/03/2010
A new carbon-cutting plan adopted by Aberdeen City Council could save the city up to £2 million over the next five years. Councillors unanimously agreed to adopt the Carbon Management Plan, which sets a target to cut emissions by 23% by 2015 and 42% by 2020. The plan includes more than two dozen p
25/03/2010
More than 7,000 homes are planned to be approved for rent or low cost ownership in the financial year 2010-11, backed by £471 million from the Scottish Government. The Affordable Housing Investment Programme includes plans for over 1,700 new council houses, bringing the total to over 3,000 this yea
25/03/2010
Scotland’s home building industry cheered today’s Budget announcement that stamp duty is to be scrapped on house purchases up to £250,000 for First Time Buyers (FTBs) this year and next. Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, the industry body whose membership provides 95% of new hom
25/03/2010
A conference on Britain's future energy needs organised by Unite has highlighted the huge opportunities for job creation in construction and manufacturing. The Unite conference entitled 'Nuclear Energy - Our Present, Our Future' at the Royal Society of Arts was opened by Derek Simpson, Joint Genera
25/03/2010
The building industry must continue to support trades people and apprentices despite the Chancellor’s inadequate and unsupportive Budget, Rok Scotland Managing Director Andy Mallice has said. Rok is spearheading the "Repairing Scotland" campaign, calling on Chancellor Alistair Darling to reduce VAT
25/03/2010
EDP Renewables (EDPR), a global leader in the renewable energy sector and one of Europe's main energy companies is set to open its first UK office in Edinburgh. The company has agreed terms to occupy a fourth floor office suite at 40 Princes Street, which is owned by Redevco, who were advised by Ki
25/03/2010
The completion of a £500,000 restoration project will see a 17th Century Aberdeenshire castle return to its former glory. The National Trust for Scotland's Craigievar Castle, near Alford, will reopen in May. The castle now features a traditional lime-based alternative to concrete-based harling and
24/03/2010
A new skills manifesto that calls for Government support in boosting construction skills and helping employers to prepare for the upturn has been released today by CITB - ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industrial Training Board for the construction industry. The report, "Shaping
24/03/2010
The appeal to reopen a passenger rail line from Alloa to Dunfermline is being taken to Transport Scotland. The South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) has written to Transport Scotland and asked for a meeting to discuss the proposal. SEStran, in partnership with Clackmannanshire and Fi
24/03/2010
Work on the £1 billion Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvements Programme (EGIP), Scotland's single largest rail improvement programme ever, is making good progress as preparatory work for the electrification of the railway nears completion. A pilot piling programme to test the foundations for the overhead e
24/03/2010
Mechanical services company EnerMech has invested £300,000 in constructing two bulk storage buildings at its Aberdeen headquarters. The air-controlled units have been designed for the primary purpose of storage of oilfield cranes, lifting and hydraulic equipment. The buildings are equipped with
24/03/2010
An initial £4million programme has been launched to transform a derelict site in Paisley which was once occupied by the town's famous department store. An innovative partnership has been signed between Renfrewshire Council and Park Lane Group who now jointly own the site of the former Arnotts store
24/03/2010
The Aberdeen Sheltered Housing Network has become Scotland's first tenants' group to earn a new award for tenant participation. The award has been made by the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) in recognition of the group's commitment to speaking up for Aberdeen's elderly council tenants.
24/03/2010
The new Stena Line ferry terminal construction site was evacuated yesterday following the discovery of World War II explosive shells. Police were forced to close the A77 road which links Glasgow to Stranraer for several hours after excavation works on the Stena Line facility at Cairnryan unearthed
24/03/2010
Plans for a £400m overhaul of Glasgow's Subway system are to be pitched to ministers. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) want to secure the significant investment over a 30-year period for new trains, signalling and refurbished stations. SPT Chair, Councillor Jonathan Findlay, told BBC Sc
24/03/2010
A brand new £400,000 state-of-the-art skatepark in Renfrew is now open to the public. Renfrewshire Council have taken down the fencing and unveiled the new skatepark in Robertson Park. The project has been funded by the Scottish Government's Fairer Scotland Fund and the Renfrew Common Good Fund.
24/03/2010
Historic Scotland is challenging the view that traditionally built homes, which comprise almost a fifth of Scotland’s houses, are energy inefficient and a barrier to meeting Scotland’s carbon reduction targets in the housing sector. This is one of the issues which will be discussed at a conference,
23/03/2010
Scotland's £10 million Saltire Prize, a challenge to the world to accelerate the commercial development of marine energy, is now open for applications. The Prize, the largest Government innovation prize in the world, will go to a commercially viable wave or tidal energy technology that generates at
23/03/2010
Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Culture has announced that Historic Scotland is giving a three year cash commitment of more than £360,000 in order to help support the Built Environment Forum Scotland, (BEFS), become the intermediary body to represent the historic environment through the Voluntary Sector
23/03/2010
Glasgow City Council today unveiled plans to secure the future of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Lighthouse building as Scotland’s National Centre for Architecture and Design. Principal to the five-storey building’s future is the positive discussion held with the Scottish Executive and Architecture an
23/03/2010
Scotland's land reform legislation is ensuring the long-term sustainability of communities the length and breadth of the country. More than 60 communities bodies have submitted over 112 applications to purchase land and almost 80 applications have been approved since the Land Reform Bill was passe
23/03/2010
Scotland’s Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil MSP, has visited Ardrossan to see for himself progress in the regeneration of the Irvine Bay area. Mr Neil lookied at projects being undertaken by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, and in particular was interested in talks currently ongoing
23/03/2010
Nevis Range is planning to take its visitors to new heights with the introduction of a series of high ropes courses at the foot of the mountain gondola. Nevis Range, near Fort William, is to build a series of high ropes courses at the foot of the UK’s only mountain gondola. The Family and the Fores
23/03/2010
A £7m property fraud trial has collapsed. Several people went on trial in January at the High Court in Glasgow accused of being part of a fraud scheme to get money, mortgages and property however all charges have now been dropped. Eight men and a woman were alleged to have carried out the fraudul
23/03/2010
Eco insulate, a new company set up by experienced Scottish business man and entrepreneur Bryan Woods, will offer improved airtight spray foam insulation to the Scottish residential and commercial markets. Bryan Woods, together with his team headed up by Colin Davidson, will initially target the sel
23/03/2010
Maryhill Housing Association successfully defended its title when it took game, set and match at the HBJ Gateley Wareing LintelTrust Tennis Tournament. The title defenders scooped the trophy after winning the round-robin event beating off tough competition from New Gorbals Housing Association. Ten
23/03/2010
Scotland’s largest independent building services company, James Frew, has signed a three year partnership agreement with Trafalgar Housing Association in Clydebank to provide gas servicing and maintenance services for its tenants. The partnership, which includes the option to extend the contract fo
23/03/2010
Around 60,000 Scottish green jobs could be created by 2020 in low carbon industries according to new figures published today. The Scottish Government's discussion paper on the transition to a low carbon economy draws together, for the first time, ways in which Scotland can take pole position in the
22/03/2010
A total of 7,122 social sector new build homes were started in Scotland last year, more than at any time since the 1970s. The total is based on official statistics on housing association new build starts and local authority new build starts in 2009. The homes are funded through the Scottish Govern
22/03/2010
Work on a £6.5m dual carriageway scheme on the A75 will be started today with a ground breaking ceremony by Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson. The A75 Cairntop to Barlae scheme, which will see a new 1.4 mile stretch of dual carriageway, will improve the access to and from the west coast ports of
22/03/2010
The Scottish Government has published findings which reveal that the legacy costs to Scotland of Public Private Partnership school building projects in 2008-09 were £244 million. More than 275 school building projects have been competed using the PPP-PFI model since 2000 and as a result councils an
22/03/2010
The UK Government has given consent for Total and Dong Energy to develop the Laggan and Tormore gas fields, which lie in 600 metres of water and in one of the most hostile environments in the UK. These will be the first gas fields to be developed in UK waters at this depth and will produce more tha
22/03/2010
The Consumer Code for Home Builders, a cross-industry platform to further develop best practice and consumer satisfaction, is being launched today. During the last two years warranty bodies NHBC and Premier Guarantee & LABC New Home Warranty, along with all leading industry trade bodies and the Cou
22/03/2010
Make the most of your space and transform your home with expert advice from a chartered architect through innovative fundraiser, Architect in the House, supported by architect and TV presenter, George Clarke. Architect in the House is the hugely successful fundraising initiative run annually by the
22/03/2010
Construction union UCATT has won an award for its work in providing advice, support, guidance and information to construction apprentices. The award was part of the Union Learning Fund awards 2010 organised by the TUC. UCATT provides a great deal of support to construction apprentices throughout
22/03/2010
Sainsbury's is 'trying something new' in Aberdeen having opened its second Local store in the city’s St Nicholas Centre. The first Local store was opened just a week before. Sainsbury's Local stores are the smallest in the firm's estate and offer convenience products and services, tailored to ensu
22/03/2010
A new £12 million Scottish Government fund to support the deployment of wave and tidal energy devices has been unveiled. The Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support fund - to be known as WATERS - will support the testing of new wave and tidal prototypes in the seas ar
22/03/2010
Workplace design specialist Space Solutions has enrolled in a scheme enabling young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain valuable work experience with their firm. The NETworks programme – run by national children's charity Barnardo's Scotland – involves young people from Edinburgh aged 16-
19/03/2010
Scotland's largest publicly funded construction project, the £840 million South Glasgow Hospitals Campus, reached a key milestone this week. Scotland's Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, performed a ground-breaking ceremony on the site. The new 1109 bed adult hospital, 256 bed children’s hos
19/03/2010
Scots are being urged to help save thousands of jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry by joining a people-power campaign. With investment in building projects hit hard by the recession, the jobs of tradespeople across the country are under threat. And the lack of work means the skil
19/03/2010
The prospect of seizing the "once in a lifetime opportunity" that renewable energy offers Dundee has been highlighted by the city's leaders. Representatives of the public, private and academic sectors gathered at the Apex Hotel under the Dundee Partnership banner to find out what part they can play
19/03/2010
Plans by the Robert Gordon University to extend its Garthdee campus by building a new 35,000 square metres teaching facility have been unanimously approved by councillors. The development will house the university's schools of life science, pharmacy, computing, engineering, art and architecture and
19/03/2010
Construction union UCATT have written to Lesley Strathie the Chief Executive of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), requesting an urgent investigation into the conduct of employment agencies. They said they are deliberately avoiding paying millions of pounds in taxation when employing constru
19/03/2010
The sale of St James House in Forfar, a former Angus Council office building, has been legally concluded. The purchasers Deanway Development Limited and AWG Property Limited will take over ownership of the site on 13 April 2010. The former office site has been vacant since 2007, when council staff
19/03/2010
Glasgow Housing Association's ambitious plans for an energy-efficient home which costs just £100 a year for heating and hot water have taken a step forward. GHA has teamed up with architects PRP and City Building to build four prototype houses which feature high standards of insulation, coupled wit
19/03/2010
A workplace design specialist, Space Solutions, has unveiled a new-look website aimed at providing more information and advice about its specialist relocations division. The website
19/03/2010
A senior Church of Scotland convener today called on the Scottish Government to dismiss an application for a coal-fired power station in Ayrshire. Reverend Ian Galloway, convener of the Kirk’s Church and Society Council, said if Ayrshire Power’s proposals for Hunterston were approved Holyrood’s amb
19/03/2010
Young families and pensioners are saving millions on heating costs through free, over the phone, benefit checks. Nearly 10,000 Scottish households have been referred for benefit checks since the launch of the government's energy saving hotline last Spring, securing over £1.6 million in savings. El
18/03/2010
The Scottish construction industry looks set to suffer a further significant drop in the number of construction apprentices in training this year. That's according to the latest quarterly survey of Scottish construction industry employers, published by the Scottish Building Federation (SBF). Again
18/03/2010
The Archial Architects-designed Pollok Civic Realm has received National Panel Special Recognition at the Civic Trust Awards. Russell Baxter of Archial Architects is delighted with this latest recognition for the building, which recently won a Royal Institute of British Architects Regional Award.
18/03/2010
The Highland Association of the Scottish Building Federation has confirmed that a grand total of £1730.90 has been raised for the Highland and Islands Society for Blind People. The Association's President, Billy Sweeney, unveiled the fundraising total when he visited the charity’s IT training unit
18/03/2010
Nearly 20,000 people in Scotland have started a modern apprenticeship over the past year, and are now receiving training and skills development to help them into long-term employment, First Minister Alex Salmond announced today. This exceeds the Scottish Government's target of delivering more than
18/03/2010
A new 'Cut the Carbon' publicity campaign is being planned by ConstructionSkills to raise awareness amongst SMEs and retrofit companies of the urgent need to invest in future skills. The move was welcomed by Chief Construction Adviser Paul Morrell as the industry’s Low Carbon Construction Innovat
18/03/2010
The ways that Dundee City Council can help private houseowners maintain and improve their homes is being set out in a new document. A report to the housing, Dundee Contract Services and environment services committee on Monday (March 22) states that government legislation introduces fundamental cha
18/03/2010
Aberdeen City Council is presenting the former Bon Accord Baths complex to the market. The council aims to identify a future viable and economic use for the property. The Justice Mill Lane building, which is renowned for its art deco features, closed on 31 March 2008. A planning brief has since be
18/03/2010
Battery power developer ABSL Power Solutions - which has its headquarters in the north of Scotland - has won a £4.6 million pound contract with the UK Ministry of Defence. The Thurso based firm, which is at the forefront of shaping battery technology, will supply light weight, man-worn portable cha
18/03/2010
E.ON has welcomed the news that it has been successful in winning a marine power zone in the Crown Estate's Round 1 scheme. The company has won a zone around 5km off the west coast of Orkney that it expects will be large enough for a wave power development of up to 50MW. Dave Rogers, Regional Dire
18/03/2010
Award-winning architectural design specialist JAMstudio has completed projects valued at a total of £150,000 for two Aberdeen businesses. Global Pipe Components, a leading supplier to the oil and gas industry, has increased office space by utilising the first-floor of its premises at the Spires Bus
16/03/2010
Contractors have begun the first phase of a multi-million pounds scheme that will transform Parklea into a centre of excellence for football. Work has started on the first of two 3G all-weather pitches after planning permission was granted earlier this month. Inverclyde Council leader Councillor S
16/03/2010
The economic downturn and a squeeze on public finances will make supplying affordable housing a major challenge, industry representatives heard today. Housing Minister Alex Neil said housing policy was at a 'crossroad' and there was a pressing need to adopt new thinking and fresh approaches to fund
16/03/2010
Community groups across East Renfrewshire will benefit from a new fund set up from the development of Europe's largest onshore wind farm. The Whitelee fund, which will last for the lifetime of the windfarm, will deliver £140,000 for community groups, activities and initiatives in its first year. Th
16/03/2010
Planning trainee Rebecca Oakes will be working alongside world-renowned architect and urban planner Andrés Duany this week after her masterplanning efforts were recognised at the Scottish Quality in Planning Awards. Rebecca and her five team-mates will have the opportunity to be involved in the mas
16/03/2010
First Minister Alex Salmond today welcomed the signing of 10 project agreements to generate as much as 1.2GW of marine energy off Scotland's north coast following the world's first commercial wave and tidal leasing round. The Crown Estate, which grants seabed lease development rights for marine ren
16/03/2010
ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry, is calling on employers to become even more involved in shaping vocational qualifications. The Sector Skills Council is urging employers to visit a new website launched by government to raise awareness of an overhaul of se
16/03/2010
Ayrshire Power, the company proposing to develop a new multi-fuel power station with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology at Hunterston, North Ayrshire, has today confirmed that it has entered the first stage of submitting a planning application to the Scottish Government. The application ha
16/03/2010
Union Square in Aberdeen, designed by BDP, has been voted Shopping Location of the Year at the Retail Week Awards 2010 announced at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. This award seeks out which new retail development is regarded, by the judging panel of leading retailers, as the one that delivers
15/03/2010
ACSEF (Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future) is to launch its first Planning Modernisation Forum to announce the joined-up approach to speeding up the planning process. The public private sector partnership, which drives economic development in the region, has outlined its steps towards improvin
15/03/2010
East Lothian Council has approved a £6.9m contract for the construction of a new upper primary school in Dunbar. McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd was awarded the contract at a meeting of the Council's Cabinet following a competitive tendering process in line with European procurement rules. New housing dev
15/03/2010
Construction is due to commence in early April on the new £7m Bathgate Partnership Centre, designed by BDP. The 2550sqm project for West Lothian Council is programmed for completion in summer 2011 Located on a prominent site in the West Lothian town, the proposals consolidate the currently disper
15/03/2010
Housing and development group, Taylor Wimpey, has expressed delight at the public interest and feedback received in its proposals for development of land at Souterford on the Oldmeldrum Road, Inverurie. In a community engagement event held at the Wyness Hall, Jackson Street on Wednesday 10th and T
15/03/2010
Two workmen who rescued a man from his blazing home in Port Seton, East Lothian, after they spotted flames and smoke coming from his kitchen are to be recognised for their bravery by their employer. Mr John McCaig, 62, of North Seton Park in Port Seton, was asleep at the time when Kevin McDonald (2
15/03/2010
Joint agents Ryden and JA Pollock Property Consultant, for landlord Kenmore, have sealed three deals at Almondview Office Park in Livingston. Lettings have been secured with Work Directions and A4e, which both specialise in training and assisting unemployed people back into work, and the UK’s leadi
15/03/2010
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has appointed Philip Bell as a Head of its Edinburgh Building Surveying division. With 20 years of extensive professional experience in Project Management and commercial Building Surveying, Edinburgh born and bred Mr Bell has held Partnership and Director positions with
15/03/2010
UK law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has appointed experienced oil and gas industry lawyer Kevin McGrory as partner in its Aberdeen-based energy practice. With over 25 years' experience within the oil and gas sector Kevin has held senior positions at a number of leading oil and gas companies includ
15/03/2010
Property consultancy Knight Frank has announced that its property search app is now available from the App Store. The app enables users to search across more than 6,000 of the world’s best properties for sale or rent using their iPhone or iPod touch. The Knight Frank Property Search App has been
15/03/2010
Longannet power station will be cleaner and operate longer thanks to new technology given the go ahead today. ScottishPower's application to fit 'selective catalytic reduction' equipment to three of the four boilers has been approved by Energy Minister Jim Mather. A strategy to manage and dispose
12/03/2010
Plans by the Robert Gordon University to extend its Garthdee campus by building a new 35,000 square metre teaching facility have been recommended for approval by planning officers. Members of Aberdeen Council's Development Management Sub-committee will consider the proposal when it meets in the Tow
12/03/2010
The Scottish Construction Centre (SCC) is to host a demonstration project event in Dundee on 16 March 2010 in association with the Tayside Construction Forum (TCF). The event will present two projects and is part of the SCC’s demonstration project programme which seeks to showcase projects which d
12/03/2010
King Sturge’s Scottish industrial team has recently been appointed to market two industrial properties in Edinburgh and Livingston, on a lease assignation basis on behalf of Berkmann Wine Cellars and Hagemeyer The first is Unit 12 at the A1 Industrial Park in Edinburgh. The unit is a modern detache
12/03/2010
Student flats in Edinburgh have been sold for an undisclosed sum to Edinburgh University in a deal structured by Ryden for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the Joint Receivers of Applecross Investments (Edinburgh) Limited. The sale means that Edinburgh University now owns the 15 flats at Causewayside and B
12/03/2010
Angus Council has set out a programme of property maintenance and improvements that will inject over half a million pounds into the economy. Commenting on the planned work the council’s Corporate Services spokesperson councillor Mark Salmond said: "This programme of general maintenance is good hous
12/03/2010
Acting on behalf of Mapeley Estates, joint letting agents Shepherd Chartered Surveyors and F.G. Burnett have leased the ground floor office suite and part of the first floor suite at Custom House in Aberdeen totalling 6,400 sq ft on a new five year lease to Life Skill Centres. The refurbished open
12/03/2010
Aberdeen City Council is presenting the former Summerhill Academy campus to the market. The 3.25 hectare site, which has been declared surplus to the council's requirements, is being marketed as a prime development site which offers an excellent redevelopment opportunity. The council has appointed
12/03/2010
International law firm, HBJ Gateley Wareing, has appointed two real estate specialists to its Edinburgh office. The arrival of Senior Associate Alastair Cowan and Associate Simon Dawes from Dickson Minto means the firm now boasts one of the biggest English property legal teams in Scotland. The pa
12/03/2010
Mass participation expected in new Renewables Race mountain bike challenge - Saturday 15 May - Fort William. Fort William based Highland Wood Energy (HWE), Scotland's leading wood heating specialists, have teamed up with No Fuss Events, organisers of the hugely popular Benromach 10 Under the Ben
12/03/2010
A final reminder has been issued to people and businesses keen to learn more about some key projects planned to transform Irvine Bay. he Annual Public Meeting of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company takes place at the Menzies Hotel, Annick Road, Irvine, from 10.30am on Thursday 25th March. It will be on
11/03/2010
Finance Secretary John Swinney today stressed the importance of work to deliver an increasingly efficient and effective planning system. He was speaking ahead of today's Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning, which celebrate best practice in planning and high quality design in Scotland. The cere
11/03/2010
Transportation Services are set to replace a substantial part of the bridge over the River Eden at Pitscottie Road in Cupar. This project is part of Fife Council’s programme of Bridge Replacement & Strengthening, approved by the Environment, Enterprise & Transportation committee last May. Contrac
11/03/2010
The Scottish Government has insisted on the extension of a High Speed Rail link from Scotland to London, following publication of the UK Government's proposals for a new fast link from London to Birmingham. On the day Westminster's Transport Minister, Lord Adonis, published his future proposals for
11/03/2010
Scottish charity, Planning Aid for Scotland, has appointed its first Marketing and Communications Officer to assist in raising the profile of the organisation over the coming months and years. Petra Biberbach, Chief Executive of Planning Aid for Scotland, said: "We are delighted to appoint Duncan T
11/03/2010
Acting on behalf of a private landlord, Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has leased a 3413 sq ft town house office in Perth to The Citizen Advice Bureau for £35,000 pa. Recently refurbished to a high standard, the accommodation is situated at 7 Atholl Crescent, a well-recognised and highly desirable of
11/03/2010
Lovell, working in partnership with Routes to Work South and West Whitlawburn Housing Cooperative, has provided work experience placements for five local unemployed people through a major modernisation scheme in Cambuslang, Glasgow. The five spent 13 weeks working on a scheme to modernise the Ros
11/03/2010
Crisis talks are to be held in a bid to bring an end to the Edinburgh tram project deadlock. With relations between contractors Bilfinger Berger and Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (Tie), which is running the tram project, reportedly reaching rock bottom, concerns are growing over the final cost o
11/03/2010
A plan to position Scotland as the world leader in carbon capture and storage (CCS) has been published. The carbon capture and storage roadmap, produced by the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise, is a comprehensive set of actions to put Scotland at the forefront of CCS development. These
11/03/2010
Residents of Argyll Community Housing Association's sheltered housing complex, Ferfadd Court, have received a donation of a DVD player from MacLeod Construction Ltd. The gift was after the firm successfully completing a window contract within the complex. The DVD player was presented by contract
11/03/2010
Toys Galore is set to open its second store in Edinburgh at 13 Comley Bank Road. The independent toy retailer has taken the new unit on a 15-year lease at a rental of £25,000 per annum. This is the first time the Morningside retailer has expanded in 30 years of trading. The new shop comprises
10/03/2010
The National Specialist Contractors' Council (NSCC) has announced that Construct Concrete Structures Group joined NSCC on 1 March 2010. It represents 33 specialist contractors with a combined turnover of £1.2 billion in the in-situ concrete frame sector and works with clients, designers and others
10/03/2010
Hannah Douglas, an apprentice joiner with Clackmannanshire Council has been named Apprentice of the Year. The award was made last month as part of the APSE Scottish Housing and Building Seminar at Peebles Hydro. Congratulations also go to Darren Hammond, who was a finalist in the prestigious event
10/03/2010
New proposals to streamline and improve efficiency of the planning process have been unveiled in a bid to enhance Scotland's £367 million aquaculture industry. The Planning Reform for Aquaculture document published yesterday by Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney and Environment Minister Ros
10/03/2010
A £100,000 fund will be set up to help Scotland's crofters map out the boundaries of their land and secure ownership for future generations. Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham today announced that a discounted rate will be available to crofting groups who map out the boundaries of their land
10/03/2010
Building firm Rok has seen a drop in revenue in 2009 to £715m but the level of its pre-tax profits remains the same as for the previous year at £20.4m. The board is proposing a dividend per share of 2.4p which is the same as in 2008. Chairman, Stephen Pettit, said the company had maintained profi
10/03/2010
Prestonpans sports pavilion is to be completely refurbished A £357,000 contract to refurbish the Polwarth Park sports pavilion in Prestonpans was approved at East Lothian Council's cabinet meeting on Tueesday. The pavilion provides changing facilities including showers for home and away teams, of
10/03/2010
Archial Sustainable Futures, a research, development and advice consultancy, has been appointed to provide a range of advisory and assessment services to the £300 million new Campus Glasgow project. This is the UK's biggest and most ambitious educational building project – and possibly the biggest
10/03/2010
An 'Affordable Living' night to help people take their first steps on the Edinburgh property ladder is taking place later. It will be held in the showroom of the Edinburgh Solicitors' Property Centre in George Street between 5pm and 7pm tonight (Thursday 11 March). At the event there will be:
10/03/2010
Almost two years after acquiring the Aberdeen drainage specialist Drain Devils, the Lanes Group has seen the business increase, with more staff and managers, additional plant and equipment - and new clients. Boss Diane Hepburn, who co-founded the Drain Devils business in 1997, explained: "Like Lan
10/03/2010
Marischal College's stunning "new" look is being gradually revealed as refurbishment work on the landmark building continues. While McAlpine carries out the construction work on Aberdeen City Council's new corporate headquarters, Glasgow-based LaserClean is steadily restoring the stonework to its f
09/03/2010
The Scottish Building Federation has hit out at news that Highland Council faces a 45% cut in Scottish Government funding for affordable housing for 2011-12, forecasting "significant business failures" and "substantial lay-offs" in the region’s construction industry as a result. The industry body h
09/03/2010
Businesses and local people attending the Annual Public Meeting of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company will have the opportunity to learn more about some key projects. As well as Chief Executive Patrick Wiggins’ report on progress achieved during the year, the meeting will also have a number of informa
09/03/2010
A scheme to improve Loaninghead Junction to accommodate traffic for new local housing developments at Auchterarder on the A9 is underway. Cabinet Secretary John Swinney has cut the turf to mark the beginning of the £3m scheme that will see improved and safer access to the A9 from Auchterarder, and
09/03/2010
Supply is outstripping demand, according to the latest RICS UK Housing Market Survey. The balance between supply and demand shifted toward the supply side as the new instructions net balance outpaced buyer interest for the second consecutive month. New instruction and new buyer enquiries rebounded
09/03/2010
Aberdeen City Council has appointed a contractor to build the city's first new council housing in a generation. Stewart Milne Construction will build 85 homes at Hayton Road in Tillydrone, Byron Park in Northfield and Rory Hall in Cults in the first phase of the council's new-build programme. Hous
09/03/2010
Private home owners in East Renfrewshire will be able to see what assistance the council can give them to keep their properties up to standard after councillors gave the go-ahead to the publication of a scheme of assistance. The scheme will be published in April to chart important changes to the wa
09/03/2010
Scotland's Justice Minister and Lothian MSP Kenny MacAskill has officially opened the Edinburgh Youthbuild project that is run by Action for Children and supported by Link. Youthbuild is already proving successful in finding full time jobs for young people from difficult backgrounds who have otherw
09/03/2010
Perth based company Sidey Ltd have been working closely with Specialist Waste Recycling Ltd (SWR) as part of their commitment to preserving the natural environment and providing you with energy efficient products and environmental services. Latest figures provided by SWR show that for the period 08
09/03/2010
British Waterways Scotland is backing a national campaign by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to make people aware of the potentially devastating consequences of slips, trips and falls in the workplace. One of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, the 35 metre high Falkirk Wheel − the worl
09/03/2010
Aberdeen legal expert Lili Hunter is celebrating a move to new, larger city centre offices to meet the demands of her rapidly growing business. A well known face in the Aberdeen legal world Lili launched Lili Hunter Consulting Limited just last year. It offers a solution-focused blend of services
08/03/2010
Seven trainees graduated from Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL) Project at a ceremony in Leith on Thursday 4 March and, for the first time, five of the contractors who trained them were also honoured. The programme offers six months' paid work experience placements aimed at getting young sc
08/03/2010
HLM Architects, one of the largest architectural practices in Scotland, has been awarded two stars in this year’s Best Companies Accreditation List, one of only 41 organisations in Scotland to achieve accreditation. It has been deemed an "outstanding" company to work for. Best Companies establish
08/03/2010
Dundee City Council today advised tenants to be on their guard if they were approached by anyone offering to act as agents for the right to buy scheme. A council spokesman said: "We have been made aware that tenants have been canvassed by a firm who charge £50 to complete right to buy forms. "We w
08/03/2010
Football legend Denis Law and Olympic champion Jason Gardener MBE - two of the leading sportsmen of their generations - joined the celebrations for the official opening of Aberdeen's world-class Sports Village. Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health and Sport, and Lord Provost of Aberdeen Peter
08/03/2010
Plans to improve the standard of private rented housing in Scotland were unveiled today. The Scottish Government is consulting about the proposed Private Housing (Scotland) Bill. Views are being sought about the private rented sector, licensing of mobile homes and twenty year residential lease an
08/03/2010
Acclaimed British fashion designers, turned bastions of urban regeneration and social design, Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway will be helping to create the future of community living at the UK's first ever eco-housing fair. The founders of Hemingway Design have been appointed to design key elements
08/03/2010
Kingsland Primary School, at Neidpath Grazings in Peebles, has opened its doors. One of three primary schools, designed by Archial Architects for Scottish Borders Council, the £8.5 million school accommodates more than 400 staff and pupils and contains 14 classrooms and a nursery. Mark Fresson,
08/03/2010
Aberdeen based sand management and monitoring experts, Sand Monitoring Services Ltd (SMS), has announced a joint venture with the Robert Gordon University to carry out an industry survey that will investigate the true extent and cost of sand production to the oil and gas industry. "Over 70% of worl
08/03/2010
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has been instructed to market two sites in a prominent location at Balmakeith Business Park, Nairn. Situated close to the main A96 road with links to Aberdeen and Inverness, near to the main east coast railway line, the two development sites extend to approximately one
08/03/2010
Excavator-mounted crushing and screening bucket specialist Dig A Crusher has appointed Brian McGrane as its new regional sales manager for Scotland. Based in Scotland's central belt between Glasgow and Edinburgh, McGrane brings with him considerable experience and knowledge of the Scottish mobile p
05/03/2010
Seven companies have successfully bid to take part in a £2.5 million trial to allow an extra 100 first time buyers to buy a new shared equity home. Participating developers will take equity stakes jointly with the Scottish Government in unsold or partially built private stock. Buyers will pay 60-8
05/03/2010
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has sold retail premises on Dunkeld High Street for £60,000 within a couple of days of bringing it to the market. The 234 sq ft retail property is located at 2 High Street, Dunkeld, close to its junction with Atholl Street and Bridge Street within the centre of the town
05/03/2010
Graham Brown from Renfrew is one of a growing number of young entrepreneurs who are bucking the national trend and realising their self employment ambitions. When Graham (27) told friends he was considering starting his own paving and landscaping business in February last year, they thought he was
05/03/2010
Morgan Ashurst has won a new £7.8 million contract to build a new eco-school in Fife, Scotland. Working for Fife Council, the company's Glasgow office has designed and will build a brand new primary school in Dunfermline East which will aim to be one of the greenest schools in Scotland. The school
05/03/2010
Work has officially begun on the Borders Railway, triggering the Act of Parliament which states that once work is under way the line must be completed in its entirety from Edinburgh to Tweedbank. Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "The Scottish Government has made clear its commitment to th
05/03/2010
Housing and development group, Taylor Wimpey, is to hold a community engagement event to consult on potential development options for land at Souterford on the Oldmeldrum Road, Inverurie, for inclusion in the Council’s Local Development Plan. Aberdeenshire Council is reviewing the current Local Pla
05/03/2010
Scotland will plant 100 million trees by 2015 as part of a drive to cut emissions, the Scottish Government pledged today. The initiative represents Scotland's contribution to a global pledge made by the Climate Group States and Regions to plant one billion trees by 2015 and will result in a 3.7 per
05/03/2010
Lovell, working in partnership with Routes to Work South and West Whitlawburn Housing Cooperative, has provided work experience placements for five local unemployed people through a major modernisation scheme in Cambuslang, Glasgow. The five spent 13 weeks working on a scheme to modernise the Ros
05/03/2010
Householders were today urged to insulate their homes to save hundreds of pounds on heating bills and reduce Scotland's impact on the environment. As part of the latest phase of the Scottish Government's Go Greener campaign, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham was joined by interior design duo
05/03/2010
The city of Edinburgh will host a major conference that will harness financial innovation to fund the creation of major green infrastructure projects and support global climate change goals. First Minister Alex Salmond has announced the international conference - to be held in the autumn - that wil
04/03/2010
The international infrastructure group, Balfour Beatty, has agreed the sale of a 23.9% interest in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary PPP concession and of its entire 50% interest in the Aberdeen Waste Water PPP concession. They are both to funds managed by AMP Capital Investors Limited, the Australian
04/03/2010
The Highland Council’s Leader Councillor Michael Foxley underlined the Council’s commitment to major reform of the Crown Estate in Scotland when he gave evidence to the UK Government’s Treasury Sub-Committee, which is reviewing the role of Crown Estate in Scotland. In reinforcing the Council’s writ
04/03/2010
Aberdeen-based Accommodation Services Management (ASM) Ltd has announced a key appointment to the team. Trevor Stewart has joined the company in the role of business relationship manager and brings with him a wealth of experience in office interiors, with special knowledge of office furniture and e
04/03/2010
First Minister Alex Salmond officially opened Grove Academy. He was given a tour of the newly constructed building's facilities and talked to staff and pupils before taking part in a ceremony to mark the historic occasion for the secondary school this week. The First Minister saw pupils working in
04/03/2010
Householders in South Lanarkshire making energy-efficiency improvements to their homes are being offered a discount on their Council Tax. From April, the council is offering a £75 Council Tax discount for improvement work carried out under a scheme run by Scottish Gas. Improvement work must be car
04/03/2010
Life saving sprinkler systems are set to be installed in 57 new build Fife Council homes. Members of their Housing and Communities committee took the decision in principal at a meeting on Wednesday and also agreed a new build design standard that will provide enhanced energy performance. The new p
04/03/2010
An employability partnership led by North Lanarkshire Council, North Lanarkshire's Working, has seen further success. The companies working with North Lanarkshire's Working have been able to access job-ready individuals who have already been interviewed and, if necessary, trained to meet the compan
04/03/2010
Householders were today urged to insulate their homes in insulation to save hundreds of pounds on heating bills and reduce Scotland's impact on the environment. As part of the latest phase of the Scottish Government's Go Greener campaign, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham was joined by inter
04/03/2010
The growing opportunities for hospitality and retail developers have been highlighted in two successful events run by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company. Briefings for developers and operators from the two sectors were held in Edinburgh and Glasgow in the past few days to proactively market developmen
04/03/2010
Four Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Ambassadors visited Kirkwall Grammar last month to contribute insights into the world of work to the parents evening about third year subject choices. John Mowat, Alec Livingstone, Mike Robertson and Syed Shah, the STEM Ambassadors who at
03/03/2010
First Minister Alex Salmond has highlighted the importance of the commercial property industry to Scotland's economic recovery. Yesterday the FM spoke to representatives of the commercial property industry at the Scottish Property Federation's annual conference in Edinburgh. He highlighted how the
03/03/2010
Actions required to accelerate recovery and improve the long term performance of Scotland's economy were set out today in a update of the Scottish Government's Economic Recovery Plan. Finance Secretary John Swinney identified a number of priorities for the coming months that he considers key if sus
03/03/2010
The new Mollinsburn Overbridge which will form the bridge over the M73 linking Mollinsburn with Gartferry Road has now been completed. The intricate operation to lift the four huge beams, weighing a total of 270 tonnes, has been carried out over the last two weekends. Ainslie McLaughlin, Transport
03/03/2010
The first wedding to take place in the newly-restored Gunsgreen House in Eyemouth was held on Saturday (27 February). Cheshire couple Nadia Fortune and Steve Nesbit chose the stunning location, overlooking the harbour, to exchange their vows after Scottish Borders Council granted the historic build
03/03/2010
The Aberdeen based company whose technology delivers major benefits in the construction of Oil and Gas wells, Deep Casing Tools, has changed its image with a name change from Futuretec Limited. The company has also re-branded to coincide with forthcoming new product launches in the spring and to s
03/03/2010
A major new building development has been completed in St Andrews by project management and construction company, Bovis Lend Lease. In a key location within the University of St Andrews' North Haugh Campus, The new School of Medicine building comprises 10,900m2 of world-class medical and science fa
03/03/2010
Maintenance and engineering firm EnerMech Ltd has signed a distributorship agreement with Innovative Pressure Technologies (IPT), a US manufacturer of Ultra High pressure tube, valves and fittings. The dealership covers the oil, gas and energy industries in the UK North Sea and gives EnerMech a com
03/03/2010
Scoro Solutions Ltd marks its first year in business this month, having continually defied energy recruitment cut backs and recession, to emerge with double the number of employees and an expansion to larger premises. The Aberdeen-based Oil and Gas search and recruitment consultancy, fully owned by
02/03/2010
HSE inspectors are to launch an intensive inspection initiative aimed at stopping dangerous practices on building sites in the East of Scotland from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wants to raise awareness of construction site risks and prevent unnecessary injuries and
02/03/2010
An internationally acclaimed designer is in Scotland to help create a blueprint for the towns and cities of the future. Andres Duany, who drew up designs for rebuilding work in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, is set to run design workshops, known as 'charrettes' in Dumfries, Aber
02/03/2010
A £1.5m investment to improve passenger access at Haymarket Station, Edinburgh, has been speeded up with the aim of getting underway this April. The project start date has been accelerated so that two new lifts at Haymarket Station will be installed by the end of the year - meaning the project wil
02/03/2010
Scotland's West Highland Line - renowned for its breathtaking scenery including the famous 21-arch Glenfinnan viaduct featured in the Harry Potter film series - has undergone a makeover. Network Rail, the owner-operator of Britain’s rail infrastructure, can only undertake de-vegetation work when i
02/03/2010
Twelve graduates from Glasgow’s Mackintosh School of Architecture have undertaken their first commission using BSW Timber's Larch Cladding and transformed a Girl Guide campsite in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Seed Pod - a woodland shelter - was designed and built to provide a gathering space, play a
02/03/2010
Soccer stars of the future from Glenmavis, Airdrie, have been kitted out with brand-new team tracksuits – courtesy of Lovell. Lovell has presented the Glenstar Boys under-13s team with a set of 21 tracksuits. The team trains at Airdrie Academy and plays in the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth District You
02/03/2010
The industry's Sector Skills Council, ConstructionSkills, working together with Marks & Spencer, has developed an innovative new sustainability course designed to enhance the skills of those working on construction and refurbishment sites across the country. Site Sustainability Simplified is an int
02/03/2010
An Aberdeen firm is celebrating three decades in business. Lockfast was founded by Malcolm Taylor in George Street 30 years ago then moved to the Norco supermarket at Berryden before going full circle and returning to George Street ten years ago. Since that time, the company has seen its turnove
01/03/2010
The improvements in order intake and output volumes reported by the engineering manufacturing sector in the final quarter of 2009 have been maintained into 2010. That's according to the latest review of the industry by Scottish Engineering, the industry support group. However, as order intake with
01/03/2010
North Ayrshire Council is investing more than £100,000 to get the replacement Bailey Bridge back on track. Prolonged severe weather conditions over the festive period, and a delay in initial groundwork carried out by utility companies, means the project is 8 weeks behind schedule. At a meeting of
01/03/2010
Works are due to begin on a £100,000 project to enhance Fort Augustus village. Funding has been allocated in The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service capital programme towards the project which will focus on enhancements to the frontage of the main car park and the picnic area as wel
01/03/2010
Staff at Stevenston-based company Access Plus spend most of their days helping other people go up in the world. Now the firm is hoping for a lift of its own – a top award at the annual International Powered Access Awards in London. Formed in 1999 by managing director George Marriott, the business
01/03/2010
A rise in people declaring themselves bankrupt is impacting on rent arrears in Angus, the council's Neighbourhood Services committee has heard. Almost £90,000 in rent arrears is now unrecoverable from tenants in Angus who have applied for sequestration, the Scottish legal term for bankruptcy. The
01/03/2010
Edinburgh-based scientists have been awarded £150,000 to look at ways of helping the UK construction industry to use more home-grown timber. The UK is a major importer of timber, with the vast majority of the timber used for building coming from sustainably managed forests overseas. However, the
01/03/2010
A world-leading test centre is expanding its workforce to meet demand from companies developing machines that harness energy from the sea. EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre, is gearing up for the arrival this year of more devices capable of generating electricity from waves or ti
01/03/2010
Energy Minister Jim Mather has called for an independent review of electricity transmission charging. The Energy and Climate Change Committee of the House of Commons this week recommended that the UK Government commissions an independent review of transmission charging methodology. Mr Mather, who
