Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for May 2010
28/05/2010
A total of 20 manual workers and 17 supervisory and technical staff at Scottish Borders Council (SBC) have attained Scottish National Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQs). An awards ceremony was held to recognise the hard work and commitment demonstrated by all involved. Certificates were presented
28/05/2010
The Forth Replacement Crossing project moved a step closer today after MSPs backed the Forth Crossing Bill to go forward to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny. The Bill, introduced to the Scottish Parliament by Scottish Government Ministers in November 2009, contains proposals for the Forth R
28/05/2010
CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Industrial Training Board and Sector Skills Council for the construction industry has brought sexual equality to the heart of Britain's construction projects. It has announced that it has joined gay equality charity Stonewall's Diversity Champion programme. By signing
28/05/2010
Argyll and the Islands based businesses are today looking to take advantage of the opportunities on offer in the offshore wind industry at a fully booked event at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). In January, 32GW of additional offshore wind energy generation was sanctioned for th
28/05/2010
Angus Council Neighbourhood Services committee has approved a tender for phase one of the Kirriemuir Hill enhancements. The works are part of the JM Barrie legacy project, and are a package of significant improvements to the hill. These include the installation of a new play area with equipment, n
28/05/2010
Award winning Nevis Bakery products famous across the West Highlands are soon to be enjoyed widely throughout the UK as the family run business expands. The Fort William firm, which has been making high quality bread, cakes and pastries for almost 30 years from the shores of Loch Linnhe, has offici
28/05/2010
Galliford Try, the housebuilding and construction group, has been selected as preferred private sector partner for the development of £300 million of community facilities across South East Scotland over the next 10 years. The firm will be working as part of the SPACE consortium – which includes Dav
28/05/2010
Commenting on Thursday’s publication of the latest housing statistics for Scotland, Scottish Building Federation Chief Executive Michael Levack has said he is ‘deeply worried’ by the implications for the wider construction sector of a slump in private house-building last year. The statistics show
27/05/2010
The number of new Government funded affordable homes completed in Scotland rose to 5,846 in 2009-10, official figures confirmed today. The figure represents the highest recorded since the financial year 1981-82. 2,609 more new affordable homes were built in 2009-10 that in 2006-07. However, 35 per
27/05/2010
The latest housing statistics published today by the Scottish Government show a 35% reduction in the number of private sector homes completed in 2009 compared to 2008. Noting the 20% drop overall Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of home building industry body Homes for Scotland, said: "Today's figure
27/05/2010
The Highland Council has reaffirmed its continued support for Scotland’s Housing Expo which will take place throughout the month of August at Milton of Leys, in Inverness. Members of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee yesterday agreed to underwrite the event up to a maximum of £100
27/05/2010
HMG (Highway Management Scotland), the company delivering the £320 million M80 Stepps to Haggs project on behalf of Transport Scotland, recently welcomed sixteen 5th and 6th year students and staff from the Technical Studies Department of St Maurice's High School for a day of supersized lessons in c
27/05/2010
A new 40,000 sq ft supermarket is to be built on land at Armadale Station, part of the Armadale Station Community Development, following approval by the full Council of West Lothian Council. An application by West Lothian Council for the delivery of 25,000 sq ft of retail at Watson Park, which coul
27/05/2010
The Coakley Group, the Glasgow-based company behind a £22.5M biogas, waste management and renewable energy facility being constructed next to the M74, has appointed a new management team to oversee its development. Tom Coakley, owner of the property and renewable energy specialists, has moved from
27/05/2010
Pupils from Irvine’s Loudoun-Montgomery Primary School made a little bit of local history recently when they revealed the name of Irvine’s iconic new bridge - Foulertoun Arches. All 23 youngsters of Loudoun-Montgomery’s Primary 6/5 class unveiled the name of the bridge after they raced across the
27/05/2010
The first sod has been cut at the site of the new £6.525million community centre for Stonehouse. Responding to the wider needs of the local community, the work, which is set to begin in June, will see the creation of a multi-use centre to replace the existing Stonehouse Institute and Public Hall.
26/05/2010
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is to create a new senior development post for the Uists and Barra. The initiative will provide a dedicated focus to strengthen and diversify the communities’ future development. Based in Benbecula, the Head of Business and Community Development (Uists and Barra)
26/05/2010
An ambitious £260,000 restoration of Pittencrieff House, one of Dunfermline’s most historic buildings, gets under way this week. To mark its 400th birthday, the exterior of the house is undergoing major restoration which is expected to be complete by the autumn. The work is being undertaken by Fi
26/05/2010
A new hostel at Mallaig, providing residential accommodation for pupils from the islands of Canna, Eigg, Muck and Rum as well as the Knoydart Peninsula, was officially opened yesterday. The £4 million facility was built for The Highland Council by Les Taylor Construction. The three-storey, 21-bedr
26/05/2010
The Highland Council has conditionally approved plans by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to develop phase 1 of the Inverness Campus at Beechwood, East Inverness. Work will soon be underway to develop infrastructure for the multi-stakeholder campus' key stakeholders. The plan also includes a
26/05/2010
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has announced that the new minister with responsibility for the construction industry is Chartered Surveyor Mark Prisk. The Minister has already met the Steering Group of the Low Carbon Construction Review Innovation and Growth Team (IGT), an industry-led body set
26/05/2010
A conference about the moves in the building industry to promote energy efficient building design takes place at the Robert Gordon University next month. Aberdeen City Council is a lead partner in the three year EU project Build with CaRe (Carbon Reduction) and is hosting the free conference on 2 J
26/05/2010
Mauchline Primary School designed by Archial Architects, one of the largest architecture practices in Scotland and the UK, has been shortlisted for a prestigious BCSE (British Council for School Environments) Award. This £8m primary school project involved the refurbishment, revitalisation and exte
26/05/2010
After months of consultation with the industry, the CITB-ConstructionSkills Board has rubber stamped a new look Grants Scheme, which will provide £113m grant funding for businesses that train. The revised Grants Scheme has been redesigned to be future proof for the industry, ensuring employers have
25/05/2010
Shelter's Chief Executive Campbell Robb has described new house building figures as "shocking". The government figures show that the number of new homes built in the first quarter of this year is down by 46% from the first quarter of 2007. 26,090 homes were completed in the first quarter of 2010,
25/05/2010
Lovell has received a top rating from homebuyers in the HBF (Home Builders Federation) National New Home Customer Satisfaction Survey. The company received five stars – the highest possible score – from customers questioned in the annual survey. More than 90 per cent of buyers surveyed who had bou
25/05/2010
Pupils from Greenwood Academy are continuing to learn from the development of a business park in Irvine. Around 140 2nd year students from the school have been involved in a project run by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and developers Speyroc to design branding suitable for Annickbank Business Par
25/05/2010
Perth & Kinross Council is set to join the new East of Scotland Investment Fund (ESIF) in order to make £4.5m of loan funding available to small and medium-sized companies in the area. The concept of an ESIF is the result of discussions between east of Scotland councils about setting up a joint loa
25/05/2010
North Ayrshire Trading Standards is urging local homeowners to take advantage of a nationwide boiler scrappage scheme. People across North Ayrshire could claim £400 cash back against the cost of a replacement boiler as part of the Energy Saving Trust's voucher scheme. Starting on Monday, May 24, t
25/05/2010
Inverclyde Council has become one of the first in Scotland to begin implementing its Flood Action Plan. The Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee has agreed to spend £425,000 in this financial year on the first phase of works designed to reduce the risk of disruption due to flooding. Councillor
25/05/2010
Link Homes (part of the Link group) has achieved a commendation in the 2010 Homes for Scotland awards for its high quality affordable housing development in Wood Street, Grangemouth. Homes for Scotland said Link Homes demonstrated ‘impressive partnership and marketing approaches’ in delivering the
25/05/2010
Inverclyde Council’s £78 million schools programme, encompassing two primary and two secondary schools designed by Archial Architects, has reached the halfway mark with the opening of Aileymill and All Saints Primary Schools in Greenock. Accommodating some 429 pupils, the new Aileymill Primary in t
24/05/2010
Scotland's housing system must adapt with 'radical thinking and bold new ideas' to the financial realities presented by reductions in public spending, according to a discussion document published by Scottish Ministers today. Housing: Fresh Thinking, New Ideas poses fundamental questions about the w
24/05/2010
Work on the first new mainstream council homes to be built in Aberdeen for over 30 years was marked on Friday, with a sod-cutting ceremony. Community representatives and local schoolchildren will join councillors and officials at the Hayton Road site, where Stewart Milne Construction will build 30
24/05/2010
The building of the first new council homes in Edinburgh for more than a generation has taken a major step forward. The final planning application for the first construction phase of the 21st Century Homes project has been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Development Management Sub-Commi
24/05/2010
Some 600 senior figures from the country’s home building sector gathered together in Edinburgh yesterday at the biggest industry event this year. With a fragile confidence appearing to creep back into the housing market, the theme of industry body Homes for Scotland’s Annual Lunch & Quality Awards
24/05/2010
Up to 5,000 households in Scotland can claim £400 off the cost of a new boiler from today. The Energy Saving Scotland boiler scrappage scheme will give cashback to thousands of households with the most inefficient boilers. Installing a greener boiler will help slash average household heating costs
24/05/2010
Hanover Street School in conjunction with Talisman Energy are to take part in an exciting World Cup theme pedometer project. From Monday 24 May, every P5-P7 pupil at the school will be issued with a pedometer thanks to the energy firm. Oil rig staff, school staff, parents and members of the commun
24/05/2010
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has urged house sellers in Scotland not to confuse Home Information Packs (Hips), which have been scrapped by the coalition government, with Home Reports, which have been an acknowledged success since their introduction in Scotland. Introduced in England and Wales in 20
24/05/2010
Mouse Valley Plant Ltd have recently undertaken a major investment in state-of-the-art vinyl signage service. Investing in top of the range vinyl cutting equipment from Roland they hope this will help them to diversify their business and give them an edge over close competitors in a very competiti
21/05/2010
An expert group will help prepare a blueprint for the future direction of housing policy in Scotland. The Scottish Government-backed Housing Policy Advisory Group (HPAG) will bring together members drawn from local authorities, house builders, the housing association movement and housing interest g
21/05/2010
Following the Scottish Government’s approval of the new 440kv power line, from Beauly to Denny, Stirling Council has taken a decision to establish a Steering Group. It will comprise four Elected Members, one from each political party, and to invite three members of the public to assist in the consi
21/05/2010
Aberdeen City Council has accepted in principle a vision to transform Union Terrace Gardens. The council has agreed to approve the offer of £50million from Sir Ian Wood and to send the concept of renewing the gardens to an international design competition. Architects from across the globe will now
21/05/2010
Developers behind the Spittal Hill Wind Farm in Caithness, Steven and Tom Pottinger, have reached agreement with Watten Community Council over local community ownership of a turbine. The 30 turbine wind farm, situated on the eastern flank of Spittal Hill would have an installed capacity of up to 75
21/05/2010
The Scottish Government is taking action to improve its environmental performance as it pledges to lead by example. The organisation's Annual Environmental Report 2008/09 is published today, summarising the Scottish Government's performance against its environmental targets. The report covers the
21/05/2010
The Small Animal Hospital for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow, designed by Archial Architects, has added to its already impressive tally of awards by winning a RIBA Regional Award. Archial’s striking design for the £10.5 million pioneering world-class centre for veterinary
21/05/2010
Engineers from leading technology institute iSLI are to demonstrate how businesses can deploy existing technology and use the latest technical developments to become international success stories. Experts from the Institute for System Level Integration (iSLI) are to tell delegates attending next we
21/05/2010
Dr Colin Legg has been appointed Convenor of the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (ACSSSI). A Senior Lecturer in Plant Ecology at The University of Edinburgh, Dr C Legg will act as Convenor until the committee is dissolved later this year. His appointment, by Environment M
20/05/2010
A restaurant, brewery and a hotel are among businesses across Scotland that will boost the use of renewable heating. Grants totalling £1.1m from the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme have been awarded to 16 projects to reduce energy costs, secure jobs in forestry and deliver annual savings of over 7,000
20/05/2010
Construction workloads turned positive for the first time in two years, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) UK construction market survey. Five percent more chartered surveyors reported rising rather than falling workloads for the first quarter of 2010. The positive turna
20/05/2010
As Parliament officially returns, Shelter research reveals that new MPs will find housing is the chief concern of their constituents. In a survey of 150 MPs from the last Parliament, almost three quarters (72%) agreed that housing is one of the top three problems raised by their constituents whilst
20/05/2010
An ambitious plan for a sustainable development of eco-homes, live/work units and community facilities at Wellburn Heights, in the village of Lesmahagow, has been given the go ahead by South Lanarkshire Council. The development is believed to be the largest of its type approved in Scotland to date.
20/05/2010
School days at Shawlands Primary, Glasgow, will get a lot more fun after the official opening of the new £5000 ‘Learning Lounge’ today. Occupying a spare classroom, the new learning lounge, which has taken two years to create, has a library of some 1500 books, comfy sofas, beanbags and even a piano
20/05/2010
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has appointed Alastair Blyth as head of project consultancy in its Edinburgh commercial property office. Having started his career as a Chartered Surveyor, Mr Blyth, who has over 20 years experience in the residential and commercial property sectors, has previously been
20/05/2010
The first Canadian Super E affordable houses in Scotland will be opened today in the Kincorth area of Aberdeen by Sushma Gera, Trade Commissioner at the High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom. Designed to withstand the extremes of a Canadian winter, it is expected that these new houses wil
20/05/2010
Ambitious plans for the development of offshore wind energy projects in Scotland took a significant step forward today. The Scottish Government launched a 12 week consultation detailing draft plans to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and realise Scotland's multi-billion pound potential in rene
19/05/2010
Speaking at the opening of the UK’s largest renewable energy event a leading Scottish banking lawyer has called on venture capitalists and commercial lenders to recognise the merits of renewable energy schemes and loosen their purse strings to offer developers greater access to capital for the deliv
19/05/2010
Scotland's seas could supply domestic electricity needs many times over by 2050, according to a new report out today. The Offshore Valuation Study - a UK led report launched at All Energy in Aberdeen - finds the value of that electricity could be £14 billion by 2050. The study is the first compreh
19/05/2010
Minister Alex Salmond officially launched E.ON's new P2 Pelamis wave energy converter today, formally naming it the Vagr Atferd (Norse for wave power). The machine, designed and constructed by Pelamis, is capable of generating 750kW of renewable energy and will be installed and tested at the Europe
19/05/2010
Residents from Cumbernauld are set for a bright new future as work on a proposed affordable housing development in Kildrum reached a significant milestone this month. Cumbernauld Housing, a member of leading UK housing provider Sanctuary Group, in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and the
19/05/2010
Campbeltown Museum will be closed to the public for a period of four to six weeks from Monday May 24. The closure will allow the roof, which has leaked for some time, to be properly repaired. Councillor Neil Mackay, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Arts, Culture, Leisure and Sport, said the work
19/05/2010
Engineering and fabrication company L&N (Scotland) has been awarded a seven figure service contract by Cameron International Corporation. The two year deal, with a one-year option, will see Aberdeen-based L&N work on behalf of Cameron’s Manifold Group on projects in Houston, Angola, Nigeria and Eg
19/05/2010
Work recommences this week to complete the repair of the damage caused by stormy weather and high seas to Montrose promenade and sea wall last month. DJ Laing contracts have now sourced setts similar to the existing ones on the promenade and are due to commence the reinstatement of the concrete sla
19/05/2010
Bridgeton Steel Structures, a subsidiary of the well-established Glasgow-based cladding manufacturer AGB Steel Products Ltd, has announced the launch of its cold-rolled steel kit buildings business. Bridgeton Steel Structures has developed a unique software package, which can design and supply quot
18/05/2010
Network Rail’s plans to overhaul Edinburgh's Waverley Station’s entrance from Princes Street have been given the green light by the Scottish Government. The proposals will create a new covered step and escalator access between Princes Street and the north entrance to Waverley station as well as lif
18/05/2010
Steps to prevent shortages of affordable housing in Moray have been announced. Moray Council's pressured area designation application has been approved by Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil. With immediate effect, modernised Right to Buy entitlements have been suspended for five years for
18/05/2010
Investment in improving road and rail infrastructure in the west of Scotland and across the rest of the country is at record levels, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney said yesterday. And infrastructure projects like the M74 Completion which are acting as a catalyst
18/05/2010
Bell Equipment UK has appointed Sandy Fairweather as its new sales account manager in Scotland. The move follows a period of sustained growth for Bell in the region, despite the recent economic downturn. Increased consumer interest in Bell ADTs north of the border was spurred by the opening of a d
18/05/2010
House purchase lending increased by 45% year on year in March, making it the ninth consecutive month of year-on-year growth, according to figures released today by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). Remortgaging, however, was 29% down year on year, the 23rd consecutive annual fall. This shows
18/05/2010
House buyers and sellers in Scotland are being reassured that the recent political upheaval in Westminster will not have any effect on Home Reports north of the Border. The Conservative Party has announced it will be scrapping Home Information Packs (HIPs) in England and Wales, which has caused con
18/05/2010
A landmark Aberdeen hotel, bar and restaurant has undergone a six figure investment programme since the beginning of this year. Since the start of 2010, the financial injection has seen the refurbishment of the lounge bar, toilets and conference facilities and plans are afoot to upgrade other areas
18/05/2010
Five lucky winners from Edinburgh are set to win one year's Council Tax for free. All customers who sign up to pay their annual bill by direct debit will be entered into the exciting prize draw - which will take the burden out of paying the bill for a whole year. There is still time to be in with
17/05/2010
The Scottish Building Federation is calling on newly appointed Liberal Democrat ministers in the UK Cabinet to honour their own party’s manifesto commitment to cut VAT on repair and maintenance works. Discussions around future rates of VAT do not feature as part of the coalition agreement reached b
17/05/2010
A multi-million pound project to improve the A96 east of Lhanbryde took a significant step forward on Friday with the publication of made Road Orders and Compulsory Purchase Orders. These orders, for the £3 - £3.5 million A96 Threapland Junction improvements, will see over 1km of this vital trunk r
17/05/2010
Private and public sector organisations in the Highlands and Islands are setting out their case to be rated one of the most successful energy industry hubs in the world at the industry's premier event this month. The ambitious bid is being pursued by 41 companies and organisations from the region a
17/05/2010
Dunoon residents, businesses and visitors are being urged to take part in a new survey on the town and its future. The initiative is being undertaken as part of the Council’s £30m CHORD programme to regenerate the waterfronts of five key towns – Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon.
17/05/2010
Property services company Apollo’s Glasgow operation has completed work on a project to upgrade 13 houses in Port Seton for East Lothian Council. The 1940s non-traditional ‘Cruden Rural’ homes have been improved to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard. The residents remained in situ while
17/05/2010
The campaign to secure an early release of the entire Nigg oil yard site in East Ross for a full and effective future use requires at multi-track approach, Highland Councillors have agreed. Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of the Planning Environment and Development Committee, recognised the value of
17/05/2010
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has been instructed by Ore Valley Housing Association to market office and business space within the new Lochgelly Business Centre development in the heart of Lochgelly. Featuring a modern contemporary design, the building is currently under construction and due for com
17/05/2010
An analysis of business rates showing that almost 60 per cent of ratepayers have seen their bills fall or remain the same from April 1, has been published. The analysis, published by the Scottish Government, carried out since changes came into effect following the recent revaluation of business rat
14/05/2010
As the UK's new coalition government takes office, home building industry body Homes for Scotland has called for a fresh approach to removing the main barriers to recovery in the housing market. These barriers being significantly tightened mortgage lending criteria and reduced loan to value ratios
14/05/2010
An exciting new project is being launched which will see local people dig into Kilwinning’s historic past as part of the work to shape the town’s future. The idea for the Kilwinning Community Archaeology Project was initiated by Kilwinning and District Preservation Society and Irvine Bay Regenerati
14/05/2010
A big step in securing the future of crofting as a way of life was taken yesterday after the Scottish Parliament endorsed the principles of the Crofting Reform Bill. Presenting legislation designed to create modern, thriving crofting townships, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "This i
14/05/2010
ScottishPower has announced that it has renewed its sponsorship of Celtic Connections by committing to a further year as principal sponsor. The energy company confirmed its support for the festival which celebrated an extremely successful 17th year in 2010, as attendances topped 100,000 for the thi
14/05/2010
The number of Edinburgh council tenants being evicted from their homes is at a record low. New figures released by the City of Edinburgh Council show that only 175 people were forced to leave their homes in 2009/10 due to rent arrears. The 33% fall, down from 263 the previous year, has been put do
14/05/2010
Leading housing and development group, Taylor Wimpey, has expressed considerable concern over the identification of its proposed site for housing at Souterford on the Oldmeldrum Road as a ‘future option’ for development within the Aberdeenshire Local Plan. The Aberdeenshire Local Plan identifies ch
14/05/2010
A leading Scottish energy lawyer has backed Coalition Government environmental proposals for the delivery of a low carbon eco-friendly economy. Alan Simpson, partner in the energy and climate change team of international law firm, HBJ Gateley Wareing, welcomed the Coalition Government’s green agend
14/05/2010
Wheelwright and carriage builder Wayne Gosset recently took on the task of restoring a 'lurry', as the proprietor of the Heritage Traditional Cabinet/Joinery Manufacturer business explained. The lurry, also known as a lorrie or lorry, is an open horse-drawn dray used for general haulage and deliver
13/05/2010
Over half of Council homes in Edinburgh have now attained the Scottish benchmark standard for quality thanks to focused investment. New figures show that 10,934 homes, 53% of the total housing stock, now meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS). Council investment of £26m last year result
13/05/2010
Pupils at Barmulloch Primary School, Glasgow, dressed up in construction safety gear during a special health and safety event organised by Lovell. Calum McKay, health and safety advisor for Lovell, which is based at the Glasgow Business Park, visited the school in Forge Street, Germiston, as part o
13/05/2010
The number of mortgages in arrears and the number of repossessions both fell in the first quarter of 2010, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders(CML). However, this welcome decline gives no cause for complacency as a large number of households, who are just coping, still remain vulnerable t
13/05/2010
Funds are now available for groups in Aberdeenshire Council's Marr area for community planning projects, improvements and community Christmas lights projects. Community groups are being encouraged to make use of the area’s top-up budget that has been set aside for town and village improvement proje
13/05/2010
The developers behind an historic Angus property project have just announced a new buying option. Stonehaven-based Scape Homes has created a development of 29 one and two bedroom apartments at the former Marine Ballroom in Arbroath. During its illustrious past, the Hill Road building has had a n
13/05/2010
Following the most extraordinary General Election in modern times the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has called on the coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to take forward the UK by investing in the construction industry. Chris Blythe Chief Executive of the CIOB said: "
13/05/2010
The Highland Council’s Outdoor Access Team have secured £585,000 of funding over the next three years to help pave the way for a programme of improvements to the core path network across the Highlands. The new Core Path Improvement Scheme is expected to deliver a minimum of 45 projects over the ne
12/05/2010
Infrastructure specialist Morgan Est has been awarded a £1.5 million contract to carry out the construction of an intermediate pressure gas pipeline between the two towns of Cardross and Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute for gas pipeline operator Scotland Gas Networks (SGN). Work involves the laying o
12/05/2010
Link is in the running for two major Scottish awards recognising excellence in the provision of quality affordable housing and services to tenants. Link Group hopes to achieve the accolade of becoming ‘Large Housing Association of the Year’ in the Scottish Home Awards and Link Homes’ development in
12/05/2010
The Scottish Building Federation has raised concerns about latest preliminary UK insolvency figures which indicate that the number of Scottish construction firms either forced into compulsory insolvency or subject to creditors’ voluntary liquidations has doubled between the last quarter of 2009 and
12/05/2010
The first phase of the £40m Helix plan, which aims to transfom a 300-hectare site between Grangemouth and Falkirk with sculptures and a waterway, has begun. The project, funded mainly by the Big Lottery Fund with contributions from Falkirk Council and British Waterways Scotland, is expected to take
12/05/2010
Carillion and East Dunbartonshire Council are to work together constructing HMP Low Moss. The main contractor is keen for East Dunbartonshire businesses to provide goods and services to the new development and several local companies have already secured contracts at Low Moss. One example is Stent
12/05/2010
Work is due to start on May 17 to upgrade the traffic signal-controlled junction at Denny Cross. The aim is to improve road safety for pedestrians and motorists and to reduce congestion. The upgrade works, costing £166,000, will be carried out by McGivney Construction Ltd, on behalf of Falkirk Cou
12/05/2010
Joint Administrators of Ailsa Investments Ltd have instructed property advisor GVA Grimley Ltd to dispose of a development site in a prominent area of Edinburgh. The site at South Trinity Road, formerly Trinity Park House, extends to 6.4 acres and currently holds planning consent for 256 residentia
12/05/2010
Aberdeen's Inverdee House, home to two SEARS (Scotland's Environment and Rural Services) bodies has been officially opened by Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead. The opening marks the latest SEARS co-location following the success of last year's Golspie opening and will ensure closer working between
11/05/2010
More than 30,000 people in Scotland will benefit from work or training opportunities after the Scottish Government secured more than £30 million in European social funding. The funding support is for 73 projects in Scotland including Edinburgh, Dundee, Inverclyde, West Lothian and West Dunbartonshi
11/05/2010
Lovell has scooped a British Safety Council International Safety Award for The Courtyard, its housing development at Bank Street, Irvine, for the second successive year. The accolade recognises organisations that have shown a real commitment to setting and maintaining high health and safety standar
11/05/2010
An industry-led accreditation scheme will be established to give home owners peace of mind when choosing a property manager or land maintenance company. A public consultation on the voluntary scheme was launched yesterday. Property managers administer communal areas, roofs and stairwells in an est
11/05/2010
Glasgow Airport has appointed Halcrow to produce a Landside Development Framework to co-ordinate the future strategic development of the airport campus. Halcrow’s team will consider a range of planning, environmental, property market and infrastructure issues to produce a practical development and
11/05/2010
First Minister Alex Salmond has today officially opened the new Foxlane Gardening Centre in Aberdeenshire. The garden centre now boasts a state-of-the-art retail and plant nursery facilities designed by Halliday, Fraser, Munro and constructed by Chap. Mr Salmond toured the garden centre and plant
11/05/2010
R3 Repairs Limited, East Lothian Housing Association (ELHA) repairs and maintenance arm, is now trading. Initially providing services to Manor Estates and tenants, R3 will also provide a full maintenance service to Melville Housing Association from September 2010. By 2011, R3 will provide servic
11/05/2010
The election of a hung parliament presents significant new risks, as well as some opportunities, for the housing market, argues Liam Bailey, Knight Frank’s Head of Residential Research. “The housing market saw a marked slowdown in activity in the run up to the election, mortgage approvals fell 30,0
11/05/2010
The National Housing Federation and its members has managed to persuade 85 candidates who were elected on Thursday to sign up to the Federation's affordable housing pledge. This means that, while the main party leaders are still locked in negotiations around the composition of the next government,
10/05/2010
Lord Glennie’s ruling in the Hamilton v Nairn case will dash the hopes of many landowners that wished to reinstate ‘ransom strips’ along public roads, according to legal firm Tods Murray. In his summation, the judge reaffirmed that where a verge was part of a public road, the consent of the owner o
10/05/2010
Twenty one Glasgow companies flew out on Saturday to New York and Boston on the largest-ever trade visit from the city to the USA. The companies will take part in an intensive five-day Monday to Friday programme aimed at informing them about the market in the Eastern seaboard of America, and ultima
10/05/2010
Angus Council is due to commence work today at the former Dowrie bitumen works, Elliot, Arbroath. The contractor for the works is Dundee Plant Company Ltd, Dundee. Waste materials from the former bitumen factory are now exposed and to enclose these and prevent further erosion, the area is to be pr
10/05/2010
Planning Aid for Scotland (PAS) has launched its new website alongside new Facebook and Twitter pages. The new website (
10/05/2010
The re-appointment of the Convenor and four Commissioners to the Crofters Commission has been announced by Minister for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham. The successful re-appointees are Drew Ratter, Convenor, Ronald Eunson, Angus McHattie, Murdo MacLennan and Robin Currie. The re-appointments
10/05/2010
Alloa based CADmeleon has developed an innovative web-based virtual simulation tool that enables organisations to see the business value in building refurbishment as a front to a carbon reduction strategy. According to the firm energy modelling to calculate efficiency in the built environment is a
10/05/2010
Work has started to build 12 new houses in Finstown in the first stage of a programme to build 125 new Council houses across Orkney over the next three years. Work began on-site in February and the first foundations have been laid. Construction has also started on site at Andersquoy in Kirkwall fo
10/05/2010
Scotframe - with four branches in Scotland - have become the first Scottish licensee to manufacture SupaWall, a highly innovative closed panel timber frame system. Peter Hall of Scotframe said: "SupaWall meets future building regulations today, will reduce energy costs in your new home and could e
07/05/2010
Real Estate Firm Jones Lang LaSalle has released a report outlining the implications of the result of the General Election on the UK’s housing market, following which no political party has been able to form a majority government. The report outlines that uncertainty around a hung parliament and u
07/05/2010
Budding tennis stars in Saltcoats are to benefit from stunning new all-weather courts – thanks to Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, SportScotland and the fund-raising efforts of local supporters. The plan to completely refurbish Glebe tennis courts in the town were also backed by Judy Murray, leadin
07/05/2010
Those interested in the future supply of affordable self-build housing sites in Orkney are invited to take part in a consultation being run by Orkney Islands Council’s Housing team from May 10. The Council intends to develop land in its ownership for onward sale as ‘serviced’ building sites (sites
07/05/2010
Maxim Office Park, the UK’s largest speculative office scheme which was built by Bowmer & Kirkland, has won the RICS Scottish Regeneration Project of the Year Award. In less than two years, the £130m development has transformed a former redundant industrial wasteland on the M8 motorway between Glas
07/05/2010
BAA Limited has announced that its stake in The Airport Property Partnership, a 50:50 joint venture between BAA Limited and clients of Aviva Fund Management Limited ), is being sold to SEGRO plc ("SEGRO"), for £244m. The transaction is part of BAA's strategy to dispose of non-core assets, and foll
07/05/2010
One of Stirling’s busiest roundabouts is getting a £65,000 make over. Stirling Council’s Roads Maintenance Service is carrying out essential work to the Borestone Roundabout, which joins the A9, A872 and the B8051at St.Ninans, during May and June. Stirling Council Portfolio Holder with responsib
07/05/2010
Scottish Water has completed an important project which has improved the waste water network in part of Cumnock and substantially reduced the risk of flooding to properties during heavy rainfall. The £600,000 flood alleviation project in the Hearth Road area of the town has increased the capacity o
07/05/2010
Self-build company SkyeHomes has announced the opening of a new city-centre Glasgow office. The company founded by Skye businessman John MacDonald has a central office in Portree on the Isle of Skye and a factory in Broadford. With over 50 years building experience behind them, SkyeHomes have hu
07/05/2010
Diversionary works on an outfall pipe from the South Queensferry Waste Water Treatment Works will begin later this month to support the delivery of the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC). Diversion of this outfall pipe is necessary to accommodate the planned route of the new crossing across the Forth
07/05/2010
Scottish Water and its partners have completed the signing of the formal contract which will launch its new joint venture project delivery arm for the 2010 to 2015 investment period. The new Scottish Water Solutions, a joint venture company bringing together Scottish Water with Laing O’Rourke Infra
06/05/2010
People in Scotland are continuing to shun the property sales market in favour of renting their home, according to new research from a letting portal. Citylets has revealed that Scotland’s rental sector is booming as would-be homebuyers who cannot afford to purchase their first property are continui
06/05/2010
A Dundee-based door manufacturer has gone into receivership with the loss of 62 jobs. McTavish Ramsey and Company appointed administrators KPMG on Thursday. A total of 62 of the firm's 86 staff were made redundant with immediate effect leaving 24 to continue working on existing orders. The compan
06/05/2010
The dedication to safe working and employee welfare of three contractors has netted them recognition in an annual Dundee council awards scheme. Muirfield Contracts, Tayside Contracts and Gowrie Contracts have been recognised in the Chartered Institute of Building/Dundee City Council contractor exce
06/05/2010
Mansell Partnership Homes has been awarded a project to build 100 new build affordable dwellings at Muirpark Wynd, Tranent for East Lothian Council. The development will comprise 84 houses and 16 flats providing a mix of homes ranging from two-bedroom flats to three-bedroom houses. It will also inc
06/05/2010
Two projects by Archial Architects have been nominated for Scottish Design Awards. The two projects, both designed by Archial’s Glasgow office, are the Small Animal Hospital for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow and Lochgarry – 40 Cleveden Drive, Glasgow, a residential proje
06/05/2010
Detectives are appealing for witnesses following the theft of high value metal from a site in West Lothian. According to Lothian and Borders Police the incident happened around 10.40am yesterday at the Broxburn Stormworks near Newbridge. Two men gained access to the site before using a power saw t
06/05/2010
A team of heritage conservators and digital design experts from Historic Scotland and the Digital Design Studio at the Glasgow School of Art are leaving Scotland on Friday, 7th May for the Black Hills of South Dakota to digitally record the international heritage landmark, Mount Rushmore. The proje
06/05/2010
To celebrate ten years of showcasing the very best in construction, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) will be working with celebrity property guru Phil Spencer, to launch a nationwide search for Britain’s best builder. The competition aims to raise the standard of British building, in innovat
06/05/2010
McGregor Glazing is back under new management. A former employee of the Aberdeen based business has bought over the company name. Lisa Stewart is looking forward to growing the business along with her employees in both the trade and private sectors, whilst not compromising service standards. "Wh
05/05/2010
Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, has been awarded contracts by Network Rail totalling up to £248 million. a four-year extension to 2014 to Balfour Beatty’s existing track renewal framework contract worth approximately £56 million in the first year of the contract, with a furt
05/05/2010
Work has started on the first new council houses to be built in Dundee for more than 20 years. Scottish Government Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil and city council housing convener Councillor Jimmy Black laid the first blocks on the first new house to signal the official start of work on
05/05/2010
A total of 52 businesses have made the finals in the national awards competition for new build housing in Scotland. The Scottish Home Awards, sponsored by ros.gov.uk, revealed the shortlist following a long day of judging over 130 entries which were received in the annual programme which recognises
05/05/2010
Developers behind plans for a Portpatrick marina complex are seeking the go-ahead from Wigtown area committee. The initial proposals lodged three years ago were met with local opposition and rejected by Dumfries and Galloway Council. However now the plans have been redesigned they have been recomm
05/05/2010
A major increase in visitor numbers to the Calanais Visitor Centre on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis has led to an upgrade of its facilities. Work has been completed this week to extend the kitchen and restaurant area at the centre which is owned by Urras nan Tursachan and is situated near the
05/05/2010
There is still time for locals in the historic village of Leadhills to give their views on the improvements they would like to see to the area's public areas and heritage assets. There is currently £100,000 available from the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) to undertake improvements to
05/05/2010
Turner and Sons of Cowdenbeath has just launched a unique fixed price roofing maintenance scheme. For a fixed price of £200 (based on 3 bed bungalow) their tradesman will carry out a full visual inspection of your roof, including all rhones, gutters and chimney stalks as well as the roof structure.
05/05/2010
One of Europe's largest sheep auctions is to be upgraded. United Auctions (UA) will improve the Lairg auction mart in Sutherland and secure the long term future of the facility. The company are making a six figure investment. The first phase of the upgrade has begun with the replacement of a load
04/05/2010
European funding of £2.8 million is being invested in a project which will help support the redevelopment of Dalmarnock Rail Station in Glasgow's East End. John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, announced the funding package for the station, which will be a key transpor
04/05/2010
Work is about to start on the £1.2 million plans to regenerate the historic centres of two Argyll and Bute towns. Contractors have now been appointed for the Town Centre Regeneration Projects (TCRP) in Bowmore and Dunoon, and work is due to start within the next two weeks. TAL Civil Engineering Lt
04/05/2010
The Aberdeen Affordable Warmth scheme has received a £10,000 donation from gas pipeline operator Scotland Gas Networks (SGN) to help city residents in fuel poverty to keep warm. Aberdeen Affordable Warmth, which has been running since 1999, is aimed at city owner-occupiers on low fixed-incomes, who
04/05/2010
The average house price in Scotland fell in the first three months of this year, according to Registers of Scotland. The total value of sales from January to March 2010 was up 30.9% on the same quarter of 2009, to £2.16bn. Official figures show over the 12 month period that the average cost of buy
04/05/2010
Two busy rural roads on the outskirts of Aberdeen have been closed for up to a fortnight for construction work as repairs are carried out. The Cults to Kingshill road will be shut from Ladyhill Road to about 50m west of the Mains of Countesswells. And Countesswells Road will be closed from its jun
04/05/2010
Stirling Council is seeking the views and opinions of local people as to how they would like Stirling to grow and develop over the next twenty years. In accordance with the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006 the Council has been progressing with a framework for the future use and development of land thro
04/05/2010
Biggart Baillie LLP has acted for Birmingham-based brownfield regeneration specialist DSM in the purchase of over 800 acres of land adjacent to the Nigg Shipyard in Easter Ross from Dow Chemicals. Included in DSM’s proposals for the site are plans to focus on the renewable energy potential at Nigg
04/05/2010
Ways of increasing the amount of land available for allotments in Scotland have been discussed at the first Growing Spaces summit today. Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham chaired the discussion at Falkland House in Fife. The summit was set-up as part of the Scottish Government's commitmen
04/05/2010
Compulsory lighting control is a real possibility in all Scottish non-domestic buildings. The Government is being urged to consider plans for the whole of the UK to make immediate - and significant - cuts in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. David Kidney MP, the Minister at the Department of
04/05/2010
Research, development and advice consultancy Archial Sustainable Futures has appointed Niall Gibson as a sustainability consultant to provide low carbon design advice and technical support for clients and their design teams. A former project manager at building services consultancy Elementa Consult
