Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for December 2011
22/12/2011
Scottish businesses have now won 133 of the 171 contracts awarded through the Glasgow Business Portal Shona Robison said on Wednesday. The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport said firms large and small from across Scotland were winning valuable contracts while a further 158 contracts have bee
22/12/2011
Nearly 1500 older tenants have signed up for a winter home check as part of GHA’s campaign to help vulnerable tenants beat the freezing temperatures. The WinterReady campaign, launched by GHA in November, offers tenants who are over 60 or disabled a home check to make sure their house is fully gear
22/12/2011
More than 60 City Building employees are celebrating after the construction firm announced a raft of new positions. This announcement comes on the back of a series of new contract wins for one of Scotland’s largest construction companies – Glasgow City Council’s arm’s length construction firm. Cit
22/12/2011
A neglected building dating from the early 1900s has been restored to its former glory by the current owners Nevisport with support from the Kirkcaldy Conservation Areas Regeneration Scheme. The unusual and highly ornate dormer windows have been restored and ornate ironwork at roof level has been r
22/12/2011
A major motorway project, expected to deliver real benefits in the Central Belt, moved forward today with publication of Prior Information Notice. The publication of this notice for the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project signals the start of procurement. Transport Scotland will now be engagin
21/12/2011
The Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) project is delivering a significant boost to the Scottish construction sector, with over £20 million worth of sub-contracts now awarded to 118 Scottish firms. And with 134 other further sub-contracts on the project currently being advertised there is likely to b
21/12/2011
The Scottish Government will invest at least £50million to enhance cross-border Caledonian sleeper rail services. Scottish Ministers have put the funding forward to see the services operate with a number of improvements. This surpasses the recent offer made by the Treasury of £50milllion for the s
21/12/2011
Aberdeen City Council is to take part in the second phase of a Scottish Government scheme to help deliver affordable housing across the city. The National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative allows developers and councils to jointly fund homes with local authority loans to the scheme being underwritten
21/12/2011
Graham + Sibbald’s Planning Team, acting for a local group – SEAG – was successful in persuading a Scottish Government Reporter to reject the Standingfaulds wind farm proposal. The proposal would have seen the erection of 8 turbines, each over 100m high near Muthil, which would have been clearly vi
21/12/2011
Water quality engineering firm Panton McLeod has announced the first partnership distribution deal for its Pantonite cleaning products in the United States. The firm’s U.S. division, Panton McLeod Americas, has signed an agreement with Massachusetts-headquartered water services company Maher Serv
21/12/2011
Steps to implement Scotland's Land Use Strategy have been published today. The Action Plan brings together a joined-up set of commitments from across the Scottish Government, all of which contribute to the long term vision for land use and the management of Scotland's land and resources. Cooperat
21/12/2011
A group of Scotland’s top bands are gathering in Glasgow tomorrow [22 December] for an exclusive festive gig in aid of housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland. Dan Willson of Withered Hand, tipped by Rolling Stone as ‘one to watch’ will join 16-strong Second Hand Marching Band and indie-f
21/12/2011
Council staff will continue to be the only government appointed verifier for new homes and buildings in Scotland. Verifiers protect the public by independently checking building work - from design through construction to completion - to make sure new homes, offices and public buildings meet all rel
21/12/2011
A major milestone in the Edinburgh Trams project has been reached today with an event to mark the official handover of the Gogar depot to the Council. The depot will be home to the entire tram fleet and will also act as the network control centre when the service goes live in 2014. The project has
21/12/2011
Leading solutions distributor SDG has been awarded the prizes for ‘Best Distributor Centre of Excellence EMEA’ and ‘Best Distributor Increase in Productivity UK, Ireland, South Africa’ at the prestigious Citrix Select Conference 2011. Europe’s largest independent specialist technology distributor w
20/12/2011
Scottish Ministers are urging house builders to join a scheme to deliver hundreds of new affordable homes across Scotland. Almost half of Scotland's 32 Councils are taking part in phase two of the National Housing Trust initiative (NHT). Over 600 homes have already been approved under phase one of
20/12/2011
Today East Ayrshire Council set its revenue budget for 2012/13 ahead of the rest of Scotland and one of the key pledges made by Leader, Councillor Douglas Reid, was a commitment to continue to improve the quality of housing in East Ayrshire. East Ayrshire Council has been working to a scheduled 5-y
20/12/2011
The showhouse from the first council housing development to be built in Angus for 15 years is now opened to the public to view. The house at 1 Burgh School Close, Links Avenue, Carnoustie, is one of 12 council houses which have just been completed. The house has been released early and furnished a
20/12/2011
Scotland's first Hybrid Roll On Roll Off (RORO) ferry, energy efficiency in 210 social houses and a natural heritage learning experience in Orkney are some of the projects attracting funding through the sixth round of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructu
20/12/2011
Christmas came early for a group of Primary 1 pupils from the Gorbals when they were invited into the GHA Customer Service Centre to meet Santa Claus. Workers at the 24-hour contact centre came up with the idea after having created Santa’s grotto as part of their own Christmas celebrations. Due to
20/12/2011
RES are today undertaking a wind turbine dry run for Dunmaglass Wind Farm. A specialist haulage contractor, Collett, will drive the route using a specially modified collapsible vehicle. The overall length of the vehicle will be approximately 50m to imitate a 45m long wind turbine blade. A polic
20/12/2011
Inverclyde Council will have a £4 million surplus in its 2012/13 Revenue Budget. Elected Members have been told the money can be invested in one-off projects and initiatives and thereafter be used to help balance the budget in future years. Council Leader, Councillor Stephen McCabe, said: “Thanks
20/12/2011
Applications are now being received for Aberdeenshire's Design Awards scheme which gives people the chance to vote for the most creatively conceived structures in the area from housing, to art, or conservation projects. Entries must be in by Thursday, February 17, 2012 for the design scheme which t
20/12/2011
Shoppers in West Lothian have welcomed the opening of the first Primark in the area. The leading High Street retailer launched at the region's top shopping destination, The Centre, Livingston, on Wednesday 7 December. The arrival of Primark, which offers quality commercial fashion at affordable
20/12/2011
City Building, Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction company, is spreading some Christmas cheer after employees raised £4,450 for some of Scotland’s leading charities. Representatives from well known charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Glasgow’s Helping Heroes were invited to
19/12/2011
The Miller Group today announced a refinancing that will equip the Group with additional investment capital and a significantly strengthened balance sheet. The agreement in principle secures the injection of £160 million of new equity capital and will refinance the existing debt with new five year
19/12/2011
Three employees at a local firm have been celebrating a total of ninety years of service. Infrastructure, support services and construction group Robertson held a celebration evening at Glen Moray Distillery recently to commend three members of staff for their contribution to the business. Estimat
19/12/2011
Contempo Lettings (Franchising) Ltd, the highly successful Scottish residential letting and property management company, has named Judith MacDonald as its first ever Franchisee of the Year. Judith, who established her Aberdeen-based franchise almost five years ago, received her Contempo Lettings’ A
19/12/2011
A project working to help young people make the transition from the classroom to the wider world has been boosted thanks to a leading local engineering firm. The award-winning Findon-based AMC Engineering Ltd has been announced as the sponsor of Gear Up 2 Go, a new project conceived in the Portleth
19/12/2011
Property development company FreshStart Living is passing on savings to tenants in Greenock thanks to cheaper rent, allowing first time buyers the chance to save for a deposit on a house. Tenants renting at FreshStart Living's developments are making an average saving of £1,584 per year in rent comp
19/12/2011
The UK’s largest manufacturer of aircrete systems, H+H UK, has extended its partnership with Scott ELM, a division of the newly rebranded Scott Group, to expand its pallet recovery service for its customers across the UK. Neil Thomas, Director of Housing at H+H UK said: "H+H UK is fully dedicated
19/12/2011
The beautifully refurbished Morningside Library was officially declared open again today - two months ahead of schedule. Internationally celebrated author and local resident Alexander McCall Smith joined Culture and Leisure Convener Councillor Deidre Brock this morning for a well-attended ceremony
19/12/2011
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has hailed 2011 as a 'momentous' and 'ground breaking' year for renewable energy in Scotland. The year to October 2011 saw a record breaking £750 million of investment in renewable energy in Scotland, and there is a pipeline of proposed projects with 17 gigawatts (GW) o
19/12/2011
Two Aberdeen women have scaled new heights after setting themselves an intrepid challenge to climb Africa’s highest peak – and helping to raise an incredible £8000 for their chosen charities. Ailidh Wilson, 31, and Sam Hendry, 36, spent ten days in Tanzania undertaking the trek to the summit of Kil
19/12/2011
The 'seven year itch' is usually associated with relationships, but recent research from property website Zoopla.co.uk reveals that it applies equally to the way that we feel about our homes. On average, British homeowners develop a wandering eye and start looking around at other properties on the
16/12/2011
A series of exhibitions showing how a key part of the new dualled A9 will look is to get underway in the coming weeks. The events will be held early in the new year to allow the public to view designs and make their views known. Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil
16/12/2011
A map of five possible locations for the new £200m Dumfries general hospital is to be put on display at the town's DG One complex. If the hospital does not stay on its current site it could be built at the Garroch or Lockerbie roundabouts on the A75, south of Tinwald Downs Road or in Locharbriggs.
16/12/2011
City Building – one of Scotland’s largest construction firms – has scooped a prestigious award in recognition of its commitment to the environment at the Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards 2011. The VIBES Awards celebrate the actions and achievements of Scottish compa
16/12/2011
Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary, has buried a time capsule of memories in the foundations of one of the biggest laboratories in the world – at the new Southern General Hospital. Ms Sturgeon was joined by NHS staff, and pupils and teachers from local schools, who contributed to the items in the c
16/12/2011
Two mammoth blue prints which set out plans to transform Calderwood, East Calder and the village of Winchburgh have been given approval. The plans could result in up to 2,300 homes being built at Calderwood and over 3,400 at Winchburgh, creating thousands of jobs and providing a huge boost to the l
16/12/2011
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors have secured their biggest Letting of the year. Not only did the commercial property office secure the largest office letting in the Highlands in 2011 – it also secured the largest office sale, the largest industrial letting and the largest trade counter letting. The l
16/12/2011
Leading electrical control and automation specialists HiTrack Ltd are preparing to end the year on a high note after securing their latest project in west Africa worth £250,000. The news brings the total value of contracts won since the company’s September open day to £400,000. Whilst the end of t
16/12/2011
The Green Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) has announced that it is to award almost £116,500 for repairs and improvements to a Market Street building. This is the second Main Grant Scheme award to be made on Market Street and work is expected to begin next spring. The building to be repaired is
16/12/2011
Energy giant SSE, Port of Dundee owner Forth Ports, Scottish Enterprise and Dundee City Council have joined forces under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to secure Dundee's position as a vibrant hub for Scotland's rapidly-developing offshore renewables sector. Representatives of the four organis
16/12/2011
Oil and gas firm Melrose Resources is to spend $83m (£53.4m) next year in exploration and development work while continuing to reduce its debt levels. The Edinburgh firm's exploration programme for next year comprises three exploration wells - two in Egypt and one in Bulgaria - and a seismic acquis
15/12/2011
Business, transport and civic leaders are launching their case to have high-speed rail extend beyond the north of England. The Scottish Partnership Group for High Speed Rail, formed by Minister for Housing and Transport Keith Brown, has published a report detailing the benefits for business, commun
15/12/2011
VAT rule-breakers have until 31 December to complete the VAT registration process under a time-limited HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) campaign. In July this year, HMRC launched its VAT Initiative in which rule-breakers were offered a special plan to put right their tax affairs. The chance to particip
15/12/2011
Graham + Sibbald have been appointed by Scottish Prison Service to provide marketing services for the disposal of the former HMP Noranside site in Angus. The appointment came after a successful tendering exercise undertaken when HMP Noranside was declared surplus by SPS. The total site extends t
15/12/2011
The loss of 30,000 construction jobs requires immediate action to get firms building, according to the Scottish Building Federation Chief Executive Michael Levack. Commenting on the latest Labour Market Statistics issued by the Office of National Statistics he said: "These latest figures show a fur
15/12/2011
Aberdeen-based Knight Property Group has secured £45million in funding from Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) to continue the purchase and development of prime acreage throughout Aberdeen city and shire for its development of commercial property. The commercial property specialist has developed in exce
15/12/2011
The A83 at the Rest and be Thankful has fully reopened. The road, which has been subject to closures during the hours of darkness to all vehicles except emergency vehicles since a landslip earlier this month, is open to all traffic around the clock from today. This remains subject to weather con
15/12/2011
Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) has achieved the prestigious Gold Certification from the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA) in recognition of its high quality products and professional craftsmanship. Based in Springburn, Glasgow, RSBi employs over 240 workers, of whom mo
15/12/2011
Just when everyone else is taking advantage of late night shopping for Christmas, father and son Gordon and Graham Shillady of Morris & Spottiswood have finished a very different kind of late night shopping. Their Morris & Spottiswood fitout team has been working overnight recently to ensure Glasgo
15/12/2011
The A. Proctor Group Ltd has recently been awarded British Board of Agrement Certificates for its’ gas protection membranes. BBA Certificate No: 11/4868 for Protech GM + and Protech GM Super, also include the complete range of accessories and ventilation systems required for a robust gas protection
15/12/2011
City Building (Glasgow), one of Scotland’s largest construction companies, with a turnover in excess of £200m, has chosen 1st Touch mobile software to control, manage and support the activities of its responsive repairs and gas operatives working for over 40 of the company’s housing clients. Having
14/12/2011
Scottish Water is ready to develop its National Operations Centre near Glasgow and has appointed BAM as the preferred bidder to build the scheme. BAM Construction has been appointed as preferred bidder to build a £15 million National Operations Centre for Scottish Water. The contractor would deliv
14/12/2011
The joint application by Midlothian and City of Edinburgh Councils to build a new waste treatment facility at Millerhill, near Edinburgh, was approved in principle by Midlothian Council. The plant - which will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - will recycle municipal waste, primarily from Midl
14/12/2011
Jobs, investment and growth across Glasgow and Clyde Valley are being put at risk by the region’s proposed Strategic Development Plan according to home builders. Industry body Homes for Scotland, which represents companies building 95% of new homes built for sale across the country as well as a sig
14/12/2011
Plans to create Scotland's largest energy self sufficient community have moved a step forward as an energy services company is appointed to deliver the multi-million pound project. More than 1,200 homes in Cardenden, Fife, will soon get all their heat and hot water from a new energy centre powered
14/12/2011
Scottish Enterprise is among the winners of the prestigious Green Energy Awards 2011, organised by Scottish Renewables. Scotland's tenth Green Energy Awards celebrated the successes of the renewables industry with the largest ever ceremony. Scottish Enterprise was recognised for its work with rene
14/12/2011
Perth & Kinross Council is currently consulting on the proposal to apply a pressured area designation across the entire Perth & Kinross area for a period of 10 years. This designation would suspend the 'Right To Buy' for all tenants who entered their tenancy on or after 30th September 2002 or who h
14/12/2011
Stirling Council is extremely disappointed at the Scottish Government's decision to accept Scottish Power Transmissions’ (SPT’s) limited proposals for visual mitigation of their 400kv high voltage over-head power line as it passes across the Forth Valley to the east of Stirling, through historic and
14/12/2011
An independent view of Falkirk Council's Repairs and Maintenance Service will help deliver improvements across the board. Volunteers from households across the Falkirk Council area took part in a customer led inspection which scrutinised every aspect of service delivery from information on satisfac
13/12/2011
Capital investment in housing is essential to the social and economic well being of the country in challenging economic times, Housing Minister Keith Brown said today. The Minister visited three developments, backed by £34 million from the Scottish Government that are delivering hundreds of new aff
13/12/2011
North east architects and builders of the future have had their imaginations fuelled thanks to Deveron Homes. Lynne Holburn of Huntly-based Deveron Homes visited pupils at Kemnay’s Alehousewells School to discuss housing and homes as part on an ongoing class project. During Lynne’s visit , the pup
13/12/2011
Aberdeen has reclaimed its position as the most expensive neighbourhood to rent a home in Scotland, according to the country’s leading lettings portal. Citylets has revealed new data showing that Aberdeen’s West End has returned to the summit of Scotland’s list of rental hotspots – with tenants pay
13/12/2011
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing will today urge industry experts to take advantage of the massive opportunity renewable energy presents to Scotland. The Minister will deliver the opening speech and take questions at a conference on the economics of renewables. And he will tell delegates that not only
13/12/2011
Trial runs of the first of Edinburgh’s new trams started today on the test track at the network’s Gogar depot. The 500m track, which will ultimately form part of the route, is being used to test the trams at speeds of up to 50km/h before they are brought into service when the network is scheduled t
13/12/2011
The University of Aberdeen’s new £57m library, which opened this September for students, staff and the general public, has been built using modular power and lighting distribution systems from Modular Wiring Systems, a subsidiary of electrical cable manufacturer Tratos Ltd. The 15,500 sq m Library
13/12/2011
A £20 million investment programme at Scrabster Harbour is securing jobs and helping to position the north of Scotland at the forefront of the renewables revolution, John Swinney said today. The Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth Secretary visited the harbour to witness progress on major re
13/12/2011
Fife Council has taken a further step towards securing the demolition of two blocks of flats that have been declared "unfit for human habitation". The deteriorating condition of the two blocks at 46 – 69 Durris Drive and 56 – 79 Huntly Drive, Glenrothes has prompted the council to serve demolition
13/12/2011
Glasgow City Council is preparing its next Local Development Plan – due to be published in 2014 – and has asked East Dunbartonshire Council to comment on some of the early draft content in its Main Issues Report (MIR). East Dunbartonshire officers and Councillors have looked carefully at the MIR an
13/12/2011
A consultation exercise over the future direction of the regeneration of Denny has shown positive public support for Falkirk Council’s plans to redevelop the town centre. A meeting of Falkirk Council heard how three-drop in events in Denny attended by approximately 100 residents had indicated that:
13/12/2011
Masterplans covering two of the highest profile development sites in Helensburgh will be discussed by councillors later this week. Argyll and Bute’s Executive agreed last month that the existing Pier Head Masterplan be amended and updated and a new Masterplan be developed for the former Hermitage A
12/12/2011
Robert Gordon University (RGU) will hold a public exhibition from 12 to 16 December at its Student Association building at 60 Schoolhill to seek public opinion on the development options for its portfolio of buildings in Aberdeen city centre. The university is currently in the middle of a 34,000m2
12/12/2011
A new partnership between Stirling Council and the National Housing Trust is set to make more homes available to rent in Stirling. The mid-market rental properties will be managed and allocated by Stirling Council’s Housing Service on Short Assured Tenancies, which means they will be let initially
12/12/2011
One of Scotland’s top commercial lawyers has been appointed to the Board of Glasgow Housing Association (GHA). Sheila Gunn, a highly-accomplished lawyer and accredited mediator, took up her new role with Scotland’s biggest social landlord at the end of November. Mrs Gunn, who lives in Strathaven,
12/12/2011
The Scottish Government should use funds raised from a new tax on empty homes to fund a programme of renovation for Scotland’s 23,000 long-term empty properties. That is the call from housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland as it responds to a Scottish Government consultation to give coun
12/12/2011
Roadworks begin in Maule Street, Carnoustie later this week, for five weeks. Work will be carried out to the road and pavement, from the junction of Queen Street to Lochty Street. The street will be closed for the duration of the work and residents are being asked to find alternative parking. Pe
12/12/2011
Since Dean Castle Country Park opened 30 years ago it has become one of Scotland’s most popular country parks. The number of visitors to the park has increased at an incredible rate over the last year. In 2010, over 550,000 visits were recorded, placing the park as the fifth most visited in Scotlan
12/12/2011
Britain’s oldest heritage body, The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings has appointed a new director. Matthew Slocombe will succeed Philip Venning when he retires next year. Although Philip’s title, and that of his predecessors in this key role, was Secretary, Matthew will take the tit
12/12/2011
According to Scotland’s leading housing and homelessness charity around 280,000 people may risk their homes to pay for Christmas. According to a YouGov survey for Shelter Scotland, one in 12 tenants (8%) – equivalent to around 83,690 people - say they expect to miss their rent to pay for the cost o
12/12/2011
Work is to continue as planned to bring down the potentially dangerous 250 tonne rock over the Glen Righ section of the A82. The decision was taken today after careful inspection of the site and consultation with the Police and Transport Scotland. The work to remove the rock was to begin at 1000p
09/12/2011
Around 60,000 homes are without power after the worst storm to hit Scotland in a decade. Utility companies are working hard to restore power as quickly as possible and vulnerable customers have been contacted to ensure appropriate measures are in place. Most schools have re-opened, however parents
09/12/2011
First Minister Alex Salmond and Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, are sending a joint message to the UNFCCC meeting in Durban, South Africa, calling for climate justice to be reflected in the outcome of the talks. The joint inte
09/12/2011
This month saw a quartet of graduate surveyors from Shepherd pass their final Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) and be elevated to MRICS status. The surveyors who passed their final APCs are: residential surveyor Charles Cordiner, from Shepherd’s Galashiels office; residential surveyor Ch
09/12/2011
Actions to improve the landscape around the Beauly-Denny upgrade in the Stirling area have been approved. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has approved ScottishPower Transmission's (SPT) plans to mitigate the visual impact of the line around Stirling, a condition of the Scottish Government's approval o
09/12/2011
A ground-breaking new sport and fitness centre in Stevenston has brought a disused, 22 thousand square foot, empty building back to healthy life – thanks to the support of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company. The regeneration company provided £30,000 to bring the building at the entrance to Stevenston
09/12/2011
City Building takes command of six new 4x4 vehicles to ensure its plumbers, gas engineers and joiners can attend emergency call outs. One of Scotland’s largest construction companies is now ready and waiting for the worst of the winter weather. City Building has added six new all-terrain vehicles t
09/12/2011
Young people studying aircraft engineering have a state-of-the-art facility at their fingertips following a £2.7 million investment for a centre at Ayr College. The hangar-based facility, part-funded by the Scottish Funding Council, was opened today by Minister for Learning Alasdair Allan and newly
09/12/2011
A further £3 million for Riverside Inverclyde and Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Companies in 2013-2014 to assist with their running costs and to enable them to continue with priority projects, it was announced today. The two companies are already each due to receive £2.5 million in 2012-13 and will
09/12/2011
Fife Council has appointed J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors to manage a disposal contract for close to 100 properties, ranging from former schools to public conveniences and development sites. The contract, for an initial 18 month period, follows Shepherd’s earlier appointment by Fife Council two y
09/12/2011
A unique new kitchen facility that will promote healthy eating amongst youngsters was officially opened today at Moncreiffe Primary School, Perth by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead. The purpose-built 'Masterchefs and Maestros' learning area has been in the planning for the last four years
08/12/2011
The Construction Products Association has welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement confirming an increase for investment in infrastructure projects in today’s Autumn Statement, although overall capital spending continues to fall. Responding to this announcement, the Association’s Chief Executive, Mic
08/12/2011
East Kilbride plasterer Kenny McAllister has been crowned Scotland’s Craft Apprentice of the Year for 2011 at a special ceremony at the Scottish Parliament. Hosted by Angus North and Mearns MSP and Convener of the Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Construction Nigel Don, the event was attended by
08/12/2011
GHA’s training academy has now opened to tenants – with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meeting some of the first to benefit. Until now, the focus for the Academy, which opened last year, has been on training and developing staff. Now, as part of GHA’s drive to open up more education and lea
08/12/2011
East Lothian Council is seeking the views of local residents into the possible restoration of the Amisfield stables block, situated in the grounds of the former Amisfield House in Haddington. Cabinet member for Economic Development, Cllr Stuart Mackinnon, explained: "East Lothian Council has commis
08/12/2011
Milngavie will be in full bloom next spring thanks to £5,500 of funding from Awards for All Scotland which will be used to build a community garden in the town centre. The Council has been working in partnership with community group Milngavie in Bloom to secure the grant as part of the Civic Pride
08/12/2011
RICS has called on member expertise and experience to provide a response to the consultation from the Department for Energy and Climate Change into Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation policies. RICS members will be involved with the installation of energy efficient measures at all levels and m
08/12/2011
There is no danger of the new regulatory regime being a weaker one, but the jury is out on whether the current proposals will lead to a truly proportionate system, says CIH Scotland. Responding to the Scottish Housing Regulator’s consultation, CIH says tenants, lenders and others can be reassured t
08/12/2011
Residents of a Dundee community undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration will have a chance to get into their new homes earlier than thought. The first 20 new properties built by Home Scotland will be occupied before Christmas, and thanks to a surplus in the first phase more than a dozen tenan
08/12/2011
Scottish Building Federation Chief Executive Michael Levack has welcomed Scottish Government plans for £60bn of investment in capital projects – but warned the "acid test" will be how quickly the schemes come forward. Commenting on the launch earlier in the week Mr Levack said: "We welcome the leve
08/12/2011
Experts from Scotland's world-leading wave and tidal testing hub the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) are to collaborate with their marine energy counterparts from the Ocean University of China (OUC) in Shandong Province under a new partnership announced today. The OUC, based in the eastern coa
07/12/2011
Capital spending worth up to £60 billion will mean substantial investment in Scotland's rail network and the dualling of road network between all of Scotland's cities, Alex Neil confirmed. The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment made the pledge as he published the Scottish G
07/12/2011
A report detailing a total investment of £3.3 million on improvements to Dalkeith High Street has been approved by Midlothian Council. This is the combined investment from the Dalkeith High Street Improvements project and the Dalkeith Heritage Townscape Initiative (THI) and Conservation Area Regene
07/12/2011
A £1.9 million investment to extend St Margaret's Academy in Livingston has been dedicated by His Eminence Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien. The extension has resulted in a new multi use hall for PE, assemblies and exams, and four extra classes for the Modern Languages department. The work has incr
07/12/2011
The Highland Council has welcomed the Scottish Government’s plans for substantial investment in Scotland's rail network. Of particular interest is the dualling of road network between all of Scotland's cities, including the A 9 Perth – Inverness and the A96 Inverness – Aberdeen road; and the upgra
07/12/2011
Archaeologists are continuing preliminary investigations at the site of the new visitor centre for the Battle of Bannockburn. Following earlier excavations in October, the team are digging for the position of the Borestone where Robert the Bruce raised his banner before the battle of Bannockburn in
07/12/2011
The city of Edinburgh council has outlined details of its overall client target programme which identifies the last remaining major milestones for the city’s tram project. The Council also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the public and affected businesses in advance of tram delivery to mi
07/12/2011
170 tenants and residents came together for North Lanarkshire's annual tenants' conference - the highest number of participants to date. The conference, titled New Horizons, featured a range of workshops, information sessions and housing news. Among the key issues discussed were changes to the welf
07/12/2011
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh presented the awards at the Windsor Guildhall to the winners of this year’s Windsor Half Marathon that benefits construction and property homelessness charity CRASH and the Prince Philip Trust. The winners included the fastest industry male and female runners – David Bake
07/12/2011
The leading industrial supplies organisation, Scott Group, is backing a Pan-European campaign to promote timber as the raw material choice for pallets and packaging. The 'Packaging from Nature' campaign, launched by The European Federation of Wooden Pallets and Packaging manufacturers (FEFPEB) wil
07/12/2011
Timber could be the next destination for investors uneasy about turbulence in other more traditional markets, according to Central Insurance, the UK’s largest insurer of forestry. In the last year, investment in UK forestry has provided returns of 20 per cent, compared to 14.5 per cent in equities
06/12/2011
Aberdeen City Council's Housing Service is poised to implement a new allocation policy following a major review over the past 18 months. The review included a large consultation exercise with service users and, as a result of the views expressed by users, the council has developed a simpler, transp
06/12/2011
A graduation ceremony has been held for the first building trainees who have gained historic building skills - thanks to a flagship heritage and conservation project to repair and protect historic Dalkeith. The trainees were awarded their Certificates at a formal ceremony in the Council Chamber hos
06/12/2011
According to the latest Scottish House Price Monitor from Lloyds TSB Scotland, in the three months ending October 2011, the quarterly price index for the average domestic property in Scotland rose by 1.7% – the first quarterly rise following three consecutive quarterly falls. However, on an annual,
06/12/2011
Cumbernauld’s largest housing association has a new chair and director. Fran Jones and Gordon Laurie are now in charge of Sanctuary Cumbernauld’s governance and management respectively. Fran replaced the respected Alex Clark as chair at the Association’s annual general meeting. Alex was required t
06/12/2011
Despite tackling DIY to save money, 6 per cent of Scottish homeowners have paid over £1,000 in the past 24 months rectifying their DIY disasters. Confused.com has revealed that fifty-three per cent of homeowners are doing their own home improvements due to an increase in living costs. However, many
06/12/2011
The latest phase of an Oldmeldrum regeneration project has taken shape as three carved granite spheres are installed in the town centre. In 2009 Oldmeldrum successfully bid for a share of the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Regeneration Fund, securing £140,000 for a range of works in the town.
06/12/2011
Orkney Island Council's housing team is reminding the public that several housing consultations will close shortly. These include: Local Housing Strategy – the Council’s plan for meeting housing needs over the next five years * Older Person’s Housing Strategy – how the Council plans to achiev
06/12/2011
Stirling’s new £330,000 Health Skills Centre in the School of Nursing Midwifery and Health, will be officially opened by Scotland’s Chief Nursing Officer, Ros Moore, on 14 December. The new Health Skills Centre will allow Stirling students to benefit from training in a hospital-like environment con
06/12/2011
Vandals who broke up the Forfar skate park lighting box recently have been criticised by community services vice-convener Colin Brown. He said: "The electricians found that the new fuse box and switches for lighting columns of skate park had been broken into and smashed up. The sensor which trigger
06/12/2011
BRE Scotland & Construction Scotland recently held a joint annual conference in Glasgow exploring the complex challenges that the construction sector and corporate organisations face in reducing the carbon impact of their businesses. Fergus Ewing, MSP, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism i
05/12/2011
The first new council houses to be built in Nairn for 16 years will soon be allocated to tenants. 8 2-bed bungalows for older people at Corsee, Nairn, have been completed and have been handed over to the Council by contractor UBC Group Ltd. Tenants have been identified for the properties and hope
05/12/2011
A former Aberdeen care home has been sold in a £2 million deal and will be converted in to luxury homes. Tweed Homes (Aberdeen) Ltd has acquired the Ashley Lodge site in Great Western Road and has planning consent to develop 30 units, with nine in the original house and 21 new builds on the 1.19 a
05/12/2011
A leading North east architecture and space planning firm has announced the appointment of a new associate to the team. Eleanor Alexander has become associate and team leader at William Lippe Architects. Eleanor joined the Inverurie-based practice as an architectural assistant in 2003 and took on
05/12/2011
In 2010, the Aberdeenshire community helped spread the Christmas spirit to over 6,000 vulnerable families and children across the region with local charity, Instant Neighbour. One of the best years in the Appeal’s 20 year history, this unprecedented generosity has inspired the charity to take the G
05/12/2011
There will be a further delay in the handover of the new Keith Primary School. Moray Council was informed yesterday by the company financing the project, IPP (Moray Schools)Ltd, that tests on the building are still being carried out. In addition, main contractor Stewart Milne Group has not yet comp
05/12/2011
A planning application has been made for the comprehensive regeneration and restoration of the disused and derelict Broadford Works, the largest collection of Category 'A' Listed buildings at risk in Scotland. Drawing of the developed site. The proposed planning strategy will restore the vast and c
05/12/2011
The first new council houses to be built in Nairn for 16 years will soon be allocated to tenants. 8 2-bed bungalows for older people at Corsee, Nairn, have been completed and have been handed over to the Council by contractor UBC Group Ltd. Tenants have been identified for the properties and hope
05/12/2011
First Minister Alex Salmond has welcomed winning the 'Best Politician' award at The Scottish Green Energy Awards 2011 in central Edinburgh this evening. Mr Salmond sent his thanks in a recorded message screened at the ceremony, as he was unable to be present. This is the 10th anniversary of the Awa
05/12/2011
Inverness College UHI has been given the green light to invest nearly £51 million in a state-of-the-art campus for the city. Support from the Scottish Funding Council will bring together students and staff currently at the college's Longman and Midmills campuses to a new site at Beechwood, signific
05/12/2011
The Scottish Government will this week publish an infrastructure pipeline of more than 50 major projects and 30 programmes across Scotland. These have been identified as the key capital investments that will deliver growth, support jobs and keep our economy moving - despite savage Westminster cuts
02/12/2011
A development plan covering four council areas and the next 20 years has taken a step closer to being adopted. TAYplan's proposed strategic development plan has been submitted to Scottish Government ministers for approval. Cllr John Beare, TAYplan convener said: "I am delighted that the hard work
02/12/2011
Aberdeen-based Aiken Group has announced that turnover has doubled in the last three years to £12 million. The 24-year-old Aiken Group is a leading multi-discipline company specialising in accommodation upgrades, refurbishments and new-builds worldwide. The company employs 52 staff at its Aberdeen
02/12/2011
More council homes in Edinburgh meet national quality standards compared with any other urban area in Scotland, and empty properties are re-let quicker than most other authorities. Those are two of the results from recent performance figures, which show the City of Edinburgh Council as being the sa
02/12/2011
npower, energy supplier, has revealed that it received an 80 per cent increase in call outs to homes with broken boilers last year and as a result, is urging homeowners to properly prepare themselves in preparation for the cold winter months ahead. With the Met Office predicting cold snaps, it lo
02/12/2011
A new public register to help communities get the most from renewable energy projects will be established next year. The register will include details of community benefits agreed with renewable energy developers across Scotland, helping communities make a comparison with similar developments to in
02/12/2011
East Lothian Council is seeking the views of local residents into the possible restoration of the Amisfield stables block, situated in the grounds of the former Amisfield House in Haddington. Cabinet member for Economic Development, Cllr Stuart Mackinnon, explained: "East Lothian Council has commi
02/12/2011
Mechanical engineering group, EnerMech, has been awarded a £1 million (NOK 8.9M) crane services contract by Talisman Energy Norge AS. EnerMech AS based in Stavanger will deliver services to all Talisman’s Norwegian assets over the next six years. The three year (+3 year option) contract covers cr
02/12/2011
Essential tree maintenance work is poised to get under way at Aberdeen's Duthie Park as part of major plans to breathe new life into the historic attraction. Aberdeen City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) are joint funders of the project which aims to revitalise the historic 44-acre park
02/12/2011
Two Scottish artists, with an impressive award winning portfolio of projects from across the UK, are to consult with the John O'Groat's community to deliver a long term artistic plan for the village's redevelopment. Working on projects like Great Glen House which is the SNH headquarters in Invernes
02/12/2011
Montrose-based roofing and facilities management company, Discovery Roofing & Cladding Ltd has reported deals worth £1 million in the last six months. The company has won business in Aberdeenshire, Angus and Tayside, including work on Dundee and Montrose swimming pools, and projects at Albyn Schoo
01/12/2011
Regeneration work in Irvine Bay continues to benefit from the work of an organisation charged with promoting the interests of people with a disability. The annual general meeting of North Ayrshire Access Panel held this week, heard that the group had provided significant input to the development of
01/12/2011
Superglass, the UK’s largest independent manufacturer of mineral wool insulation, has been granted £2 million funding to help secure its future. The grant - Regional Selective Assistance funding - comes from the Scottish Government via Scottish Enterprise and helps to secure 187 jobs at the compan
01/12/2011
Stuart Roberts, Managing Director for Corporate Finance Advisory Business at Quayle Munro, is to join infrastructure, support services and construction group, Robertson as Group Finance Director. Joining the main group board, Stuart will start with the Stirling based company at the end of January.
01/12/2011
Aberdeenshire-based ThinJack has announced the appointment of a new member of staff to its growing team. Bob Ure has joined the company in the role of mechanical technician, based at ThinJack’s Westhill headquarters and helping to service the needs of a growing global client base. Originally from
01/12/2011
First Minister Alex Salmond has declared Scotland's cultural treasures as a magnificent bounty on the eve of the re-opening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. In a year when Stirling Castle Palace, the Burns Museum, the National Museum of Scotland and now the Portrait Gallery h
01/12/2011
The board of directors of Kier Group plc has announced the appointment of Amanda Mellor as a non-executive director of the Company with effect from today, 1 December 2011. Amanda Mellor is currently the Group Secretary and Head of Corporate Governance of Marks and Spencer Group plc, having previous
01/12/2011
As part of a multi-million pound project and one of the most significant educational developments in Scotland for many years, column casing manufacturer Contour Casings Ltd has been chosen to supply 88 PPC Aluminium column casings at Banff & Buchan College, Aberdeenshire. The column casings, with f
01/12/2011
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has secured a trio of retail deals in Perth in the run up to the busy festive trading period. The retailers are outdoor clothing specialist Rohan, independent nursery showroom Kenmar and home essentials boutique The Fussy Cow. Rohan’s new 584 sq ft outlet is at 37 St Jo
01/12/2011
Materials handling supplier, Barloworld Handling, has reported greatly improved financial performance for the year ended September 2011, with divisional revenue rising to £362million. Barloworld Handling’s operations in UK, Europe and Southern Africa all recorded double digit improvements in revenue
01/12/2011
Window store are celebrating a business boost. "Work is well underway at our new premises just built, this year is proving to be another excellent one for us as we continue on our journey, we moved on the 30th of October 2011," says owner Graeme Smart."The move is a major investment for us but we f
