Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for March 2011
31/03/2011
Robbie Cooke, Director at Alloa-based construction firm Marshall Construction Limited, has been elected President of the Scottish Building Federation, the leading employers’ federation for the Scottish construction industry. Robbie, who for the past year has served as the Federation’s Senior Vice P
31/03/2011
Orkney Islands Council exchanged formal contracts on Friday with Morrison Construction, part of the Galliford Try group, for construction of the £58m Schools Investment Programme. The project, which is being supported with funding from the Scottish Government and advice from the Scottish Futures Tr
31/03/2011
Edinburgh's Central Library is embarking upon a brand new chapter this week as work begins to adapt the building to fit 21st century needs and expectations. The "next generation" plans will see a variety of changes within the landmark George IV Bridge library, including improvements to the entrance
31/03/2011
Argyll and Bute Council’s welcoming another cash boost for the Rothesay Townscape Heritage Initiative. More than £100,000 has been awarded by the LEADER programme after a meeting earlier this month. The money will be used for the training and education programme. It involves a range of activiti
31/03/2011
Veteran entrepreneur Craig McColligan, the founder of nationwide building maintenance business RMS, which he sold to building firm Rok for £6.5 million in 2001, has been forced to self-fund his latest venture, 2gether Property Maintenance, following what he considers to have been a failure by his ba
31/03/2011
Archial, one of the country’s largest architectural practices and a member of the global Ingenium Group of companies, has been nominated for a Scottish Design Award for the Kingsland Primary School, at Neidpath Grazings in Peebles it designed for Scottish Borders Council. Mark Fresson, director at
30/03/2011
Plans for an ambitious, multi-million project to link Scotland's two major motorways, create a new town centre and revitalise the biggest 'brownfield' site in Scotland have been given a major boost. The Scottish Government has granted provisional approval to North Lanarkshire Council's £73million b
30/03/2011
Confidence in the Scottish construction industry remains weak according to the latest survey of industry bosses, conducted by the Scottish Building Federation. This month’s Scottish Construction Monitor, a quarterly survey of the Federation’s membership of more than 700 individual construction firm
30/03/2011
Manse Place has polled the highest number of ‘yes’ votes in a public consultation to decide where six new council houses in Bannockburn should be built. The second preferred location was Downie Place with East Murrayfield coming third. A total of 586 people responded to the council housing consul
30/03/2011
The new programme of training in traditional building skills is now underway as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative. Continuing on from last year, new courses will be taking place throughout the summer. The courses already held have proved popular and have had important practical outcomes.
30/03/2011
Through working closely with the trade unions and following effective vacancy monitoring and redeployment policies, The Highland Council has been able to avoid making any grounds maintenance staff redundant following the outsourcing of routine grass cutting work to a private contractor. When the C
30/03/2011
Scottish Government plans to offer home owners interest free loans to install green energy generating equipment have been welcomed by one of the country's leading designers of energy-efficient buildings. However, Richard Maxton, one of the few certified PassivHaus designers in the country, is conce
29/03/2011
A new £110,000 project investing in the future of young people and helping to broaden their understanding of the opportunities available locally has been launched in Caithness and North Sutherland. The two year project is funded by Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), HIE and the Highland Coun
29/03/2011
A multi-million pound refurbishment of two of Edinburgh’s 1960s high rise flats has taken a major step forward with the appointment of a contractor to kick start the transformation. Phase 1 of the work on the blocks at Greendykes and Wauchope Houses will include new windows, re-roofing, insulation
29/03/2011
Kilmarnock’s townscape regeneration is progressing well thanks to a major contribution by a local firm with an international reputation. Bespoke metal railings used extensively in the ‘Kilmarnock – Connecting Places Project’ were built locally by Kilmarnock firm Annandale Design whose innovative cr
29/03/2011
The first of what is hoped will be an ongoing series of meetings between developers and members of the Kilmardinny Westpark action Group (KWAG) to discuss the future of the Kilmardinny Westpark site have taken place. The meeting was arranged following the Scottish Government Reporter's issuing of i
29/03/2011
HIE has confirmed the details of plans to invest in infrastructure surrounding Inverness Campus. The measures will improve traffic flow and city centre access for Campus users and those living in surrounding communities. After talks with local residents and the Highland Council, HIE has developed
29/03/2011
Major upgrading works on a city road have seen motorists diverted and only local access allowed. Work started in Dykes of Gray Road on Monday (March 28) to widen the carriageway, construct a new footway, new drainage system and replace the bridge over the Lochee Burn. New proposed private housing
28/03/2011
Rare, beautifully carved Roman altars, which are unique in Scotland – and internationally significant – have been uncovered in Musselburgh. The exciting discovery was made during the redevelopment of a cricket pavilion in Lewisvale Park by East Lothian Council, when two rare Roman altar stones were
28/03/2011
Councillors have agreed to develop plans for a rail-based park and ride scheme as part of Inverclyde Council's Greenock Town Centre Parking Study. The car park would be for the use of long stay rail users who will be actively discouraged from parking within the town centre through new short stay pa
28/03/2011
People who are living in Glasgow who join the scheme to get insulation fitted in their property will be in line for a council tax rebate from 1 April, 2011. Glasgow City Council has teamed up with Energy Savings Scotland Advice Centre (ESSAC) to offer either a £65 or £90 council tax rebate when hou
28/03/2011
Transport Minister Keith Brown has asked officials building the Forth Replacement Crossing project to begin the process for choosing a permanent name for the new Bridge. The news comes in the week that Transport Scotland officials are also preparing to submit a planning application for the FRC Cont
28/03/2011
An all-abilities footpath into Smithton Woods from Moray Road, Smithton, near Inverness has recently been completed. The £4,400 project was funded by The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service Capital Programme in support of sustainable access to the countryside. John Orr, Highland Co
28/03/2011
Five pupils from Aviemore Primary School helped mark a start to work at the new £11.9 million Aviemore Community Primary school. House captains Hannah McIver, Laura Noble, Emma McKenzie, Kennady McGlynn and Iona Wright, joined Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education Cul
25/03/2011
Planning approval has been granted for the multi-million pound plan to transform Helensburgh’s town centre and waterfront areas. The news marks a major step in the bid to regenerate the town centre and West Bay Esplanade. An exhibition of the approved design - together with details of the proposed
25/03/2011
East Ayrshire’s local heroes were honoured at the Community Planning Awards, held on 16 March, for their tireless work towards making life better within their local communities. The awards, held at Council Headquarters, recognise the commitment and contribution of community and voluntary groups and
25/03/2011
The next step in the multi million pound transformation of Dundee's waterfront could get the green light next week. Councillors will be asked to approve a £598,000 tender for work in Union Street, Dock Street, Yeaman Shore and Whitehall Crescent. Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council's city
25/03/2011
Charities and voluntary organisations across Scotland are being offered the chance to pick up free or discounted quality office furniture – and do their bit to help the environment. Recycle Scotland is launching a renewed drive to help firms meet their corporate social responsibility commitments by
25/03/2011
Following a successful year eco Insulate Ltd has moved into new premises which combine the depot, storage and administration facilities of the business under one roof. The building which has been purposely converted from a previously empty factory now forms part of a larger business unit developme
25/03/2011
A local company behind the restoration of a Victorian bridge in Dundee could be set to give the same treatment to another city structure. Land & Building Services, who repaired and conserved Hird Bridge in Balgay Park in 2008, are being recommended to tackle a similar job on the Linlathen East Brid
24/03/2011
Morningside Library will close its doors this weekend to allow an exciting renovation programme to get under way. The revamp was shaped by the views of more than 800 library users, who completed a questionnaire asking what new facilities they wanted to see in their local library. The refurbished
24/03/2011
Home building industry body Homes for Scotland has welcomed the £250m of funding set aside to help First Time Buyers in the UK Budget but warned that any impact in Scotland would depend on how the next Scottish Government chose to use any of the new money it received. Highlighting the need to pri
24/03/2011
Aberdeen City Council has appointed top construction company Robertson to build council homes in Phase 3 of the council's new-build housing programme. Work is due to start early next month [April 2011] on the site of the former Croft House care home at Oldcroft Place in Stockethill. Robertson will
24/03/2011
Land Securities, the UK's largest commercial property developer, has given approval for a £70m retail and residential scheme in Glasgow city centre, which will help boost Scotland's economy. The redevelopment of the Atlas site is to start this month and is only the second major city centre retail
24/03/2011
A report on the tenders for school and local bus services was presented to the Environment, Enterprise & Transportation Committee today. Members agreed to award the bus contracts, predominantly in south Fife, for all school and subsidised local bus services whilst undertaking a detailed policy and
24/03/2011
Edinburgh councillors have approved a new Sainsbury’s store on a derelict site on Inglis Green Road, Longstone, after a major ‘people-power’ campaign. The new 80,000sq ft ‘store on stilts’ is set to create 500 full and part time jobs, provide more choice for shoppers and assist in the area’s regen
24/03/2011
ASM have now completed the major part of a £600k refurbishment programme at Broadfold house, Bridge of Don on behalf of Total Waste Management Alliance Ltd (TWMA), with three floors of the building now upgraded. The extensive works have seen new finishes throughout, upgrades to heating, lighting a
23/03/2011
First Minister Alex Salmond today announced plans by energy engineering giant Doosan Power Systems to locate its renewables research and development (R&D) base - and potentially offshore wind turbine manufacturing - in Scotland, creating hundreds of new jobs with investments worth up to £170 million
23/03/2011
The staff of leading national law firm, HBJ Gateley Wareing, have donated household goods to charities in Edinburgh and Glasgow to assist low income households with everyday items. The firm has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow and activities such as this form a key part of its robust corporate soc
23/03/2011
A plan to regenerate an area of 1960s/70s social housing in Dundee has been selected for a prestigious national award. The Mill o' Mains Community Regeneration masterplan gained Dundee City Council and its partners, Home Scotland and HTA an award in the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. Run
23/03/2011
BDP has won the competition to design the University of Strathclyde’s new £89m Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC). The building constitutes the cornerstone of the new International Technological Renewable Energy Zone (ITREZ); a global economic hub bringing innovative businesses to Glasgow to s
23/03/2011
Lovell has secured places on two development framework agreements – with an overall value of up to £210 million – in Scotland. In the west, Lovell has secured a place as a contractor partner on West of Scotland Housing Association’s four-year development framework. Through the framework, the housin
23/03/2011
Angus Council has responded to speculation regarding the development of wind turbines in the Montrose area. A council spokesperson said: “The council’s Corporate Services Committee (Thursday 10 March) approved the report detailing the progress made with an option agreement with Partnerships for Ren
22/03/2011
A preferred bidder has been chosen to build the bridge and connecting roads elements of the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC), the biggest Scottish infrastructure project for a generation. The Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) consortium, comprising Dragados, Hochtief, American Bridge Intern
22/03/2011
The City of Edinburgh Council's regeneration of one of the city's best-loved events venues has been given a very welcome funding boost. The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced a grant of £441,000 for the restoration of the A-listed Assembly Rooms in George Street. The announcement follows r
22/03/2011
Stretches of the coastal path running from Victoria Park, Arbroath to Auchmithie are still closed, followed a series of landslips at the end of last week. Angus Council officers closed the coastal path on Friday in the interests of safety and advised members of the public to avoid the area. Followi
22/03/2011
New and revised road signage for key routes to the Clackmannanshire Bridge will soon be installed, Transport Minister Keith Brown said today. The signs which will be strategically placed on the main approaches, identifying the Clackmannanshire Bridge, are to be installed in the coming months. Mr B
22/03/2011
A key aim of the Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan has been delivered in the shape of a national award for a new North-east development. Scotia's Glenside development at Rothienorman has won national recognition at the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. Glenside, a development of 71 hom
22/03/2011
Contempo Lettings, the residential letting and property management franchise, is launching an expansion programme to boost its Scottish market share. The company currently has five offices, four in Glasgow and one in Aberdeen, but under a development plan launched today (Tuesday, March 22) it is ai
21/03/2011
Glasgow based fitout, housing and maintenance company Morris & Spottiswood has been keeping some very odd hours recently – they’ve been working overnights and have recently completed the Phase 2 refurbishment of Princes Square. More good news for the company is that they have now been appointed to
21/03/2011
Energy Minister Jim Mather has announced a package of support from the European Regional Development Fund for renewable energy and low carbon economy projects. Together, the package of measures delivers the Scottish Government's commitment to support low carbon innovation, set out in our Low Carbon
21/03/2011
An employee of one of Scotland’s largest construction firms, City Building, has achieved a prestigious industry qualification. Billy Wilson, who works for Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction company City Building as waste area manager, has completed the Waste Management Industry Train
21/03/2011
Scotland's first ever Land Use Strategy has been published, signalling a change in the way that we work together to sustain one of our most valuable assets. The strategy will help us get the most out of our precious land resources and maximise the contribution that they can make to a low carbon Sco
21/03/2011
A £73 million investment in the regeneration of Ravenscraig is to be funded through Tax Incremental Financing (TIF). Finance Secretary John Swinney has provisionally backed North Lanarkshire Council's proposal to use Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) in the second phase of Ravenscraig's redevelopment
21/03/2011
Over 6,000 households in Scotland will receive £400 towards the cost of a new boiler, under a new £2.5 million boiler scrappage scheme. Households with poor performing boilers, converting less than 70 per cent of fuel into heat, will qualify for cashback on a new energy saving model. Upgrading to
18/03/2011
A networking event will offer businesses the chance to learn about opportunities for construction and related contracts on work preparing for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and other major public projects. The major event will take place in Celtic Park at the end of the month and provide an op
18/03/2011
A major upgrade of Tarvit Bridge over the River Eden at Pitscottie Road in Cupar has been completed by Transportation Services. The project was part of Fife Council's programme of Bridge Replacement & Strengthening, approved by the Environment, Enterprise & Transportation committee in May 2009. T
18/03/2011
The Scottish government has approved plans for a major tidal energy project is to be built in the Sound of Islay off the west coast of Scotland. Scottish Power Renewables is behind the scheme to build 10 tidal turbines, which will generate enough electricity to power more than 5,000 homes. It put
18/03/2011
Plans to regenerate an area of 1960s/70s social housing in Dundee have been selected for a prestigious national award. The Mill o' Mains Community Regeneration master plan gained Dundee City Council and its partners, Home Scotland and HTA an award in the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. Th
18/03/2011
Local residents will be given the chance to find out how the proposed new Mearns Academy will look and feel at two information sessions next week. Plans for the design of the new school and community facilities that will be housed within the new campus will be on display with opportunities to make
18/03/2011
A project to renovate the Scottish National Portrait Gallery has reached its £17.5m funding target after a £2m boost from the Scottish government. The property is being restored, and parts of the building, which have been closed for 120 years, will be reopened, creating 50% more space. The buildin
16/03/2011
A leading Edinburgh-based architecture firm has needed an £8m bail-out from its lead investor due to severe cash flow problems. RMJM, who led the building of the Scottish Parliament, claimed to be one of the world's top 10 architecture practices, with 850 employees. It announced a capital injectio
16/03/2011
Plans for Aberdeen FC's new stadium have taken a major step forward after Scottish ministers decided against calling in the proposals. Councillors earlier approved the £38m stadium, capable of holding about 21,000 fans, at Loirston Loch in the south of Aberdeen. It was within the rights of the Sco
16/03/2011
A plan that will shape the national objectives and policies surrounding Scotland's coastal and marine management is now out for consultation. Creation of the National Marine Plan is a major component of the Marine (Scotland) Act and will, for the first time, set out national strategy. It will aim
16/03/2011
Habitat management works have commenced at Tarbat Ness, the northern tip of the Easter Ross peninsula. The site, which extends from the car park to the tip of the headland, is owned and managed by The Highland Council Planning and Development Service. The £40,000 project is funded from the Servi
16/03/2011
The Scottish Government has been warned that it needs to be more honest about what its funding of new social rented housing can actually provide. In an opening address to the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland conference in Glasgow, Chair Jim Strang called for politicians and civil servants to
16/03/2011
Talks to end the stalemate on the Edinburgh tram scheme dispute have reached a "mutual understanding" of the key issues holding up the project. All the groups involved in delivering the £545m trams system had been meeting near Glasgow since last week to firm up the framework for their future worki
15/03/2011
A leading Scottish urban regeneration project has said it expects companies to contribute a larger share to its development projects, as it adapts to a sharp cut in its budget. Scottish Enterprise, the government's main economic agency, is facing a 10% cut in its core budget from next month, from £
15/03/2011
Dundee looks set to open a new nature park to the public later this year. Work is expected to be finished to transform the former Riverside landfill site into a nature park in time for much of it to be available to the public in summer. A report to the city council's housing, Dundee Contract Servi
15/03/2011
Funding for the regeneration of Campbeltown has been released. The funds will enable the next phase of the Kinloch Road Regeneration Project, including the public realm works and improvements to the new ACHA housing in the former Park Square site. It was also agreed to reallocate funding for an al
15/03/2011
Resurfacing work is underway on the carriageways of Swan Street and Clerk Street in Brechin and will last for around five days. The work is being carried out on behalf of the council by King Contractors Perth Ltd. While the work is underway the roads will be closed between High Street and Panmure
15/03/2011
A multi-million pound development of 33 homes for rent has been completed by Taylor Wimpey in Peebles. Tenants have already moved into the completed development of two and three bedroom homes on Kittlegairy Road– with each property accommodating up to four people. Workers on the project went the
15/03/2011
Proposals for a tourism, leisure, business and residential development at Inchmarlo, Banchory, have been refused following concerns about potential breaches of planning policies. The application, by Frank Burnett Ltd, sought approval in principal for the project, which was to include provision of a
14/03/2011
Thousands of conference delegates will get the chance to test their driving skills thanks to City Building, one of Scotland’s largest construction firms. But instead of trying to complete a course in the fastest time, like the mysterious character from BBC’s Top Gear and a host of celebrities do o
14/03/2011
Work has begun on the construction of a £1.7m, 15 flat, development at Cherrybank, Newton Mearns, which will be available for affordable rent by November this year. Link Housing Association acquired the site from Mactaggart & Mickel using funding provided by the Scottish Government. Designed and b
14/03/2011
The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland, the body responsible for representing employers on skills issues, has today launched a campaign urging Scotland's political parties to put skills and the delivery of a skilled workforce at the heart of their policy commitments for the Scottish elec
14/03/2011
East Lothian Council has made substantial progress on creating a scheme in partnership with the banking sector to assist first-time home buyers across the county. The proposed scheme is one new initiative to provide more affordable housing in East Lothian and discussions with a major UK high street
14/03/2011
A new £500,000 interest free loan scheme will help householders install green energy generating equipment - and get paid for doing so. Loans will be available for a range of renewable heat and electricity technologies - for instance heat pumps, solar panels, micro-wind turbines or biomass boilers.
14/03/2011
Aberdeenshire Council and its community planning partners now have funding to continue a free graffiti removal service to ensure it is removed as quickly as possible. Chair of the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Board, councillor Anne Robertson, said: “Partner agencies are committed to reducing gr
11/03/2011
EnerMech Qatar LLC has been awarded a multi-million pound three year call-off contract with Dolphin Energy Limited. The Aberdeenshire based mechanical engineering company, which has offices across the eastern hemisphere, will provide nitrogen purging and leak testing on Dolphin Energy’s onshore an
11/03/2011
Guests attending a reception in Aberdeen held by Scottish commercial property experts, FG Burnett, have heard how the company continued to build on the strength of its expert team. Leading figures in the property, legal and finance sectors attended the reception at the Marcliffe Hotel where FG Bur
11/03/2011
Residents in Peterhead are being encouraged to take advantage of a Scottish Government initiative which could see loft and cavity wall insulation installed in their homes for free. Letters have been sent to all households in the town, informing them about the scheme. Following an initial assessmen
11/03/2011
A multi million pound investment for the M876 will act as a catalyst for economic growth in the Central Scotland said Transport Minister Keith Brown. The Minister was speaking as he confirmed funding for the M876 Glenbervie Connecting Roads project. The scheme, which will see the upgrading of the
11/03/2011
Finance Secretary John Swinney today congratulated winners of this year's Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. At a ceremony in Edinburgh, the top prize went to Scotia Homes for its mixed residential and commercial development at Rothienorman in Aberdeenshire. The judges were impressed with a
11/03/2011
Aberdeen tops the list of Scottish cities with buy-to-let investors, according to Stuart Carnie, tenancy manager with city-based Stonehouse Property Management and Leasing. “Stonehouse focuses on the high end, corporate lettings market and that remains buoyant,” he said. “That’s a trend that has re
10/03/2011
More than £4.6 million is set to be invested in council houses in Dundee over the next few months. A report to the city council's housing, Dundee Contract Services and environment services committee on Monday recommends approval of a number of tenders for improvement work to more than 600 homes. C
10/03/2011
With around 900 people, working over four million hours, employed on site at its peak and over half a million tonnes of recycled materials used in its construction, the new M74 Completion in Glasgow is nearing completion. Finance Secretary John Swinney today became the first non construction worker
10/03/2011
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather, Housing Minister Alex Neil and Skills Minister Angela Constance have met construction industry representatives to discuss opportunities for the government and the sector to work closely together. The Ministers outlined how the Scottish Government's actions to strengt
10/03/2011
Construction union UCATT fear for the safety of workers after it emerged that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are considering cutting unannounced safety inspections by a third. The plans were contained in a leaked letter, obtained by the BBC's File on Four programme and are part of the HSE's
10/03/2011
The Scottish Parliament has given its unanimous backing to a new regime to protect against the risk of flooding from reservoirs. The Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill will introduce a new regulation system which is based on the actual level of risk posed by a reservoir as opposed to the current system whi
10/03/2011
The A. Proctor Group is pleased to announce a new partnership with Beaumont Forest Products. Beaumont Forest Products is a leading timber merchant serving the South East of England through three branches. With over twenty years’ experience as timber specialists, they are keen to develop the relatio
09/03/2011
The Scottish Government today reaffirmed its commitment to help with plans to modernise the Glasgow Subway. Finance Secretary John Swinney has agreed to make a substantial capital contribution to support Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s (SPT) modernisation proposals. This is a major step for
09/03/2011
First Minister Alex Salmond today welcomed the announcement that Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) and Marsh Wind Technology have established a joint venture to secure the future of the Skykon factory at Machrihanish, Campbeltown, where it is currently trading in administration. The joint venture,
09/03/2011
Safety was the message when Lovell organised supervised site visits for pupils at two Edinburgh primary schools. Children at St Francis RC Primary School and Niddrie Mill Primary School visited a major housing development which Lovell is building for Link Group at Wauchope Square, Craigmillar, next
09/03/2011
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has let a former retail unit in Shawlands in the southside of Glasgow to Brunswick Residential Letting, having secured a change in use from a shop (Class 1) to professional office (Class 2). Located at 36 Minard Road in Shawlands, the 424sq ft unit has been let at an an
09/03/2011
Scottish Power Transmission's plans to reduce the visual impact of the upgraded Beauly Denny power line around Stirling must consider all options including partial undergrounding, Jim Mather said today. The Energy Minister has asked Scottish Power Transmission (SPT) to engage with Stirling Council
09/03/2011
Contempo Lettings, a residential letting and property management franchise, has appointed Mike Ritchie Media to handle its Press and Public Relations activity in Scotland. Managing director, Carolyn Donaldson said that Contempo Lettings was embarking on a comprehensive plan to boost its Scottish ma
08/03/2011
The former family home of one of Britain's most famous Prime Ministers is to have a new lease of life as a romantic rendezvous for weddings and as a spectacular conference centre. Fasque House at Fettercairn, which once belonged to the family of Liberal statesman William Gladstone, has undergone a
08/03/2011
Green Academies, the first of their kind in Scotland, are to be set up over the next year. The Academies, run by Scottish Gas, will train a green army to install eco technology in Scottish homes. A total of 447 green energy jobs will be supported including the creation of 77 new jobs and apprentic
08/03/2011
There are a host of different musical styles on offer at the Edinburgh Property Jam on Thursday 24th March. In its third year, the Edinburgh Property Jam gathers together professionals from the world of commercial property to a unique networking event. There won’t be a black tie or cocktail dress i
08/03/2011
Transport Scotland's operating companies will carry out a blitz on potholes following the allocation of an extra £2 million to tackle the problem, Finance Secretary John Swinney said on Monday. Mr Swinney said: "Well maintained transport networks are vital to the vigour of Scotland's economy and pr
08/03/2011
Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Cllr Ruth Currie joined representatives from local sports clubs and contractors to officially open 4 new or refurbished sports pavilions across East Lothian. In total five new and one refurbished sports pavilions (the others being at Whittingehame Drive, Had
08/03/2011
Angus Council’s building standards service has obtained Customer Service Excellence accreditation for the second year. The Customer Service Excellence Standard is awarded to building standards services which provide a high quality customer centred service which has improved and continues to improve
07/03/2011
The new look castle square in Stranraer has been unveiled. An opening ceremony was held in the town on Tuesday the 22 of February. In attendance was Alex Neil Scottish Government Minister for Housing and Communities and Colin McLean Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scotland. Stranraer was luck
07/03/2011
Norman Beaton, Chairman of Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), met Argyll and Bute Council Leader Dick Walsh recently to sign a three year contract which will see the council delivering ACHA’s core information technology service. ACHA’s IT department specified its needs having considered
07/03/2011
Montrose Museum re-opened to the public on Friday following works to improve the accessibility of the 19th century building. Visitors will see an immediate difference at the front entrance where a specially constructed symmetrical double ramp has been built for wheel chair users to access the build
07/03/2011
Tenant volunteers in Edinburgh will tonight receive a civic reception from the City of Edinburgh Council to celebrate 20 years of campaigning for improved housing conditions. Edinburgh Tenants Federation, which draws its membership from 60 tenants and residents groups across the city, are to be con
07/03/2011
City property experts at Cullen Property are urging investors to have renewed faith in the property market despite the current trend for expensive mortgages. According to Steve Coyle, operations director at Cullen Property, with less people now able to invest in larger properties - thanks to the ty
07/03/2011
Strong tenant demand and falling supply pushes prices higher according to the latest RICS Residential Lettings Survey for November 2010 - January 2011. Rents rose at a rapid pace in the three months to the end of January, as falling supply of rental properties and strong tenant demand continued to
04/03/2011
More than three million tonnes of rock could be quarried from near Contin in the Highlands over the next 25 years, if councillors approve the plan. Achilty Quarry wants to extend operations at the existing site after identifying further reserves of stone. Highland Council planning officials have r
04/03/2011
Transport Minister Keith Brown has today announced the successful designer appointed to carry out the complex work to upgrade the A96 at Inveramsay Bridge. Following the Minister’s announcement last month to tender for the design work, in only a few short weeks Scott Wilson has been appointed to co
04/03/2011
Owners of former council homes in Stranraer who helped finance local authority repairs to their properties to tackle dampness in housing blocks containing both council and private flats, could be in line for major refunds. Councillors are considering refunds totalling almost £26,000 to five home o
04/03/2011
A consortium led by a subsidiary of Aberdeen-based Wood Group has won an engineering services contract from Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco. The deal, involving subsidiary Mustang Al-Hejailan, is thought to be worth hundreds of millions of pounds. The five-year contract is for
04/03/2011
Proposed measures to stabilise the Bervie Braes at Stonehaven have today been approved by councillors. Members of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee unanimously supported the installation of landslip prevention measures at the Braes through the use of ‘soil-nailing’ and ‘rockfill’ techniques.
04/03/2011
Aspects of Scotland's Land Reform legislation should be easier and faster for communities to negotiate, according to Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham. Addressing the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee recently, Ms Cunningham welcomed the research report post- legislative scrutiny of th
03/03/2011
Moray plans to harness opportunities in the energy sector this month as a business and recruitment fair is held in Elgin for local companies and individuals. National and local businesses, including the Global Energy Group, Subsea 7, DECOM North Sea and Petrofac will be at the 'Make it Moray' event
03/03/2011
Investments in Scotland's growing renewables industry have proven the strength of close working between public and private sectors, Alex Salmond said today as he announced details of a two-day global green finance conference to be held in Edinburgh in September. The Scottish Low Carbon Investment c
03/03/2011
The Houston subsidiary of the Aberdeen-based supplier and manufacturer of containers and modules, OEG Offshore, has secured a series of contract wins worth more than $1.15 million (£720,000). OEG Offshore LLC has been contracted to build three modules for GE Hydril – a control room, power room and
03/03/2011
An Aberdeen-based charity is cooking up a storm thanks to a generous donation from North-east construction business, CHAP Group. Archway, which supports adults and children with learning difficulties, was chosen as the company’s nominated charity of the year to support, and as well as raising over
03/03/2011
The UK's largest crane is on route to Fife where it will be used to build aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy. The 68m goliath crane squeezed under the Forth Bridges on its way to Rosyth Dockyard at low tide marking its 14,000-nautical-mile from Shanghai, China. Halcrow's project, which is part o
03/03/2011
Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has welcomed the announced level of budget support it is to receive in the next financial year from its funders. Despite the pressure on public spending, all three major funders of the regeneration company – North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Government and Scottish En
02/03/2011
Archial architectural has completed the £3.85 million Broxden Dental Centre in Perth for NHS Tayside. Providing general primary care dentistry services and undergraduate teaching spaces for NHS Tayside and NHS Education Scotland, Broxden Dental Centre offers a quality working environment in this ne
02/03/2011
A highly innovative Moray business has won two national environmental awards. Biomatrix Water, based at Horizon Scotland in Forres, has won the Rushlight Water Innovation Award 2010 and the Rushlight Water Treatment Award 2010. Biomatrix was judged by the expert panel to have made the most signifi
02/03/2011
Acting on behalf of Diamond Envelopes, Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has sold the direct mail and full service envelope manufacturer’s former premises on Wellheads Terrace, Dyce, Aberdeen for £6.7 million to property fund manager Highcross. The property, which comprises of substantial high bay indus
02/03/2011
Vocational training is making a real difference at one of Europe’s largest assisted workshop facilities. Bailie Jean McFadden has visited Blindcraft to learn more about how a unique vocational training programme is improving the lives of city teenagers. Glasgow City Council’s education convener m
02/03/2011
Leading national law firm, HBJ Gateley Wareing, in conjunction with ASA Recruitment, will be holding two seminars to update employers on the latest developments in employment legislation, as well as those changes on the horizon. In the seminars Jacqueline McCluskey, Kim Pattullo and Robert King, em
02/03/2011
A freight grant award of over £800,000 will help a Kirkcaldy flour mill go greener. The Freight Facilities Grant funding of up to £829,000 will enable Carr’s Flour Mills Ltd to provide enhanced storage silos and handling equipment to transport wheat to its flour mill in Kirkcaldy by sea rather than
01/03/2011
Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond will today officially open the £15 million Aberdeen College Construction Training Facility designed by Archial. Designed as the new main building on the Altens campus to relocate construction trade courses onto the same site as engineering, the new facility co
01/03/2011
Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop has backed plans to regenerate Irvine, and in particular the town’s A-listed Trinity Church. The Minister confirmed that £500,000 is being made available to support the ambitious plans of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and North Ayrshire Council. The Historic Scotlan
01/03/2011
Skills and training organisations throughout the Highlands and Islands are set to benefit from a multi-million pound boost to the region's economy. Thirteen projects, worth £10.1 million in total, across Orkney, the Western Isles, Argyll and Bute and the Highlands will offer a range of courses aime
01/03/2011
Graham Construction have been awarded the contract for the construction of the first new school ever built in the Cairngorms National Park. Work on the new £12 million community primary school at Aviemore for the Highland Council will begin on site at Muirton next month and is due for completion in
01/03/2011
Local organisations are being urged to apply for funding support from The Blacklaw Windfarm Community Benefit Fund before 3rd June 2011 and receive invaluable help. Funding of up to £30,000 is available to projects providing they are based within the Shotts, Allanton, Bonkle and Hartwood areas of N
01/03/2011
North Lanarkshire Council has chosen Lovell to carry out a £2 million refurbishment programme at a Motherwell town centre tower block. The scheme will transform the 18-storey Brandon Court – which is located above the Brandon Shopping Centre – with external improvements including a new rainscreen o
