Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for August 2011
31/08/2011
Whiteinch Demolition Limited, a Glasgow demolition contractor has been fined after a worker was killed when a weight from a face shovel machine fell on him. On 12 May 2008 Bernard McCarroll, aged 68 years from Croy, was dismantling a hydraulic excavator at the company's yard in Glasgow by the proce
31/08/2011
Following on from the controversy surrounding the Edinburgh trams project, the Scottish Government has informed the City of Edinburgh Council that it will withhold £72 million for the project, in light of the Council's decision to take the tram only to Haymarket. Ministers are now of the view that
31/08/2011
The results of an investigation conducted by North Lanarkshire Council into allegations of contaminated land at and around Watling Street in Motherwell (Forum Place, Tiber Avenue and Empire Way) have been announced. The investigation was launched last July after allegations were made that toxic co
31/08/2011
Forres Academy was temporarily closed after a burst pipe flooded part of the building. The ground floor suffered water damage after a compression joint failed in a water pipe on the first floor. A number of ceiling tiles and floor coverings in the main reception area, canteen and technical and ma
31/08/2011
The "unequivocal" exoneration of Shetland Islands Councillors from claims of conflict of interest over membership of the Charitable Trust and its handling of the Viking Energy wind farm development has been welcomed by the head of Shetland Islands Council, Joseph Simpson. The Public Standards Commi
31/08/2011
A recent report produced by the Centre for Understanding Sustainable Practice (CUSP) at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, and supported by the Scottish Government, has been delivered to help the Maldives develop the potential for marine energy with a view to becoming the first carbon neutral Sta
30/08/2011
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has warned that Edinburgh City Council could be set to rethink its decision to halt the capital's controversial trams project at Haymarket and that the Scottish government might withhold almost £60m in funding. The council has announced plans for a special mee
30/08/2011
A recent online petition urging a campaign group to drop their opposition to the Aberdeen bypass has attracted the support of thousands of people. Campaigners against the construction of the bypass plan to launch a fresh legal challenge. Aberdeen resident Charlie McInnes set up the petition on las
30/08/2011
Angus Council's Education Committee has announced updates on the work being carried out in the county to ensure school buildings were fully renovated and modernised for the 21st century. Since 2004, the council has invested more than £43m on major improvements to its school estate including an exte
30/08/2011
A new £50,000 fund by Zero Waste Scotland has been launched to help local communities tackle problems with fly-tipping by providing them with cash to remove dumped waste and take steps to prevent future problems. Applications for grants of between £500 and £10,000 is open to community groups, land
30/08/2011
The recently re-branded Scott Group has appointed a new Group Board Director. Robert Maclean aims to focus on e-commerce development, property and will be supporting and assisting in acquisition activities, in order to further expand and develop each division in line with the Scott Group's ambitiou
30/08/2011
A report published by the Scottish Government has been examining the responsibility of companies to help ensure their products are properly managed at the end of their life-cycles. According to the study, producers of items such as plastic bags, electronic equipment, batteries, packaging and vehicl
26/08/2011
Campaigners against the construction of the Aberdeen bypass say they are to inform the courts they intend to launch a fresh legal challenge. That's despite an earlier challenge to the already controversial £400m bypass being rejected by the Court of Session about two weeks ago. Scottish ministers
26/08/2011
Stirling Council Planning Panel has held its first Pre-Determination Hearing to consider an application for planning permission in principle for a major new development in Plean. The application, by Waveband Properties Limited, is seeking permission in principle to build 500 houses with associated
26/08/2011
House purchase lending in Scotland rose by more than the UK as a whole in the second quarter of 2011, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). 11,300 loans for house purchase, worth £1.3 billion, were taken out in the second quarter of 2011 in Scotland, a rise of 36% in nu
26/08/2011
Local authorities across Scotland are teaming up to offer more options to people facing homelessness and are making significant inroads into the problem, a special seminar heard. All 32 councils are involved in regional hubs that examine individuals' options in the widest sense and are backed by £5
26/08/2011
South Ayrshire Council has written to tenants in 168 properties in the Lochside area of Ayr to advise them on progress of the modernisation programme that is currently underway. The modernisation programme is the latest stage of the Council's work to provide tenants in Ferguson Street, Gould Stree
26/08/2011
Ogro New Steel Fencing System based in Glasgow has introduced an exceptionally attractive offer of its New Steel Fence System. The fences are designed from scratch, patented and produced on a large scale offering significant cost reductions for domestic customers, an innovation on a European leve
25/08/2011
The Scottish Building and Apprenticeship Training Council (SBATC) has officially launched its search for Scotland’s Craft Apprentice of the Year 2011. Now in its twelfth year, the James Birnie Craft Apprentice of the Year Awards scheme is unique in recognising the talents of Scottish construction
25/08/2011
The Raploch URC has commenced work on Scotland's first ever mass timber, mixed use, low carbon development, which will create a mix of eco-friendly apartments and commercial units. Funded by the Town Centre Regeneration Fund the building will be constructed by Cruden Homes East and located in Raplo
25/08/2011
ISG has entered into a high profile joint venture with Tulloch, resurrecting the name of this iconic Scottish contractor in the North and North East of the country after a five year absence. The business, which will be based in Inverness, is led by David Sutherland and George Fraser, and Andy Mallic
25/08/2011
Next month, Robert Gordon University architectural technology student Pamela Robertson will represent Northern Scotland at the final of the Association of Women in Property National Student Awards at Claridge’s Hotel in London. Now in its fifth year, the competition is recognised as one of the toug
25/08/2011
For the second straight year street lights in Dundee have been repaired twice as fast as the next best Scottish city. Councillors will be told next week that as well as a swift response to problems, Dundonians can expect fewer faults in their street lighting, and for repairs to be cheaper than in E
25/08/2011
City Building – Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction company – has been appointed by North Glasgow Housing Association to a framework agreement providing domestic low emission gas central heating systems. The framework agreement which is worth approximately £600,000 will see City Build
24/08/2011
Builders have warmly welcomed today's news from the Council of Mortgage Lenders that house purchase lending in Scotland rose by more than the UK as a whole in the second quarter of 2011. This relates both to the number and volume of mortgages north of the border at 36% and 42% respectively, compa
24/08/2011
Building 800 new council houses in West Lothian will safeguard dozens of local jobs, Housing Minister Keith Brown revealed today. Over two phases, 13 sites across the region are earmarked for new council houses, the first to be built in the region since 1983. West Lothian Council is backing the dev
24/08/2011
The Highland Council has appointed a new Head of Planning and Building Standards. He is Malcolm MacLeod, the Council's Development Plans Manager. Malcolm succeeds Richard Hartland, who has taken up a senior post with Moray Council. Originally from the Western Isles, Malcolm joined the Council
24/08/2011
New Homes for mid market rent could be provided in Dundee if councillors back participation in the second round of a new national scheme. Last year Dundee City Council agreed to take part in the first round of the Scottish Government's National Housing Trust (NHT) Initiative, which has already seen
24/08/2011
The skyline of North Sighthill in Edinburgh will be changed forever with the dramatic demolition of three tower blocks on Sunday 25 September. The three old multi-storey flats in Hermiston, Weir and Glenalmond Courts will come down next month as part of the City of Edinburgh Council's regeneration
24/08/2011
East Lothian Council is investing almost £2 million in 14 new homes for rent in Macmerry. Work is due to start in September and is expected to take less than a year to complete. Local firm Hart Builders has been awarded the contract to build the new homes, on Council-owned ground allocated for hous
23/08/2011
An Inverness College UHI Electrical Lecturer has sparked praise from the City & Guilds for his excellent delivery of education to students, whilst the College itself was also recognised for its high standard of teaching and training. Electrical lecturer Denis MacKintosh was presented with a certifi
23/08/2011
The new gym extension at Xcite Bathgate Leisure Centre is set to open this weekend and a host of free classes are on offer to customers to help celebrate the big day. £600,000 has been spent on refurbishing and extending the gym area. The new extension has a fresh layout and design, new technology
23/08/2011
Since the collapse of a length of retaining wall on the A72 adjacent to Neidpath Castle on the outskirts of Peebles, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has been working closely with its consultant in order to provide a robust and cost-effective solution. The consultant presented a number of remedial op
23/08/2011
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is inviting applications to join its new Governing Board which will set the strategic direction for the professional body for housing. Recruiting a strong and effective board is an important part of CIH's work to represent and support the housing sector at a
23/08/2011
The story of the £1billion investment in Glasgow’s social housing is proving a big hit with visitors across the world. Glasgow Housing Association’s Big Red Truck mobile exhibition has been on tour all over the city since May. The interactive exhibition features plasma screens with videos of demol
23/08/2011
Minister for Housing and Transport Keith Brown has welcomed news that the energy regulator Ofgem is to investigate how the big energy suppliers calculate their profits by appointing a specialist team of accountants. The Scottish Government has calculated that up 170,000 more Scots would be pushed i
22/08/2011
As part of Aberdeenshire Council’s new build projects going forward this year, work recently commenced to develop a new 60 bed care home and 8 one bedroom cottages on a town centre site at School Road, Stonehaven. A total of 35 properties were completed this year within phase one of the new build p
22/08/2011
Timely intervention by City Building means that 30 apprentices – in the last two years – can now complete their training. City Building has come to the rescue of 30 unemployed trainee apprentices over the past 24 months to help them complete their training after their original employers made them r
22/08/2011
Major improvements in the way council houses are let in Dundee has led to the city dramatically reducing the length of time they are empty between tenants. Councillors will be told on Monday that as of July this year popular houses were empty for only 57 days, with less popular homes taking 67 days
22/08/2011
Plans to breathe new life into an Aberdeen city centre listed building have won the green light from Aberdeen city councillors. Development Management Sub-Committee members unanimously agreed plans from Gamola Golf Ltd to convert the vacant former International Casino at 47–53 Market Street into a
22/08/2011
The Scottish Government is continuing to survey and analyse results of information collected around the site of the North Sea oil leak at the Shell Gannet F Subsea installation. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has been in contact with Shell and the SOSREP where he urged again for better comm
22/08/2011
Kingspan's latest answer to fast-track construction, a 2 metre wide insulated roof and wall panel, available in lengths of up to 20 metres, is catching on north of the border, following a successful roofing installation in Glasgow. The Kingspan KS2000 RW trapezoidal profiles panel can further reduc
19/08/2011
A £1.2 million contract to complete the Copenhagen office development in Glasgow’s Hope Street has been awarded to Clark Contracts by Allied Irish Bank. Work on the 65,000 sq ft Grade A office development had been suspended in early 2010 when the original construction firm entered administration.
19/08/2011
National property maintenance provider Facilities Services Group (FSG) was on hand to support British Waterways with extensive cleaning and inspection works at the iconic Falkirk Wheel boat lift. FSG - which works with British Waterways nationally to deliver reactive and planned maintenance works -
19/08/2011
Kier Scotland has been selected by South Lanarkshire Council to join the contractor framework for the delivery of the second tranche of its primary schools modernisation programme, with an overall value of approximately £150m. Kier’s team, which includes RMJM Architects, has already successfully de
19/08/2011
Plans to create 737 new homes on the edge of Cove have been approved unanimously by Aberdeen city councillors. Development Management Sub-committee members supported two planning applications from Stewart Milne Homes and a third from Scotia Homes to build the homes as part of a mixed development on
19/08/2011
Aberdeen city councillors have approved plans for a major new office development on the site of the historic Triple Kirks building on Schoolhill. Development Management Sub-committee members supported the Stewart Milne Developments scheme to create a development of up to nine storeys, comprising fo
19/08/2011
The Government has launched its draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), tearing up over 1000 pages of national guidance and replacing it with only 52. Vital to maximising asset value, the planning system regulates the use and development of property. The draft NPPF approaches this from a g
18/08/2011
The freedom of working from home is fast becoming the next big thing for people involved in business services. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is keen to make sure that people in the Caithness and Sutherland area are ready to grasp the opportunities becoming available. HIE is offering advice
18/08/2011
Clackmannanshire Council is the best in Scotland when it comes to deciding planning applications. The Scottish Government's Planning Performance Statistics latest results show Clackmannanshire continues to decide a higher percentage of the planning applications made in its area within recommended t
18/08/2011
The Port Seton Resource Centre is the lucky recipient of a piece of sculpture which was much admired in the town before being damaged by a car. Bruce Smith, Senior Day Service Officer at the Resource Centre, explained: “The Port Seton In Bloom Group commissioned Gardner Molloy, a local stonemason,
18/08/2011
Members of the public are being invited to view proposals for a new development of social housing on the site of the former Bell Baxter High School at West Port, Cupar. Following public interest at a consultation event in June, a further drop-in event will take place at St Columba’s Primary School
18/08/2011
Scottish construction firm City Building has won a £170,000 contract to install new kitchens and boilers in Horizon Housing Association properties across the west of Scotland. The Livingston-based housing association is refitting 70 properties it owns in Denny, Giffnock and Possilpark as part of i
18/08/2011
Global sound and vibration expert, Bruel & Kjaer UK is running a range of technical seminars and training courses during the autumn. The company’s courses range from theoretical-based introductions to sound and vibration, to practical sessions teaching attendees how to get the most from their tool
17/08/2011
Angus Council's draft proposals for the £500k development of a new play area at Arbroath's West Links have the backing of the council's Neighbourhood Services convener Jim Millar. Commenting on the proposals, which will be considered by the Neighbourhood Services committee on Thursday (18 August) c
17/08/2011
Renowned Scottish architect, Allan Murray, has been appointed to lead an ambitious masterplanning project to expand the Edinburgh BioQuarter. The next phase will include 100,000 sq m of development capacity for the BioQuarter partners and is expected to be located adjacent to a new private hospital
17/08/2011
ScottishPower has recently submitted proposals to the energy regulator Ofgem outlining £3 billion of planned investments on its high voltage transmission electricity network in Scotland over the next 10 years. Projects will include the connection of up to 5GW of renewable energy, helping Scotland
17/08/2011
Housing Minister Keith Brown today kick-started the construction of dozens of new affordable homes in the Borders. A new financing model, the National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative, will see developers Tweed Homes and Scottish Borders Council jointly funding the purchase of the homes, which will b
17/08/2011
A coalfields charity is throwing down a £100,000 challenge to would-be entrepreneurs to start their own businesses to help tackle the scourge of unemployment in former mining towns and villages. The Coalfields Regeneration Trust hopes its Coalfields Community Challenge will identify up to ten viab
17/08/2011
The Natural Energy Show is back for a third year to showcase energy efficiency and renewable energy options for homes and small businesses. The event will be held at The Exchange, Thainstone Mart, Inverurie on Saturday, October 8 from 10am–4pm and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Aberde
16/08/2011
Craftsmen have removed an enormous stained glass window – measuring five metres in diameter – from Trinity Church in Irvine. The work, part of the ongoing regeneration of the landmark building, has seen the removal of the Rose Window. Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has been overseeing work to on
16/08/2011
Elegant Aberdeen city centre luxury boutique hotel, Carmelite, is to be significantly redeveloped in a continued refurbishment and upgrading project which will bring total investment in the past five years to more than £3 million. The independently-owned Carmelite, which comprises a bar lounge, a g
16/08/2011
Argyll and Bute Council is bidding to bring massive investment to Oban as part of a Scottish Government initiative to kick-start the economy. It’s called the Tax Incremental Finance Initiative (TIF) and the government are looking for projects which clearly demonstrate if council’s borrow money to i
16/08/2011
One of Britain’s leading residential and mixed-use developers, Redrow, has joined forces with Scott ELM, a division of the newly rebranded Scott Group, to launch a specialist pallet repatriation service for all its building projects across the UK. Clive Parry, Commercial Director at Redrow, said:
16/08/2011
Communities and developers are being invited to have their say in shaping a revised policy aimed at managing the provision of houses in multiple occupation in the Highlands. For nearly three years The Highland Council has had in place a policy to manage the concentration of houses in multiple occup
16/08/2011
The award-winning Concrete Garden in Possilpark was happy to receive some help from the Morris & Spottiswood team who where working nearby at Queen’s Cross Housing Association in Murano Street recently. One of the fences surrounding the Concrete Garden had suffered in the last high winds and Morris
15/08/2011
The award winning Concrete Garden in Possilpark was happy to receive some help from the Morris & Spottiswood team who where working nearby at Queen’s Cross Housing Association in Murano Street recently. One of the fences surrounding the Concrete Garden had suffered in the last high winds and Morris
15/08/2011
A brand new one-stop-shop for neighbourhood and library services in Craigmillar moved one step closer as Graham Construction were confirmed as contractor on the £7.5M scheme. The new East Neighbourhood Office and Craigmillar Library which will take 59 weeks to complete will be situated at the heart
15/08/2011
Minister for Housing and Transport Keith Brown has announced the appointments of Mark Forrest and Alistair Whyte to the Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd Board. These part-time appointments will be for 3 years and will run from 1 August 2011 to 31 July 2014. These posts are part-time and attract a rem
15/08/2011
Ayrshire based renewable energy company Solar and Wind Applications Ltd have been working closely with Energy Saving Trust to provide high quality solar PV installations over Dumfries and Galloway and Arran in recent months. The “Hotspot” scheme, organised by the Energy Saving Trust pitted solar P
15/08/2011
A collaboration of organisations, headed by Marine Scotland, is taking forward a series of marine surveys to gather information on the biodiversity of Scotland's seas. Eight surveys during 2011 are taking in a diverse range of locations around Scotland's coasts, covering some 2,200 square miles - e
15/08/2011
A group of young pirates launched a daring raid on the new Riverside Museum to launch an arts project in Govan. Around 80 youngsters dressed as pirates and Vikings crossed the River Clyde on the new Govan Ferry and planted flags on the other side to reclaim the territory as part of the ancient burg
12/08/2011
Aberdeen-based Maritime Assurance & Consulting Ltd (MAC) has expanded into the renewables sector for the first time by securing a significant contract with Inverness-based AWS Ocean Energy Ltd. The project, worth an estimated £170,000, will see MAC provide a concept review and detailed design of a
12/08/2011
Aberdeenshire-based ThinJack has just made an investment of nearly $500,000 in new equipment and inventory for its revolutionary ThinJack systems to meet rapidly growing demand for its specialist flange separation service. ThinJack is a millimetric thin steel envelope which can be inflated with 2,5
12/08/2011
A brand new community hub for neighbourhood and library services in Craigmillar moves one step closer today with a sod-cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction work at the site. The new East Neighbourhood Office and Craigmillar Library will be situated at the heart of the new Craigmillar
12/08/2011
A total of 115 creative businesses have now benefited directly from enterprise training run by the Cultural Enterprise Office, with 59 marking the competion of the Starter for 6 main programme today. The latest businesses include fashion designers, furniture makers, games and apps designers, archit
12/08/2011
Irvine Bay Coastal Park – a key part of the area’s regeneration strategy – has received a funding boost which will help create a raft of improvements. And young people and local schoolchildren will be asked to help carry out the work, aimed at improving the natural environment. Irvine Bay Green Ne
12/08/2011
A Coleraine site remediation specialist has won a £300,000 contract central Glasgow. The contract for ATG Services, is the latest in a series of business successes in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland for the company, which has been assisted by Invest Northern Ireland. ATG is clearing a c
11/08/2011
Some city buildings are to get their own forensic identity as part of a major effort to thwart metal thieves. Vulnerable parts of buildings will be doused in 'smart water' which, like DNA, can be traced if detected on a suspect. 'Dummy' metals will also be trialled on Council properties to help det
11/08/2011
Kier Scotland has appointed Gordon Reid as its Business Development Manager (BDM). Gordon has over 30 years' experience in the construction industry, initially as a quantity surveyor and latterly as a project manager. Over the last 12 years Gordon has contributed to the management of two significan
11/08/2011
First Minister Alex Salmond today renewed the Scottish Government's pledge to drive forward Scotland's renewables industry as he met representatives of Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd. ("MORL"), the joint venture company owned by EDP Renewables and Repsol to develop offshore wind energy in the Outer M
11/08/2011
Around 12,830 homes in the Highlands will be able to remain within social rented housing stock until at least 2020 due to a 5-year extension of the Highland’s pressured area designation status. Tenants with a modernised right to buy entitlement living in communities covered by the pressured area de
11/08/2011
The recent announcements by the major energy providers notifying of large increases in fuel prices could lead to an increase in Fuel Poverty, this is the opinion of Bryan Woods, MD of Icynene approved installer, eco Insulate Ltd. He continued by saying: "Apart from the effect on individuals these
11/08/2011
Scottish based firm A. Proctor Group has recently supplied approximately 650m2 of Royale Timber Cladding to a stunning project at Wellington College in Crowthorne. Wellington College is an exclusive boarding school which dates back to 1859, when it was opened by Queen Victoria. Beard Construction
10/08/2011
GHA’s £1billion project to upgrade homes in Glasgow has brought a major economic boost and thousands of jobs to the city. A study has now revealed GHA’s investment programme, the biggest of its kind in Europe, has brought in an extra £923million to the UK economy – with around £682m of that remaini
10/08/2011
Lovell has launched a new financial initiative to help Ayrshire home movers buy their dream home – just in time for the release of the spectacular Dalmore show home at its Courtyard development in Irvine. Match and Move’ is a brand new initiative which means Lovell will match a customer’s deposit o
10/08/2011
The Kilwinning Community Archaeology Project will start excavations in Kilwinning Abbey on Wednesday 17th August. To get the second season of the project underway a turf breaking ceremony’ will be held at 11am when Dorothy Lynam, long standing society member, will start the dig - all are welcome to
10/08/2011
The name of the new amalgamated school to replace the existing Conon Bridge and Maryburgh Primary Schools will be “Ben Wyvis Primary School”. Members of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee have agreed to the most popular name suggested for the new school by pupils, staff,
10/08/2011
A Co Antrim engineering firm is in focus this week with news that Ballymena-based Crawford Contracts Group has secured over £800,000 worth of new business in Scotland with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Crawford Contracts Group is a civil engineering company, which specialises in the design,
10/08/2011
A recent upturn in business has brought nine new faces to the growing team at Aberdeen’s Aiken Group. The 24-year-old company already employs 52 staff at its Aberdeen headquarters, plus around 100 contractors worldwide. The new staff have been taken on as part of an ongoing recruitment drive to
09/08/2011
Scottish water quality engineering firm Panton McLeod has celebrated another success in the ongoing expansion of its pipeline division by cleaning a strategic pipe section in the West of Scotland. The company carried out a programme of flushing and swabbing along a 43km stretch of pipeline in Argyl
09/08/2011
A project that will see three state-of-the-art synthetic sport pitches built in Dumfries and Galloway is to receive government funding totalling £1 million. Earlier this year, the Scottish Government committed £600,000 from its CashBack for Communities programme to help install two 3G sports pitche
09/08/2011
The Crown Estate has reported an increase in investment in Scotland despite the gross surplus from operations in Scotland falling. The profit each year is sent to the Treasury for the benefit of the public as a whole, and they continue to invest in the long-term development of property interests in
09/08/2011
A thriving community centre in Wester Ross is opening its doors this month to show off a new £1 million extension. The Torridon Community Centre was officially opened in 1996 but has recently undergone a significant extension after becoming too small for the community it serves. An Open Day is to
09/08/2011
The Law Society of Scotland is seeking urgent talks with Santander following the bank's introduction of a compliance fee, which the Society believes is an unnecessary cost burden on solicitors and their clients. The Society's Chief Executive, Lorna Jack, has written to Santander to protest at the b
09/08/2011
A group of young pirates launched a daring raid on the new Riverside Museum to launch an arts project in Govan. Around 80 youngsters dressed as pirates and Vikings crossed the River Clyde on the new Govan Ferry and planted flags on the other side to reclaim the territory as part of the ancient burg
08/08/2011
Affordable housing specialist Lovell has received a bronze award in the Considerate Constructors Awards 2011. The award commends Lovell for its exceptional achievements in the categories of neighbourhood relations and responsibility. Lovell won the award following completion of the £5 million Hartl
08/08/2011
The public will have its say on special planning guidance for a unique energy destination to the north of Aberdeen as consultation into new draft documents is launched. Planning guidance has now been published for all proposed development within Energetica – a new energy community stretching nort
08/08/2011
NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council (SBC) are working with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) who will offer free radon tests to residents in parts of the Scottish Borders, in a project funded by the Scottish Government. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which is colourless, odour
08/08/2011
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has arranged the sale of Grangemouth-based kitchen and bathroom specialist JW Bennie & Son to Alloa Athletic owner, Mulraney Group, in an off-market deal for an undisclosed sum. Sandy Falconer, head of Shepherd’s commercial department in Stirling and Falkirk, said: “The
08/08/2011
The Glasgow-headquartered residential letting and property management company Happy Lets, established and run by husband and wife team Bobby and Preet Sandhu, is expanding – in more ways than one. Not only have the dynamic duo snapped up Surehome Property, a former competitor with prominent offices
05/08/2011
House prices and house sales in the Highlands both increased in July according to the latest statistics from Highland Solicitors Property Centre. Their figures show that the number of houses sold in July was up 4% compared to July 2010, with house prices also up 4% on last year. While these figur
05/08/2011
Community groups are being encouraged to work in partnership with The Highland Council to upgrade local play areas. Over the past year, 14 parks in the Inverness area have benefited from an investment of £240,000. Funds raised locally have been supplemented by a contribution by the Council, via w
05/08/2011
The first contracts to deliver affordable homes in Edinburgh have been signed under the National Housing Trust initiative. Developer Places for People will deliver 188 homes in Lochend North and Madelvic 8. The 126 homes in Lochend represent the largest contract signed to date between a developer,
05/08/2011
A thriving community centre in Wester Ross is opening its doors this month to show off a new £1 million extension. The Torridon Community Centre was officially opened in 1996 but has recently undergone a significant extension after becoming too small for the community it serves. An Open Day is to b
05/08/2011
Householders in Brechin, Montrose and Arbroath are to benefit from lower energy bills as a result of the recent Home Insulation Scheme, partnership project involving the Scottish Government, the Energy Saving Trust and Angus Council. Figures have been released showing the outcome of the Home Insula
05/08/2011
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has overseen the sale of Grangemouth-based kitchen and bathroom specialist JW Bennie & Son to Alloa Athletic owner, Mulraney Group, in an off-market deal for an undisclosed sum. Sandy Falconer, head of Shepherd’s commercial department in Stirling and Falkirk, said: “The
04/08/2011
South Lanarkshire Council has appointed Morgan Sindall to a four-year, £150 million primary school modernisation programme - the latest phase of the council’s new-build and refurbishment framework for its primary estate. The company, which has offices in Glasgow, has been selected to work on Phase
04/08/2011
Riverside Inverclyde (ri) in partnership with Inverclyde Council has begun the process of implementing substantial public realm improvements on the Gourock waterfront. ri has submitted a Planning Application Notice (PAN), which will kick off a 12 week public consultation period on ambitious plans t
04/08/2011
An £860,000 project aimed at improving Bathgate town centre has finally been completed. The project is part of the Scottish Government?s Town Centre Regeneration Fund package for Bathgate in partnership with West Lothian Council and Enterprising Bathgate. It aims to regenerate the town centre area
04/08/2011
Due to site complications, the construction of the new Langfaulds Roundabout on Duntocher Road at Baljaffray Road will take longer than programmed. Localised drainage issues and complications relating to underground power cables have held up progress and all efforts are being made to catch up and
04/08/2011
Plans for a near £2 million regional gymnastics centre in Dundee could be set to take a great leap forward. The recess sub committee on Monday is being asked to approve a tender for the alteration and extension of the current sports centre in Old Glamis Road into the Dick McTaggart Gymnastics Centr
04/08/2011
Building products manufacturer Steadmans has provided a full range of components for the complete building envelope on a new 2,700 sq m expansion project at Scotland’s largest independent grain merchant. W.N. Lindsay wished to modernise and expand its existing grain store facility at North Esk Gran
03/08/2011
The Highland Council has awarded contracts valued at £600,000 for vital works at two Black Isle bridges. Both Henrietta Bridge, in Avoch, and Rosemarkie Bridge on the A832 road to Cromarty, suffered structural damage during the recent severe winters. Following assessment of the damage, and subse
03/08/2011
A new 'green' community development funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and Dunedin Canmore Housing Association has been shortlisted for a prestigious Sustainable Housing award. The Quarries is built on the site of an old limestone quarry and is in the running for the title of Sustainable Large
03/08/2011
The next step in the multi-million pound transformation of Dundee's waterfront could get the green light next week. Councillors on the Recess Sub-Committee will be asked to approve a £11.345 million tender for a three year contract for the removal and replacement of the Tay Road Bridge Northern Ram
03/08/2011
Young people across the Highlands and Islands are to be encouraged and inspired to take qualifications in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), thanks to HIE and the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). HIE has been successful in its bid to secure a new 45 month contract with
03/08/2011
Acting on behalf of a private individual, Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has sold a prominent retail unit with Class 2 consent in Aberdeen to Jasmine Property Investments for £115,000. The 600 sq ft property, at 16 Holburn Street, is situated close to the junction with Union Street, within the heart
03/08/2011
Scotland's first Social Housing Charter is taking shape and the Scottish Government is seeking views to inform the final document. The Charter is part of new arrangements to ensure that tenants and other customers of social landlords receive continually improving services. It will set the outcomes
02/08/2011
A leading North east architect has been speaking about his company’s role in repair work at Aberdeen’s historic Tivoli theatre during an address to a city trust. William Lippe’s Inverurie firm is closely involved in the landmark project to restore the famous venue to its original glory, and he rece
02/08/2011
First Minister Alex Salmond today hailed a new partnership between energy engineering and construction services provider Technip and Spain's Iberdrola, announced at the French company's new 'centre of engineering excellence' for offshore wind in Scotland. Mr Salmond joined Technip Chairman and CEO
02/08/2011
Tenants and residents across Scotland can now log on to the internet for all their housing information needs thanks to an innovative new website. Tenants Information Service (TIS) – the organisation responsible for promoting tenant participation in Scotland – has launched a new online site, in orde
02/08/2011
The HAVmeter safety system has cemented its position as the best method of preventing vibration injuries in the UK after reaching a new sales milestone. Monthly sales of the safety devices – which help prevent exposure to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) among workers using vibrating power tools
02/08/2011
Residents in Skye have attended a ceremony to take ownership of the local forest. The Sleat Community Trust has bought a massive 440 hectares of Sleat woodland from Forestry Commission Scotland for their community and officially took ownership at a ceremony attended by Alex Neil MSP, Cabinet Secre
02/08/2011
It’s been all hands on deck for Blantyre-based crane business The GGR Group whose compact cranes have been busy preparing one of the world’s largest barges, the AMT Trader at Govan shipyard this week. Preparations are underway for the enormous AMT Trader barge to carry the first section of the ne
01/08/2011
Work on the A82 trunk road which runs through the West Highlands from Glasgow to Inverness is progressing well, First Minister Alex Salmond said on Friday in Fort William before a Scottish Government Cabinet meeting, the first of four to be held outside Edinburgh over the summer months. Mr Salmond
01/08/2011
The National Museum of Scotland has opened to the public, revealing a £47.4 million transformation which has created one of the world's great museums - presenting the sciences, humanities and culture, all under one roof. National Museums Scotland has completed a highly ambitious redevelopment retur
01/08/2011
The Scottish Government Reporter’s examination of the North Lanarkshire Local Plan may lead to the release of green-belt land for development at a site in Cumbernauld which overlaps with East Dunbartonshire in Twechar. Councillor Billy Hendry has reiterated that a plan-led approach to planning mu
01/08/2011
A Moray precision engineering service company is to benefit from funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards a three-year business expansion and workforce development programme. FirScot Ltd, based at the Greshop Industrial Estate in Forres, has been awarded £193,000 which will allow
01/08/2011
Plans for a flagship school building project in Argyll and Bute will take a significant step forward this month. On August 1, the 12-week pre-application consultation (PAC) kicks off for the proposed primary joint campus serving the Dunoon and Kirn area, signalling the start of the statutory planni
01/08/2011
Angus Council is making progress with the £3million project to realign the A92 at Hawkhill and Courthill bends. The purchase of the pieces of land needed for the realigned stretch of the road known locally as Big Tree bends is nearing completion and a contract for the construction works is due to b
