Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for May 2013
31/05/2013
David Wilson Homes East Scotland is to build 178 new homes at a site at Fairmilehead. Situated in the south side of Edinburgh, the development will see a selection of two-bedroom apartments, three bedroom semi-detached and terraced homes, and four bedroom detached homes available. The architectur
31/05/2013
A £1.5m grant has been approved by Glasgow City Council to set up an innovation centre in the city. The facility will be at the forefront of the worldwide fight against illness and disease. The new Stratified Medicine Scotland – Innovation Centre, which will also create hundreds of new jobs, will
31/05/2013
A major project is underway at ScottishPower's Longannet Power Station in Fife. Up to 650 workers will be on-site over a four month period to deliver a £25m overhaul of one of the station's four generating units. More than 50 individual contracts have been awarded as part of the project, marking
31/05/2013
Aberdeenshire Council's Housing and Social Work Committee is set to approve home improvement loans worth £250k next week. The Equity Loans Policy would allow homeowners to pay for improvements and repairs to their homes. A fund of £250k has been established for the scheme which could see people a
31/05/2013
The recent Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show saw its visitor numbers increase by 16%. More than 7,000 people visited the show at the SECC on 18 and 19 May. The show is Scotland’s largest consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers and features specialist companies,
31/05/2013
Glasgow City Council's Executive Committee has approved £500k of funding towards the new base of the National Theatre for Scotland (NTS). The new facility will be located at Speirs Wharf in the city. The NTS is now proposing to develop a disused industrial unit on the northern bank of the canal
31/05/2013
Edinburgh Council has agreed a motion by Capital Coalition to sell Leith Waterworld to A&G Property Group. The sale is valued at £1m and will see a substantial soft play and leisure facility constructed in its place. The council has also agreed to set aside £125k to fund swimming programmes for pr
31/05/2013
Aberdeenshire Council's Social Work and Housing Committee is to receive an update on the progress of the local authority's housing programme. Councillors will learn of the progress being made to create new homes across the region as well as receive an update on Phase Five of the council's new buil
30/05/2013
North Ayrshire Council has taken steps towards the creation of 500 new affordable homes in the area. The homes will be delivered over a ten year period. Over the investment programme, the Council aims to build 500 new affordable rented homes. The programme has already delivered 63 new homes in Ca
30/05/2013
Construction work is to begin on the new £50m Inverness College UHI next month. The 13.2 acre site of University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) development will create 300 during the construction process, with a minimum of 28 posts filled by modern apprenticeships. The Scottish Government sa
30/05/2013
A report by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has said that failed retail units should be turned into new homes. The report, Retail Futures 2018, added that the proposed empty units could also be used for offices and leisure and entertainment venues. It is predicted that in five years' time,
30/05/2013
Dundee City Council has been given more time over its response to a proposed biomass plant. According to The Courier, the council was expected to discus the results of Forth Energy's air quality tests at a meeting on 10 June. It has now been scheduled for a Policy and Resources committee meeting on
30/05/2013
Edinburgh Council has said plans for the second phase of the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme (WOLFPS) are now in development. Members of the Council's Transport and Environment Committee will now consider an update report on Phase 2 next week. Phase 2 of the scheme comprises flood defence
30/05/2013
The town of Levenmouth is another step closer to having a new secondary school after councillors were given the results of a public consultation on the proposals. Of the 2,309 responses received, 63% of pupils and 79% of parents in the local area voted in favour of the move. The new secondary sc
30/05/2013
Plans to build new council houses in Fife have received a boost due to a further £2.8m of funding. The funding was secured from the Scottish Government through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. As a result of the extra monies, Fife Council's Executive Committee also agreed to bring forward
30/05/2013
Falkirk Council has said two sites have been shortlisted for the new Carrongrange School. The school, designed for pupils with a range of additional support needs, is currently located adjacent to Larbert High School. The new sites in question are at Weedingshall in Polmont and at an area of lan
30/05/2013
Inverclyde Council's Environment and Regeneration Committee has approved the latest phase of its £2.1m investment in play areas. Three fully equipped play parks are now planned for Barrs Brae in Port Glasgow, Braeside in Greenock and Taymouth Drive in Gourock at a total cost of £200k. Local comm
30/05/2013
A new centre that will develop subsea pipeline technologies for the world's oil and gas markets has been officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond. The Global Pipeline Welding Development Centre (GPWDC) is the culmination of a £10m investment by the major offshore energy contractor Subsea 7
29/05/2013
David Wilson Homes has received planning permission to construct 140 new homes in Eskbank. The development will be situated on the site of the former Jewel and Esk Valley College. Midlothian Council approved the developer's plans, which will see 94 detached homes, 18 semi-detached homes and 28 fl
29/05/2013
Details of a new project to help restore traditional and historic buildings in the Kilbirnie Conservation Area are to be unveiled. North Ayrshire Council has been awarded £500k from Historic Scotland's Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) and this will be matched by the local authority, to
29/05/2013
A solar research and training facility could be built on a reclaimed landfill site along the Aberdeen coast. Supported by AREG, Aberdeen City Council has submitted a bid to the Coastal Communities Fund for £500k towards the proposed Solar Project on the Ness Farm landfill site at Nigg. If the pl
29/05/2013
A total of 48 socially rented homes are to be built on the site of the former Alva Academy. The news comes after the council agreed to sell the land to developers. Earlier this year, the Clackmannanshire Council approved two reports aimed at stimulating the local economy. This included marketing
29/05/2013
Clackmannanshire Council has signed a contract for the refurbishment of the Speirs Centre in Alloa town centre. The contract, which is worth just over £3.1m, will ensure the future of the iconic category 'A' listed building. The centre is also of historical importance to the area and it is hoped
29/05/2013
Angus Council is the first local authority in Scotland to transform an empty property into an affordable home as part of the Scottish Government's Empty Homes Loan Fund. The former commercial property in Montrose, which lain empty for more than five years, was redeveloped into a quality one-bedroom
28/05/2013
The first images for the new Boroughmuir High School at Fountainbridge, Edinburgh have been unveiled today. Allan Murray Architects designed the plans for the canal-side site and show the new facility being able to house up to 1,165 pupils currently at the school's Viewforth site, which is less tha
28/05/2013
Kelty residents are being invited to discuss the facilities they would like to see included in a proposed new multi-use community centre for the town. A project was already under development for Kelty Primary School to extend and refurbish facilities to support an increasing pupil population, incl
28/05/2013
Aberdeen City Council has drawn up a shortlist of firms looking to become the development partner for the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC). The local authority invited expressions of interest from organisations wishing to be selected for the chance to develop Council-owned land. Th
28/05/2013
A major redevelopment of Lochaber High School is to continue after the Robertson Group was awarded a contract for the third phase of the project. The total value of this phase is approximately £11m, bringing the overall capital investment in the school since 2008, to more than £26m. The third pha
28/05/2013
Aberdeenshire Council has pledged it will deliver the best possible leisure and sporting facilities for Banff and Macduff. The news comes as a deal to secure and bring a major supermarket to the area closes and follows more than a decade of discussion between Aberdeenshire Council, Tesco and the to
28/05/2013
East Dunbartonshire Council has said it will deliver almost 400 new homes for the area over the next five years. The project will be delivered under a Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP). The SHIP will direct investment in affordable housing over the period to help achieve outcomes set out i
24/05/2013
Plans for Scotland's new Firth of Forth bridge has had its final hearing in front of MSPs. The legislation was expected to pass the final hurdle at the Scottish Parliament, the Scotsman has reported. The vote on Thursday regarded the legal framework, which will pave the way for technical issues, s
24/05/2013
A year-long redevelopment of one of Scotland's oldest specialist schools is to begin this month. The project will see the school's two current campuses merged into one. The re-development of the school will see its excellent facilities at Canaan Lane enhanced to take pupils across the whole curri
24/05/2013
West Dunbartonshire Council is preparing a funding bid for a major renovation of Levengrove Park. As part of the bid, the local authority is looking to hear from local resident's as to how the money could best be spent. The Council hopes to secure money from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for im
24/05/2013
Councillors have rejected an attempt to change conditions imposed on a planned wind farm for sourth west Scotland, the BBC has said. Last year, the Scottish Government granted approval to RES for the 11-turbine project between New Luce, Kirkcowan and Glenluce. The firm wanted to alter some of the
24/05/2013
The Edinburgh Trams project team and contractors are making final preparations to install overhead and underground cabling for the city centre section of the tram line. This final major piece of construction work requires significant access to the tram route. As a result, existing work sites betw
24/05/2013
Work to extend, refurbish and refit a Category B listed building in Glasgow is to go out to tender. According to Urban Realm, the building will be the new home of the Glasgow Women's Library. The property in question is currently empty after it was vacated by Bridgeton Library, which has since re
24/05/2013
A £766k refurbishment programme has been completed at Cambuslang Institute. The Grade-B listed building in South Lanarkshire has been closed since September 2012 to allow the work to be carried out. It has now reopened to the public after funding for the repairs and refurbishment was provided by
24/05/2013
Glasgow's Tollcross International Swimming Centre opens to the public today following a 19-month refurbishment programme, the Scotsman has said. The facility, which will be used as the swimming venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the city, cost £13.8m to restore. The work sees a revamped 10-la
23/05/2013
Developers behind an ambitious new town development in Aberdeenshire have signed a contract with three housebuilders. The agreement is for the first phase of the Chapelton of Elsick project. The project has a long-term target of 8,000 new homes. The site in question, is 2,000-acre area of farmlan
23/05/2013
Glasgow Caledonian University has unveiled its proposals for a new £30m redevelopment of its city centre campus. A planning application was submitted earlier this week for the Heart of the Campus project. Heart of the Campus is part of the University's Campus Futures scheme, which aims to enhance
23/05/2013
Wave energy firm Aquamarine Power has received approval for its plans to construct the world's largest commercial wave farm. Minister granted full consent for a 40MW farm off the north-west coast of Lewis. Following the announcement, Aquamarine Power said it would begin installing its Oyster devi
23/05/2013
The Cairn Hotel Group has said it is to refurbish and rename two of its prominent hotels in Scotland. According to the BBC, the two hotels are the Station Hotel in Aberdeen and the Royal British Hotel in Princes Street, Edinburgh. The group has earmarked £6.5m to support the upgrades and fund the
23/05/2013
Fife Council has confirmed that its Investment in Renwewable Energy projects has reached its highest level. More than £350m has currently been invested on projects on site or that are due to be completed during 2013. Major projects contributing to these figures include a £200m investment by Tullis
23/05/2013
Restoration and upgrade work at Lanark Memorial Hall is almost complete. The Grade B listed building has been a focal point for the town and the surrounding area since it was constructed in 1926, but time and other factors led to the deterioration of the build. As a result, South Lanarkshire Coun
23/05/2013
Following the successful conclusion of the one-way trial in Kelso, Scottish Borders Council has said it is to continue working with the Kelso stakeholder group to make permanent improvements and upgrades to the town centre. The current works will bring together various strands of work including the
23/05/2013
The Plumbing and Mechanical services (UK) Industry Pension Scheme has been awarded second place in the Pension Scheme of the Year category. The event was organised by Financial News magazine and held at the Savoy in London. Nominated by the magazine and judged by a panel of 55 judges, the Scheme c
22/05/2013
Supermarket Tesco has dropped its legal challenge to the Aberdeen Local Development Plan. The firm had raised an action at the Supreme Court in objection to a site near its Rousay Drive store. The site was being zoned for retail use, allowing the potential for a rival to move in. However, on Tuesd
22/05/2013
Plans have been unveiled for a new Offshore Renewables Institute in Dundee. The institute will see three of Scotland's east coast universities come together in the aim of becoming a recognised global authority on the delivery and implementation of offshore renewable energy. The Offshore Renewable
22/05/2013
Aberdeen's largest energy efficient low carbon business park, THE CORE, has appointed Kier Construction as its infrastructure contractor. Kier recently began work on a large infrastructure and enabling works package worth an approximate £6m. It includes the provision of 5.5 megawatts of electric
22/05/2013
Energy supplier SSE has recorded a rise in its annual profits following a spell of bad weather. The profits come despite a fine from energy regulator Ofgem and a disruption to its services. For the 12 months to the end of March, SSE reported pre-tax profits of £1.4bn, an increase of 5.6% from the
22/05/2013
In response to the demand from councils and developers, a further procurement round of the National Housing Trust Initiative (NHT) has been launched. The scheme, which has already delivered more than 1,000 new affordable homes across Scotland, allows developers and councils to jointly fund the purc
22/05/2013
Kingdom Housing Association has said it is to apply for planning permission, in principle, for an affordable housing development. The application for Oakley Road in Saline, will be made in August, according to Housing News. The plans are for approximately 55 homes to be built on a site near the so
22/05/2013
Transport Scotland has unveiled its shortlist for the £5.5m Crianlarich bypass construction contract. Five construction companies have been invited to bid for the work. Construction work is expected to begin this summer and is scheduled to finish 12 months later. The five firms shortlisted for
22/05/2013
Glasgow City Council has granted planning approval for a new Hospice of Glasgow. The currently provides free care for more than 1,000 adults and their families each year. Speaking about the investment, Rhona Baillie, Chief Executive of The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, said the planning com
21/05/2013
CITB-ConstructionSkills has kicked off Scottish National Apprenticeship Week. The training board held a practical learning event aimed at young people. The first 'hands on' construction activity day, was held at the National Construction College in Inchinnan, and saw third year pupils from six Ren
21/05/2013
Dumfries and Galloway Council is being asked to contribute £445k towards the redevelopment of Scotland's oldest working theatre. According to the BBC, the money has been sitting in reserve for more than two years after an earlier bid to release the funds for the Theatre Royal was rejected. At the
21/05/2013
An £8.2m contract has been approved for the design and build of the new Redwell Primary School at Alloa West. The new state-of-the-art facility will house pupils from St John's and Claremont Primary Schools. Clackmannanshire Council has been allocated just over £4m from the Scottish Government S
21/05/2013
Clackmannanshire Council has approved a £3.1m contract to refurbish the Speirs Centre in Alloa. The contract, which was approved last Thursday by the Council, will see the category A listed building more easily accessible to meet the needs of the wider community. The project will also see the res
21/05/2013
Clackmannanshire Council is to continue with an order to acquire the former Alva Glen Hotel by Compulsory Purchase Order. In December, the Enterprise and Environment Committee agreed to make a formal offer to the owner. In the event that the offer was declined, it was agreed that compulsory purchas
21/05/2013
Edinburgh Council has asked for the public’s views on the World Heritage nomination of the Forth Bridge. They will be sought through a 12-week consultation, which began this week. The Forth Bridges Forum – which includes a number of local and national organisations – is keen to gather input from i
21/05/2013
Councillors have agreed to invest £22.5m in a new secondary school in West Dunbartonshire. The building will replace Our Lady and St Patrick's High School. Site investigations will be held before a final decision is made on the location of the new facility. Feasibility studies to assess the suit
21/05/2013
More than one in five Scottish households have received help from the Scottish Government and energy companies to help reduce their home energy bills. Between April 2008 to December 2012, more than 540,000 homes received over 629,000 free or subsidised professionally installed cavity wall or loft
20/05/2013
People across Scotland are to be given a hand onto the housing ladder after the Government unveiled a £120m funding boost. The funding will be made available over the next two years to both first time and existing homeowners who are buying a new build home. Buyers who successfully apply to use sh
20/05/2013
West Dunbartonshire Council is to invest £17.5m in new schools and a childcare centre. The projects include a new secondary school for children with special needs, two new primary schools and an early education and childcare centre. The decision to proceed with the proposals was approved unanimou
20/05/2013
Work has started on a multi-million pound housing development in Edinburgh. The project, which is part of a £10m investment by Home Scotland, will increase the provision of affordable homes in the area. Phase two of the Kirkliston Village development will deliver 81 new affordable homes for local
20/05/2013
Refurbishment work has been completed at Moffat Community Centre. The centre has seen extensive work carried out over the past year to allow the upper floors of the east wing to be brought into use after having lain derelict for a number of years. The £730k project follows major funding from the
20/05/2013
Work is to begin on restoring Dock Park in Dumfries, the BBC has said. The £2m project is being financed through a combination of council support and the Heritage Lottery Fund and will see the park and its facilities upgraded. At the height of its popularity, the park offered a range of leisure a
20/05/2013
East Renfrewshire Council has approved a further £93k for a new all-weather pitch at Eastwood Park, Giffnock. Since 2009, the council has been working with Giffnock Soccer Centre (GSC) to deliver a 100m by 60m football pitch within the park, and in February, planning application was approved. In a
17/05/2013
Global Energy Group has said it plans to invest £37m to upgrade its Nigg yard facility at Easter Ross. The engineering firm, which has been at the site since 2011, is understood to have submitted paperwork to the Highland Council and Marine Scotland to be given approval for the improvements, The Sc
17/05/2013
Energy firm SSE has confirmed it has acquired the Dunmaglass wind farm project. The scheme, which was opposed by conservationists, will see 33 turbines constructed along the Monadhliath hills, about 20 miles south of Inverness. The developers of the project, RES, was originally granted planning co
17/05/2013
Aberdeen City Council has confirmed it is to invest £22m in vital social care projects. Social Care and Wellbeing Committee members approved the capital spending on two ongoing projects for 2013/14. It also agreed to support a number of new-build and significant refurbishment schemes following a me
17/05/2013
Miller Homes has completed the first phase of its development at Varcity North in Edinburgh. A total of 89 new apartments, consisting on one, two and three-bedrooms will be made available at mid-market rental rates at the development. In 2011, Miller Homes, the City of Edinburgh Council and Scot
17/05/2013
Plans have been submitted asking for £800k of council funding to help with a regeneration plan of Annan. The funding would unlock a vital component of the development master plan for the town, the BBC has said. If approved, the money would be used to upgrade the Winermere Road in the town, which
17/05/2013
Plans to regenerate Galston town centre have been unveiled as part of its new Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). There are a number of buildings within Galston, which hold important historic and architectural value, but time, weathering and the prohibitive costs of repairs have led some
17/05/2013
The Highland Council has launched a consultation to look at the alternatives being considered as part of the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan. Between April and July 2012, the Council carried out a consultation on the first stage of the plan, known as the Main Issues Report. The Main Issue
17/05/2013
US tycoon Donald Trump has launched his legal challenge against the Scottish Government's decision to approve planning permission for a wind farm. Mr Trump lodged the challenge at the Court of Session. The proposed wind farm would be located off the Aberdeenshire coast, near to where the business
17/05/2013
Ecological consultancy ESS Ecology are exhibiting at this year's Aberdeen All-Energy Exhibition. The event is being held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 May. ESS Ecology has been working on and offshore since 1995 and 2001 respectively, and through
17/05/2013
A new report by the Accounts Commission has criticised the lack of "significant improvement in road condition" in Scotland, despite major infrastructure work being carried out. The report said the major changes called for two years ago to improve the management of roads maintenance have yet to resu
16/05/2013
Miller Homes has unveiled plans to build almost 1,000 homes in Glasgow. The construction company has said the proposals will be completed over the next decade. It received planning approval for a number of family properties on sites at Broomhouse, Crookston and Cardowan, as well as an existing dev
16/05/2013
Glasgow City Council has unveiled plans to continue its growth and regeneration of the area. The new City Centre Strategy will lead to the creation of special districts in the city centre, with a focus on specific streets and will see the promotion and development of their unique character. More t
16/05/2013
A report proposing a new multi-million pound marina at Stonehaven is to be presented Aberdeenshire councillors next week. The Stonehaven Town Partnership (STP) is looking at the possibility of creating the new development at the harbour. It is understood the cost of the facility would be between £
16/05/2013
Council planners are being asked to oppose controversial plans for a nine-turbine wind farm in Perthshire, according to The Scotsman. The plea to refuse the plans is thought to be due o the potential impact the project will have on the Highland Fault. The Highland Fault is a natural feature, which
16/05/2013
South Lanarkshire Council has published its draft Local Plan for the area. It now wants to hear from locals on the council's vision for the continued growth and regeneration of the region. The South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan is available to view from today and will run for six weeks, unt
16/05/2013
Plans have been unveiled by Clackmannanshire Council to transform Sauchie Main Street. The proposals are the first to fall under the umbrella of the Village and Small Town Centre Initiative which was agreed by the Council as part of the 2013/14 budget earlier this year. A consultation programme on
16/05/2013
A new £9.6m school campus has opened in Dundee. The new schools situated on the shared site are Balgay Hill Nursery, St Joseph's Primary and Victoria Park Primary. The new campus was created on the site of the former Harris Academy Annexe by infrastructure, support services and construction group
16/05/2013
Work has started on Scotland's most intact 13th Century castle, The Scotsman has said. Mingary Castle, which is located on the Ardnamurchan peninsula near Kilchoan, is in need of some much needed repair work after lying uninhabited for so long. The shore walls to the castle have started to erode a
16/05/2013
An £8.3m project to transform Dreghorn Primary School has been officially opened. Education Minister Michael Russell MSP opened the new state-of-the-art facility. The new premises boasts 13 classrooms and a dedicated early years class. Other features of the school include elements specifically i
16/05/2013
A date has been confirmed for the demolition of two of Dundee's tallest housing blocks. The Courier has said the two towers – Bucklemaker Court and Butterburn Court – will be brought down on Sunday 30 June. Safedem will take charge of the demolition, with an exclusion zone being established aroun
15/05/2013
Preparations are underway to demolish Dundee's Harris Academy. The current building is being destroyed to make way for a new £31m replacement, and the City Council has said demolition work could be underway as early as September. An updated report on the project was published, which also confirme
15/05/2013
Lovell has been selected to undertake a £2.1m refurbishment programme on behalf of River Clyde Homes. The programme will be directed at homes in the Inverclyde area. A total of 500 homes will see new kitchens and bathrooms installed as well as rewiring work carried out, in order to bring the prop
15/05/2013
It is understood developers behind a major housing scheme in Edinburgh are planning to cut the number of homes originally proposed. According to The Scotsman, developers are to halve the number of homes in order to make way for larger properties as well as a retail district. As many as 3,400 apar
15/05/2013
Proposals for the regeneration of the Tillydrone area of Aberdeen have been unveiled. The plans were set out in a report before the Council's Housing and Environment Committee on Tuesday. Regeneration of the area is a key commitment of Aberdeen City Council, and officers have been exploring opport
15/05/2013
Objections have been raised regarding plans to build a windfarm adjacent to a Highland beauty spot. The Bheinn Mhor windfarm, if approved, would be situated just over one mile from Glen Affric, The Scotsman has said. German-owned wpd Scotland is seeking permission to construct seven large turbine
15/05/2013
Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA) has undertaken a programme to install solar panels on more than 500 of its homes. The project, which is the largest of its kind ever carried out by a Scottish housing association, is due to start at properties in Boston Court, Duns, and Sanderson Way in Eyemo
15/05/2013
A £3.6m road improvement scheme at Chapel Level, Kirkcaldy, is nearing completion. The year-long contract has involved replacing two traffic-signalled junctions with a new roundabout, while also realigning Henry Road and the dualling of the single carriageway west of Hendry Road. With the major w
15/05/2013
Aberdeen Council is to extend its energy efficient heat and power network to a further 388 properties. The properties are located in the Cornhill area of the city. The project currently provides energy efficient, low cost heating to multi-storey blocks and public buildings. Managed by independent
15/05/2013
More than £40k is to be invested in Dundee's tennis courts. It is understood the Environment Committee will hear of the proposals to upgrade facilities in the city next week. Fairmuir and South Road courts would receive the bulk of the investment, while other repairs would be carried out across t
15/05/2013
A £250m project, which will alleviate flooding in Giffnock, is to be undertaken by Scottish Water. The flood alleviation project will be carried out at the junction of Robslee Road and Orchard Park Avenue. Flooding has been a problem in the area for a number of years and the source of the proble
14/05/2013
Revised proposals for a £30m wind farm development in Caithness have been unveiled. According to STV, the scheme at Spittal Hill will see up to eight turbines constructed just over 2km north east of the village. This is a significantly smaller project that the initial plan of 30 turbines, with a t
14/05/2013
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has said the Scottish housing market continued to show "encouraging" growth last month. Surveyors added that both buyer inquiries and newly-agreed sales increased for the third consecutive month. More than a quarter of those asked, were also posit
14/05/2013
The Scottish Government has unveiled a £1.9m funding package to develop new business facilities at Skye. The National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture (Sabhal Mor Ostaig) has been awarded funding to develop a 1,050 m2 building which will provide space for up to 20 new businesses. It will also
14/05/2013
Work on a new build project in Ardenslate has been completed by Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA). The 'Fairways' project saw a total of 24 flats built on land previously owned by Cowal Golf Club, with 16 one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom affordable properties for rent. The new propertie
14/05/2013
Aberdeenshire Council has received strong views after holding a public meeting regarding proposals to the Aikey Brae site. Proposals have been submitted to develop the disused quarry site into an authorised Gypsy/Travellers stopover site, having previously been used unofficially by Gypsy/Travellers
14/05/2013
Fife-based firm, Muir Construction, has been awarded the contract to build a new Morrisons supermarket in Kirkcaldy. The deal is worth around £25m and will see the creation of dozens of construction jobs throughout the building process, the Construction Enquirer has said. The development will be
14/05/2013
Householders in East Dunbartonshire have had the energy efficiency of their homes improved under the Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS). The scheme has been running in the area since 2011 and in that time, more than 400 homes have benefited. Work includes the installation of free insulation i
14/05/2013
A popular tourist attraction has reopened in Aberdeenshire. The famous Feugh Footbridge, which overlooks the Falls of Feugh had closed for refurbishment. The paint on the footbridge was discovered to no longer be preventing corrosion and during the redevelopment work, significant corrosion was fou
14/05/2013
A scheme to improve the infrastructure of pedestrian and cycling routes across Aberdeen has officially been opened. Work on the Greenbrae Cycle Project began in 2011 and links Greenbrae School, housing developments and the nearby industrial estate. Throughout the area, pavements have been convert
14/05/2013
A new skate park has opened in Sauchie, Clackmannanshire. The park is open to all wheel sports, including BMX bikes and scooters, and its facilities include a half pipe, grinders and a fun box. An official opening of the Fairfield Skate Park is expected to take place in June, while further discuss
13/05/2013
A £3m plan to improve social housing is being considered by Dundee City Council. The report will go before the local authority's housing committee next week with recommendations to upgrade hundreds of properties across the city. The proposals include improvements to heating systems, bathrooms and
13/05/2013
Turner & Townsend has been appointed as cost managers for the renovation of one of the UK's oldest theatres. The global programme management and construction consultancy is involved with a major redevelopment of Glasgow's Citizens Theatre. It is the first major redevelopment of the facility in 30
13/05/2013
Work has started on the next phase of Port Glasgow's Gallagher Shopping Centre. BAM Construction has been appointed by the owner and developer of the land – Gallagher – to build a new £10m complex on the site. The new facilities include retail spaces, a restaurant and cafe. The store, understood
13/05/2013
A major roads improvement scheme has started in East Kilbride. The project is part of the Council's £126m Roads Investment Programme, and will see vital resurfacing improvements carried out. Work is expected to begin on Greenhills Road today, with additional work beginning on Eaglesham Road later
13/05/2013
Three new wind farms are reported to be planned for different sites in Galloway. If approved, the proposals would see 38 new turbines constructed and be more than 100 metres in height, the Galloway Gazette has said. Renewable Energy firm PNE Wind UK is believed to be behind the scheme which would
13/05/2013
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has signed a new £106m contract to extend its repairs and maintenance contract, Scottish Housing News has said. The contract, which will create 600 jobs, will see almost 70,000 customers benefit from the scheme. It is understood the GHA will keep its contract wit
13/05/2013
A campaign to help improve an Aberdeen park is to be launched, according to the BBC. Allan Park, which is situated between the River Dee and the old Deeside Railway line, has been described as "hugely popular". However, local residents have said it is in need of a number of improvements. In an e
13/05/2013
A flood plan worth £250m which could stop severe flooding in Giffnock, has suffered a set back. According to the Evening Times, the plan has been delayed until after the Commonwealth Games which don't take place until next year. As a result, the scheme will only be completed in the later half of 20
13/05/2013
Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has visited the site of a £7m tower block redevelopment project in Glasgow. The transformation will provide almost 100 energy-efficient and affordable homes in the city, Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has said. Lowther Homes, part of the Wheatley Group a
13/05/2013
Work has started on the Highland Council's Caithness headquarters at Market Place, Wick. The building is being demolished in preparation of a new £8m development of the town centre site. The existing building will be replaced by modern Council office accommodation. Morgan Sindall has been awar
10/05/2013
Councillors for Edinburgh City Council are considering plans which would revitalise the capital. It is understood the plans include a number of continental-style cafés and restaurants being erected along Princes Street. The decision comes after concerns were raised over the area's shopping potenti
10/05/2013
North Lanarkshire Council is inviting local residents to a public consultation regarding the future development plans for the town centre. The consultation will focus on the Airdrie, Bellshill and Kilsyth town centres and the views of residents and businesses will be taken to developed a new Town C
10/05/2013
The Highland Council has confirmed the route for the proposed Inverness West Link route. Before the decision was made, the Council was asked to consider a notice of motion by five councillors to review the choice of the distributor road. In phase one, this development would take traffic from Dores
10/05/2013
Orkney Council has said representatives from the local building trade are welcome to attend an energy efficiency event next week. The OIC Energy Efficiency Event will look at the funding currently available to make Orkney's homes more energy efficient. The Council is thought to receive £700k from
10/05/2013
Opponents to a £4.7m redevelopment plan for Gourock town centre have called on Inverclyde Council and Riverside Inverclyde to review the scheme. In a report by Urban Realm, it has been claimed that the proposals have not been subject to proper scrutiny and does not meet with current planning policy
10/05/2013
Link Group Ltd, one of Scotland’s housing, regeneration and support organisations, has appointed new contractors to provide its landscape maintenance service. JMK Groundcare Ltd will provide the service in Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, the Highlands, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire ar
10/05/2013
Transport Scotland has earmarked £6.4m to construct a series of walking and cycling routes throughout Scotland. The money will be put towards 104 walking and cycling schemes and will help link communities with schools and shops, according to The Courier. The Community Links Programme is administe
10/05/2013
Work has completed on a new multi-media zone within Alloa's Bowmar Centre. Receiving support from Scottish Gas, the new studio is part of a wider £50k refurbishment of the centre, and provided £20k worth of funding towards the project. The fund was part of their energy efficiency work in the Bowma
10/05/2013
A series of road improvements are to be carried out in Cumbernauld over the summer. North Lanarkshire has said the council will begin work on three key footpaths, including the Lye Brae East and West footbridges. The proposed work will take 18 weeks to complete and is expected to cost £460k. T
10/05/2013
The A. Proctor Group, who manufactures Reflectashield TF 0.81, has said the product has now been used by timber frame manufacturer Oakworth Homes. The group supplied the product for a feature house at the National Homebuilding and Renovating Show at the NEC, Birmingham, last month. Reflectashield
09/05/2013
A number of investigative works are to begin at the proposed site for a new wind farm off the coast of Aberdeen. The site has been the subject of controversy and has been opposed by US businessman Donald Trump, the BBC has said. The proposed development – which would cost £230m to construct – con
09/05/2013
The Scottish Government has confirmed some of the work being carried as part of the A96 upgrade, will be completed over the next few years. The work needed to completely dual the A96 has been given a final date of 2030. Currently, only short stretched of the road between Inverness and Aberdeen are
09/05/2013
Barratt Developments has said current market conditions are "the most positive we have seen for five years". In its Interim Management Statement, the housebuilding firm added that it saw a strong performance between January and May due to high consumer demand and an improving mortgage supply. The
09/05/2013
A new social housing partnership aim to tackle fuel poverty among the elderly, using solar energy. According to Housing News, renewable energy company Absolute Solar and Wind, has teamed up with Keepmoat and Link Group Ltd to install 96 solar panel systems on three of Link’s sheltered housing devel
09/05/2013
The first new council homes to be built in Kingussie for more than 20 years have been completed. The milestone was marked with a ceremony, and some of the new tenants were welcomed into their new houses. The four two-bedroom council homes have been built on a previously undeveloped and overgrown
09/05/2013
A number of construction jobs are to be created in Netherton. According to the Wishaw Press, 68 new posts will be created as part of an off-site building enterprise. The jobs will be located at the eight-hectare site of the new Enemetric factory, which is located across from the firm's existing N
09/05/2013
Plans to sell the Clydebank Playdrome site to supermarket chain Tesco has taken one step closer. Executive Director of Housing, Environmental and Economic Development, Elaine Melrose, was given the green light to conclude revised missives over the sale of the site. The proposed land is valued in t
09/05/2013
Work is to be completed this year on a major gap site in Edinburgh. The news comes as developers say they passed a key milestone on the project, the Scotsman has said. The site in question – the Cowgate site – was left devastated after a fire in 2002, with 11 buildings being destroyed. It has rece
09/05/2013
Plans to transform the playground of Pittencrieff Primary School has taken a step closer to completion after receiving funding from Dunfermline Area Committee. A total of £5,945 was earmarked by the committee for the project. The school has already raised £4k towards the initiative and application
09/05/2013
Aberdeen City Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee is proposing to close two of its schools and replace it with a new, purpose-built facility. The proposed plans are to close Kincorth Academy and Torry Academy and amalgamate the two to establish a new secondary school on the Bobby Cald
08/05/2013
New figures have revealed the impact the economic downturn has taken on Scotland's construction industry. The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) has revealed a total of 62,500 jobs have been lost in the sector over the last five years. This number outstrips the total number of jobs lost from the S
08/05/2013
Six firms are being invited to tender for infrastructure work to allow the first phase of a development to begin at Chapelton. The major new town development in Aberdeen, according to Urban Realm, added that the successful bidder will be named in the autumn, with work moving on-site shortly after.
08/05/2013
E.ON is inviting local people to attend an information session being held over proposed changes to its proposed Quantans Hill Wind Farm. The meeting, which will be held later this month, will update them on the planned wind farm near Carsphairn, Dumfries and Galloway. The wind farm is proposed or
08/05/2013
Plans have been submitted for the construction of a 181-bedroom hotel at Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. According to Urban Realm, Map Property and Leisure Springside Ltd, together with Fountain North, submitted the plans for the Hyatt Place hotel. The project has been designed by Archial and will see
08/05/2013
Plans to regenerate a town centre in East Ayrshire are to be unveiled. The proposals for Galston town centre are due to be revealed at the public launch of the area's new Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) next week. Galston has a number of buildings of historic and architectural value,
08/05/2013
A plan to redevelop key public buildings in Kirkcudbright has been unveiled. According to the BBC, the blueprint includes a proposal to transform the town hall. The scheme emerged following a local survey to determine the future of the town's publicly owned buildings and is being run by the Kirkcu
08/05/2013
Moray Council has confirmed work is to begin on a number of roads within the area in an effort to improve infrastructure. The work is part of the council's annual roads maintenance programme and will see a number of roads redressed. Sections of road are undergoing surface dressing, which prevent
08/05/2013
Work is to begin later this year on a £30m hydro power scheme in Ross-shire. SSE will begin construction on the 7.5MW Glasa hydro scheme near Ardoss. It is thought the scheme will be able to supply power to 4,000 homes and will be the largest to be built in the UK for five years. First Minister
08/05/2013
Samsung Heavy Industries has secured a grant of £6m from Scottish Enterprise to help build an offshore wind turbine test centre in Fife. The news follows the decision of Scottish ministers to approve proposals for a prototype wind turbine which would have a capacity of up to 7MW at the Fife Energy
08/05/2013
Refurbishment work worth £1m is due to be completed at Douglas Terrace walkway. Almost £500k was dedicated to the project by sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, from the Scottish Government's funding to improve cycling infrastructure. This amount was matched by Dundee City Council for the muc
07/05/2013
The second of eight of Glasgow's Red Road high rise buildings has been demolished in a controlled explosion. The 30-storey building at Birnie Court took around five seconds to be razed to the ground, according to the BBC. The demolition is part of the wider Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) regen
07/05/2013
It has been reported that plans to build a 'six star' hotel in Glasgow has been scrapped. According to ArabianBusiness.com, the CEO of Dubai luxury hotelier Jumeirah Group confirmed the news. The Jumeirah Glasgow Hotel was initially scheduled to open in the Scottish city in 2011 and was viewed as
07/05/2013
A public event is being held at Clarkston Halls to share their opinions on the new Eastwood Health and Care Centre. The event will allow local residents to speak to the project's architects and view the site plan and proposals for the interior and exterior of the building. The meeting is part of
07/05/2013
Transport Minister Keith brown has said the two councils responsible for the Aberdeen bypass will not have to pay more than £75m each. Mr Brown explained that both Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils would have the amount they contribute towards the total cost of the A90 upgrade, capped. The total
07/05/2013
A planning application has been submitted for the potential re-opening one of the Highland's largest oil rig fabrications. The submission is for a 340-acre site and is situated 15 miles east of Inverness. The site at Ardersier is currently being prepared for construction linked to the offshore win
07/05/2013
Work is underway in Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch on 26 new council homes, with the first roof trusses for the build now erected. The homes are being developed with support from Scottish Government funding and are expected to be completed by early 2014. Constructed by developer Cruden Buildings
07/05/2013
Edinburgh Council has said only two days remain for its public consultation aimed at transforming Edinburgh's City Centre. The Council has developed a proposal to improve the city centre, with particular emphasis on the area around Princes Street and George Street. It said the proposal aims to ma
07/05/2013
Five new family homes have been completed in Inveraldie, making them the first council housing to be provided in the village for 40 years. Angus Council said the new development carries the name of the former ward councillor the late Frank Ellis, as a tribute to his long campaigning for affordable
07/05/2013
Glasgow City Council has confirmed residents in Battlefield secured a grant to carry out some much needed work on a lane in the area. The lane, which is located between Valeview Terrace and Prospecthill Road will be transformed after the locals were awarded a £4k grant from the council. Resurfaci
07/05/2013
A £2.7m infrastructure project to improve a water programme in South Lanarkshire has been completed, the Evening Times has said. The investment was undertaken at waste water treatment plants at Lanark and Carstairs, with £2.1m and £682k invested respectively. The Lanark water works will serve a po
03/05/2013
Plans have been submitted for a new 54-bedroom waterfront hotel on Kirkcaldy's Esplanade. The plans also include the construction of 30 flats, according to Urban Realm. If the proposals are approved, it is believed work could begin by July. The scheme, which is being financed by local businessma
03/05/2013
Protesters have gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in response to the use of 'systematic blacklisting' of construction workers. The protesters have called for a public inquiry into the scandal. Others demanded that construction firms who are implicated in the blacklisting of workers should no
03/05/2013
South Ayrshire Council has approved funding for work to be carried out at two primary schools in the area. The funding will see Barrhill Primary School upgraded and extended, while Doonfoot Primary School will receive a new extension. The decision is part of the Council's approved Asset Managemen
03/05/2013
Scottish house builders have warned of the economic disadvantages associated with potential new regulations on energy standards. As a result, the BBC has said a number of trade bodies have written collectively to the Scottish Government. Homes for Scotland, the Scottish Property Federation, Scott
03/05/2013
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has submitted plans for a new £3m visitor centre in Perthshire. The centre will be located at the Pitlochry Dam, according to the BBC. The energy firm is said to be considering building a new purpose-built facility for visitors to the site. It would replace the
03/05/2013
Plans to expand restoration works at a Dundee museum have received preliminary backing from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the BBC has said. The Verdant Works museum is dedicated to highlighting the city's jute industry. The Dundee Heritage Trust is hoping to secure £1.48m to help complete the restora
02/05/2013
The search has begun to find Scotland's most environmentally-aware construction firms, as the VIBES opens for its fourteenth year. The Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland Awards (VIBES) is Scotland's leading environmental awards scheme. It aims to recognise businesses of all sizes
02/05/2013
Plans for a new £250m community in south Aberdeenshire have been approved. Councillors approved the plans for the sustainable community proposed land at Edzell, on the border of south Aberdeenshire and Angus. Newesk, was given the green light by members of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committe
02/05/2013
The first council houses to be built in Clackmannanshire for more than 30 years have been completed. The homes were handed over by developers Hadden Construction. The £1.9m project saw 16 new homes erected at The Orchard in Tullibody, while the conversion of the former Dalmore Centre in Alva wil
02/05/2013
A preferred bidder has been named for the development of the former Aberdeen City Council headquarters site. The Council has selected Muse Developments as the preferred choice. Their plans for the redevelopment include comprising linked buildings, of which the tallest would be 10-storeys. Prefe
02/05/2013
A contract for a new £1.5m integrated day service facility for older people in Motherwell has been awarded. The contract has been awarded to JB Bennett (Contracts) Ltd from Kilsyth, following a thorough tendering process by North Lanarkshire Council's Housing and Social Work Services Committee. T
02/05/2013
A £100k restoration scheme to Bannockburn's Quakerfield shopping parade has been completed. The area in front of the facility has been upgraded with paving slabs and asphalt replacing the old paving, while the street trees have been replaced. The steps at the bank have also been removed with a ne
01/05/2013
A major new town development in Aberdeen has been granted outline planning permission, according to the BBC. The £2bn scheme will see developers aim to build thousands of homes around 10 miles south of Aberdeen, at Chapelton of Elsick. The site is a 2,000-acre area of farmland near Newtonhill and
01/05/2013
Construction has started on a new housing development in Craigmillar, Edinburgh. The project will see 60 new, affordable homes delivered to the area. The £6m Greendykes C project is part of the Council's wider 21st Century Homes for Edinburgh programme, which aims to build up to 1,400 homes avail
01/05/2013
Energy company, 2020 Renewables Ltd, has submitted an application to build a wind farm. According to the Stornoway Gazette, the proposed farm would be situated to the West of Tolsta, in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The plan is for a 42 Megawatt Druim Leathann Windfarm which could generate enough ele
01/05/2013
A train station in Glasgow is to reopen to almost a year after work began as part of an £11m restoration project. The revamp was carried out ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games as the station is expected to channel visitors to the various events next year, according to the BBC. Dalmarnock stati
01/05/2013
The cost of an Edinburgh flood prevention scheme has been revealed to be more than £12m over its original budget. According to STV, the final cost of the project is said to be almost £30m. The City of Edinburgh was in disagreement with contractors Lagan Construction Limited over time delays and c
01/05/2013
Plans to build two electricity substations at Blackdog, Aberdeenshire, have been delayed. The decision was made to allow further investigations to take place on the proposed site, and follows a site visit and public hearing held last week. The proposals by Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd would lin
01/05/2013
Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed a former town centre supermarket in Ellon is to be demolished. The site will then see a new store built in its place. Aldi Stores Ltd was granted full planning permission to demolish the former Haldanes store and build a new supermarket at the riverside site,
01/05/2013
A £3m revamp on a bull stud farm in the Highlands has been completed, according to the Scotsman. The redevelopment has seen the outdated farm buildings demolished and replaced with a new office, quarantine building, main bull housing building, GP building and a new silage clamp. As part of the wor
01/05/2013
Transport Scotland has said plans to upgrade the Kessock Bridge on the A9 has entered a "critical phase". The government agency added that work to make the structure completely waterproof, was subject to weather conditions, and once that task was completed, it would give a clearer indication of whe
01/05/2013
A £300k project to strengthen and refurbish a bridge over the Forth & Clyde Canal has been completed. The restoration works to Hungryside Bridge in Torrance saw the canal closed for three months, while traffic was restricted to single file. The work was carried out by the Council's contractor, D
