Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for September 2013
30/09/2013
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has refused consent for the Harelaw Renewable Energy Park wind farm. The Minister agreed with the findings of a Public Inquiry Reporter that said the design of the wind farm, as well as the number and height of the turbines, would appear "out of scale" with the surroun
30/09/2013
According to the Scottish Building Federation (SBF), the construction industry is facing an increasing shortage of suitably skilled managers and supervisors. In its quarterly Scottish Construction Monitor, while the federation did record a 31 point improvement in confidence compared to the year be
30/09/2013
A new scheme to help get people on the housing ladder has been launched by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Over three years, the Scottish Government will allocate £220m for the Help to Buy (Scotland) shared equity scheme which will provide financial support to make buying a home easier. F
30/09/2013
Scottish Water has lifted a road closure on the A78 in Inverkip Street, Greenock, ahead of schedule as the firm continues to upgrade the water mains in the area. The work is part of a £2.9m Scottish Water project, which will deliver clearer, fresher drinking water to more than 65,000 people and in
30/09/2013
Stewart Milne Timber Systems has issued a statement in response to the Government's pledge to make homes more energy efficient. Last week, the Scottish Government said new builds in the country would become more energy efficient when changes to building standards come into effect. From October
30/09/2013
Inverclyde's urban regeneration company has said it will review their targets, work more closely with the local authority and Scottish Enterprise and have a new board. The move comes as the mid-term review is published for the first time after all partners, including the Riverside Inverclyde board
30/09/2013
A new council plan has identified land in West Dunbartonshire for the construction of more than 5,000 new homes, as well as 50 hectares where industrial and business development can take place. The proposed Local Development Plan outlines policies and proposals for the use of land in West Dunbarto
30/09/2013
Works to improve the façade and outside areas of shops and flats along the Cowgate in Kirkintilloch Town Centre have been completed. The revamp is part of the Kirkintilloch Masterplan which has seen a total investment of more than £285,000 from a variety of sources. Flats above the shops on the
30/09/2013
A community project, part funded by Aberdeenshire Council, is to unveil displays regarding a new multi-purpose community centre in Mintlaw. The Mintlaw and Buchan initiative (MACBI) will display a range of information at an event at Mintlaw Academy on 5 October. The open day will show plans of t
30/09/2013
North Lanarkshire Council has confirmed its stance on tenants in rent arrears due to the introduction of the UK Government's bedroom tax policy. At a meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee last week, Councillors voted through key decisions about those who find themselves in arrears because
27/09/2013
A historic theatre in Aberdeen is to be converted into an office development. Up to 600 workers will be accommodated in the new facilities at the city's Capitol Cinema. Members of Aberdeen City Council's Planning Development Management Committee voted in favour of the plans for the deteriorating
27/09/2013
A temporary closure of the U1451 Ruilick – Drumindorsair – Torgormack Road, between Kilmorack and Beauly, will be in place from Monday 30 September. The closure will remain until Monday 7 October. This is to allow a contractor, working on behalf of SSE, to excavate and place electricity cables w
27/09/2013
The Scottish Government is to release £15m worth of new funding to support the restoration of the country's peatlands. The money will be distributed over the next two financial years and will go towards restoring one of Scotland's most important habitats. The country's peatlands are of internati
27/09/2013
Tenants in Angus, whose homes are under-occupied, are to be given a financial incentive to downsize. The move will help the Council make better use of its housing stock by encouraging tenants with more bedrooms than they need to move to a smaller property. The Downsizing Incentive Scheme was fir
27/09/2013
A planning application for the construction of a new £14m primary school and community facility amalgamating Hillhead Primary School and North Primary School have been submitted. The proposed development site is located on Girnigoe Street, Wick, Caithness. The application is for the construction
27/09/2013
West Dunbartonshire Council has said the main phase of its refurbishment of Alexandria town centre, around Mitchell Way, is currently being carried out. Workers are on site and are removing the dated canopies and installing new lighting, shutters and signage. It is hoped the work will be comple
27/09/2013
Moray Council has agreed to meet with the workforce and trade unions over proposals to reduce the authority's lands and parks service. The review, which will also include burial grounds, will save £510,000 a year from the Council's parks and countryside budget from April 2014. The Council is hav
27/09/2013
ESS Ecology is currently engaged in a number of offshore ecological assessments, ranging from small, local projects, to large developments of national importance. The firm has completed a Land Use and Ecology assessment as part of a larger BREEAM assessment of the new West End Medical Practice bui
26/09/2013
The £14.5m redevelopment of Deaconess House on Edinburgh's Pleasance, which is currently being redeveloped by contractors GRAHAM Construction in partnership with Mace Real Estate, has achieved a major milestone as it reaches its highest point. A topping out ceremony has taken place to mark the bui
26/09/2013
Plans to construct 11 turbines on land, north east of St John's Town of Dalry, have been rejected. Planning officials at Dumfries and Galloway Council had recommended approval of the 2020 Renewables development – subject to a number of conditions. However, more than 50 objections had been submit
26/09/2013
The Highland Council's Adult and Services Committee have approved £1.567m funding for nine new education and leisure projects throughout the area. The nine projects which received approval for funding include:
26/09/2013
Councillor Ian Perry, Convener of the Planning Committee, has commented on the papers release for Monday's SESplan meeting. In a statement, he said: "We have been instructed by the Scottish Government to release more land for housing development in Edinburgh. We will be consulting with local commu
26/09/2013
The Scottish Government has revealed it will make use of financial transactions funding by investing £10m in a Charitable Bond. Reinforcing the Scottish Government's support for community-led regeneration, the investment in a Charitable Bond will generate more than £1m grant funding for the over-s
26/09/2013
Minister for Planning, Derek Mackay, has said new builds in Scotland will become more energy efficient when changes to building standards come into effect. From October 2015, improvements to new homes will see carbon dioxide emissions fall by around 21% when compare to current levels. The new, tou
26/09/2013
Inverclyde Council's Policy and Resources Committee has approved plans to release £1.5m of additional funds from reserves for key projects. The reserves proposals include:
26/09/2013
A transformed basement, located in a city multi, is to open its doors to the community this weekend. The contractors behind the project at Tulloch Court refurbished the space into a community lounge and will join Dundee City Council to showcase the room which will allow locals to gather and hold ev
25/09/2013
Shop-fitting firm, Havelock Europa, has posted an increase in losses, but has added that business is starting to pick up. The company, which is based in Fife, made a pre-tax loss of £2m in the first half of the year. This compares to a loss of £1.2m in 2012. Group debt doubled to £4.8m due to
25/09/2013
Businesses and households in Irvine, North Ayrshire, are being encouraged to improve their properties as part of a project to maintain the town's historic heritage. The council has unveiled a small grants scheme for owners, landlords or tenants of flats, houses and commercial properties which aims
25/09/2013
Councillor Lesley Hinds, Convener of Edinburgh Council's Transport Committee has welcomed the announcement that additional funds are to be allocated to the Leith Programme. A total of £3.6m will be given to the scheme. In a statement, Councillor Hinds said: "Today's announcement means that we ca
25/09/2013
Scotgen has said it will appeal against a move to revoke the operating licence for its Dumfries plant, the BBC has reported. Last month, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) took the action against the energy-from-waste facility. It said there were a range of operational issues includ
25/09/2013
Aberdeen's Wallace Tower is to be removed from the market for a year as a community group aims to attract grant funding. The Tillydrone Community Development Trust wants to find a community use for the historic building but needs to grant funding to secure its plans. The B-listed building has be
25/09/2013
Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed that the Formartine and Buchan Way route has now been completed. The route boasts a 53-mile stretch between Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh, splitting at Maud. The Maud and Strichen stretch, which was completed in 2012, is the final stretch to be finishe
25/09/2013
Fife Council has launched a consultation over proposed changes to the school estate. The local authority is now asking for parents and the wider school community to share their views on plans to close six schools across Fife. The first phase of the consultation commenced on Monday 16 September w
25/09/2013
Aberdeen Heat and Power has become the first British company to win a Global District Energy Climate Award. The company, which was established by Aberdeen City Council in 2002, was awarded the Global District Energy Award of Excellence for Small and Medium Companies. A panel of energy experts fr
24/09/2013
A judge has ruled that the Scottish Government failed to take proper account of its obligations under a section of European nature legislation when it approved a major Shetland wind farm, the Shetland News has reported. The 103-turbine development, run by community company Viking Energy, would be
24/09/2013
Kirriemuir's historic centre is to be restored as part of a million pound heritage scheme. Angus Council and Historic Scotland are to jointly fund up to £1.1m to the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). It aims to improve specific properties in the town's conservation area which are of ar
24/09/2013
Scottish Water is to build a 3.1 mile long waste water tunnel in the south of Glasgow. The work will be part of the largest upgrade of the city's waste water network in more than a century. The £100m tunnel will run between Queen's Park and Craigton industrial estate via Pollok and Bellahouston
24/09/2013
Transport Minister Keith Brown has revealed how an additional £20m, recently allocated to cycling, will be spent over the next two years. The funding will enhance the Community Links programme run by Sustrans Scotland, which is open to bids from all local authorities across the country for infrast
24/09/2013
Construction firms from Aberdeen are being invited to attend a free 'Meet the Buyer' event at Pittodrie Stadium on 3 October. The event is designed to help them win work from local clients. Constructionline – the Government-owned database of contractors – is giving Aberdeen-based small and medium
24/09/2013
The Highland Council has said it has appointed Rope Access Scotland Ltd to carry out rock stability works in the vicinity of Smoo Cave, near Durness. The work, which will begin on Monday 30 September, is expected to take two weeks to complete and will include light rock scaling, netting and boltin
24/09/2013
Cleland Library in North Lanarkshire is to benefit from a £150,000 refurbishment programme. It is part of the Council's plans to refurbish the existing library and transform it into a new multi-purpose resource area. The project is a first for the area, with funds being provided from the change
24/09/2013
The Highland Council has said work will begin on Monday 14 October at Helmsdale's Bridgend Car Park. The authority's Planning and Development Service has appointed contractors John Gunn & Sons Ltd. to carry out £76,000 of resurfacing and environmental improvement works at the site. As a result,
23/09/2013
A cashback scheme from the Scottish Government could give householders up to £1,200 to install green upgrades to their homes. The Green Homes Cashback scheme, which is managed by the Energy Saving Trust, means each Scottish household could be eligible for funds to go towards installing a new boile
23/09/2013
Developers are to appeal a decision made by the Scottish Borders Council over a proposed wind farm in Berwickshire. According to the BBC, PNE Wind UK are to contest a decision over the development at Brunta Hill, near Westruther, Berwickshire, after the Scottish Borders Council blocked its progres
23/09/2013
Major refurbishment work is set to begin on a road bridge in the Cabrach area of Moray. The £90,000 project will include repairing some of the existing steelwork, strengthening of the bridge through the installation of new steelwork, a new deck and repainting works. The bridge, which is located
23/09/2013
The future of the largest marina located on the east coast of Scotland has been secured after being taken over by a private developer. In a statement, the City of Edinburgh Council said it had agreed for Port Edgar Marina to be taken over by Port Edgar Holding Ltd. The 30-year lease will begin i
23/09/2013
Fife Council's Central Area Planning Committee has approved planning permission for a new care home in Kirkcaldy. The outline design for the facility, as well as the planning application, was submitted in July. Commenting on the decision, Councillor Judy Hamilton, Executive Spokesperson for Soci
23/09/2013
A £4m extension to Kingussie High School has officially opened. The celebration was marked by the oldest pupil, Harry Grant and the youngest pupil, Stephenie Dare cutting a ribbon and the unveiling of a new school flag and the premiere of the school's new tune, 'Gu Dichiollach' ('With Diligence').
23/09/2013
A new landmark has been unveiled in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire. Situated at the junction of Benvue Road and Rowantree Place, a feature wall inscribed with the name 'Lennoxtown' has been installed. The new amenity will also include the provision of two new seating areas and has been delivered
23/09/2013
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is preparing to consider new applications to its Community Capital Grants Fund (CCGF). They will be from a range of community enterprises progressing their local capital projects across the Outer Hebrides. A total of £1.8m has been made available to community organisati
20/09/2013
Scotland's Environment Secretary, Richard Lochhead, has launched the Resource Efficient House on the BRE Innovation Park at Ravenscraig in Lanarkshire. The house is one of the first projects to be delivered by the Scottish Government's Resource Efficient Scotland programme, managed by Zero Waste S
20/09/2013
The Highland Council has agreed to consult with local communities regarding a programme of war memorial refurbishment to be held between 2014 and 2018. The Council is responsible for 173 memorials and the estimated cost of repair and refurbishment is £303,000. The works vary from landscape and mas
20/09/2013
Scotland's Transport Minister, Keith Brown, has said "High Speed rail can strengthen its case and silence the critics by extending further and faster." The Minister was speaking prior to his appearance at a rail industry conference, where he will emphasise why developing a further reaching network
20/09/2013
The creation of a new Local Development Plan for the Inner Moray Firth area continues to progress after the Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee approved the proposals. The plans outline how and where the local authority thinks the area should be developed over the ne
20/09/2013
Fife Council has said improvement works to Cupar town centre will begin at the end of the month. The project is expected to commence on Monday 30 September and should be completed by summer 2014. The works include streetscape refurbishment along sections of the Crossgate, Bonnygate Street, Cathe
20/09/2013
A four-day hearing for Donald Trump's legal challenge to a proposed wind farm has been set for November, the BBC has reported. Earlier this year, Mr Trump's legal team launched legal action to try to stop the £230m development being built near his luxury golf resort at Balmedie, Aberdeen. The wi
20/09/2013
Scottish Water has said an innovative process to treat sewage sludge, while generating green energy, is to be introduced at Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works. The company's PFI partner, Stirling Water, is investing in a thermal hydrolysis plant (THP) within the works, which treats waste water f
20/09/2013
ESS Ecology are celebrating after securing high scores during a recent audit. The firm, which has been working on and offshore since 1995 and 2001 respectively, has continued to evolve its management systems to match the demands of its projects, clients and industry regulators. Its early involve
19/09/2013
A planning application for a new wind farm in Caithness has been approved by the Highland Council. The north planning committee voted to approve plans for a 15-turbine scheme at Halsary Forest, near Watten. The development will see 15 turbines erected with an installed capacity of up to 34.5 meg
19/09/2013
South Lanarkshire Council has said hundreds of people have responded to its Local Development Plan. Recently, a consultation exercise was held and more than 550 "valid" points – both objections to, and support for – the plan's proposals were submitted. Following a detailed assessment and conside
19/09/2013
Following a site visit to Nairn, the Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee have refused planning permission for a housing development. The development for Scotia Homes Ltd, Barratt North East Scotland and Robertson Homes, would have seen 232 houses and 87 flats constru
19/09/2013
Moray Council is to hold a two-day exhibition regarding the proposed link road for Elgin. The detailed design of the £8.5m project is nearing completion and it is hoped a planning application will be submitted later this year. The consultation will allow local residents another opportunity to vi
19/09/2013
West Dunbartonshire Council has launched a consultation, asking residents for their views on the proposed site for a new school in the area. The school is the new £22.5m Our Lady and St Patrick's High School. Members of the Council's Education Services Committee has welcomed a report and agreed
19/09/2013
Transport Minister Keith Brown has visited the recently opened cycling facilities at Pollokshaws West Station. The Glasgow station's B-listed buildings have been converted into a new cycling resource centre following £135,000 of funding from the Stations Community Regeneration Fund which helped wi
19/09/2013
Work has been completed on a key section of an £86m flood alleviation scheme in Elgin. Glen Moray Distillery, which is located on the banks of the River Lossie on the periphery of the town, has flooded a number of times, most recently in 2009, but work has now been completed on measures to protect
19/09/2013
Fife Council has said remedial works are to begin next week on the Newport Fountain in Newport-on-Tay. The B-listed structure was given to Newport-on-Tay in 1882 by Blyth Martin, a member of a Dundee jute family. In early 2012, the fountain was refurbished with new parts cast, railings replaced,
18/09/2013
Two Graham Construction apprentices have been recognised and rewarded for their skills and hard work on the recently completed Ardler regeneration project in Dundee. Last year, Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association awarded the £22.7m contract to build 269 homes on four sites across Scotland to GR
18/09/2013
The next stage in Dundee's £1bn Waterfront redevelopment could commence shortly. Next week, a city development committee meeting will be held where Councillors will consider a £1.5m demolition project for the current Dundee Rail Station. The tender will cover the demolition of the station buildi
18/09/2013
Three bidders have been invited to enter the final stages of securing a contract to build a new hospital in Dumfries. According to the BBC, five firms had expressed an interest in the project, and now, Balfour Beatty, High Wood Health (Laing O'Rourke) and Skanska have been selected as the final th
18/09/2013
Edinburgh City Council has said its tram service will be operational by May 2014, following six years of construction work. Plans have been outlined for the handover of a section of the tram route between Gogar depot and Edinburgh Park Station for testing in early October, with a full route test s
18/09/2013
Draft plans for the regeneration of Cumbernauld town centre over the next 10 years have been produced. North Lanarkshire Council said it had produced a Draft Town Centre Framework and Action Plan for Cumbernauld, with the documents outlining the priorities and principles to guide future changes in
18/09/2013
Angus Council has said it will continue its membership of the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) to help keep the area working. The SDP provides free specialist advice, information and training to support and assist businesses in Angus to tender for contracts. It is a local authority partnership
18/09/2013
The Wick Schools' Stakeholders Group has been advised that the new £39m Community Campus building will be handed over to the Highland Council in February 2016. The campus is expected to open from Easter 2016. Initially, the scheduled handover date had been summer 2015. However, the new £14m Pr
18/09/2013
The quality of Dundee's Green Circular cycling and walking route is set to improve with a proposed upgrade initiative. The local authority's environment committee will meet on Monday (23 September) to consider almost £64,000 worth of enhancements for the 26-mile long paths which connect green spac
17/09/2013
A number of new council homes are planned for towns across North Lanarkshire as part of the council's £150m Building for the Future programme. A total of 255 new properties have been proposed for the latest phase of the programme to create 1,000 new homes across the authority area by 2020. Airdr
17/09/2013
Proposals for a £3.5m investment in Perth and Kinross's economy is set to go before the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee tomorrow (18 September). If approved, the funding for the development of projects in Kinross, Perth, Aberuthven, Crieff, Pitlochry and Alyth will be provided through the
17/09/2013
Urban regeneration company, Riverside Inverclyde, has appointed an interim Chair and an interim Chief Executive following the recent departures of the Chair and Chief Executive. Inverclyde's Depute Provost Councillor David Wilson will take over as board Chair from Alf Young, who resigned last mont
17/09/2013
Following a successful drop-in event by Fife Council earlier this month, questionnaires are now available for Cupar residents to share their views on the Cupar CARS and THI. Cupar CARS will fund essential repairs and improvements to the historic streetscape and buildings of Cupar's Conservation Ar
17/09/2013
A new £3.4m family-focused community building has been proposed for Barrhead in East Renfrewshire. The local authority has agreed to consult with locals regarding the development, and if it is approved, it will fund, design and build the new centre. It is intended that the Early Years family cen
17/09/2013
Residents of Myrtle Avenue and surrounding streets in Lenzie are being asked for their views on the flood alleviation proposals suggested by East Dunbartonshire Council. The plans are designed to tackle the flooding issues the area has faced in the past. To allow locals to share their views, a d
17/09/2013
Plans to construct a skate park in Alloa is due to be discussed by Clackmannanshire's Education, Sport and Leisure Committee later this week. A report submitted to the committee outlines the popularity of wheeled sports among young people, and sets out the demand for a further skate park. Earlie
17/09/2013
Aberdeen City Council is expected to launch a public consultation on a key transportation project. The consultation will look at capacity issues and potential opportunities relating to the existing transport network in the Bridge of Dee area. The NESTRANS-funded study follows a previous study, c
16/09/2013
The UK energy secretary, Ed Davey, has confirmed wind farm developers will receive a cash incentive to build more turbines on Scottish islands. He added that there would be a higher subsidy for projects located in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles than on the Scottish mainland. The draft de
16/09/2013
Development of the largest tidal array in Europe has received approval from the Scottish Government. Ministers granted consent to the project which will see the construction of the first tidal energy project in the Pentland Firth. The project will be located in the Inner Sound of the Pentland Fi
16/09/2013
Preparations have commenced to clear the way for a purpose-built transport interchange in Galashiels associated with the Borders to Edinburgh railway. The Scottish Borders Council has said the Transport Interchange is designed to link up sustainable modes of transport with the Borders Railway, foc
16/09/2013
Angus Council has said work will begin to convert two disused flats in Carnoustie next week. The two properties are located above the former Fairways Garage site. They will be converted into three one-bedroom flats. The local authority is investing £307,000 in the refurbishment of the building
16/09/2013
Aberdeen City Council's committee has agreed to proceed with a new school. Last week, members of Aberdeen City Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee heard a report on the outcome of the statutory consultation on the proposal to close Kincorth and Torry Academies and establish a new, pur
16/09/2013
ESS Ecology have been awarded a contract for bird and marine mammal monitoring at the 500MW Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm (GGOWF). The wind farm is located over 23km from the Suffolk coast. ESS Ecology's success at re-tendering for the work allows the firm to continue data collection at GGO
13/09/2013
Transport Scotland has announced the shortlist of companies being invited to bid for three significant A9 design contracts. Eight design consultancies, or joint ventures, have made the shortlist for the A9 Dualling contracts. They are: • AECOM/Mott MacDonald • Arup • Atkins/Mouchel • Capita
13/09/2013
Councillors at Aberdeenshire Council are being asked to consider progressing plans for a Gypsy/Traveller stopover site near Old Deer. The local authority had been looking at the possibility of using a disused quarry at Aikey Brae as an official stopover site as it had previously been used by Gypsy
13/09/2013
Plans for a new Madras College has taken a step further this week after planning permission in principle was submitted. As a result, Fife Council is now asking residents to get involved with the process. The proposals for the new facility are available online and those who are interested in the
13/09/2013
Scottish Water has said it is continuing with major projects in the Glasgow area. The project will see almost 20 miles of water pipes upgraded, improving the supply of water for 40,000 people in the area. The £5.7m scheme of capital maintenance projects involves the replacement or improvement of
13/09/2013
Falkirk Council has said work is to start next month on the first project in the local authority's Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) scheme in Grangemouth. The work will involve the widening of the carriageway, as well as the installation of new traffic lights and pedestrian crossing facilities at two
13/09/2013
Planning permission for 48 socially rented homes in Alva have received backing from Clackmannanshire Council. The development will be located on the site of the former Alva Academy. Earlier this year, the local authority took steps to stimulate the local economy; this included marketing the deve
12/09/2013
Edinburgh has been selected to be the location for the new national sport performance centre. The capital saw off strong competition from both Stirling and Dundee for the honour. The successful bid by Heriot-Watt University, in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, will host the £30m f
12/09/2013
A new joint campus, which has benefited from the Scottish Government's £1.25bn Scotland's Schools for the Future programme, has officially opened. Education Secretary Michael Russell visited the campus for Haddington Infants and St Mary's RC Primary School in East Lothian, which was built with £4.
12/09/2013
Housebuilder Barratt Developments has said the recovery in the housing market is starting to spread. The comments come as the group reported pre-tax profits for the tear to the end of June of £104.8m, an increase from £100m the year before. Its average selling price increased to £194,800, up fro
12/09/2013
Fife Council is continuing to push for progress on the restoration of open cast coal mines across Fife. Following a meeting with the Scottish Coal Industry Task Force earlier this week, Council Leader Alex Rowley said he is determined that the council continue to work alongside its partners in ord
12/09/2013
Transport Scotland has said a ground investigation (GI) contract for Berriedale Braes is to be awarded later this month. Subject to a mandatory standstill period, the authority will award the £90,000 contract to geotechnical specialist, BAM Ritchies. Site work is expected to commence early next
12/09/2013
Residents in Kirkwall are being invited to attend a consultation regarding the Kirkwall Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). The event will allow locals to find out more about, as well as exchange ideas on, a new £3.4m THI project which aims to regenerate the historic heart of Kirkwall. Kirkwall
11/09/2013
Finance Secretary John Swinney has confirmed that the Queensferry Crossing scheme remains both on course and under budget. He revealed that the overall cost of the project is set to be £145m lower than previous estimates. The new budget range for the Forth Replacement Crossing is now £1.4bn to £
11/09/2013
Five heritage projects, ranging from Orkney to Saltcoats, are to share a total of £1.69m in Building Repair Grants. Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop revealed the grants in a Parliamentary Debate on the implementation of Scotland's first historic environment strategy. The five recipients are:
11/09/2013
Work to dual the A96 is continuing to progress following the award of a major contract. Halcrow has been appointed to undertake Strategic Environmental Assessment work for dualling approximately 86 miles of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen. The contract, worth £130,000, will assess the pot
11/09/2013
Recent research has suggested that building designers need to anticipate increasing temperatures due to climate change in order to avoid homes, workplaces and other buildings going into 'meltdown' in the future. To support them in this challenge, researchers at Heriot-Watt University have develope
11/09/2013
Two companies have reached the final stages of their bid to win the Zero Waste: Edinburgh and Midlothian residual waste treatment contract. Viridor Waste Management and FCC Medio Ambiente SA are now bidding to win a multi-million pound contract to recycle up to 135,000 tonnes a year of mixed waste
11/09/2013
Scottish Water has said it has now completed a key project in the Cumnock area of East Ayrshire. The work means more than 40,000 people in the area are now receiving clearer, fresher drinking water. The £6m project involved the upgrading of more than 60 miles of water mains as part of an ongoing
10/09/2013
A new report has revealed that more Scottish homeowners are putting their property on the market due to rising prices and buyer demand. The survey, from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) added that "positivity" was starting to return to the Scottish housing market. In August, 4
10/09/2013
Major roadworks have started along the A72 - Clyde Valley Road. The £1m investment will be carried out in four phases in order to minimise disruption. The first phase started on Monday 9 September and will last until 26 September. The first phase will take place between Dobbies Garden Centre a
10/09/2013
Inverclyde Council has said planning permission for the £5.5m refurbishment of Ardgowan Primary School in Greenock has been approved. The project is the latest in the Council's £210m Schools' Estate Programme which aims to deliver both new and refurbished schools across the region. This refurbis
10/09/2013
Orkney Council has said Stromness Swimming Pool should reopen to the public in November. The facility is currently closed as it undergoes refurbishment. The changing rooms are being upgraded, while the pool is closed while the new tiles are laid. The tiling itself will be completed by Friday 1
10/09/2013
Residents in Midlothian are being invited to view the area's newest extra care housing hub – before it opens its doors. The individual flats and extensive outdoor space will be available for locals to preview at the Cowan Court facility in Penicuik on Thursday 12 September between 4pm and 7pm. T
10/09/2013
Plans for the new £34m Inverness Royal Academy development are to go on display. The proposals will be available to view via a drop-in exhibition at Culduthel Christian Centre, Inverness, on Wednesday (11 September). The consultation will be held between 3pm and 7pm. The event is a "pre-applic
09/09/2013
Dandara has said it is to transform a famous Aberdeen landmark into a number of iconic city offices. The landmark new office complex will help transform the historic Triple Kirks in the heart of Aberdeen city centre. Developer Dandara is to invest more than £20m into the building, an A-listed fo
09/09/2013
Fife Council has voiced its concerns about the impact dilapidated buildings or untidy gap sites are having on the local residents and businesses. The local authority has also acknowledged that there are a number of challenges when trying to resolve the problems due to the legal framework in place.
09/09/2013
Work has commenced on a number of Dundee roads in preparation for the movement of wind turbine blades. The works, which are being carried out by Tayside Contracts, are now underway ahead of the blades themselves arriving in the city later this month. Explaining the necessary preparations, Will D
09/09/2013
The Highland Council has advised the Inverness public that work on the River Ness flood scheme is to begin next week. The work will involve the construction of flood walls along the river between the Ness Bridge and Friars Bridge. Signs are already in place to give motorists advanced warning of
09/09/2013
Aberdeen City Council has said Scottish Water is to carry out water main works in the Mannofield area this week. The works, which start today (9 September), are due to last into early October. From Monday until Thursday (12 September), there will be a ban on right-turn manoeuvres from traffic on
09/09/2013
The latest school to benefit from the Scottish Government's £1.25bn Scotland's 'Schools for Future' programme has been formally opened. Education Secretary Michael Russell visited the new state-of-the-art Spittal Primary School in South Lanarkshire to mark the occasion. The Scottish Government h
06/09/2013
A borders wind farm project has been rejected by the Scottish Government, according to the BBC. The Corsbie Moor wind farm, proposed by E.On, was reduced to less that half its original proposed size, but it was still turned down after an appeal. Initially, E.On first planned to construct 21 turb
06/09/2013
Transport Minister Keith Brown has vowed to continue looking for ways to bring forward dualling sections of the A9. However, he warned that upgrading the 80 miles of single carriageway was "challenging and complex". The A9 is Scotland's longest trunk road and the Scottish Government is currently
06/09/2013
The Highland Council has approved the final lay out drawings and authorised the submission of a planning application for the new road, marking a significant milestone in the project. The West Link will be a new transport link from the Southern Distributor Road at Dores Road to the A82 trunk road a
06/09/2013
Edinburgh's York Place has reopened to traffic today (6 September), four months ahead of the revised programme. Bus services will return to the area on from Sunday 8 September. Edinburgh Council has said the completion of the track and road works mean a vast majority of the tram infrastructure i
06/09/2013
A river crossing, which links a rural village with nearby Forres, has officially reopened a week ahead of schedule, Moray Council has confirmed. The footbridge at Broom of Moy had been closed since the start of July to allow the structure in question to be extended. The work was carried out as p
06/09/2013
Clackmannanshire Council is inviting groups throughout the county to apply for a share of £100,000 worth in grants. The grants are available to local communities in an effort to improve the quality of life in the area. The Council's Community Environmental Improvement Fund is open to communities
06/09/2013
Restoration work at a medieval chapel in Midlothian has finally been completed after 16 years. In a statement, Rosslyn Chapel confirmed the historic site was now free from scaffolding. The building, which featured in the Da Vinci Code movie, is a Category A-listed building. A major conservation
06/09/2013
Scotland's Chief Statistician has published Scotland's Carbon Footprint: 1998 – 2010. The publication provides estimates of the country's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a consumption basis. That is, emissions that are associated with the spending of Scottish residents on goods and services, whe
05/09/2013
Aberdeen-based CAN Group has strengthened its position as one of the leading inspection services in the North Sea, after securing a £90m multi-year contract with oil exploration giant Talisman Sinopec Energy UK. The five-year deal, which was announced at the Offshore Europe Conference in Aberdeen,
05/09/2013
A University of Dundee-led initiative, which aims to change the design of care homes in order to enhance the lives of older people, is among seven projects set to benefit from a share of £8m of funding. The funds are from three of the UK's research councils. The Built Environment for Social Incl
05/09/2013
Essential roadworks are to take place on one of East Kilbride's main roads. From 7pm on Friday 6 September, the A749 Kingsway will be closed between the Whirlies Roundabout and the Kingsgate Roundabout. It will remain closed until 6am on Monday 9 September. South Lanarkshire Council have said th
05/09/2013
Communities and businesses across Central Scotland are to benefit from proposed changed to Europe's largest green space project. The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) was created by Ministers in 2009 and has assisted in transforming the environment of the area for people, the economy and natur
05/09/2013
The Scottish Government has said the country's expected offshore investment could grow by 73% within the next five years. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said Scotland's oil and gas industry has "enormous potential" for the future to create significant opportunities for the sector. According to the
05/09/2013
Construction work is underway in the Plumtree and Netherdale areas as part of a flood defence project, the Scottish Borders Council has said. The Gala Water flood defence project will reduce the risk of flooding to central Galashiels and Netherdale from the Gala Water. Work commenced on site thi
05/09/2013
North Lanarkshire Council has said proposals for new cycle routes from Airdrie, Holytown and Bellshill are to be displayed as part of a consultation exercise. The planned routes would provide links into the key business areas of Eurocentral, Biocity, Newhouse Industrial Estate and Strathclyde Busi
05/09/2013
Two Moray projects are expected to benefit from funding of more than £42,000 from the Scottish Government's European Fisheries Fund (Axis 4) Programme and Moray Council. The Covesea Lighthouse Community Company Ltd will use its £26,000 match funding to develop the Covesea Skerries lighthouse near
04/09/2013
Leaders of the Highland Council have asked their colleagues to adopt a policy of opposing blacklisting. They claim the practice of blacklisting is "unacceptable" and "cannot be condoned". Council Leader Drew Hendry, Depute Leader David Alston and Convener Jimmy Gray have presented a notice of mo
04/09/2013
Plans have been agreed to provide cover during the closure of the £17m DG One leisure centre as repairs are carried out. According to the BBC, the proposals include the construction of a temporary swimming pool. The facility in Dumfries is due to shut for four months next year, while its swimmin
04/09/2013
Transport Minister Keith Brown has unveiled a new addition to the £24m A82 bridge programme. The finishing touches to a new bridge – which is one of the largest in the improvement programme – has been completed ahead of schedule. The new £1.8m bridge at Allt Chonoglais, which spans the River Kin
04/09/2013
Perth and Kinross Council has said works are to begin on a series of regeneration and environmental improvements for Blairgowrie town centre. The project will cover two main sites. Work will begin around the bus terminus and the Wellmeadow area from Monday 9 September, while the green space in the
04/09/2013
Moray Council has said an important road bridge over the River Spey is to close to traffic later this month. The move comes in order to allow major repairs to be carried out on the bridge. The bridge, which will close on 16 September, is a strategic crossing point over the Spey and is a vital ec
04/09/2013
New proposals for the re-development of Torvean Golf Course, as well as the creation of a sports hub on the existing golf course and an extension to Kilvean Cemetery, have gone on public display. The plans will be on display at Kinmylies Church of Scotland, Inverness and the public are invited to
04/09/2013
Clackmannanshire Council has said work is to begin on the installation of a new, fully accessible bridge at Gartmorn Dam. The project is being made possible due to a £10,000 grant from the Council's Community Environmental Improvement Fund to the Clackmannanshire Riders Access Group. Funding was a
04/09/2013
A planning application for a new hotel, café and shop in the village of Auchenblae has been submitted. The site in question is west of Granom, on the outskirts of the Aberdeenshire village. If approved, the new hotel would replace one in the centre of the village which was demolished following a
03/09/2013
A new initiative planned for Dundee could see more than £2m spent on improving energy efficiency in the city's homes. This year, the local authority has been awarded £1.9m for the delivery of area-based schemes by the Scottish Government, and if the scheme is approved by Councillors next week, alm
03/09/2013
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has announced the contractor appointed to a £1.5m project for a new harbour at Ardveenish. Following a competitive tendering process, local firm Macinnes Brothers has been awarded the contract to construct a new harbour at Ardveenish on the Isle of Barra. The developmen
03/09/2013
Work to complete a £3m, 12.5 mile heritage trail around Loch Leven in Kinross-shire has begun, according to the BBC. Currently, those using the route can only get three-quarters of the way around before they have to use a busy road, without a pavement, to make their way back to their vehicles. H
03/09/2013
The Scottish Government has said a study is to be carried out into proposals for a multi-purpose accommodation facility that will included shared halls of residence for students in the North East of Scotland. The study will be carried out over 12 weeks in partnership between the SFC, Aberdeenshire
03/09/2013
North Ayrshire Council has said work has commenced on a new £5.7m care home and resource hub on Arran. The local authority is developing the facility which will replace the current Montrose House and Stronach Day Services. The new Montrose House will provide 30 residential places for vulnerable
03/09/2013
The Provost of Inverness, Councillor Alex Graham and fellow Councillors Allan Duffy and Graham Ross welcomed new tenants into their new homes at Assynt Road in the city. The move marks the completion of the final phase of 32 houses in the circa £6m development. In this phase, 10 Council houses and
03/09/2013
Archeological investigations are due to commence this week ahead of construction work of the Access from the North (Third Don Crossing) in Aberdeen. Headland-Archeology, which is based in Edinburgh, has been appointed to conduct the survey on behalf of Aberdeen City Council. The initial surveying
03/09/2013
Scottish Water has said it is to recommence its work in Greenock town centre. As a result, motorists have been advised that a road traffic management plan will be implemented from mid-September. The scheme for the town was due to be carried out earlier this summer, but was postponed. It is par
03/09/2013
First Minister Alex Salmond has officially opened Fraserburgh campus's new state-of-the-art welding facility. An additional 100 engineering places at Banff and Buchan College have been created as a result. Up to an extra £1m of the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) investment would increase student
03/09/2013
A football pitch at has been reinstated and a brand new playpark constructed at Burntisland's Toll Park. As part of Fife Council's 'Building Fife's Future' programme, a new primary school is being built on the park to replace the old school which has run out of space on its present site. Therefore
02/09/2013
Archaeologists have uncovered remains of the first Iron Age 'loch village' to be found in Scotland, Historical Scotland has announced. The discovery was made in an excavation part-financed by Historic Scotland's archaeology funding programme. Those working on the project have discovered the rema
02/09/2013
Construction work has started on the largest college in Scotland, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed. The £228m investment for the City of Glasgow College super campus development will be spread across two city centre sites with 1,200 staff and 40,000 students. The project is pa
02/09/2013
The Scottish Government has announced an additional £3m has been made available for Scotland's fishing harbours that were damaged by storms last year. The storms were described as the worst in decades and caused damaged throughout the country. It is understood the additional funds will be used t
02/09/2013
Permission is being sought for a proposed waste energy plant near Galashiels. According to the BBC, the Scottish Borders Council is understood to have recommended the plans be approved for the project. If successful, the facility will be located at Easter Langlee. The firm behind the plans, Ne
02/09/2013
A Glasgow tower block has been demolished in a controlled explosion, Herald Scotland has reported. The 18-storey building, located at Shaftesbury Street in the Anderston area of the city, was brought down on Sunday morning. The site is being cleared for a planned £50m regeneration scheme. Peter
02/09/2013
Scottish Water has completed its work to improve service to customers in areas of Duntocher, West Dunbartonshire, who have been affected by discoloured water. A scheme to improve the water mains in the Craigielea Road, Roman Hill Road, Duncombe Avenue, Greenside Road, and Westburn Crescent areas c
02/09/2013
Aberdeenshire Council has said work to improve a badly damaged section of a significant north-east commuter route will be carried out in the next few weeks after the decision was made to bring the scheme forward. A section of the A947 Banff to Turriff Road, between Auchmill and Plaidy, will close
02/09/2013
The first phase of restoration works at Adam Smith Close in Kirkcaldy, Fife, has been completed. The work is part of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) project in the town. The refurbishment works carried out has seen the wall of the site repaired and restored to its original condi
