Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for October 2014
31/10/2014
Council Tax payments in Glasgow are set to rise by £0.8m, after the City Council was told it needed to find almost £30m of savings in 2015. A forecast published today for the year 2015/2016 shows Glasgow will need to find savings to meet a spending gap of £28.9 million. In addition the Council fac
31/10/2014
Clackmannanshire Council has announced plans to invest in affordable housing over the next five years. The Housing, Health and Care Committee heard a Strategic Housing Investment Plan report on 30 October that outlined proposals to provide more affordable homes. The provision will call on the Coun
31/10/2014
A new build West Calder High School is being brought forward by West Lothian Council, following the Executive Committee's decision to agree on a revised investment project for the development. The council currently has an existing approved capital project to deliver £12m of investment at West Calde
31/10/2014
Aberdeenshire Council has put a number of properties in Peterhead up for sale. The move follows the development of new office accommodation on St Peter Street, which has led to a number of buildings becoming surplus to requirement. Aberdeenshire Council is working with Shepherd Chartered Surveyors
31/10/2014
The construction of the £1.85m Dean Ford Bridge over the Kilmarnock Water has begun, according to East Ayrshire Council, with box culverts already being lowered into position. RJ McLeod Ltd. was awarded the contract to construct the bridge in May 2014. Design and manufacture of the pre-cast element
31/10/2014
Alba Systems Ltd has recently completed a construction project for BMW's largest UK dealership, Synter Plc. Alba, which is based in Glasgow, manufactures high quality Q-dek mezzanine floor solutions for a range of applications. This can include storage, office, retail and production environments.
30/10/2014
The first phase of restoration and protection works have begun on Banff Bridge in Aberdeenshire. Pier base work began this week and is expected to last until Friday. The work will involved the installation of four masonry cutwaters to the upstream face of the intermediate supports. The bridge has s
30/10/2014
Ayrshire-based Irvine Housing Assocation has launched a new customer service centre. The new Irvine-based centre is part of a wider team based in Riverside’s head office Nicola Thom, Executive Director (Operations) at IHA said: "Since joining Riverside we have been reviewing the range of services
30/10/2014
The amount of workless households in Scotland has fallen by 38,000 over the last year, according to figures released by the Office of National Statistics. The report counts the number of households in which where no adults are working. The number in Scotland was 318,000, down 38,000 on the previous
30/10/2014
The Scottish housing Regulator (SHR) has written to landlords and other key stakeholders to announce the start of a consultation on a revised Accounting Determination. The move follows the publication of a revised Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) late last month. The revised SORP introduce
30/10/2014
Barratt Homes is to develop 147 new homes in Stirling, following the granting of planning approval. In a development that is projected to bring over £20m of new investment to the area, the plans for Highland Gate comprise of a range of three bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached homes, and f
30/10/2014
The 2014 Scottish Rural and Islands Housing Conference begins today, running from 30 - 31 October. The conference will bring together delegates who have an interest in housing and related issues in Scotland's rural and island communities. Caledonia Housing Association is this year's host organisat
30/10/2014
The Highland and Moray Councils are collaboration on a new website that will assist residents in finding suitable properties in the private rented sector. In partnership with LocalPad and with funding from the Scottish government, the councils have developed the North and Islands Property Finder we
30/10/2014
40 new homes are being developed at two key sites in Galston. As part of East Ayrshire Council's town centre house building programme, the £3.28m development at Chapel Lane will provide 30 new affordable homes comprising of eight one-bedroom flats, eight two-bedroom flats, five three-bedroom homes,
29/10/2014
49 new homes for social rent are to be built in Springburn, north Glasgow, following the submission of plans. Page\Park architects lodged the proposals with Glasgow City Council on behalf of Loretto Housing Association. The housing will be developed in Barclay Street and will see eight blocks of a
29/10/2014
£300k has been announced for a new project to digitally map and scan every detail of the three bridges over the Forth, for future generations. The bridges will be digitally mapped with laser technology used previously by the Scottish Ten initiative. The project is due to start 2015 and will be car
29/10/2014
A £25m visitor resort is being proposed for the foot of Ben Nevis. Forestry Commission Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have produced plans for Leanachan, Fort William, next to Ben Nevis. The plans feature a hotel, "alternative" tourist accommodation and a campsite. Leanachan c
29/10/2014
Shelter Scotland has announced a new campaign to make the country's private rented sector fairer for families. The 'Make Renting Right' initiative was launched at Holyrood yesterday and aims to build public support for reforming private tenancy law. Shelter Scotland says there are currently 312,00
29/10/2014
Work has begun on the new Eastwood Health & Care Centre in East Renfrewshire. Health Secretary Alex Neil announced the go-ahead for the new centre when he visited the Shields Centre in Glasgow on Wednesday 22 October. Eastwood Health & Care Centre is to be located in Clarkston's Drumby Crescent an
29/10/2014
Apprentice joiners, plumbers, bricklayers, painters, plasterers and gardeners from Renfrewshire Council are to take part in a two-week trip to build a school in Malawi. The team of over 30 Renfrewshire Council trade workers and apprentices have volunteered to take part in the project, which is bein
29/10/2014
Nine new houses are being constructed at East Ayrshire Council’s £1.4m housing development site at Ayr Road in Cumnock. The development stands on the site of the former library and local office and includes eight two-bedroom homes designed for older people and one two-bedroom home designed for whee
29/10/2014
House prices in Scotland are at their highest level since records began, according to a report published by Registers of Scotland (RoS). The figures show the average house price in Scotland in the second quarter was £170,190, up 5.2% on the same period in 2013. This is the highest figure since RoS
28/10/2014
SSE has agreed a one-year contract with National Grid to provide backup reserve of as much as 780MW from its Peterhead power station in Aberdeenshire. The contract follows National Grid's tender for the Supplemental Balancing Reserve (SBR) service. The station will be prevented from every day part
28/10/2014
The façade belonging to the former Scottish Provident building at Edinburgh's St Andrew Square has been stripped by Comprehensive Design Architects and Gareth Hoskins Architects, according to the website Urban Realm. The website said Standard Life Assurance Ltd is attempting to amend an existing co
28/10/2014
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has marked the start of construction of Scotland's new national blood centre, based at Heriot Watt Research Park near Edinburgh. The National Centre of Excellence is to become the main hub for processing, testing, supply, research and development of blood and h
28/10/2014
One of Scotland’s leading providers of housing and care services for older people has received over £20,000. Bield’s Whitehill Court in Kirkintilloch runs an evening care service for people with dementia and has received a new grant through the Short Breaks Fund, which is resourced by the Scottish
28/10/2014
West Lothian Council has warned drivers to expect delays as carriageway resurfacing works begin in Broxburn. The road works will result in the closure of Station Road from the junction with the A89 to Almondell Road. Work is expected to begin at 08:00 on 17 November and run for three weeks, ending
28/10/2014
Highland and Islands Councils have signed a multi-million pound contract on behalf of the Pathfinder North Partnership to provide broadband across rural Scotland, starting in March 2016. The deal is part of the Scottish Wide Area Network (SWAN) Framework agreement awarded to CAPITA in February 20
28/10/2014
Clackmannanshire Council is above average in providing housing stock, meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard with 90.8% against a Scottish average of 84.4%, according to its first Scottish Social Housing Charter Report to Tenants . The report found the Council is the best performer in Scotla
28/10/2014
Business leaders and councillors visited Galashiels Transport Interchange this week to view progress at the site of the works in the Borders. The meeting also saw the launch of the Scottish Borders Business Forum’s new websitem while those present heard that the work on the interchange is on schedu
27/10/2014
Progress continues to be made on plans to build a new sports facility in Bishopbriggs. The Huntershill sports project, which would involve a new 3G pitch, grass pitch, six-lane running track, tennis courts, changing pavilion, access road and parking facilities. The total cost of the project is sai
27/10/2014
A number of new affordable homes are to be constructed in Inverness in the Highlands, it has been announced. The £1m project will not only help those in need of housing, but will provide a boost to the local construction sector and wider economy, Finance Secretary John Swinney has said. A total
27/10/2014
A section of the A82 trunk road is to be assessed by engineers after severe weather conditions caused damage to the road at the weekend. On Sunday, landslides and fallen trees affected a section of the A82 south of Fort William, causing damage. It is understood engineers from Bear Scotland will
27/10/2014
Scottish Water has said it is now entering the final phase of its project in the Steel Street area. The work, when complete, will help to improve the local environment as well as tackle sewer flooding. The £1.5m project has involved improvements being carried out to the waste water infrastructur
27/10/2014
A new community flat has been opened on the Glenavon estate in Glasgow. The project has been made possible by the Glenavon Residents' Association, and it will run the flat rent-free thanks to the Maryhill Housing Association. The new scheme has been designed to benefit residents of the three mul
27/10/2014
The newly-completed streetscape works in Kelso are to be unveiled later this week, it has been announced. The new town square, as well as a newly-carved Kelso crest at the entrance to the Town Hall will be revealed by Kelso Laddie Ross Henderson, the local authority has said. The £2m project was
24/10/2014
The chief executive of SSE, Alistair Phillips-Davies, has confirmed he has written to Ed Davey MP, calling for his department to consider moving to a "national pricing" on supplier costs. The move comes after it was recently revealed that electricity suppliers are faced with different costs for tr
24/10/2014
A shortlist of bidders competing to win the first A9 dualling scheme contract has been released by Transport Scotland. The contract, valued at £50m, would focus on the length of the A9 between Kincraig and Dalraddy. The Kincraig to Dalraddy section will involve widening the current five-mile stret
24/10/2014
Work is continuing to progress on a new housing development in Carnoustie, Angus. A total of 16 homes are being constructed at Camus Crescent in the town. When completed, 11 of the properties will be made available for rent. They will consist of eight one-bedroom cottages, two two-bedroom cottages
24/10/2014
Work to replace two primary schools in the Scottish Borders region is to be accelerated, the local authority has announced. The news comes after the Scottish Borders Council (SBC) agreed to provide "significant funds" to the builds. The schools being replaced are Broomslands Primary School in Ke
24/10/2014
East Renfrewshire Council has said financial close has been received on the new Eastwood Health Centre. The deal means that work can now begin on site in Drumby Crescent, Clarkston. The state-of-the-art health and care centre will provide services for the community of Eastwood and is expected to
24/10/2014
Inverness Royal Academy is to reopen to pupils and staff next week, the Highland Council has confirmed. The school was forced to close earlier this month following a routine inspection. The inspection, on 9 October, revealed problems with the boiler flue on the site. As a precaution, the school wa
24/10/2014
Controversial plans to create a permanent halting site for travellers are set to be shelved, it has been reported. According to BBC Scotland, the proposals will be discussed next week, but they are not expected to go ahead. Earlier this year, Aberdeen City Council announced Howes Road – located
24/10/2014
Caintech, an Inverness-based surveying company, has said it is now using a state-of-the-art UAV to carry out aerial orthographic imaging and 3D modelling. The firm is currently the only surveying company in the north of Scotland offering a large-land-area, fixed-wing UAV with full Civil Aviation A
23/10/2014
Construction work has commenced on the new Portobello High School in Edinburgh. After a lengthy period of discussions and setbacks, work was approved to begin earlier this year after Edinburgh Council successfully took a Private Bill to the Scottish Parliament. This allowed the local authority to
23/10/2014
Two new health centres are to be constructed in East Renfrewshire and Glasgow, it has been announced. Health Secretary Alex Neil confirmed the investment during a visit to another health centre currently under construction in Glasgow, the Shields Centre. Almost £22m of Scottish Government fundin
23/10/2014
Tulloch Developments has confirmed it is to build a new jetty in the Shetland Islands area. The £16.5m contract will see the firm create the structure for Lerwick Port Authority. The 800m jetty, located at Holmsgarth North, will allow for deeper berthing and a larger working area for the local fis
23/10/2014
A number of village halls in the Highlands area are to benefit from free solar power, it has been announced. The initiative is being made possible through a £100,000 grant from SSE's Sustainable Development Fund. Launched in 2013, the project is managed by the charity Community Energy Scotland a
23/10/2014
A new survey has revealed there is a seven-year high in the amount of workload for surveyors in Scotland. The report, compiled by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), said that in the last quarter, commercial workloads continued to recover. There are also "positive signs" to be f
23/10/2014
Dundee City Councillors are to discuss plans next week regarding a series of infrastructure improvement works to the Green Circular and Core Path. If approved, around £8,000 will be invested to improve cyclist safety and access to the green spaces in the area. Signage along the Green Circular will
23/10/2014
Cala Homes has said it remains on course to treble its revenues by 2016. The housebuilder has been boosted by a surge in its sales, while last year, it also doubled its profits. Publishing its financial results for the year ending 30 June 2014, group revenue was £294.2m, an increase of 22% from
23/10/2014
The Kelpies, a new cultural landmark in Falkirk, has won a national engineering award. The development scooped the Saltire Society 2014 Civil Engineering Award at a ceremony on Wednesday evening. Among the other nominations for the accolade were the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, the Kessock Bridge refur
22/10/2014
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced its support to transform the a Category B-listed church in Glasgow into an activity centre. Under the plans, the former St Martin's Church in the city would be refurbished and upgraded to become the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike and Activity Centre. Th
22/10/2014
A vital phase of works at the £230m Dumfries and Galloway District Hospital complex has been completed, Transport Scotland has confirmed. The completed phase saw the new Garroch roundabout, located on the A75 Dumfries Bypass, finished and operational. Completed seven weeks ahead of schedule and
22/10/2014
A former stately home in East Ayrshire is to be transformed by its new owners, it has been announced. Glaisnock House, which is located on the outskirts of Cumnock, now belongs to Chinese buyers, and East Ayrshire Council has said they plan to turn the property into a Chinese language and cultural
22/10/2014
Plans to construct a new brewery in Inverness have been rejected by Highland Councillors, it is understood. The proposals, by the owners of Glen Mhor Hotel, included demolishing a bar to allow the development to be created as part of the existing building. Concerns regarding the plans had previo
22/10/2014
Work is to commence on the new Cadder Community Centre later this month. In a statement, Cadder Housing Association confirmed Clark Contracts would be responsible for the build. The £3m development will be located on the site of a redundant sports hall and when completed, will offer a range of act
22/10/2014
The first properties at a housing development in Raploch have been officially handed over. It is the first phase of the £9.3m project completed, which will see a total of 24 new flats created for mid-market rent and two bungalows on the site. The partnership is being undertaken by four organisat
22/10/2014
The Ancrum Road Allotments in Dundee could be set to benefit from a series of upgrade works. Councillors are expected to meet next week to discuss the proposals. The environment committee will look at plans to create a small community allotment garden in the area, while improvements to the gener
22/10/2014
A public consultation is to be held regarding the management of woodlands in Gatehouse of Fleet and Kirkcudbright, the local council has said. In Gatehouse of Fleet, the local woodland areas in question are Garries Wood and Port McAdam Wood, while in Kirkcudbright it is Barhill Wood. At the mome
21/10/2014
A new ski resort has been approved for Wanlockhead in southern Scotland. It is expected to open within a matter of weeks. An application for the resort was submitted by the Lowther Hills Ski Club and will see a timber clubhouse, toilet facilities, an engine house and a 600m rope tow on the slope
21/10/2014
A church which has been undergoing a number of construction works has caught fire. At around 8.45pm on Monday (20 October), fire crews were called to St Clements Church in St Olaf Street, Lerwick. The two-storey building is said to have been left badly damaged by the blaze. In a statement, the S
21/10/2014
Dundee Council has secured more than £1.5m in funding that will see vacant or derelict land regenerated. The money, from the Scottish Government's Vacant and Derelict Land Fund (VDLF) will be divided among 10 council-led projects across the city. Next week the committee will be asked to approve
21/10/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council has confirmed the conservation area in Stranraer has been updated. The most recent plans now include Agnew Park, the Waterfront to the north and Hanover Street to the east. The decision will mean more of the town's history, such as the environment, will be preserved
21/10/2014
An off-shore wind turbine has been nominated for 'Engineering Excellence' at this year's Scottish Green Awards. The nomination, for Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Graham Construction, is for the 7MW turbine located off the coast at Methil Docks. The turbine, which is said to be the largest off
21/10/2014
A total of £120,000 has been approved for a new play park in Whinhall, North Lanarkshire. The play park will be created on an under-used space in the glen area of Whinhall, alongside a new community facility. Features of the park will include a large multi-activity unit with a slide, cableway, dou
21/10/2014
Scottish Water has completed a £4m pipeline project in Fife. The scheme will allow a reliable supply of water to be delivered to thousands of customers in the area. The transfer pipeline will see millions of litres of water pumped eastwards from sources in the Ochil Hills to a water treatment wo
21/10/2014
A tree felling operation is to be carried out in Elgin, Moray, next month. In a statement, the local authority said the work will be carried out at the Oakwood. The project will see a number of semi-mature beech and oak trees removed, while surgery will be carried out on a number of large beech tr
20/10/2014
Planning permission has been granted for the Alumno Developments in Aberdeen, which will see new student accommodation built in an effort to alleviate shortages. The development for Powis Place will create around 196 beds for students close to the University of Aberdeen. Part of the development wi
20/10/2014
Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has lodged an appeal with the Scottish government over the rejection of a proposed wind farm near Kirkcudbright. The five-turbine development at Bercloy Hill was rejected by Dunfries and Galloway Council in July. RES say that it has lodged the appeal because the visu
20/10/2014
Aberdeen is in the running to be named Scotland's most dismal town, as part of Urban Realm's Carbuncle awards. The so-called Granite City has been nominated for the Plook on a Plinth award, on the grounds that Aberdeen is "where architecture goes to die". Fellow nominees include Cumbernauld and L
20/10/2014
Cala Homes has described the last year as a "transformational period" as it reports "record profits once again". In its latest report the company has said that it is "on course" to deliver a three-fold increase in revenue by 2016, and is now a top 10 UK housebuilder, based on revenue. Figures post
20/10/2014
A £57 million project to design, build and maintain two new secondary schools has been won by Kier Construction. The firm will undertake the project on behalf of South Ayrshire Council and South West Scotland. As part of the project, listed Grade B building Marr College in Troon will be refurbishe
20/10/2014
Police Scotland have issued a warning to homeowners after a bogus workman took around £10,000 from a 79-year-old woman in Falkirk. It is understood the conman visited the woman homes in Wolfe Road on a number of occasions, offering to carry out various work on the property. The woman paid the man
17/10/2014
A proposed wind farm near New Cumnock in East Ayrshire has been approved by the Scottish Government. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing confirmed his consent for the 27-turbine development on Friday (17 October). The Afton wind farm will be developed by E.ON and will have a maximum generating capacity
17/10/2014
A skate park project in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, has been awarded up to £100,000 from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund. It is one of 47 projects that will benefit from a share of £2.4m from the fund. The £10m Active Places Fund by the Scottish Government allows for organisations to upgrade or cr
17/10/2014
Plans to expand a garden centre in Newtown St Boswells, as well as create new retail units, have been submitted to the Scottish Borders Council. The proposed £2.5m expansion by Milestone Garden and Leisure would also create around 40 jobs, it has been claimed. The plans would see the existing ga
17/10/2014
A new birthing suite is to be created at the Western Isles Hospital Maternity Unit, it has been confirmed. The work is part of a modernisation programme for the hospital, NHS Western Isles has said. Work commenced on the project this week following agreement on the preferred location for the sui
17/10/2014
A series of overnight closures have been planned as work on the Forth Replacement Crossing project progresses, Transport Scotland has said. The closures will start later this month, for drivers using the A90, M9 Spur and B800 to the south of the Forth Road Bridge. To allow for the safe installat
17/10/2014
Plans to create a wind farm in the Scottish Borders region have been revised by the developer. The proposals, submitted by the Pegasus Group, seek permission to erect seven turbines, 115m blade to tip, and the associated ancillary works for a site at Kilrubie, near the village of Eddleston. Init
17/10/2014
Work to reduce the threat of internal sewer flooding at Bank Street, Cupar, has commenced. The £150,000 project is expected to be completed early next month. During previous periods of heavy rainfall, the sewer network at Bank Street has been unable to cope, bringing the threat of Internal Sewer
17/10/2014
Morrison Construction, the appointed contractor for the Galashiels Transport Interchange, has said the project is already delivering benefits to the local community. Construction work has been ongoing on the £5.2m scheme for the last four months and is scheduled for completion in June 2015, ahead
17/10/2014
The Aquatics Centre in Aberdeen has been recognised at this year's Aberdeen Civic Society Awards, according to Graham Construction. The objective of the Aberdeen Civic Society is to encourage the preservation, development and improvement of buildings across the city. The award's scheme recognises
17/10/2014
North Ayrshire Council has said it is wanting to hear from local residents regarding proposed changes to rent rates. In a statement, the local authority has said there are two proposed rent increases and they are seeking to hear from the community as to what increase they would prefer to see imple
16/10/2014
Plans for a wind farm at Nathro Hill, near Brechin, have been shelved, it has been reported. The developers, Eurowind UK, had submitted an application to install 17 turbines, up to 470ft tall, on a site on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. If constructed, the 61MW scheme would have been
16/10/2014
A series of ground investigation works have commenced on the A82, it has been announced. The project is focused on the stretch of road between Tarbet and Inverarnan. When completed, the work will help to identify a preferred route for the scheme next year. It is understood this phase is due to be
16/10/2014
Miller Homes has said it is to build 750 new properties throughout Scotland. According to reports, the housebuilder plans to start construction on a total of eight sites before the end of the year. The homes will include a range of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes in Ayrshire, Baillies
16/10/2014
A number of local jobs have been created through a new £24m office development at Dalmarnock in Clyde Gateway. The development, for Police Scotland, is being carried out by Morgan Sindall and has seen more than 50 local job seekers working on site in a variety of roles. In partnership with the Cl
16/10/2014
A new café and gift shop has opened near The Kelpies in Falkirk. The Horsebox Café and Gift Shop is the first retail outlet to open at the ambitious Helix development. The Helix is a £43m project that has transformed some 350 hectares of underused land, between Grangemouth and Falkirk, into a park
16/10/2014
A restoration project for the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre and Museum in Orkney continues to progress, the local authority has said. The initiative, which would see extensive repairs and development work carried out on the facility, are now set to form part of the Council's major works from 2015. R
16/10/2014
A series of maintenance work planned for the Tay Road Bridge this weekend have been cancelled, Dundee City Council has said. It is understood the decision was made after stormy weather was forecast for the region. The prediction of high wind and heavy rain mean the planned carriageway resurfacing
16/10/2014
A new £1.67m housing development has been officially opened in Lauder in the Scottish Borders. The development has been built on the site of the former Lauder Primary School, which has lain empty since 2009 when a new school was constructed. Named 'Old School Place', the development by Eildon Ho
16/10/2014
Scottish Water has said it has transferred a disused raw water intake weir to the Sunart Community Company (SCC). Under the Community Right to Buy (CRtB) scheme, this will allow the SCC to develop the site for use as a Hydro project. The SCC first suggested the potential for a community-run hydr
16/10/2014
A new police firing range has opened in Dounreay, Caithness. Located near the nuclear power station in the area, the £2.5m facility will be used by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) officers who guard Dounreay, the BBC has reported. The range consists of eight-lanes, at 164 ft (50m) long. D
15/10/2014
Muse Developments has welcomed a decision by Aberdeen City Council to approve its planning application for a major regeneration project. The £107m Marischal Square development, according to the developers, will transform one of the city's key locations. With full approval of the plans now in pla
15/10/2014
Tata Steel has confirmed it is currently in negotiations to sell its Long Products business, which employs several thousands of workers. The steel giant announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Klesch Group. The memorandum covers several UK-based assets including Tata Steel's Sc
15/10/2014
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has said it is to look for an "architect-led, multi-disciplinary" design team to lead the restoration of the Mackintosh Building. The historic building was damaged in a fire earlier this year. The team, according to the GSA, will be responsible for restoring the p
15/10/2014
A planning application for a mixed-use development in Portobello, Edinburgh, has been submitted. The proposals have been submitted by 7N Architects on behalf of Cruden Property Developments and if approved, would see a 3.45-hectare brownfield site transformed. The plans include 219 new homes, 42
15/10/2014
East Renfrewshire Council has said work on a new health centre in Eastwood is to commence shortly. The new facility will be situated in Clarkston's Drumby Crescent in the area. Financial close on the project has now been received, the local authority has said, which means construction work can n
15/10/2014
Clyde Gateway has said it is looking investors to support its future development plans at Shawfield. The regeneration agency hopes to capitalise on the recent success of the 2014 Commonwealth Games which created widespread interest in the regeneration of Glasgow's East End area. Among the ventur
15/10/2014
Changes to Help to Buy (Scotland) have been unveiled by Housing Minister Margaret Burgess. It has been said the amendments will help more people to get onto, or move up, the property ladder. From next Wednesday (22 October), the shared equity scheme will only apply to homes worth up to £250,000.
15/10/2014
The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has announced its plans to provide up to 200 homes for rent in the area are continuing to progress. The properties would be made available through the National Housing Trust (NHT) scheme. The initiative aims to help people access a quality property at below-mar
15/10/2014
An initiative by Argyll and Bute Council to bring empty homes in the area back into use has received an award. The Council's Housing and Council Tax teams took a silver award at this year's Institute of Revenues, Ratings and Valuations (IRRV) Performance Awards 2014 in the 'Excellence in Innovatio
15/10/2014
ScottishPower has said it has welcomed more than 100 people to the firm last month through its various training programmes. In a statement, the company said it welcomed 24 Apprenticeship, 31 Graduate vacancies and 16 school leavers through 'The Year in Industry' programme, while it has also sponso
14/10/2014
Construction work at a new malt whisky distillery in the Highlands has been completed. It is understood that production will begin on site this month. When operational, it will be capable of producing up to 10 million litres of spirit a year. The French-owned Chivas Brothers Ltd, which is part of
14/10/2014
Work has commenced at Liberton High School in Edinburgh to demolish the gym hall where a student was killed earlier this year after a wall collapsed. Keane Wallis Bennett, 12, died in April when a free-standing modesty wall collapsed and fell on top of her in the PE changing rooms at the school.
14/10/2014
A number of community projects in the Scottish Borders region are to benefit from a share of £136,000, thanks to the Scottish Borders Sustainable Development Fund from SSE. The Sustainable Development Fund is funded by community benefit payment's from the utility provider's onshore wind farms in t
14/10/2014
Fife Council has said repair works need to be carried out to a boundary wall at Abbotshall Parish Church. The work will take place in early 2015, and will involve the temporary removal of human remains and memorials at the site. It is understood a section of the wall has a "significant" inward l
14/10/2014
Plans to build a £4m centre for children's literature at Moat Brae House in Dumfries have been submitted. If approved, it would be the first such centre in Scotland, and would be located at the property which helped inspire J M Barrie's famous novel, Peter Pan. The planning application is seekin
14/10/2014
Forestry Commission Scotland and the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is wanting to hear from the local community regarding the completed Leanachan Masterplan. The proposals would see a five-star resort hotel, bunkhouse and low-impact tourist accommodation, as well as a campsite located in a
14/10/2014
A £2.2m initiative to repair and refurbish Campbeltown Town Hall is to begin next month, it has been confirmed. It is thought work can now begin on the historic building following an asset transfer from Argyll and Bute Council to the South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT). In a statement, the lo
14/10/2014
Work on the water infrastructure network in Kilmacolm is to take place from tomorrow (15 October). As a result of the scheme, the road at Market Place will temporarily close to through traffic for three days. A signed diversion route will be in place for motorists. The roads affected will be Gillb
14/10/2014
A project to install external wall insulation at a number of properties in Dundee has been completed, the Council has said. The homes on Graham Street will benefit from lower fuel bills as a result of the work. A total of 240 homes had the insulation installed on the house by Dundee City Council
14/10/2014
Perth and Kinross Council has welcomed an announcement from the Scottish Government, regarding funding for new primary schools in Tulloch and Kinross. The funding, which will allow for replacement schools to be constructed on the respective sites, is in addition to the £8.5m previously identified
13/10/2014
RSPB Scotland has said it is "extremely concerned" that Scottish Ministers have approved four offshore wind farms in the Firth of Forth. The conservation charity has said the developments could threaten marine wildlife in the area. On Friday (10 October), it was announced that the four wind farms
13/10/2014
The Scottish Government is to have the final decision on two planning applications for the production of coal bed methane, it is understood. The firm Dart Energy had applied to Falkirk Council and Stirling Council to seek permission to drill at 14 sites in respective areas. However, it is understo
13/10/2014
Millions of pounds are to be invested in a new national poverty scheme, it has been announced. The measures will help to reduce people's winter fuel bills. The Scottish Government has said it will invite bids for the contract, worth up to £224m over a seven-year period, to deliver the fuel pover
13/10/2014
Construction work is due to begin on the Inveramsay Bridge "within weeks", according to reports. The work will see a new overpass built to try and ease the bottleneck of traffic in the area. The bridge is located over the A96 between Inverurie and Huntly. Up to £10m will be spent on the projec
13/10/2014
The first phase of the Firth of Forth offshore wind farm development has been approved by the Scottish Government. The decision has been welcomed by Seagreen Wind Energy Ltd (Seagreen), a 50/50 joint venture between Fluor Ltd and SSE Renewables. In a statement, SSE said the consent was awarded t
13/10/2014
The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has confirmed it has appointed Kier Construction to build new premises at Sandbank Business Park. The new £1.9m project will provide flexible space for inward investors and business growth, the HIE added. Work on the site is already underway and the 724
13/10/2014
Work on a housing development in Dundee is almost complete. They are the first homes in the area to be constructed under the National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative. Under the NHT scheme, developers and local authorities jointly fund the purchase of newly-built homes, then make them available fo
13/10/2014
A resurfacing and drainage works project has commenced on the A72, just outside Hazelbank in South Lanarkshire. The work, which started today (13 October), is expected to take up to five days to complete. A section of the A72 will be closed between Crossford and the A73 Steels Cross during the pro
13/10/2014
A new skate park has officially opened in Newtowngrange, Midlothian. The £76,000 facility is the result of a successful partnership between the community and the local council. Around 300 local people had signed a petition in favour of the skatepark, while young people in the area also created a
13/10/2014
Building work to deliver 39 new one- and two-bedroom flats has commenced. The £3.5m development by Kingdom Housing Association (HA) will also see three young apprentices working on site. They have been employed by construction firm Lundin Homes. As part of its Affordable Housing Programme, Kingd
10/10/2014
Iberdrola and the University of Strathclyde have started work on the TLPWIND project, it has been announced. The partnership is a research and development (R&D) initiative which will focus on the offshore wind power sector. According to ScottishPower, the aim of the project is to promote the ins
10/10/2014
An additional £330m in funding has been set aside for investment in schools in Scotland. It brings the total investment for the programme between the Scottish Government and the local councils to £1.8bn, Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed. Announcing the expansion of Scotland's Schools for
10/10/2014
A total of 47 projects throughout Scotland are to share in £2.4m from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund. The £10m fund will be used to upgrade or create new sports and physical activity infrastructure throughout the country. The projects set to benefit from this round of funding include a BMX t
10/10/2014
Inverness Royal Academy has been forced to temporarily close after structural problems were identified. It is understood the structural issue is in relation to an external chimney at the school. It was discovered during a routine inspection of the building. With schools in the Highland Council a
10/10/2014
Unite has purchased new sites in Aberdeen and Liverpool, which will see accommodation for more than 1,000 students delivered for the 2017/18 academic year. According to reports, the student accommodation specialist is expanding its business to a number of key cities throughout the UK, including Ab
10/10/2014
A new Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) has been completed in Kingussie. The £4m facility will help to ensure the ongoing protection of the River Spey as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Scottish Water has said. The WWTW has been designed to meet additional future treatment capacity. Com
10/10/2014
A project to replace ageing components at Foyers station is continuing, SSE has announced. The utility provider started the scheme during the summer months. Over the last 40 years, Foyers has been able to generate and pump power according to the requirements of the National Grid. However, over the
10/10/2014
A number of improvements are to be carried out at a car park in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire. The project will see an increase in the number of spaces available at the site, as well as the creation of a dedicated motorcycle area. Resurfacing will also be carried out. The local authority has sa
09/10/2014
The latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has found that many surveyors believe Scotland's housing market is expected to pick up in the coming months. The positivity comes after September saw growth slow in the housing market. However, of those who took part in the s
09/10/2014
Breedon Aggregates is to expand its operations in south west Scotland, following its acquisition of Barr's quarry business. It is understood Breedon acquired Barr Quarries in a deal worth £20.8m in cash. Completion of the agreement is expected by the end of the month. Barr Quarries employs aroun
09/10/2014
An ice rink in Stirling has been forced to temporarily close, it has been reported. The facility, located at The PEAK at Stirling Sports Village, has been closed under advice from structural engineers. In a statement, Stirling Council said the decision was made after minor cracks appeared in the
09/10/2014
A housing development for Countesswells in Aberdeen has received planning permission. Councillors agreed to approve outline planning permission for the 3,000-home development in the area, despite fierce opposition to the proposals. In addition to the properties, two new primary schools, a secondar
09/10/2014
Two projects to improve the waste water infrastructure have been completed in East Kilbride. The first scheme involved a £4.3m refurbishment of Allers Waste Water Treatment Works. Serving customers in the east of the town and the surrounding area, new and modern equipment has been installed at the
09/10/2014
Work to transform a former hotel in Perthshire into 14 flats has commenced. The £1.9m project for High Street in Crieff town will see the properties available for affordable rent when completed. The project is the first to be undertaken in the area by Kingdom Housing Association. The former Crow
09/10/2014
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has said it is investing £8.2m in its homes for 2014/15 through energy efficiency programmes. The various contracts cover areas such as Bute, Cowel, Helensburgh and Oban and are for works including insulation, external roughcasting and roof renewal. AC
09/10/2014
Work is set to begin to resurface the Tay Road Bridge in Dundee. On Friday morning (10 October), advanced traffic management work will be carried out before work begins proper on the carriageway on Friday evening. Between 1am and 6am tomorrow, the local authority has said marker posts will be in
09/10/2014
Plans for a new Lennoxtown Community Hub are said to be progressing, following a number of information sessions held during the summer months. The facility is being constructed in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council and hub West Scotland, and a planning application has now been submitted.
09/10/2014
A number of proposals to improve road and pedestrian safety in Kilmarnock town centre have been unveiled. The proposals include two key parking locations in the town – mainly the Foregate North car park and the multi-storey car park – and East Ayrshire Council has said they will undergo environmen
08/10/2014
Councillors in Aberdeen are to decide if they will support a major development in the city centre. The site in question is that of the former Aberdeen City Council headquarters. Plans have been submitted by developers Muse to build a £107m mixed-use development on the site. It includes a hotel,
08/10/2014
Aberdeen Art Gallery is to be redeveloped thanks to a £10m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The grant is in addition to the £10m Aberdeen City Council has already pledged to the project. It is understood the council has also agreed to underwrite a fundraising campaign for the remaining
08/10/2014
The board of NHS Highland has supported plans to construct a new hospital and resource centre in Aviemore. The preferred option selected by the board was Aviemore's Technology Park. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing will now make a final decision on the proposals. If approved, plann
08/10/2014
Balmoral Bridge is to close from today (8 October) for a number of months as extensive repairs and improvements are carried out to the structure. The work, which is vital to ensure the long-term usability of the bridge, will cost around £365,000 and will be undertaken by contractors Diack and Maca
08/10/2014
West Dunbartonshire Council has said it has received new information regarding the discovery of asbestos on the site of the former St Eunan's Primary School last month. The discovery was made in September by independent contractors who were carrying out site investigations with a view to market th
08/10/2014
Refurbished stations, new trains and major shopping developments are just some of the proposals that have been unveiled to transform the ScotRail franchise, it has been announced. ScotRail services have been run by Aberdeen-based FirstGroup for the last decade, but on Wednesday, Transport Minister
08/10/2014
Work has started on a new housing development in Mauchline, East Ayrshire. The £1.38m project will see the homes built in the heart of the town centre, on a site on Skeoch Road. A charitable trust, Jean Armour Burns Houses Ltd, approached the local authority for assistance to take on the responsib
08/10/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council have adopted a Local Development Plan (LDP) for the area. The LDP provides a framework for promoting development, and will also be used to help determine planning applications. Included in the report are plans to provide new development sites with opportunities to b
07/10/2014
A new cycling hub has been proposed for Hunter's Hall Park in Edinburgh. There are four possible options for the new facilities and these are now on public display, before they are submitted to the Culture and Sport Committee in December for approval. The initiative aims to encourage more people
07/10/2014
A temporary roof is being installed at the fire-damaged Glasgow School of Art (GSA). The structure will be put in place to keep the building wind and watertight over the winter months. It is understood the work, which will take around a week to complete, will involve a large metal frame being li
07/10/2014
A decision is expected to be made later today regarding a new hospital in the Highlands. If approved, the Aviemore-based hospital would serve the community in the Badenoch and Strathspey areas. Earlier this year, the NHS Highland's board identified four possible sites for the new facility, out o
07/10/2014
Major repair works are underway at the DG One facility in Dumfries. The work will see the leisure centre close for a lengthy period. It initially opened in May 2008 following a number of delays, but it has been plagued with building faults and problems ever since. As a result, the local authorit
07/10/2014
Plans to construct a new £21.8m secondary school in Kelso have been approved. The facility, located on an area of land off Angraflat Road, will replace the existing Kelso High School. In addition to a new school, sports pitches and parking areas have also been included in the designs. In a stat
07/10/2014
The overall cost for Scotland's Queensferry Crossing project will cost £50m less than its original projected budget, it has been announced. In a statement by deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the new budget range for the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) scheme, to build the Queensferry Crossi
07/10/2014
South Ayrshire Council has announced an investment of £450,000 for the Citadel Leisure Centre in Ayr. The funding will see a new state-of-the-art gym built which will include modern equipment and machines. The local authority has said a lot of the equipment will have wi-fi enabled to allow custome
07/10/2014
Work has started on a scheme to make homes in the East Lothian area easier to heat. The initiative will see almost £1.5m of funding used from the Scottish Government's Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Schemes (HEEPS:ABS). HEEPS:ABS is designed to reduce fuel poverty and
07/10/2014
Tennis facilities at Strathaven Park in South Lanarkshire are set to be upgraded, thanks to £139,000 of funding. The project will see the ageing blaes courts replaced, while floodlights will also be installed to allow users of the facility to play the sport throughout the year. The upgraded faci
07/10/2014
A state-of-the-art dementia-friendly care complex has been officially opened in Penicuik, Midlothian. The £8m centre consists of 28 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom self-contained flats, while energy saving benefits have also been included. The building has been constructed to promote independent l
06/10/2014
Up to 500 new homes look set to be constructed in Edinburgh, according to Housing Minister Margaret Burgess. Developers are now being encouraged to submit bids to deliver the homes, with around 800 jobs, locally and nationally, being supported through the scheme. The National Housing Trust initi
06/10/2014
Cracks have been found in bricks in the core of a nuclear reactor at the Hunterston B power station. It is understood the cracks were discovered in two of the 6,000 graphite bricks in the core of reactor four at the Ayrshire-based facility. In a statement, EDF Energy, which operates the plant, s
06/10/2014
The preferred option for the Nairn Bypass has been selected and is progressing to the next stage of the process, it has been announced. The plans, which will deliver a Nairn bypass and dual the A96 from Inverness to Nairn, are now on public display. In a statement, Transport Minister Keith Brown
06/10/2014
The bidding process for firms to design and build a new £75m women's prison in Greenock has opened. It is understood the Scottish Prison Service is looking for five companies to be involved in the construction process. The new 300-cell HMP Inverclyde is expected to replace the country's only fem
06/10/2014
Improvement works to transform homes in Burns Court, Kirkintilloch, are continuing. The £1.25m scheme is the second phase of a wider £3m transformation project. East Dunbartonshire Council has said the works will bring 52 properties up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standards (SHQS), as well as
06/10/2014
Around £8m is to be spent on the regeneration of Rothesay Pavilion, it has been revealed. The project is the second of two key regeneration projects in Argyll and Bute. Recent survey work to the site revealed that some sections of the building are in an advanced state of disrepair. To address the
06/10/2014
Scotland's Energy Minister, Fergus Ewing, has called for talks with the UK Government regarding the future of Longannet power station. The request comes after it was revealed that the future of the power station is in jeopardy due to the UK's transmission charging regime. Longannet, located in F
06/10/2014
A series of improvement works are underway at play parks in Muirkirk, East Ayrshire Council has confirmed. The play parks, located at Garpel Avenue and Pagan Walk, were forced to close in July 2014 after an inspection revealed a number of health and safety concerns. Declared no longer fit for pu
03/10/2014
Additional funding to help carry out a number of improvements in Kirkcaldy, Fife, has been approved. The funds will come from the Kirkcaldy Town Centre Development Fund. Earlier this week, the Kirkcaldy Area Committee agreed to set aside £350,000 for Phase 3 of the Kirkcaldy High Street Public R
03/10/2014
A total of 29 new homes are to be constructed in Forfar, Angus. The development will cost around £5m, the local authority has said. It is understood that original funds to convert Chapelpark Primary School into 30 flats, has since been revised to 25 flats and four new-build terraced houses. Th
03/10/2014
Miller Homes has said it has dropped plans to float on the London Stock Exchange. The housebuilding firm blamed the "volatility" of the market as the reason behind the shelved plans. Just last week, the company said it intended to raise around £140m by selling at least 40% of the company. Since
03/10/2014
Progress is being made to resolve a subsidence problem in Ferry Road in Renfrewshire, it has been confirmed. It is thought a leaking manhole is the cause of the problem. The council has said it has been "leaking badly" into the surrounding ground, which in turn, has made the land unstable. A spe
03/10/2014
A path upgrade, valued at £230,000, has been completed along the West Highland Way at the Loch Lomond-side. The work focused on the eroded sections of path close to the Commission's Sallochy camp site. Work to improve drainage and surface quality on other sections, were also carried out. The pro
03/10/2014
Denny town centre in Falkirk could be set to benefit from further funding of £1.4m. Falkirk Council has confirmed it has submitted a bid for a Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), a scheme jointly-led by the Scottish Government and local councils. It provides financial support for schemes that
03/10/2014
East Renfrewshire Council has launched a consultation in relation to a proposed joint campus for faith schools in the area. In a statement, the local authority has said the proposals are for the "future denominational (Catholic) primary school, with non-denominational pre-five provision in Newton
03/10/2014
Solar panels that have been installed at schools throughout North Lanarkshire are now generating electricity. The panels have been installed in more than a third of primary and secondary schools in the area and will help the local authority to produce renewable green energy as well as help local s
02/10/2014
New images of a planned refurbishment of Glasgow's Queen Street Station have been unveiled by Network Rail. The £104m revamp is being carried out to help meet predicted growth at the station as well as to accommodate for longer trains. Following the completion of the first phase of the consultat
02/10/2014
More than £1.3m is to be divided between three creative organisations in Scotland, it has been announced. Creative Scotland has set aside the monies from its Large Capital Funding to help transform cultural facilities and landscapes. The awards are confirmation of Stage Two Large Capital Awards
02/10/2014
BAM Properties has confirmed the sale of its commercial property development in Glasgow, CONNECT110NS. The development, which is located in the city's commercial and retail district, has been sold to Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (Deutsche AWM). It is thought the purchase price agreed for t
02/10/2014
A public consultation is to be held in relation to a proposed school and community development in Hillside, Aberdeenshire. Plans for the scheme will go on display next week and the local community are encouraged to attend a drop-in session to view and comment on the project. Previously unseen fl
02/10/2014
The Scottish Government has announced it is to fund a group that aims to revive town centres throughout the country. The Scotland's Towns Partnership (STP) has been awarded a £186,000 two-year development grant to strengthen its role as the 'go-to' organisation for information, advice and sharing
02/10/2014
The successful bidders to construct a new sewer tunnel in Glasgow, have been announced. According to Construction Enquirer, it will be a joint venture between Vinci Construction Grand Projects and Costain. They will work together on the Shieldhall tunnel in Glasgow city, it is understood. The st
02/10/2014
A contract to develop subsea electrical array cable solutions for tidal energy installations has been awarded, Scottish Enterprise has confirmed. The contract has been awarded to Jee Ltd, an independent multi-discipline subsea engineering and training firm. The deal is part of a pioneering study
02/10/2014
A number of major roadworks are to be carried out in East Renfrewshire later this month. The work will be focused on the Rouken Glen Road and Spiersbridge Roundabout area. In a statement, the local authority has said work is due to commence on Friday 10 October and continue until Sunday 19 Octob
01/10/2014
A new £26m medical research centre is to open in Dundee. Known as the Discovery Centre, the facility is located at the University of Dundee. It will be home to researchers and will create 180 new jobs. Professor Michael Ferguson, Regius Professor of Life Sciences at Dundee University, said the
01/10/2014
Construction work is set to begin at Westruther Primary School, the Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has confirmed. The £370,000 project will see the school extended. The extension will include: • A new classroom, entrance and toilet accommodation • Better teaching and dining facilities for nu
01/10/2014
Controversial plans to redevelop the former site of Aberdeen City Council's headquarters have been supported by council officials. It is understood a report will now be submitted to Councillors next week, recommending that they should approve the proposals. The plans, designed by Muse, would see
01/10/2014
A consultation is underway regarding a new sports facility proposed for Carnoustie. The Angus Local Plan Review (2009), has outlined 2.25 hectares of land for a new sports ground and associated facilities to be constructed north of Shanwell Road and west of Balmachie Road. It would be adjacent to
01/10/2014
Construction work is due to commence at the Gretna Gateway shopping village, it has been announced. The expansion, which is the third phase of development at the site, will also help to create an additional 50 jobs. In a statement, Peter Gardner, Gretna Gateway General Manager, labelled the outl
01/10/2014
The Strathavon Road in Moray has reopened following flood damage earlier this year. The road, near Strathavon Lodge on the B9136 Avonside Road, was left in a dangerous condition in August after the River Avon flooded and undercut the bank and tarmac its banks and swept the road away. Moray Counc
