Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for February 2014
28/02/2014
New state-of-the-art sports, leisure and community facilities for Banff and Macduff continue to progress after Councillors in Aberdeenshire agreed to move to planning approval for the project. It is understood the Council's Policy & Resources Committee, agreed to proceed to the formal planning app
28/02/2014
A new multi-million pound National Curling Centre is to be built in Stirling, the BBC has reported. The investment has been made possible with sportscotland, Stirling Council and the Scottish Government all contributing to the funding. There had previously been calls to create a curling centre i
28/02/2014
Lending for house purchases in Scotland is now at its highest level since 2008, a new report has found. The research, carried out by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said that over the last quarter of 2013, there was an almost 25% increase in lending in Scotland when compared to the same peri
28/02/2014
It has been announced that £300,000 is to be spent on renovating the historic Balloch Castle. In addition, West Dunbartonshire Council has said it will also commit further funding over the next three years to ensure the 200-year-old castle remains wind and water tight. Following a survey of the
28/02/2014
New council homes are to be built at Cardowan, North Lanarkshire Council has said. The announcement comes as Lovell Partnerships Ltd was appointed as the preferred contractor for the project. The scheme will see 30 homes delivered at the Cardowan Drive site in Cumbernauld, and will be a mix of t
28/02/2014
Residents in East Renfrewshire are set to benefit from an award-winning housing project. This will be the second year where the project will be funded. Some £300,000 has been set aside for the initiative which has already seen more than 2,000 people in the area receiving the benefits of the mixe
28/02/2014
Work to build the new Children's House for Orkney is to commence later this year. The local authority's Planning Committee gave the go ahead for the project at Watersfield, Kirkwall, at a meeting earlier this week. It is understood the new house will replace the former Camoran facility. The Ho
28/02/2014
The next phase of a key development in Paisley, Renfrewshire, is continuing to take shape. In a statement, the local authority said Westpoint Homes have now released prices for their Abbey Place apartments which are located in Gauze Street – the third phase of its popular Cloisters development.
27/02/2014
Residents in Linwood, Renfrewshire, are being asked to share their views on potential new housing in the area. Linstone Housing Association plans to construct new housing in the area which would meet the long-term needs of older people living in Renfrewshire. The landlord wants to redevelop Belm
27/02/2014
A new survey by CIH Scotland has found that while last year's grant rates rise has enhanced development capacity within the Scottish housing sector, many providers are still struggling to make new build stack up. Senior staff, including council and housing association staff, were questioned on a n
27/02/2014
Momentum to create an interconnector for the Western Isles continues to grow, the Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has said. The comments follow the Energy summit meeting held in Stornoway earlier this week. The Summit, organised by the Scottish Government, brought together parties including
27/02/2014
A programme of works to improve the verges of the A87 trunk road at Breakish, Skye, is to commence next week. The initial phase will commence on Monday 3 March and has been given a scheduled completion date of the end of March. Undertaken by BEAR Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland, the wor
27/02/2014
Plans to deliver new classrooms in schools in Edinburgh have been unveiled by the local authority. The Primary School Estate Rising Rolls report found that there are seven schools where pressure may arise from 2015/16 as more pupil spaces will be needed. The schools are Clermiston, East Craigs,
27/02/2014
Scottish Water has said it is to carry out improvements to its waste water network in the Garrowhill area of Glasgow. As a result of the works, road closures in Viewfield Drive and Springhill Road will be essential. The closures will be in place from Monday 3 March, and will last for around 10 w
27/02/2014
An intermediate care centre, that helps people return to independent living after being discharged from hospital, has been formally opened. Clashieknowe, located in Bridge of Don, offers specialist temporary accommodation which helps aid the recovery of residents through a variety of social care t
27/02/2014
The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) has been shortlisted for a BREEAM Award, it has been announced. The nomination comes after the centre scored one of the five highest BREEAM Education Projects during an assessment last year. The other entries on the shortlist are: • Energy Tech
27/02/2014
Weir Group has said it expects to return to growth after it revealed a fall in its revenues and profits. In its full year results, published on Wednesday, the engineering company said its revenues had dropped by 4% in 2013 to £2.4bn, while its pre-tax profits had fallen by 5% to £418m. The firm
27/02/2014
GGR Group has added the Hydraulica 2600 Quad-Circuit Compact glass vacuum lifter to its hire fleet. The heavy-duty machine is the highest capacity glass lifter available in the UK with 2600kg of lifting power. It also features the latest quad circuit vacuum technology for safety on site. Keeping
26/02/2014
Lovell is set to deliver a £6.8m high-rise transformation and improvement programme for Aberdeen City Council. The project will see four high-rise blocks of flats in the Cairncry area of Aberdeen benefit from the investment. The blocks are Cairncry Court and Rosehill Court which are 16-storeys h
26/02/2014
SSE has confirmed it is to withdraw two of its planning applications. One application relates to the 81MW Dalnessie wind farm in Sutherland, while the other is a proposed extension to Fairburn wind farm (36MW) in Glen Orrin, Ross-shire. In a statement, the company said that following a review of
26/02/2014
Scotland's marine energy sector is set to benefit from £4.8m of funding. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing is expected to officially unveil the schemes at the RenewableUK Wave and Tidal Conference and Exhibition which will be held in Belfast on Wednesday. Speaking ahead of the event, Minister Ewing s
26/02/2014
Tulloch Homes has reported its strongest housing sales performance for six years. The Inverness-based house builder said that – before exceptions – its pre-tax profit was £2m for the year ending June 2013. The figures are in stark contrast to last year, when for the 18 months up to 30 June 2012,
26/02/2014
Shell has signed an agreement to progress the Peterhead Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project to the next phase of design. The project, which is being led by Shell with strategic support from SSE, aims to capture 10 million tonnes of CO2 over a 10-year period. The owners of the Peterhead gas po
26/02/2014
Graham Construction has been selected to deliver the £10m redevelopment of the National Library of Scotland (NLS). The project will involve the phased recladding and redevelopment of the iconic Edinburgh building. Located at the corner of Causewayside and Salisbury Place in the capital, the buildi
26/02/2014
Aberdeenshire Council has unveiled plans to secure conservation status for the village of Tarland. In a statement, the local authority said the proposals would highlight the architectural and historic interest of the village, plus its rural setting. The appraisal will assist in the active manageme
26/02/2014
Scottish Water is to commence investigative work in the White Cart Water in Paisley. The project is being carried out ahead of an investment that will improve the natural environment of the river. The work will involve the use of a rig which will drill boreholes at five locations on the White Ca
26/02/2014
ScottishPower Renewables has said work has started on building a series of bespoke mountain biking trails on the site of Whitelee Windfarm. The trails will be located close to the development's visitor centre and is scheduled to open later this year. It will be set around 500m from the visitor cen
26/02/2014
An agreement has been reached between Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) and Argyll and Bute Council of a housing loan facility which will support the association's new build housing development programme. The first facility will see a loan of £2.3m provided from the local authority's Str
25/02/2014
Network Rail has launched a public consultation regarding the proposed £104m redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street Station. The company wants to hear passengers' views on the ambitious plans and has unveiled its designs for how the new station would look. Glasgow Queen Street is Scotland's third
25/02/2014
A £2.6m upgrade to sections of the 45km-long Talla Aqueduct has been completed. The aqueduct, which was constructed in Victorian times, is used to supply most of Edinburgh's drinking water. It takes water from the Talla and Fruid reservoirs in the Scottish Borders to Glencorse Water Treatment Work
25/02/2014
Five contractors are in the mix to win a £1.2m roads contract which will be a key part of the new £200m Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary. Transport Minister Keith Brown said the five in the running for the works are vying to upgrade the Garroch roundabout on the A75, which will allow for bett
25/02/2014
Portlethen Jubilee Hall is to be transformed, it has been revealed. The historic local hall hosts fitness and dance classes, school gym lessons, and a community café and is now set to receive £60,000 in Scottish Government regeneration funding to help its refurbishment. Making the announcement,
25/02/2014
A turf cutting ceremony has been held to mark the commencement of work on a new £15m primary school in the Highlands. The school will serve communities to the north of the River Wick and will replace North and Hillhead Primary Schools. Miller Construction is carrying out the works as main contra
25/02/2014
Plans to construct a second distillery in the Scottish Borders has been unveiled, according to reports. The proposal would be the second in just one week for the area. It is understood a local businessman is looking to raise £5m towards the project in the Tweed Valley in order to keep up with the
25/02/2014
Fife Council is to invest more than £1.2m in improving roads, footways and street lighting in South West Fife. Earlier this week, members of the South West Area Committee approved some £1,274,000 for the scheme for 2014/15. As well as the planned road improvements, Fife Council is entering the n
25/02/2014
Ferrovial, through subsidiary Cintra Infraestructuras and Amey, a subsidiary of Ferrovial Servicios, in consortium with SWIP Infrastructure Funds and Meridiam, has achieved commercial and financial close of a DBFO (design, build, finance and operate) project to complete Central Scotland's motorway n
25/02/2014
First Minister Alex Salmond has announced a new centre of excellence is to be created in Aberdeen. The new Oil and Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC) has received £10.6m in funding and will transform industry and academic collaboration. Based in Aberdeen and funded by the Scottish Funding Council and su
25/02/2014
Glasgow City Council's Executive Committee has passed an action plan to tackle the "emerging crisis" in property factoring in the city. The move from the local authority comes after a final report from the Glasgow Factoring Commission which outlined "significant consequences" for the city if curre
24/02/2014
Over £20 million will be invested in Clackmannanshire's Council housing during the forthcoming financial year. The housing capital programme was agreed at a special meeting of the Council. Councillors also agreed a rent rise increase of 4.2% for 2014/15, which will also apply to lock-up garages and
24/02/2014
The development of a new Ayr Academy in the heart of a vibrant and dynamic learning campus at Craigie Estate has been formally approved by South Ayrshire Council, giving the green light for the multi-million pound project to proceed. The news comes after extensive public consultation on the new sch
24/02/2014
Fife Council Transportation and Environmental Services will be carrying out essential carriageway resurfacing and associated works on the A916 at its junction with the Q67 near Union Farm from 1st March to 3rd March. For the works to be undertaken safely, a road closure will be required for the dur
24/02/2014
The demolition programme for St Nicholas House in Aberdeen has been slowed down by the discovery of asbestos in some of the building's window mullions. Work on the tower has slowed meantime, but is continuing elsewhere on the site. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed through the appr
24/02/2014
The new Energy Department for an independent Scotland will be co-headquartered in Aberdeen and Glasgow, First Minister Alex Salmond has announced.. The First Minister said that the new department, which will have an estimated staff of around 300 across both centres, would capitalise on the expertis
24/02/2014
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) said that its members are "genuinely concerned" about many aspects of the Stage 1 Debate on the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Bill, including the limits below EU thresholds for contracts, where public procurement processes will now apply. Susan
24/02/2014
Residents at Woodgrove, a sheltered housing complex providing independent living in Dreghorn, are enjoying a £1.3 million make-over, including a new state-of-the-art TV in the lounge which has been gifted by staff at James Frew. The company recently completed an extensive refurbishment of the 19 ex
24/02/2014
Households across all of Scotland's 32 local authorities will benefit from a freeze in their council tax payments for the seventh year in a row, Finance Secretary John Swinney has announced. Local authorities have confirmed that in setting their budgets for 2014-15 they have included full provision
21/02/2014
West Dunbartonshire Council's multi-million pound upgrade of its homes is ahead of schedule and under-budget. The major programme of improvements involving hard working staff and contractors has benefited hundreds of council tenants this year with almost 550 new bathrooms and over 160 kitchens fitt
21/02/2014
Renfrewshire's newest affordable housing project has provided a jobs and training boost by employing eight local apprentices. The young men are helping create 40 homes for Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association at its £4.8 million development in Braille Drive, Renfrew. Sanctuary contractor Ashleig
21/02/2014
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford will meet the Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney to discuss additional financial support toward removing and replacing contaminated soil in Blanefield, Stirling Council Leader Johanna Boyd has confirmed. Councillor Boyd said: "MSP Bruce Crawford has written to th
21/02/2014
Six new apartments for social rent are on track as part of a multi-million pound development in Dalkeith. Taylor Wimpey, Melville Housing and Midlothian Council have been working together to complete six new apartments as part of the development of 20 properties for social rent at Kippielaw in the
21/02/2014
Members of The Highland Council's Adult and Children's Services Committee have welcomed the Council's intention to award the third and final contract in the Council's programme of new primary schools for the Fort William area. The award of the three contracts along with the final phase of the redev
21/02/2014
Plans for a brand new Lairdsland Primary School in Kirkintilloch took a step forward this week as the partners involved in the £7.7m project achieved financial close. The agreement was reached between East Dunbartonshire Council and development partner hub West Scotland and contractor Morgan Sindal
21/02/2014
A £3.8 million fund to help businesses develop green infrastructure proposals is now open. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced the Scottish Recycling Fund (SRF) at the Safeguarding Scotland’s Resources Conference at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. The fund will make loans available to org
21/02/2014
A new wetlands area is to be created in Aberdeen, as part of the long-awaited restoration of the East Tullos Burn. Aberdeen City Council has secured a £300,000 funding package to give the burn, in St Fitticks Park, Torry, a major facelift. Over the years, the burn has been straightened and over-de
20/02/2014
The amount of derelict and urban vacant land in Scotland has fallen. According to official figures released by Scotland's Chief Statistician, the land decreased by 187 hectares to 11,114 hectares – 1.7% – in 2013. It is understood the amount of land brought back into use of 402 hectares was grea
20/02/2014
The latest phase of a multi-million pound regeneration project in Dundee has been approved, Home Scotland has announced. Plans to build 70 new homes as part of the £38m regeneration of the city's Mill O'Mains estate have been given the go ahead by Councillors. The local authority voted in favour o
20/02/2014
Proposals for a new malt distillery in Skye have been unveiled. According to reports, the Torabhaig Distillery – which would be the second on the island – would cost more than £5m to construct, and employ around eight staff. It is understood to be a subsidiary of Mossburn Distillers who is plann
20/02/2014
Scottish Borders Council is to undertake masonry repair and refurbishment works to Blackadder Bridge. Work on the bridge, which is located on the Mount Pleasant to Duns Road stretch of the A6112 in Berwickshire, will commence on Monday 3 March. However, temporary traffic control will be in place f
20/02/2014
Seven new projects are to be carried out at schools in the Highlands. The initiatives will cost around £800,000 and will see repair and replacement works undertaken at seven different primary schools. The work will be funded from the Council's Education, Culture and Sport capital programme and i
20/02/2014
Stirling Council is to spend £50,000 on improving the surface of one of the area's busiest streets. Taking place next month, Albert Place, Corn Exchange, and which includes part of Glebe Avenue, will be resurfaced. The main work will be carried out from 3 to 14 March and as a result of the proje
20/02/2014
A ground breaking ceremony has taken place to mark the start of work of a development in East Ayrshire. The £4m West Langlands Street development will be located in the heart of Kilmarnock town centre. The project is part of the local authority's town centre house building programme, and will se
20/02/2014
Argyll and Bute Council is to replace Oban's Soroba Lane Bridge. Work on the £425,000 project will commence on Monday 3 March and will last for approximately 12 weeks. The project will see the current bridge, which is shared by pedestrians and cyclists, replaced with a new road bridge and a sepa
20/02/2014
The tenement at the corner of Cross Street and Main Street in Campbeltown has been made safe, Argyll and Bute Council has said. The work has been completed ahead of schedule allowing the road to be reopened early. Due to concerns over the safety of the tenement, the local authority erected an ex
20/02/2014
Some of Scotland's viewpoints are to be transformed into tourist spots to capitalise on the country's natural landscapes, it has been announced. A further £500,000 funding will now support the further roll-out of Scottish Scenic Routes pilot projects, including in the Cairngorms and on Scottish Ca
19/02/2014
Five new retail units are to be created at Paisley's Abbotsinch Retail Park by contractor Barr Construction. The work is part of a new multi-million pound extension at the site, which already houses existing occupiers B&Q, DFS, Comet and Harveys. In October 2013, park owners Hammerson acquired A
19/02/2014
Bute Estate is to undertake a major development project on the island, it has been announced. The news, unveiled by the Mount Stuart Trust, will transform the island's historic and unused buildings, as well as offer residential homes and self-catering holiday accommodation as part of the investment.
19/02/2014
A key milestone has been reached on the Forth Bridge project. The team working on the ambitious £1.4bn project revealed they have now completed the installation of one of the structures' towers. It is understood it is one of the towers on the southern approach to the Queensferry Crossing which h
19/02/2014
Plans to build 90 environmentally-friendly homes in Dundee have been unveiled. It is understood Merchant Homes and Home Group Scotland will create a mix of both private and affordable houses and flats of mixed tenure. The four-acre site in question will be flanked by the Drumgeith Road and Summerf
19/02/2014
As part of an ongoing project at Cockenzie Power Station, ScottishPower is set to demolish a further two steel 'Precipitator' structures next week. The structures will be demolished by a controlled explosion on Tuesday 25 February. Each structure has a height of 34 metres and a width of 10 metre
19/02/2014
Proposals to build new care homes in Fife have moved forward as the public shared their views on the designs of the facilities. The consultation for staff, service users and their families, was held from 4 February to 18 February. The designs – for homes in Lumphinnans and Glenrothes – were based
19/02/2014
Plans for a new community campus with a nursery, primary and secondary school are to be discussed by Councillors in Dundee next week. The facilities would be located on a single site in the Strathmartine area of the city. The local authority has said that Robertson Construction have already been
19/02/2014
Representatives from Scotland's construction sector have attended an industry briefing event for the A96 Inveramsay Bridge Improvement Project, which will be the first Scottish road infrastructure project to use a new, innovative payment mechanism to help improve cash flow within the construction se
19/02/2014
Fife Council has said it is to start resurfacing High Street, Aberdour, from Manse Place to Station Place. The project is due to commence on Monday 24 February and will last for approximately three weeks. The work will be carried out in two phases. The first phase will include drainage works to
19/02/2014
Preparatory works to construct 31 flats in the town of Paisley is now underway. The development, being built by Link Group, will see the properties made available for shared equity or rent on Lawn Street and Gauze Street in the area. The work also marks the first phase of plans led by Renfrewshi
18/02/2014
The Haymarket site in Edinburgh has received a funding boost of £9.6m from the Scottish Government. The investment will fund the initial work on the site of a £200m office, hotel and retail project in the capital. It is understood the money will go towards facilitating the first phase of works.
18/02/2014
Scotland's agriculture sector is perfectly situated to contribute to Scotland's low carbon economy, it has been claimed. The announcement comes as Richard Lochhead, Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary, launched the Agri-Renewables Strategy for Scotland. The strategy aims to contribute to a c
18/02/2014
Refurbishment works carried out on the A9 Crieff Road overbridge have been completed almost two weeks ahead of schedule. The £600,000 project saw a number of safety improvements, including concrete repairs to the central pier, plus the replacement of the existing bridge deck support bearings. We
18/02/2014
Industry body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has said it has signed a new collaborative agreement with Scottish Water. The deal comes amid a more positive outlook for the housing sector. In a statement, HFS said it had developed a Protocol for Engagement with the water utility provider to enable the h
18/02/2014
Plans to construct a £3.5m link between Dundee's waterfront and one of its main streets is to be discussed by Councillors next week. The footbridge, which would be located over the railway at Seabraes, would give pedestrians and cyclists direct access to and from Perth Road and Riverside Drive.
18/02/2014
Aberdeen-based firm Wood Group has reported a pre-tax profit of £246m for 2013. The figure is a 14% increase on 2012. The multinational oil and gas services company added that its revenues also increased for the year by 3% to £4.3bn. Discussing the figures, Wood Group said it had experienced a
18/02/2014
Plans by Aberdeen Harbour Board to construct additional berthing facilities at Nigg Bay have received a further boost. In a statement, the organisation said that an independent report estimated the economic benefit of the development to both the local and national economies to be almost £1bn per y
18/02/2014
Plans to save Perth City Hall have been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council, it has been revealed. According to STV, potential plans have been launched to save the historic building from demolition. In December 2013, the local authority rejected plans from the Perth City Market Trust to trans
18/02/2014
Concerns have been raised over new sports facilities planned as part of the Inverness West Link Road. According to reports, the worries are understood to centre around claims that the facilities could be at significant risk of flooding. The ambitious £34m link road has been the subject of contro
18/02/2014
New figures published by the Scottish Government have revealed that almost 7,000 households claimed emergency housing help in December 2013. The help for people on benefits – known as Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) – is reserved to Westminster and administered by Local Authorities in Scotla
17/02/2014
People who have recently bought or sold their homes are being asked for their views on how Scotland's Home Report can be altered to suit the needs of buyers and sellers in the current housing market. The Home Report offers information on the condition, energy efficiency and value of properties bef
17/02/2014
A series of improvements are to be made at the junction of the A71 at Horsley Brae and Brownlee Road. The work, which will commence in the summer, will see an 80m stretch of road created on the northbound A71 Horsley Brae which will act as a 'storage lane' for those vehicles turning right onto Bro
17/02/2014
The first section of the longest bridge built as part of the Borders Railway project has been installed. A 1,200 tonne crane was needed to hoist the structure's four 107 tonne beams into place. Upon completion, the bridge, which will eventually span more than 70m. In a statement, the Borders Rai
17/02/2014
Scottish Canals and the Highland Council are to hold a public consultation to help shape the future of Muirtown Basin and South Kessock in Inverness. The workshops will be held later this month. The Muirtown Basin and South Kessock area have been identified by the local authority as a key regene
17/02/2014
Plans to procure a masterplan and delivery programme for Aberdeen City Centre have been approved by Councillors. Last week, the local authority agreed to underwrite the cost of the ambitious City Centre Masterplan and Delivery Programme – for which external funding, including from the private sect
17/02/2014
Scottish Water has announced its water and waste water infrastructure alliance partners for the 2015-2021 investment period. The first stage of involved appointing two partners – one for water and one for waste water – to deliver upgrades, maintenance and new infrastructure projects across the cou
17/02/2014
East Ayrshire Council has unveiled a programme of road works for the area. The works will commence next month and will see essential road resurfacing works carried out on the B7036. From Monday 10 March, for approximately two weeks, work will be undertaken on the Barony Road, Auchinleck, between
17/02/2014
The George Johnstone Centre in Tranent, East Lothian, has been named as a finalist in the 2014 UK Civic Trust Awards. The Civic Trust Awards recognises the very best in architecture, design, planning, landscape and public art, and awards are given to projects that can demonstrate high quality arch
14/02/2014
West Dunbartonshire Council is to increase its rent for council house tenants it has been announced. The rise – of 7.63% – will come into force from 1 April 2014. As a result, the increase will add a further £4.67 each week to a tenants' average weekly rent over the year. The rental income wi
14/02/2014
Work on a 10-week project to transform the riverside gateway in Annan commenced earlier this week and further details on the scheme have been released. The regeneration works, costing around £110,000, will improve the Western entrance to the town and will see two new sandstone gateways installed,
14/02/2014
Wiston Lodge in South Lanarkshire has been awarded more than £100,000 to improve its heating system. The organisation was awarded the grant from the Clyde Wind Farm Community and Development Fund, which is provided by SSE through the lifetime of its 350MW Clyde Wind Farm, Biggar. Wiston Lodge is
14/02/2014
North Lanarkshire Council has announced it will increase its rent levels by 2% for 2014/15. Despite the rise, it is still one of the lowest rates in Scotland and remains 10% below the national average. The additional revenue will be spent on constructing a further 150 new homes as part of the Bu
14/02/2014
A development brief for future land use and site restoration plans at a site in Dounreay, near Thurso, has been approved by the Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee. The site, situated in Caithness, is that of a former nuclear power research site. The Dounreay Plann
14/02/2014
Companies at Renfrewshire's largest business park are being asked for their opinions on proposals to streamline the planning process for businesses. The local authority wants to increase business by establishing a simpler planning zone at Hillington Park. If it came into effect, the zone would all
14/02/2014
Proposals to construct a new Lairdsland Primary School in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, are progressing following the financial close of the project. An agreement was reached between East Dunbartonshire Council, development partner hub West Scotland and contractor Morgan Sindall. The deal
14/02/2014
Aberdeen City Council has said a one-way system will be in operation on a section of the Great Northern Road from Sunday 16 February. The system will be in place for up to a fortnight as essential utilities installation works are carried out. In a statement, the local authority has said the road
14/02/2014
A financial agreement has been reached for the future development of South Lanarkshire. Earlier this week, Councillors approved a £672m budget, plus a £251m capital investment package to see new schools and care homes constructed, as well as a continuing investment in the area's roads. Within th
14/02/2014
Plans to build new allotments within Thorniewood Ward, North Lanarkshire, has been awarded vital funding. As a result, the local authority is now asking local residents about their thoughts on the plans and the level of interest in the project. The allotments would be created on land behind Birens
13/02/2014
The Club at Gleneagles has been transformed thanks to a multi-million pound refurbishment by Graham Construction. As part of the £5m project, Graham upgraded the Club's leisure pool, refurbished the existing lap pool to form a new adult pool, and installed new heat experiences including jacuzzis,
13/02/2014
Donald Trump has withdrawn a planning application for a second golf course in Menie, it has been reported. According to the BBC, the US businessman is understood to have only lodged the plans for the McLeod course earlier this week. Aberdeenshire Council has now confirmed, however, that it has bee
13/02/2014
Latest statistics have revealed that the Scottish housing market is continuing to see the demand for properties outstrip supply. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has said that while the number of entering the market for sale remains steady, demand for properties has increased. T
13/02/2014
The Highland Council has secured the site of the former Culloden Court Care Home. The home, located at Murray Road, Inverness, was destroyed by a fire more than three years ago. It is understood the local authority has secured the site through its Landback Fund. Following the conclusion of the p
13/02/2014
The second phase of road works is to begin in Cupar, Fife, next week. The work is part of a £1.2m rolling programme of investment to improve the condition of roads in the area. From 7pm on Monday 17 February, St Catherine's Street will be closed, with eastbound traffic being diverted via Ladywyn
13/02/2014
A total of £88m is to be spent over the next three years to build and improve the social housing across Falkirk. The ambitious plans will see a significant investment made, and in 2014/15, the work will include: • Re-roofing and roughcasting of properties (£6.7m) • Electrical, kitchen and bath
13/02/2014
Work has started on three new community health centres for NHS Lanarkshire. The facilities, which are being built by Graham Construction, are located in East Kilbride, Wishaw and Kilsyth. Expected to open in summer 2015, the new centres will be able to offer residents a number of services, inclu
13/02/2014
Essential work is to be carried out in an area of Aberdeen as part of a new housing development. As a result, a section of the Mugiemoss Road is to close for up to four months to allow the works to be undertaken. Contractors for Barratt Homes will effectively create a new road on the old road, w
13/02/2014
A £125,000 improvement programme is underway in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire. The works to tidy up six sites around the town centre are expected to be completed by April and is the latest round of investment and improvement by the local authority and Campsies Centre (Cumbernauld) Ltd. As part
13/02/2014
The A708 Moffat-Selkirk Road is to benefit from a £552,000 investment from Dumfries and Galloway's strategic capital fund. The funds will enable a vast programme of renewal and strengthening to be carried out, and involved resurfacing the carriageway, strengthening the verges, improving drainage a
12/02/2014
Almost 40 new properties are to be constructed at Brucehill, Dumbarton, the local authority has said. The development, which forms part of West Dunbartonshire Council's new build house programme, will see 38 new homes created at the site and will include two wheelchair accessible properties, famil
12/02/2014
The outline of a masterplan for Aberdeen city centre has been unveiled to the City Centre Regeneration Board. It is understood the local authority has agreed to underwrite the cost of the City Centre Masterplan and Delivery Programme - for which external funding, including from the private sector,
12/02/2014
The Highland Council has issued an update on the Flow to the Future project. The project is an ambitious multi-million pound project which aims to restore seven square miles of globally important peatlands. The scheme is being co-ordinated by the RSPB on behalf of the Peatlands Partnership. Esta
12/02/2014
A shortlist of Scotland's most impressive new and regenerated building projects has been published for the RICS Scotland Awards 2014. Of the shortlisted 48 entries, eight category winners and a Project of the Year will be selected. The winners from the Building Conservation, Community Benefit, D
12/02/2014
The latest phase of Kingdom Housing Association's affordable housing project in Cellardyke, Fife, has been completed. Finished almost two months ahead of schedule, the £5m development is located near the coast in the Anstruther area, and will provide 44 homes within the community. Twenty-five of
12/02/2014
Nine groups in Scotland are to benefit from a shared fund of almost £1m to improve their local communities. The grant, worth £927,693, will be divided between the groups to allow them to carry out the required works. The recipients are: • Aigas Community Forest (£221,000) – To purchase part of
12/02/2014
West Dunbartonshire Council has approved plans to create a new Dumbarton ceremony, as well as carry out a series of upgrade works on three others. The new cemetery will be developed at Garshake Road, while the improvements will be made to Vale of Leven, North Dalnottar and Kilmaronock cemeteries.
12/02/2014
Progress is continuing to refurbish Johnstone Town Hall, Renfrewshire. Work is continuing to progress on schedule with the steelwork frame having been risen from the ground since the start of the year. Some £14.5m has been invested in the hall, which will have a new library, marriage suite, thea
12/02/2014
Scottish Canals are to undertake essential maintenance at Muirtown Swing Bridge, Caledonian Canal Crossing, Inverness. The project will commence on Monday 17 February and last until Thursday 27 February, from midnight to 6am each day. An alternative route will be in place for motorists, via Tomn
12/02/2014
Unity Trust Bank, a specialist bank for social economy organisations, has facilitated in the development of homes for 18 families near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire following a working capital loan of £1.29m to Castlehill Housing Association. The Port Elphinstone development includes a mix of one, two
11/02/2014
A legal challenge brought by Donald Trump to a planned offshore wind farm off the Aberdeenshire coast has been rejected. The US businessman had claimed that the £230m European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) would ruin the view from his golf course at Menie. As a result, he wanted the deci
11/02/2014
The output of the Cruachan hydro electric power station could be more than doubled under plans revealed by Scottish Power. The energy supplier will undertake a two-year feasibility study of the Argyll-based power station before it decides whether to go ahead with the project. The 440MW power sta
11/02/2014
Perth and Kinross Council has said work to construct a roundabout at the junction of Station Road and Springfield Road, Kinross, is to start later this month. The project is expected to last around eight weeks. The works will help with the flow of traffic using the busy junction. The local aut
11/02/2014
Scottish Water has completed the construction of a fish pass on the Davidston Burn. The work will now allow salmon stocks to move more freely within the catchment of the River Isla. Located approximately 5km south of Keith, the Davidston Burn weir is a concrete structure that functions as a raw
11/02/2014
The second phase of works on the Kessock Bridge upgrade commenced on 10 February. On Monday, it was reported that throughout the 20-week programme, a contraflow system would be in place on the northbound carriageway. Today, BEAR Scotland has now issued an update regarding the works that have bee
11/02/2014
A new 62-home development has been earmarked for Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. More than £2m of funding has been secured from the Scottish Government will support the project, while Aberdeenshire Council and Sanctuary have allocated separate funds to deliver the scheme. The council will contribute jus
11/02/2014
Wishaw's East Cross is to close for six days to allow work on Phase Two of the town centre streetscape works to continue. The closure will be in place from Saturday 15 February and will allow Scottish Water to be installed, as well as other necessary underground works to be completed. The Cross w
11/02/2014
A new heritage trail has been created in East Dunbartonshire, allowing walkers, cyclists and visitors to discover more about the town's industrial history. The trail has been created through East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust and the Heritage Lottery funded project, Kirkintilloch's Indu
11/02/2014
Work has commenced on the Annan Riverside Gateway project, Dumfries and Galloway Council has said. The scheme has been designed to enhance the western approach of the town and will take approximately 10 weeks to complete. The work will be carried out by the Council's DG First service and has bee
11/02/2014
East Dunbartonshire Council is to become one of the first local authorities in Scotland to switch to LED street lights, saving both money and the environment. Following a successful trial period, the Council will now begin installing the LED streetlights from this spring. It expects to generate sa
10/02/2014
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) is to submit an objection to the proposed 20-turbine Cairn Duhie wind farm. The site, which is located between Grantown-on-Spey and Nairn, is 8km from the boundary of the Cairngorms National Park. Planners had said that while it recognised the wind f
10/02/2014
Roadworks have resumed on one of Scotland's busiest bridge crossings. One side of the A9 Kessock Bridge in Inverness will be closed for the next 20 weeks to allow the project to be undertaken. A contra flow system will be in operation for road users. The work is part of a wider £13m resurfacing
10/02/2014
Work is continuing to progress on Dunfermline's new £10.8m museum and art gallery. At a meeting of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee, a new visual was released of the proposed development, as well as to how it was progressing. The new modern, purpose-built facility will integrate with the l
10/02/2014
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has said the Redbridge Viaduct is to temporarily close in order to allow work to be carried out. For an eight-week period, commencing from 17 February, the footpath over the bridge structure will close. The footpath runs between Langlee, Galashiels and Tweedback over
10/02/2014
Residents in North Ayrshire are set to benefit from a home energy efficiency scheme. The £800,000 project, which has been funded by the Scottish Government under its Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland (HEEPS) and Scottish Hydro, through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), aims to help
10/02/2014
Moray Council is to carry out flood alleviation work in the town of Elgin later this month. As part of the works, the boating pond in Elgin's Cooper Park is to be drained. Draining the pond will subsequently allow work to begin on a wall and embankment which will form part of an £86m flood defen
10/02/2014
Work has begun on a project to transform the old sewage works in Glasgow Road, Barrhead. The waterworks are close to the site of the former Nestle Purina factory. As part of the scheme, East Renfrewshire Council has said the large round concrete tanks on site are to be turned into large wild flo
10/02/2014
Scottish Water has said it is to carry out some planned environmental work at Gourock. As a result of the works, there will be a temporary road closure set up in the town. Both Steel Street and part of Cove Road, near the junction of the two streets, will close for approximately one week from 17
07/02/2014
Some £270m is to be invested in a variety of building projects in Dundee. The projects are part of the local authority's capital plan for the city for the next four years. Under the plan, is the continuation of works of a £55m schools programme to construct new primary and secondary schools in t
07/02/2014
A new hotel is to be built in Edinburgh by hotel chain Premier Inn, it has been reported. The build will be a new 157 compact bedroom hotel and will be the second of its kind in the city. The Hub by Premier Inn hotel is expected to be completed by late 2015 and will be located on Rose Street. Th
07/02/2014
Rent arrears of at least £5m are said to be owed to Scottish councils and housing associations as a result of the 'bedroom tax', new figures have suggested. The findings, which have been gathered by the Scottish Housing Regulator, added that the arrears are continuing to rise. In the Housing Reg
07/02/2014
A public meeting has been held to discuss the future development of site in Aberdeenshire. The site in question, is that of a former quarry, and it had previously been suggested that the land could be used as a site for Gypsy/Travellers. Three options for the potential development of the site at A
07/02/2014
A set of steps located in Edinburgh's Old Town are to be restored and reopened, it has been reported. The historic feature, which has been closed to the public for 10 years, will receive new gates, as well as an art installation by Edinburgh artist Callum Innes. The "significant conservation wor
07/02/2014
Almost £1.4m is to be invested in Dumfermline roads by Fife Council. The funding will be used towards a number of road, footway and street lighting improvement schemes in the area throughout 2014/15. The investment is part of a Fife-wide £40m initiative which will see old street light columns re
07/02/2014
BAE Systems has unveiled further details of investment proposals for its manufacturing facilities in Glasgow. The facility will play a key role in helping to ensure the long-term future of its ship building business. In a statement, BAE said there are two potential investment options ahead of pu
07/02/2014
Members of the Bute and Cowal Area Committee have agreed to revise its approach to a regeneration project of the town of Dunoon. The revision is understood to centre around the previously marked closure of Queens Hall. Earlier this week, however, it was agreed by members to delay the closure.
06/02/2014
Latest figures have suggested that the number of homes being sold in Scotland rose sharply in the last quarter. Figures from the Registers of Scotland revealed the number of properties sold increased by 26.1% when compared to the same quarter a year previously. Some 25,579 properties were sold b
06/02/2014
Fife Council is to invest almost £2m on a number of improvement schemes for Glenrothes' roads. Some 32 road, footway and street lighting improvement projects will benefit from the funding throughout 2014/15. Following news of the funding, the main projects for Glenrothes in 2014/15 include: •
06/02/2014
A new centre for biotechnology could create 1,500 jobs and boost Scotland's economy by £130m over five years, a new report has claimed. The new multi-million pound Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IbioIC) will be located at Glasgow's Strathclyde University. It will bring together academ
06/02/2014
SSE has been ordered to tackle a noise problem at a substation constructed as part of the Beauly to Denny power line upgrade. It was served with a noise abatement notice by the Highland Council following an increase of complaints about a low-frequency hum emanating from the site. In a statement,
06/02/2014
North Lanarkshire Council and the Cumbernauld Theatre Trust have unveiled plans to create a new 400-seat performance venue in the town. The new facility is expected to cost around £4m and would replace the current Cumbernauld Theatre building. It would also be located within the new Cumbernauld Ac
06/02/2014
Residents in Benholm, Aberdeenshire, are being asked to share their views regarding a potential conservation status for the village. The area is a site of historic value and is home to a Kirk and restored water mill. The local authority has now prepared an appraisal to consider the special featu
06/02/2014
East Ayrshire Council has announced that its regeneration project in Cumnock is to be extended. An additional three historic properties are now set to be transformed following the allocation of almost £100,000 of extra funding as the authority's Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) project
06/02/2014
Plans to build a number of community allotments in Dundee are to be heard by the Council's Environment Committee next week. It is understood the proposals by the Douglas Community Spaces Group could transform the former grounds of Douglas Primary School. Councillors are now being asked to approv
05/02/2014
Hotel chain Sleeperz has said it is to construct a new 120-room property in Dundee. The development is part of a wider £1bn transformation of the city's waterfront area; a 30-year scheme to regenerate the banks of the River Tay. The new hotel will be located next to a £22m redevelopment Dundee's
05/02/2014
A new hybrid grass pitch is to be installed at Murrayfield Stadium, Scottish Rugby has announced. The pitch will be the largest investment in the grounds since its reconstruction in 1994. In a statement released on Wednesday, the organisation said the pitch will be installed later this year and
05/02/2014
Proposals to transform an area of public space in Aberdeenshire has been met with positive feedback from the local community. A public consultation was held in relation to plans to regenerate Banchory's Scott Skinner Square, with many people in attendance to share their views. Those behind the p
05/02/2014
Proposals to construct an energy plant using waste from a Speyside distillery has been approved by Moray Council. The anaerobic digestion facility at Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, will use spent malted barley and pot ale from the distilling process. It is understood the plant will be constru
05/02/2014
An ambitious £36.5m programme to deliver new primary schools in the Fort William area continues to progress after two contracts were awarded. One contract relates to a new school at Lundavra Road, which will replace the existing Fort William and Upper Achintore Primary Schools, and will include 11
05/02/2014
Aberdeen Council has said a one-way system will be in operation on a section of the Great Northern Road. The system will be in place from Saturday 8 February and will remain for up to two weeks. During this period, the road will be open to northbound traffic only between the Clifton Road and St
05/02/2014
Work is to begin on a new temporary car park in Barrhead town centre. The facility will have around 40 spaces and will located on the site of the former Barrhead Health Centre. It is expected to open by the end of next month. The centre has been demolished in order to make way for a new Asda sup
05/02/2014
A site has been chosen to build a new Orkney hospital, it has been reported. According to the BBC, the board of NHS Orkney agreed on a site close to the existing Balfour Hospital and said plans should be drawn up for the site at Scapa. Feedback from a public consultation on the proposals also su
05/02/2014
A project has started to construct a number of bespoke mountain bike trails within the area of an on-shore wind farm at Whitelee, near Eaglesham. The development, which is situated just 10 miles south of Glasgow, will add to the series of tracks across the 215-turbine wind farm. East Renfrewshir
05/02/2014
The ScottishPower Foundation, in partnership with its Spanish equivalent Fundacion IBERDROLA, has announced 17 new post-graduate scholarship grants for the 2014/15 academic year. The scholarships aim to contribute to the education of young professionals with the capabilities required to lead the e
04/02/2014
A total of 25 projects have benefited from almost £3m in funding over the last year, it has been reported. The green projects reduced fuel poverty and was aimed at Councils and housing associations throughout Scotland. The Warm Homes Fund was set up by the Scottish Government in order to provide
04/02/2014
Work has commenced on the new £31m Harris Academy in Dundee. The project will see a new school constructed on the site of the former 1930s building on Perth Road in the city. It is expected to be completed by 2016. A number of the building's original features, such as the clock tower and the sto
04/02/2014
The final phase of a £770,000 project which will transform Alexandria town centre is now underway. Under the project, the entrance to Mitchell Way, adjacent to Main Street, is being redesigned to improve links between the two shopping areas and will create a welcoming public space for visitors. Th
04/02/2014
Aberdeen City Council's Local Development Plan (LDP) is to continue its consultation roadshow this week. The local authority is wanting to hear from residents about their views on the future development of the city for a Main Issues Report. This report is a vital part of the wider Aberdeen Local D
04/02/2014
Plans to construct more than 70 social homes, as well as a new football ground in Govan, have been approved. In a £9.3m project, Home Scotland received permission to build 71 homes in the Glasgow area. They will be situated on the current site of junior football club Benburb FC, while the club wil
04/02/2014
A programme of works to improve Riverside Park in Blairgowrie, Perth & Kinross, is almost complete, the local authority has said. Equipment for the children's play area has now been installed, while grass area are currently being fenced off to allow the turf to become properly established before p
04/02/2014
Moray Council is to carry out roadworks on the B9017 Crooksmill – Newmill – Montgrew Road. The works, which will commence on 10 February, will include carriageway and drainage improvements. The scheme will be delivered via a phased road closure, while some minor preparatory works could be carried
04/02/2014
Scottish Water is to hold a public event next week to inform customers about plans to upgrade the local waster water infrastructure in Canonbie. Currently, waste water from the village is processed by an old septic tank close to the River Esk, but in order to ensure the needs of the community can
04/02/2014
Aberdeen Council has said the level of demand for office space in the city has soared over the past year. It is understood the amount of class four office – which is at least 500sq m – developments completed, under construction or granted detailed planning consent in 2013, was "significantly highe
04/02/2014
Transport Minister Keith Brown has said some £8bn of capital investment is to be spent over the next two years, which will support up to 50,000 full-time jobs in Scotland. However, he added that the country could benefit even further if it had the full power of independence. Speaking at a keynote
03/02/2014
Turley Associates has secured planning permission for a new 245-bedroom on-campus student accommodation block for Edge Hill University, Lancashire. Permission for the build was approved by West Lancashire Borough Council last month. Edge Hill University is more than 115 years old and has more th
03/02/2014
The Shetland Islands Council (SIC) is to hold a second public event in relation to the new Anderson High School. The consultation will provide updates on how the proposals for the school are developing. It will also allow those in attendance to learn more about the project, including the school
03/02/2014
The Highland Council has said it will need to extend the closure of Bank Street, between Fraser Street and Friars Lane, until May in order to allow the River Ness Flood Alleviation and Streetscape Scheme to get back on track. Initially, the local authority had planned to reopen Bank Street to thro
03/02/2014
Network Rail is seeking views from the public on its proposed multi-million pound development, The Forth Bridge Experience. The development would allow visitors being able to access the bridge via: • A bridge walk and climb to the top of the southern Queensferry tower accessed from a visitor rec
03/02/2014
Argyll and Bute Council has welcomed the news that it is to receive more than £1.6m in funding for arts and culture organisations in the area. Last week, Creative Scotland revealed it had set aside £1,601,663 for projects in Argyll in Bute. The projects to benefit from the funds include the Arti
03/02/2014
The Borders Railway is undertaking preparatory works ahead of the installation of the longest new bridge to be built from scratch. The structure will be constructed at Hardengreen roundabout which is near to Eskbank, south of the Edinburgh bypass. Work on the two-span bridge, which will span 71.
03/02/2014
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the legal limits imposed by the UK Government on the help the Scottish Government can provide to offset the effects of the 'Bedroom Tax' should be lifted. By scrapping the cap that has been implemented, the UK Government could remove the legal restric
03/02/2014
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded the V&A at Dundee £9.4m of funding. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, V&A at Dundee is also the flagship for Dundee's ambitious plans for its waterfront redevelopment. The HLF grant will primarily support the capital costs of the building, in
