Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for July 2014
31/07/2014
Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL), a joint partnership between SSE Renewables and Repsol Nuevas Energias UK, has confirmed that Wick Harbour is the preferred future location for the Beatrice offshore wind farm's Operation and Maintenance (O&M) base. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was fina
31/07/2014
Newly released figures have suggested that the total number of households in Scotland is to increase by a sixth over the next 25 years, to 2.78 million. The statistics, published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS), also reveal that around a quarter of people, aged 16 or over, are projected
31/07/2014
The Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has awarded two major contracts to two firms in Argyll. The roof, roughcasting and external insulation contracts are worth a total of £5.1m. M&K MacLeod of Lochgilphead will be the contractor responsible for the works in Islay and Dunbeg, while Ste
31/07/2014
More than 120km of pathways in Scotland's national parks are to be upgraded following a £3m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). A total of 41 paths will be restored and upgraded as part of the People and the Mountains project, and will cover a distance of 124.5km. The HLF confirmed an init
31/07/2014
A new incentive has been launched to help households save money on their energy bills. Under the scheme, households would need to install a renewable heating system into their home. The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Payment Calculator, which has been developed jointly by the Scottish Government
31/07/2014
Plans for new state-of-the-art sports, leisure and community facilities in Banff and Macduff are to go on public display next month. Aberdeenshire is encouraging the local communities to attend one of the two public information meetings that have been organised. Updated plans for Banff Sporting Co
31/07/2014
An agreement has been reached between Scottish Water Solutions and Ross-shire Engineering to give £100,000 to the Shetlands Island Council to cover the cost damage caused to roads in the Foula area. The companies were involved in a project to Foula's water treatment works, which involved running a
31/07/2014
A public meeting is to be held today (31 July) regarding proposed plans for road improvement works on the B851 route at Sockich's Bends, the Highland Council has said. Before work to twin-track the road can commence, it is understood Forestry Commission Scotland will need to fell timber in the are
30/07/2014
A Parkour facility in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, has been transformed following a £111,000 project. The work makes it the largest free-to-access park of its kind in the UK. Throughout the last four years, North Lanarkshire Council, the Coatbridge Parkour group and the local community have work
30/07/2014
More than £97,000 worth of community awards has been dedicated to local initiatives in Sutherland, from SSE's Achany wind farm funding panel. The latest round of grants covers three community council areas – Ardgay & District, Creich, and Lairg – and covers building improvements, capital purchases
30/07/2014
Scottish Water has completed an £8.2m refurbishment of Plains Waste Water Treatments Works, it has confirmed. The project will help protect the environment of the North Calder Water, as well as increase capacity for new customer connections. As part of the initiative, the old waste water treatment
30/07/2014
Ground investigation works are to be carried out at a primary school in Elgin next week, Moray Council has said. The works come after recently-discovered aerial images suggested a wartime trench was previously on the site. The photograph, of what are now the playing fields at West End Primary Scho
30/07/2014
A £1.5m refurbishment project has been completed at Dalmuir Park and to celebrate, West Dunbartonshire Council has said it is to hold an event-filled day at the park. The restoration of the park has been made possible by West Dunbartonshire Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Work has included
30/07/2014
The Highland Council has confirmed that proper procedures were followed in relation to the submission and assessment of a planning application for the new Gaelic School in Fort William. Concerns regarding the procedures were raised at a public meeting after some residents suggested they had not re
30/07/2014
Newly-released figures have shown that the number of construction companies going bankrupt has fallen. In the second quarter of 2013, 18 companies were declared bust, but by Q2 of 2014, just 11 companies went bankrupt. This is a fall of 18% over the year to June 2014, compared to the previous year
30/07/2014
A workman has been rescued after he fell down a man-made hole in Drumoak. The incident happened at around 3.40pm on Tuesday (28 July), but details have only just emerged. In a statement, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), said the man fell down a man-made hole – measuring around one metr
29/07/2014
The average house price in Scotland has increased by 5.9% over the last year; that is according to official statistics released today (29 July), by Registers of Scotland. The report said that the average cost of a home, in the three months to June, is now £162,122. The Scottish property market ha
29/07/2014
Blyth Utilities has been awarded an extension to its contract to complete works in Aberdeenshire. In a statement, the local authority confirmed the developer was scheduled to finish a project to install gas, water and phone connections for a new housing development on Monday (28 July), however, th
29/07/2014
The first turf has been cut on a site at Kellie Road, Dunbar, to mark the start of a new development. A total of 16 new flats are to be built on the site by Hart Builders, which will then be purchased by East Lothian Council for council housing. The 16 flats will all have two bedrooms and will b
29/07/2014
Work is continuing on an initiative to strengthen railway tunnels at Haymarket, Edinburgh. The work is being carried out ahead of a regeneration project. A £200m development of retail, offices and hotels has been proposed for the site located above the tunnels, but before work can begin on the for
29/07/2014
Edinburgh Council has said it wants to hear from the local community regarding the future of one of the city's historic parks. The local authority has compiled a survey, asking visitors to the park what they think about the facilities and features the park has to offer. Any feedback received will
29/07/2014
An environmental improvement project to tackle the issue of flooding in the Temple area of Glasgow has been completed by Scottish Water. The £1.9m investment to the network will help reduce the risk of flooding in the Shafton Road area, where more than 60 homes have been subject to repeated floodi
29/07/2014
A new one-way traffic system has been introduced in Galashiels. The system has been enforced in order to allow work to continue on a new station as part of the Borders to Edinburgh railway project. Those behind the initiative have said it will allow for "safe construction" to be carried out. I
29/07/2014
Cube Housing has completed a new development in Clydebank. The 33-home development, known as The Scholars, has been constructed on the grounds of the former Clydebank College. It consists of nine one-bedroom and 24 two-bedroom flats for local residents whose homes were demolished as part of a re
28/07/2014
Cala Group has said it has raised its growth expectations after forecasting a record annual profit. The house builder, which is based in Edinburgh, said last October that it planned to double in size by 2017 through organic growth. However, following its acquisition of Banner Homes in March 2014,
28/07/2014
A total of 59 Scottish parks have been awarded a Green Flag this year, it has been reported. A record number of parks are said to now hold the environmental honour, which is administered by the Keep Scotland Beautiful charity. Parks in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow retained their Green
28/07/2014
The largest fibre cable laying project ever carried out in the UK is to commence on the West Coast of Scotland, it has been confirmed. The project, upon completion, will deliver superfast broadband to some of the region's most remote communities. According to the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (
28/07/2014
A maintenance and upgrade programme is to be carried out at Foyers Hydro Power Station. The station, which is situated next to Loch Ness, will see a number of its key components replaced after having reached the end of their operational lives. According to SSE, the replacement components were de
28/07/2014
Newly-installed bicycle parking is set to open in areas of Edinburgh, it has been announced. The local authority has said it will trial three types of on-street storage, which have been constructed to address cycle parking issues in the area. Edinburgh will offer the facilities to residents thro
28/07/2014
West Dunbartonshire Council has said it has completed the purchase of vacant land plots in the area. The acquisition from Scottish Enterprise means plans for new workshop premises can be constructed at the Vale of Level Industrial Estate. The £1.8m project will provide around 15,000 sq ft of new
25/07/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council has said businesses with a "legitimate claim" can apply for compensation following delayed upgrade works in Dumfries town centre. The £1m improvement scheme, which was focused around the Burns statue, was to be completed by mid-June; however, a new deadline for compl
25/07/2014
Work is continuing to progress on a new homelessness centre in Aberdeen. Earlier this week, work on the exterior construction of the £5m centre was completed, and a topping-out ceremony was held to mark the occasion. The completion of this phase of work means the building is now fully water and
25/07/2014
Scotland's seas will now be better protected following the designation of 30 Marine Protected Areas. The sites will protect a range of habitats and species. One of the designated sites – the North East Faroe Shetland Channel – is thought to be the largest Marine Protected Area in the EU, while, in
25/07/2014
The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) has welcomed the latest figures, published by Scotland's Chief Statistician on Thursday, which show that the average time taken to determine planning applications over the last year has fallen. The report found that the average time taken to determine major p
25/07/2014
A company has been fined £10,500 after an explosion occurred at Borders Fine Arts in Langhholm. The incident occurred in July 2012. Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was revealed that health and safety breaches were in place. At Dumfries Sheriff Court, Enesc
25/07/2014
More workers are now going online to search and apply for a new job within the construction industry, according to a new study. The research by s1jobs, Scotland's largest recruitment platform, found an increase of almost 50% in the number of construction vacancies advertised on the site in April 2
24/07/2014
Planning permission has been approved for two new wind farms, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has announced. When combined, the developments will power more than 100,000 homes and deliver community benefits of over £28m. The first wind farm is an located to the east of Abington and is an extension to
24/07/2014
Brookfield Multiplex has been appointed to construct a new, high-quality Grade A office commercial development in Aberdeen. City Park 1 will consist of 215,000 sq ft and will be a four-storey office building. A single-storey basement car park will also be created, providing 930 spaces. The firm
24/07/2014
Work has started on a new cycle route from the Inverness Campus at Beechwood to the city centre. The Millburn Road Cycle Project will cost £733,000 and is expected to form part of the link from the new Inverness Campus and the new A9 overbridge in the east, through Raigmore Housing Estate to Millb
24/07/2014
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has confirmed that work on the Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme is already making significant progress. Work on the £31.4m project commenced in June. Investigation and trial hole work has been undertaken at the Bridge Street (Bannerfield) Footbridge in the area and th
24/07/2014
Newly released statistics have revealed an improvement in planning decision times. According to Scotland's Chief Statistician, the average decision time for a local development in 2013/14 was 10.6 weeks, almost six days quicker than the previous year (11.4 weeks). For the year 2013/14, the avera
24/07/2014
A public consultation is to be held by Angus Council to discuss the future of Reid Hall. Reid Hall is one of Forfar's most famous features but the future development of the building is uncertain. Work is required on the property, but due to insufficient budget, it cannot be fully undertaken. On
24/07/2014
The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has said it is "extremely disappointed" by the UK Government's decision to cut the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). ECO is the main source of funding for energy efficiency measures in Scotland. Following a consultation on the future of ECO,
24/07/2014
QTS Training has received an "outstanding" rating from a national skills body. The Lanarkshire-based company was granted the accolade by the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) for its rail training courses. The courses are designed to provide companies – and contractors – with
23/07/2014
A new study has claimed that more than 1,000 workers could die each year due to "inadequate safeguards" in workplaces when dealing with dust known to cause cancer and other diseases. Many more lives are also being put at risk by the lack of safeguards, academics at the University of Stirling said.
23/07/2014
Preparatory site works have commenced at the site of the new £35.4m Inverness Royal Academy. The school, which is being constructed adjacent to the existing school on Culduthel Road, is set to be completed in June 2016. It will cater for 1,460 pupils and will consist of 39 practical, 40 non-practi
23/07/2014
East Renfrewshire Council is set to buy a derelict house in Barrhead. The privately-owned property – 25 Divernia Way – has not been lived in for a number of years. Over the years, the condition of the home has deteriorated and a Dangerous Building Notice has been served. The home has been fire dam
23/07/2014
An investment of £550,000 has been secured by Stirling Council to carry out significant refurbishment works in Dunblane town centre. The project will focus on the area between Dunblane Station and the High Street, and will not only improve the streetscape, but make the area more cycle and pedestri
23/07/2014
East Lothian Council has confirmed that a series of extensive improvement works are to be carried out to High Street in Musselburgh, between Kilwinning Street and Pinkie Pillars. The scheme will begin on Friday 4 August and it is thought the work will take approximately 16 weeks to complete. A sch
23/07/2014
A multi-purpose community hub has been proposed for Woodburn, Midlothian. The plans, put forward by Dalkeith Miners Welfare, would be located on land known as Teletubby Hill. The land is owned by the Miners Club. It is understood Midlothian Council is supportive of the idea, but the organisation
23/07/2014
Transport Scotland has announced that a number of safety improvements have been introduced along the A78. The move comes after concerns were made by local communities in Fairlie and Largs. The changes came into force from the beginning of the month. In Fairlie, for example, a range of measures h
23/07/2014
A new apprenticeship scheme to train young people for a career in the rail industry has been launched by the QTS Group. The Drumclog-based railway contracting firm is the first in Scotland to offer the Rail Modern Apprenticeship – a programme designed to bring more young people aged 16-19 into the
22/07/2014
Lovell has revealed it has secured five contracts worth a total £59m this summer. The contracts will see the Glasgow-based housebuilder create 675 new, affordable homes at locations in Edinburgh and West Lothian. In addition to the new properties, the business wins will also provide a boost for lo
22/07/2014
Transport Scotland has issued advice ahead of ground investigation work commencing on the A9 Dualling scheme which begins next week. Starting on Monday (28 July), motorists on the A9, travelling between Kincraig and Dalraddy, will be affected by traffic restrictions in the area. The restrictions
22/07/2014
An aquaculture research facility located in Argyll is to undergo expansion work, it has been confirmed. The Marine Environmental Research Laboratory (MERL) is part of the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture and is based at Machrihanish in Argyll. The centre provides contract research
22/07/2014
Galliford Try plc has confirmed its Miller Construction business has reached financial close on two new school projects in the Highlands. One is a £35.4m project to build the new Inverness Royal Academy, and the other is a £15.4m project to construct Noss Primary School in Wick. Inverness Royal
22/07/2014
River Clyde Homes has started work to deliver 20 new homes for rent in the Port Glasgow area. Funding of £1.24m was provided by the Scottish Government for the project which will be located on Woodhall Terrace in the town. The properties will be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom semi-detached
22/07/2014
Morrisons has confirmed it has dropped its plans to build a new store in Aberdeen. The supermarket chain had received planning permission from Aberdeen City Council in 2012 to construct a new premises on the site of the former Summerhill Academy. The proposals included a supermarket, café and pe
22/07/2014
A new report has found that Longannet Power Station is one of the top 30 polluting power plants in the EU. The report looks at CO2 emissions from coal power plants in the EU and has been compiled by the European Environmental Bureau, the Health and Environment Alliance, CAN Europe, Climate Allianc
22/07/2014
A new trial method of carrying out repairs to roads has begun in Sutherland. The method, known as 'road recycling', involved re-using the road's existing surface materials to create a new surface, rather than importing large quantities of new materials. The first trial has been carried out on th
21/07/2014
A major road scheme has commenced on the Garroch roundabout and the A75 in Dumfries. The project is part of vital preparatory works for a new £200m hospital that is being constructed in the town. Work on the hospital is expected to begin in spring 2015. Balfour Beatty has been appointed to carry
21/07/2014
Councillors in Aberdeen are to discuss whether they will hold a public hearing regarding the planning application for Marischal Square. It is understood that planning officials have recommended the Council's Planning Development Management Committee move the consideration of the application for pu
21/07/2014
The Jawbone Arch, located in the Meadows in Edinburgh, is to be removed and restored, the local authority has confirmed. Conservators have been appointed to remove the bones of the structure which will be placed into storage for up to six months in order to allow them to dry. Following this, exper
21/07/2014
A company is to investigate whether wartime oil tanks can be restored and brought back into use as part of a modern-day fuel distribution base. The suggestion, made by Northern Oils, will look at whether the tanks, which have been constructed inside a hill on the island of Hoy, can be used to stor
21/07/2014
A £3.3m investment programme is to be undertaken at a number of schools in West Lothian this summer. The projects will include a new extension at Balbardie Primary School, while ground works, new roofing and doors, decoration, boiler replacement and replacement lighting will be carried out at othe
21/07/2014
Glasgow City Council is to launch a pilot scheme to support tenants and shop owners on Saltmarket and St Andrew's Street. The initiative will help continue the Council's plans to regenerate the city centre. The Independent Retail Fund (IRF) will provide proprietors access to financial resources
21/07/2014
A scheme to investigate and solve flooding issues in the Roseangle area of Dundee, has been completed by Scottish Water. More than £780,000 has been invested in the project which will protect around 43 properties. Flooding has previously affected residents in the area due to blocked drains, but
21/07/2014
Due to work being carried out as part of the Dunfermline Flood Prevention Scheme, Fife Council has said that road closures will be in place next week. From Monday 28 July, a traffic management system will be in place at the Forth Street Junction in Dunfermline. It will be a three-way traffic light
18/07/2014
The third phase of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road project has been officially opened. The road will connect Auchinairn Road and Westerhill Road and will provide better transport links, fresh investment and a reduction in traffic congestion. On behalf of East Dunbartonshire Council and Taylor Wimpe
18/07/2014
Planning permission for the proposed Barcloy Hill Wind Farm has been rejected by Dumfries and Galloway's Planning Applications Committee. The 12.5MW development would have consisted of five turbines, located between Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright, and would have been capable of generating electr
18/07/2014
The first public meetings regarding the Third Don Crossing works are to commence next week, Aberdeen Council has said. The event will be open to members of the Tillydrone community who wish to know more about the scheme, planned construction works and related mitigation measures. Members of the pr
18/07/2014
Accommodation contracted for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has become part of an environmental accreditation scheme, it has been announced. The accolade was a target set out by VisitScotland as part of its Greener Glasgow Tourism Project. A total of 67 different hotels and university halls
18/07/2014
A contract to refurbish the Scalloway School in Shetland has been awarded. Local firm DITT Construction Ltd will carry out the project, which will see the relocation of the Scalloway Health Centre into the current primary school, while the primary school will move into the former secondary school
18/07/2014
Scottish Water has announced it has completed a £202,000 project at Aberargie. The programme involved carrying out essential upgrades to the waste water treatment works (WWTW) in the area. Mackenzie Construction undertook the project on behalf of Scottish Water and built a new septic tank and asso
18/07/2014
An announcement of a £1.1bn 'City Deal' for Glasgow and the Clyde Valley has been welcomed by North Lanarkshire Council. The investment allows local authorities to move forward with significant infrastructure works. This means that projects worth £172.5m around North Lanarkshire could now progre
18/07/2014
Athena Safety Ltd has said it is to run the Nebosh National Certificate Construction Safety and Health later this year. The course will be held in Edinburgh, in October/November 2014, the firm has confirmed. It is aimed at supervisors, managers and CDM co-ordinators within the construction indus
17/07/2014
The Scottish Government has confirmed the latest round of its Green Homes Cashback scheme has opened for applications. Additional Green Homes Cashback funding was first announced back in May. The new phase will allow social landlords to apply for a share of £4.5m in funding for energy efficiency
17/07/2014
A bid submitted by Edinburgh Council to purchase the Custom House property in Leith has been accepted. In a statement, the local authority confirmed its offer for the building was accepted on Wednesday (16 July). The Council placed a bid on the historic building, which is currently owned and use
17/07/2014
Ineos has confirmed it is to build Europe's largest ethane storage tank. The news comes after the company secured a £230m loan guarantee from the UK Government for the scheme. The loan would allow the firm, which owns the Grangemouth plant, to raise the funds necessary to invest in a new termina
17/07/2014
An old, disused railway bridge, located over the River Lossie in Elgin, has been demolished. The demolition was scheduled as part of the £86m flood alleviation scheme that is currently underway in the area. Before its closure a number of years ago, the bridge formed part of the Elgin to Lossiemout
17/07/2014
Scottish Water, in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust and a number of developers, has launched a new initiative to increase its understanding of water efficiency. One of the first developers to be a part of the trial is Miller Homes. It is understood the project will aim to discover what m
17/07/2014
A sea wall in Gourock, Inverclyde, is to be repaired after an inspection found "significant corrosion" in the structure. It is understood the wall, which is at a car park in the town, will be partially closed in order to allow repair work to be carried out. According to the BBC, around 30 spaces w
17/07/2014
It has been reported that maintenance workers at the Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) are to be balloted on industrial action. The ballot will open on Monday. The move comes after the SBHA and the Unite union failed to reach an agreement earlier this week regarding terms and conditions.
17/07/2014
Following its recent success acquiring Nomenca Approved Contractor status, Eco Insulate Ltd has confirmed it has been awarded a contract worth more than £120,000. The contract comes after a detailed procurement process, including the assessment of BASF products as well as experience, skills and fi
16/07/2014
Improvement works at Lawson Memorial Hospital are continuing to progress and are on time, NHS Highland has said. The project currently ongoing at the site is being carried out in three phases. The first involves transporting the in-patient beds into the Cambusavie building which has been substanti
16/07/2014
More than 80,000 households have benefited from the Scottish Welfare Fund during its first year of operation, it has been claimed. According to Scotland's Chief Statistician, between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014, £29m was allocated to those households in need or in an emergency. It also helped p
16/07/2014
Proposals to transform an area of vacant land under a motorway flyover in Glasgow have been published. The site would be located in the Port Eglinton area, between Pollokshaws Road and the A77, it has been reported. The facility, suggested by charity Glasgow Urban Sports, would turn the derelict l
16/07/2014
A £1.78m fund has been awarded to Fife Council to help tackle vacant and derelict land in the area. The money means that, from 2015, the area will be able to access the Scottish Government's Vacant and Derelict land fund for the first time. Despite having the fourth largest area of vacant land in
16/07/2014
A total of 12 new homes are to be constructed in Inveraray it has been announced. The properties will be available for rent and will be built by Stewart McNee Limited on behalf of Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA). The £1.7m development will consist of four one-bedroom flats, four two-
16/07/2014
A regeneration project for Rothesay, Argyll and Bute, is continuing this week with the installation of a custom-built bus shelter. The work is part of the Rothesay Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) which has received an investment of more than £2.5m from Argyll and Bute Council, the Heritage Lot
16/07/2014
A project to resurface the A713 south of Dalmellington in East Ayrshire is to be completed this weekend, the Council has confirmed. From 5am on Saturday 189 July until midnight on Sunday 20 July, the A713 south of Dalmellington – between the U759 Loch Doon Road and the East Ayrshire, Dumfries and
16/07/2014
MCK Construction has recently completed a project at a property in Montrose. The project involved extending a kitchen and dining room, a partial refurbishment of the existing property and electrical and plumbing alterations. The company, which based in Montrose, is a joinery and building contrac
15/07/2014
Ofgem has announced that grid charges for electricity generators in Scotland are to fall from April 2016. It has also confirmed that plans for a £1.2bn upgrade of a high-voltage grid in the north of the country have been approved. The ambitious project includes a subsea link between Caithness and Mo
15/07/2014
Morrison Construction has been appointed by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to build a £3m facility at the new Inverness Campus. The facility will provide space for life science research. Work has started on the 1,000m2 centre and is expected to be completed by Spring 2015. HIE has
15/07/2014
Work has started at the new £48.5m Wick Community Campus, with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in attendance to break the ground on the site. The new facility is being built to replace Wick High School, Pulteneytown Academy Primary School and South Primary School. It will also include a swimm
15/07/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council's Housing Sub Committee has agreed to increase funding to the Trust Housing Association. The additional money will allow much-needed sheltered housing provision for vulnerable elderly residents to continue to be delivered throughout the region. The announcement comes
15/07/2014
The new Aberdeen Aquatics Centre has been officially opened. It comes as Scotland prepares to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games later this month. The £22m centre first opened to the public in May and is a training and community swimming hub developed by Aberdeen University, the local council and
15/07/2014
Scottish Water is carrying out improvement works to its network in Greenock. The work will provide customers in the Lyle Road area with clearer, fresher drinking water. Around 70 metres of old water mains will be replaced with a new plastic pipe in which will be less susceptible to bursts and di
15/07/2014
The Scottish Government has awarded £2.2m to a project which aims to reduce the cost of offshore wind by at least 10%. The Carbon Trust's Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme – which is a joint industry and government scheme – brings together nine offshore wind developers, with more than 72%
15/07/2014
A new community centre for Cadder has taken a step closer to completion after it received a £1.91m grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The money, from the Lottery's Growing Community Assets fund, will go towards the cost of the proposed new community centre. It will contribute towards the capital cos
11/07/2014
SSE has confirmed that a planned subsea electricity cable between Caithness and Moray has been approved by the industry regulator. The link, which will consist of more than 100 miles of under ground and subsea cables, will transmit electricity from renewable sources in the north of Scotland. It is
11/07/2014
Lovell has been appointed to deliver a £4.1m housing development in Whitburn, West Lothian. The housing developer has been selected by Almond Housing Association to build the development on a brownfield site in East Main Street. A total of 49 new homes – for social rent – will be constructed on
11/07/2014
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has agreed, in principle, to remove radioactive material from Dalgety Bay, it has been announced. It is understood the plan aims to resolve a long-running disagreement over who is responsible for managing risks to the public in the local area; the stretch of coast in
11/07/2014
A new pilot scheme has been launched at Edinburgh College (Granton Campus) to try and tackle the country's building skills shortages as well as helping young people get into work. While the home building industry is a major employer in Scotland, skill shortages have been identified as a major barr
11/07/2014
The Highland Council has extended a consultation regarding proposals for a new school campus in Tain. Three options have been suggested for the three to 18 years campus and are the existing Tain Royal Academy site, the existing Craighill Primary School campus and a site at Kirksheaf. The school ca
11/07/2014
Permission has been granted for the next stages of the Corton development in South Ayrshire. The development, proposed by applicant LB RP (Ayr1 ) Ltd, would provide an "attractive and distinctive place for people to live, work and enjoy their leisure time as part of a sustainable new community. It
11/07/2014
The construction of 157 new homes in Barmulloch, Glasgow, is progressing well. The properties, being built for the Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), are located on the site of the former Barmulloch Primary School. Barmulloch is an area that has been identified as a priority for regeneration by
11/07/2014
The new Burntisland Primary School in Fife has been officially handed over to the local authority. The Council received the keys to the facility from contractor BAM Construction. The school will welcome its first pupils to the new school in August, in time for the new school session. Councillo
10/07/2014
The latest report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has found that demand for housing continues to outstrip supply. The housing market is continuing to grow, however, with another increase in newly-agreed sales recorded. 32% of chartered surveyors reported an increase in new buyer
10/07/2014
An investment of £20m for sports facilities has been announced by sportscotland. The National and Regional Facilities Investment scheme will see a number of centres improved as well as delivering new projects. It is understood the new investment will result in large multi-purpose sports faciliti
10/07/2014
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has said it will fight proposals to construct a wind farm in Rannoch. It has said the plans threaten the "iconic wild landscape" of the area and will ruin views from the mountains. The Talladh-a-Bheithe wind farm, which would be located on an estate
10/07/2014
Two communities in Scotland are set to benefit from £2m of funding from the Big Lottery Fund. Cadder, in Glasgow, and Johnstonebridge, Dumfries and Galloway, have been awarded monies from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland's Growing Community Assets scheme which will go towards creating some much-neede
10/07/2014
A new 3G pitch has been officially opened at Cowan Park in East Renfrewshire. The playing area, which received £600,000 in funding from the Cashback for Football Facilities Fund and East Renfrewshire Council for the project, is one of 37 new 3G pitches to be delivered through the Cashback for Comm
10/07/2014
A restoration project has commenced on a historic jute mill in Dundee. The High Mill, located in the city, is being transformed as part of the Verdant Works museum. According to reports, the Dundee Heritage Trust is responsible for the £2.9m project. The investment will see the A-listed property
10/07/2014
Plans for a scaled-down wind farm development in the Scottish Borders have been submitted. Initially, those behind the plans – West Coast Energy Ltd – wanted to build 11 turbines at Hag Law in Peeblesshire, but a revised application made to the local authority now plans to construct eight turbines
10/07/2014
Plans for a Conservation Area in Fraserburgh are to go in display this weekend, it has been confirmed. In 2013, a study of the town's historic buildings outlined the potential for conservation status, as well as funding opportunities. Plans to take this forward were subsequently approved by member
10/07/2014
Fife Council is to continue taking more measures to address empty properties and vacant land in the area. To date, local area committees have compiled lists of buildings that fall into the category and the council will now consult with community councils to try and identify further potential areas
10/07/2014
An initiative to install solar PV 70kW of panels on buildings around West Lothian is continuing to progress well, the local authority has said. To date, 300 panels have been installed at Springfield Primary School in Linlithgow, West Lothian Civic Centre, the Sutherland Building at Beecraigs Count
09/07/2014
Up to one million sq ft of land has been released by those behind the ambitious transformation project of Dundee Waterfront. The land is located around four sites and is for mixed-use development in the Central Waterfront area. It is understood an additional 500,000 sq ft will be released across t
09/07/2014
An agreement by the Scottish Government and COSLA will see the two work together to encourage the public sector to invest in town centres. In an initiative called the Town Centre First Principle, Derek Mackay, Local Government and Planning Minister has urged public bodies to sign up to the scheme.
09/07/2014
Planning permission for a 22-turbine wind farm in West Lothian has been approved by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. The Harburnhead development, located near West Calder, will create around 80 jobs during the construction phase of the project. Upon completion, it will have a total generating capacit
09/07/2014
Construction work is set to begin on a new station at Ladhope Vale as part of the Borders Railway initiative. In order to allow the work to be carried out safely, a temporary one-way system is to be implemented in Galashiels town centre. The system will come into effect from 27 July and will be in
09/07/2014
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has invested more than £50m in Scotland's parks, it has been announced. The news comes as the organisation made its 55th award, which went to Levengrove Park in West Dunbartonshire. The park has received an initial support grant of £2.6m from HLF's Parks for Peopl
09/07/2014
A new contractor, appointed to the Dunfermline Flood Prevention Scheme, has started work on site. Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd was chosen by Fife Council last month to complete the works. The remaining works are located in Rex Park and Forth Street. In Rex Park, flood defence embankments, foo
09/07/2014
Meikle Carewe Wind Farm in Aberdeenshire has helped the local community in Aberdeenshire to save money on their fuel bills. According to developers RES, residents and businesses located near the wind farm have saved £122 on their electricity bills through the RES Local Electricity Discount Scheme.
09/07/2014
Energetica has appointed a new Development Manager to oversee its project, Aberdeenshire Council has announced. Energetica is a 25-year programme which aims to create a low-carbon, sustainable development corridor that will attract both energy organisations and individuals to a natural and built c
09/07/2014
A £2m project to transform Netherton Primary School in North Lanarkshire is due to commence shortly. The scheme will see the current school building extended to create four new classrooms, a new administration wing that will contain the school office, meeting room, medical room and an additional m
09/07/2014
A number of students enrolled at Lews Castle College and Glasgow Caledonian University have secured work placements for the summer months. Graham Construction has confirmed the students will be working at the Lews Castle site. Christopher Morrison, who is currently studying construction manageme
08/07/2014
Four new wind and tidal projects for Scotland have received approval from the Crown Estate. It added that, for the first time, local organisations would be able to play a role in developing the zones. The Scottish zones and sites are located in: • Islay (tidal stream demonstration zone) • Is
08/07/2014
A new four-star hotel is to be built in Aberdeen, on the site of the former Robert Gordon University (RGU), it has been announced. The Sandman Hotel Group, which is Canada's fastest growing, privately-owned hospitality company, will invest more than £20m to transform an RGU building on St Andrews
08/07/2014
More than £4.5m has been invested in community projects by SSE over the last financial year. In its first community investment annual review, the energy provider said 366 not-for-profit groups had benefited from funds created through SSE's onshore wind and hydro developments. A majority of the pro
08/07/2014
North Lanarkshire Council has confirmed tenants at Anderson Tower in Motherwell can return to their homes. Last Thursday (3 July), more than 100 residents were forced to leave their homes after workers uncovered asbestos within the building. The disturbance was made as they were conducting mains c
08/07/2014
The winners of a competition to improve two of Scotland's most scenic viewpoints have been announced. As part of the Scottish Government's Scenic Routes Initiative, entrants were asked to submit a design that would improve the viewpoints at the Cairngorms National Park and the Caledonian Canal. It
08/07/2014
More than 2,000 people have attended a series of public exhibitions regarding the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty scheme. The events ran from 23 June to 4 July and included details on the route of the scheme, the benefits of the project, progress of advance works and environmen
08/07/2014
Work is continuing to progress on Kirkintilloch Town Hall in East Dunbartonshire. The historic building is undergoing regeneration work to make it into a functioning multi-purpose facility for the community. Holding works have been carried out at the site for a number of months and are due to be
08/07/2014
A 'Meet the Buyer' event is to be held at Kelso High School next week for contractors and suppliers. It will provide an opportunity for attendees to meet with Morrison Construction – the contractor who has been appointed to deliver the new £21.8m Kelso High School. Morrison Construction and Hub S
07/07/2014
Officials have rejected a developers' appeal against the decision to refuse plans to construct a wind farm in Dalry. According to reports, developer 2020 Renewables wanted to build an 11-turbine development as part of its Loch Hill scheme in the area. Initially, planning officials at Dumfries and
07/07/2014
The Glasgow Science Centre tower is to reopen later this month it has been confirmed. The tower will reopen to the public on 19 July – almost four years after the structure closed. Since its initial opening in 2001, the rotating tower, which stands at 416ft, has suffered a number of problems. As
07/07/2014
Transport Scotland has welcomed the completion of a major milestone in the Hardgrove to Kinmount Improvement scheme, with the new road being opened to traffic. The £9m project will see motorists on the new A75 using the new 3.6km of road between Carrutherstown and Upper Mains Farm. This will impro
07/07/2014
Some £4m in capital funding has been agreed for a new leisure and community facility in Girvan and South Carrick. The funding accounts for 80% of the total amount required, South Ayrshire Council has said. South Carrick Community Leisure (SCCL) is submitting bids to potential external funders, b
07/07/2014
Plans to build the largest Passivhaus housing scheme in Scotland have been submitted by developers. The proposals – for 10 sustainable and affordable homes – have been submitted by Craigmiller Eco Housing Co-operative. The development, if approved, will be located at Greendykes Road in Craigmiller
07/07/2014
Funding has been awarded for the Almondbank Flood Protection Scheme in Perth and Kinross. The Scottish Government has said it will contribute more than £11.6m towards the total cost of £14.7m project. It is understood the Council has made provision for the remainder of the capital funding through
07/07/2014
Lochore Meadows Country Park is set to benefit from a new investment, it has been announced. The visitor attraction in Fife is under new management, after the local authority appointed Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) to manage the site for the next two years to try and find ways of generat
07/07/2014
A number of repair works need to be carried out at Sandy Sensation, Carnoustie, after some of the play park equipment was damaged by vandals. It is understood damage has been caused to the paddling pool, a seating area around the play area and a newly-painted beach pavilion adjacent to the park. T
04/07/2014
Lovell has been appointed to build new homes in Edinburgh for Places for People. The 183 new homes will be built in Wester Hailes, south-west Edinburgh, as part of the ongoing regeneration of the area. The development is going ahead with grant funding of £3.7 million provided by City of Edinburgh C
04/07/2014
Employees at Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) will ballot for strike action over unacceptable attempts by management to impose changes to terms and conditions that could cut pay by up to £50 a week. Almost ninety skilled tradesmen responsible for maintenance and repairs across SBHA stock
04/07/2014
The Scottish Government is investing £350,000 for new homes to be built in Southdale. The scheme between Edinburgh and Glasgow will see around 380 homes being built by Taylor Wimpey and Bellway. The land will also be transferred back to the Council to deliver a new Primary School at the site. San
04/07/2014
A construction firm has been fined after a worker was left seriously injured when his leg became trapped by an excavation trench. Paul Fennelly, who was 45 at the time of the accident, was working for Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd, trading as Morrison Construction, at a site near Duffus, Moray,
04/07/2014
Plans to construct a new whisky distillery on the banks of the River Clyde have been approved by Glasgow Council. The proposals will see a £10m facility developed in the city, and includes a revamp of the pump house building which is located between the Riverside Museum and the Hydro Arena. It wou
04/07/2014
A number of improvement works being carried out in Kirkintilloch have resulted in the town centre's public square being transformed. The work has been undertaken at Barleybank and has seen the delivery of an open square, new boat-themed seating and a decked area which overlooks the canal. Work to
04/07/2014
The Great Southern Road is to close for resurfacing this weekend, the local authority has said. The road will close between Riverside Drive and Holburn Street from 7pm on Friday (4 July) until 6am on Sunday (7 July). It is understood the section of road between Riverside Drive and Whinhill Road
04/07/2014
A new cycle path constructed by North Larnarkshire Council has officially opened. The 700 metre path runs from Auchinloch to Lenzie, and was funded by Sustrans and East Dunbartonshire Council. The new path was widened, surfaced with tarmac and included the construction of a long embankment to rais
03/07/2014
More than 13,000 households have been waiting for more than a decade for social housing, that is according to new figures released by the Scottish Liberal Democrats. The data was obtained using Freedom of Information laws and revealed that more than a fifth of those on local authority housing list
03/07/2014
The Co-operative Group has submitted plans to construct a new supermarket in the Scottish Borders. The site in question is that of a former filling station on Melrose Road, Earlston. It is understood the Co-op proposes to build a supermarket and retain the petrol pumps under its plans. A change-of
03/07/2014
A £2m health centre has been unveiled in Dumfries and Galloway, the Scottish Government has confirmed. The facility is the fourth project to be completed by hub South West Scotland in the last two months. The primary care centre, located in Dalbeattie, has been funded by the Scottish Government an
03/07/2014
A new cycle path, located between Auchinloch and Lenzie, has been officially opened. Constructed by North Lanarkshire Council, with funding from Sustrans and East Dunbartonshire Council, the 700m path follows the route of an existing overgrown path which the local community has asked to be improve
03/07/2014
Donald Trump has unveiled his plans for one of Scotland's most famous golf courses, the Turnberry resort. In April, the property tycoon confirmed he had purchased the golf course and hotel, located in Ayrshire, for an undisclosed sum. Arriving in Ayrshire on Wednesday (2 July), Trump told the medi
03/07/2014
Plans to transform a number of public areas in Gretna Green and Springfield are to be discussed by Dumfries and Galloway Council next week. Members of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee have been asked to approve the plans in principle. It has been said that the project would help create
03/07/2014
Councillors in Moray have said they will continue to support an ice rink in Elgin. The support comes after it was revealed the centre's ice-making plant needed replacing in order to conform to new European legislation on the type of refrigerant that can be used. As a result, it is understood Cou
03/07/2014
More than £1.7m has been secured by Inverclyde Council to tackle the issue of flooding in the area. In April, the local authority submitted a bid for a share of Scottish Government funding for the project, and following discussions, an agreement has been reached for the Greenock element of the Inv
03/07/2014
Fife Council has said the area has more conservation buildings and listed monuments than anywhere else in Scotland. The announcement comes as the Council's Executive Spokesperson for Housing and Building Services, Councillor Judy Hamilton, met with the local authority's heritage and restoration te
03/07/2014
The Helix in Falkirk has been named as a finalist for 'Best Environmental Project' at this year's National Lottery Awards, it has been announced. The awards, which are now in its 11th year, recognise lotto-funded projects throughout the UK which have made a difference to local communities. The H
02/07/2014
Quartermile, Edinburgh city's landmark mixed-use development, has secured an £80m funding deal to develop its two remaining office buildings, it has been announced. It is understood the agreement is one of the largest speculative funding deals to have been carried out in the country. The deal will
02/07/2014
Construction work has started at a new educational and community facility in Brechin. The £26.5m Brechin Community Campus project will include a replacement dwelling for Brechin High School and enhanced community leisure facilities, as well as a performance space and accommodation for adult learni
02/07/2014
The 25-turbine Camster Wind Farm, located in Wick, has been officially opened by E.ON. Situated between Lybster and Watten, the 50MW development will provide electricity for around 30,000 homes each year, the energy supplier has said. Permission to build the wind farm was first approved in 2009
02/07/2014
An agreement has been reached on a site for the new Our Lady and St Patrick's High School in West Dunbartonshire. The £22.5m school will be located on the site of former high flats in Bellsmyre. In addition to the school, the development will also include two sports pitches and a cross country r
02/07/2014
Two of Scotland's top cyclists have launched a new mountain bike track at Whitelee Windfarm. Rab Wardell, Scottish Commonwealth mountain biker, and champion cross country rider Rob Friel opened the route ahead of this year's Commonwealth Games, which is being staged in Glasgow. Created during th
02/07/2014
An historic bridge in Bathgate, West Lothian, is to undergo a series of restoration works, it has been announced. The Boghead (Paulville) Bridge is located on Whitburn Road in the area and carries the road over the Bog Burn. A total of £150,000 will be invested by the local authority on repairs
02/07/2014
The first phase of a major regeneration and development has been completed at Haddo Country Park. To date, the work has included specialist conservation works to monuments, structures, paths and planting at the site, while a new visitor centre is at the stables courtyard. In addition, work has bee
02/07/2014
Renfrewshire Council has approved the third and final phase of the North Renfrew Flood Prevention Scheme. The £4.1m scheme will involve constructing a large capacity pumping station that is capable of clearing 1,200 gallons of water per second. The station is needed as the Mill Burn is unable to d
02/07/2014
The first repairs as part of the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) are to be carried out this week. Improvements will be made to a property at 59 High Street and include wall, roof and chimney repairs by means of traditional methods. The works are linked to an internal developme
02/07/2014
Access to the historic Mavisbank House in Loanhead, Midlothian, has been made significantly easier following a recent transformation project. Named as one of Scotland's most important historic buildings, the grounds of Mavisbank House have been difficult to access due to the condition of the lands
01/07/2014
A 136 MW windfarm has been officially opened near Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway. The £160m development will produce enough renewable energy to meet the average electricity demands of more than 730,000 homes, ScottishPower Renewables has said. Over the last two years, the scheme has supported mor
01/07/2014
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has confirmed it has submitted a planning application for a new Kelso High School. The announcement comes following the completion of a land purchase agreement with the local authority and the land owners, Lothian Estates, earlier this year. The land in question was
01/07/2014
Transport Scotland has welcomed strong attendance numbers at a series of public exhibitions regarding the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty scheme. The plans for the ambitious project went on display last week and already more than 1,200 are thought to have attended the exhibitio
01/07/2014
Kier Construction has been appointed to deliver a £35m education campus in Kilmarnock. The firm, selected by Hub South West Scotland, will carry out the work on behalf of East Ayrshire Council. As part of the project, Kilmarnock Academy and James Hamilton Academy will merge on one campus, togeth
01/07/2014
Dundee's Waterfront has been named as the "best place in Scotland" in a new poll. The landmark is currently undergoing a £1bn regeneration project. Will Dawson, Convener of Dundee City Council's City Development Committee, said: "As well as thanking all of the people who voted for the waterfront
01/07/2014
The third phase of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road has officially opened, East Dunbartonshire Council has said. The 755m link road, which connects Auchinairn Road and Westerhill Road, was delivered by Luddon Construction and Taylor Wimpey West Scotland as part of a nearby housing development, while a
01/07/2014
Plans to redevelop Rothesay Pavilion have moved one step closer to reality after it was revealed the Council's application of £900,000 to the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) has progressed to the second stage. It is understood plans for the pavilion will be submitted for planning and listed
01/07/2014
According to a new report, there is a "very healthy supply" of land available in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for the construction of new homes. The 2014 Housing Land Audit identified land for almost 50,000 homes across the area – a 172% increase since 2011. It is thought build-rates are forecast
01/07/2014
A new five-bedroom purpose-built residential unit for young people has opened in Wick. Known as Avonlea, the facility on West Banks Avenue, will replace the former Northcote Street unit which is no longer fit for purpose. The home will see council staff provide 24-hour care for five children, aged
01/07/2014
A new play area has opened at Rouken Glen Park in East Renfrewshire. The £270,000 project is part of a wider £3m investment in Rouken Glen. The focal point of the new park is a pirate ship with a seven-metre tall bird's nest tower, while there are also two 30m long zip wire racers, a climbing wa
