Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for September 2014
30/09/2014
More than 1,600 homes in the social rented sector are to benefit from fuel poverty measures, it has been announced. The measures will ensure the properties are warmer and less expensive to heat. The funds will be allocated through the Scottish Government's £4.5m Green Homes Cashback Scheme. The
30/09/2014
Work on a temporary swimming pool, which is being constructed in a car park in Dumfries, is almost complete. The 'DG One @ Ice Bowl' is set to provide swimming facilities to the local area while a 17-month major refurbishment gets underway at the DG One Leisure Complex. The 25m pool, located in
30/09/2014
Caird Park in Dundee has been selected as the destination for a multi-million pound Regional Performance Centre for Sport. The council will now lead a working group to progress with plans for the facility. Among those involved in the working group to plan the development are Dundee Football Club
30/09/2014
Pre-qualification to find a contractor to build a new national nuclear archive in Wick has commenced, it has been announced. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is aiming for the selected contractor to start work on the building in summer 2015. The premises, which would be located close
30/09/2014
Scottish Water has said it is to invest £3.5bn into its infrastructure. The improvements will be rolled out over a six-year period, and is being supported by £720m of borrowing from the Scottish Government. As many as 5,000 construction jobs would be supported, drinking water supplies would be i
30/09/2014
Edinburgh Council has confirmed that funding has been approved for Phase two of the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme. The Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme (WoLFPS) will help to protect hundreds of properties in the city that have been prone to flooding in the past. The first phase of
29/09/2014
Planning permission for a new wind farm in South Lanarkshire has been approved by the Scottish Government. The development, which will be located 2km from Crawfordjohn, will consist of 15 turbines and be able to power almost 28,000 homes. It is thought the wind farm will also deliver community ben
29/09/2014
Balfour Beatty has secured the Solid Intermediate Level Waste Encapsulation (SILWE) contract at the Hunterston A former power station, it has been announced. In a statement, the firm said the project is the final link in Magnox's process chain to safely contain and store intermediate level waste a
29/09/2014
A new survey has claimed that the construction industry remains "cautiously optimistic" regarding its future. The study, commissioned by the Scottish Building Federation (SBF), found that while confidence within the industry remained largely positive, this confidence had fallen in Q3 of 2014, when
29/09/2014
Plans to develop Atlantic Square in Glasgow city centre have been announced as part of a joint venture between BAM Properties and Taylor Clark Properties. The plans, which have been submitted to Glasgow City Council, would see 300,000 sq ft of space redeveloped to create one of the largest office
29/09/2014
An oil and gas firm is set to relocate to a new facility and create a number of new jobs as part of a £10m expansion. Hyspec Engineering Holdings Ltd will move to a new state-of-the-art premises at Moorfields Industrial Estate in Kilmarnock, which will allow the business to increase its manufactur
29/09/2014
Forestry Commission Scotland is encouraging those within the industry to take part in a new survey that will provide an updated report of the forestry's contribution to Scotland's economy. The study, which will be in two parts, will look at the economic contribution of the forest industries as a w
26/09/2014
Further upgrade works are to be carried out on the electricity network in East Kilbride, ScottishPower has announced. The work will ensure services in the area remain reliable. Under the project, four miles of new cable is being installed along Greenhills Road, which will then be connected to a
26/09/2014
Construction work has commenced on a new £2m children's unit at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. The project is being funded by the charity, Archie Foundation, which has raised £1.5m to date towards the cost. It is understood the work will see ward 11 at Raigmore Hospital extended to create a ded
26/09/2014
The UK Government has said it is to remove the rights of householders to object to oil and gas drilling, as well as fracking underneath their homes. This ruling will allow companies to drill below people's land and homes without first negotiating a right of access. It is understood this will exten
26/09/2014
Aberdeenshire Council has approved planning permission in principle for the construction of onshore elements needed for offshore wind farms in the Outer Moray Firth. The works are necessary to connect to the transmission grid. The proposal consisted of two substations located southwest of New Dee
26/09/2014
A contractor has been appointed to the A90 Haudagain Improvement scheme to carry out ground investigation works. The £186,000 contract has been awarded to Soil Engineering Geoservices Limited, subject to the completion of the mandatory standstill period. It is thought that work will commence in
26/09/2014
The amount of renewable electricity generated in Scotland in the first half of 2014 is 30% higher than the same period in 2013, new figures have revealed. The surge is said to be primarily due to a 50% increase in hydro generation, as well as a 20% rise in wind output. The statistics, published
26/09/2014
The Speirs Centre in Clackmannanshire is due to reopen next month following an extensive refurbishment project. The state-of-the-art community hub will open its doors to the public on Saturday 18 October, the local authority has confirmed. The new centre will now include: • A modern library
26/09/2014
A new report has claimed that the value of community-based projects being delivered through the Scotland-wide hub programme has increased by 58% during the first six months of the 2014/15 financial year. The projects have also supported thousands of jobs by local SMEs, it added. In the Scottish
25/09/2014
A warning has been issued by West Dunbartonshire Council after asbestos was found on the site of a former school in Clydebank. The substance was discovered at the former St Eunan's Primary School by independent contractors who were carrying out routine investigations on the land, the local authori
25/09/2014
The Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) has submitted an application to purchase 4,487 hectares of woodland at Barracks, Rannoch, it has been confirmed. The SWT applied to the National Forest Land Scheme (NFLS). Administered by Forestry Commission Scotland, the NFLS allows communities the chance to bi
25/09/2014
Queen of the South Football Club has confirmed it has received planning approval to increase capacity at its stadium. The approval means capacity at the Palmerston Park ground will increase by almost 2,000, from 6,722 to 8,690, and comes on the back of recent improvement works at the venue. It i
25/09/2014
An engineering firm based in Brechin, Angus, has said it is to expand its operations and create 100 new jobs. The roles will be created over the next five years and will be based at the company's new technology centre at Brechin Business Park, which is currently under construction. Work on the f
25/09/2014
A series of improvement works are to be carried out at Seagate in Dundee. The project, which will be carried out in two stages, will commence from tomorrow (26 September) until Friday 3 October. It will also result in the closure of Seagate for the duration of the scheme. The first phase of th
25/09/2014
West Dunbartonshire Council is encouraging the local community to get involved to help shape the future development of Levengrove Park. The park has already received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) Parks for People Programme for £2.6m to help restore the park and improve its
25/09/2014
A drop-in session regarding the Dunfermline Flood Prevention Scheme is to be held next week, Fife Council has announced. The event, which is open to the local community and anyone who is affected by the project, is encouraged to come along and discuss the plans. Works are still continuing on the
25/09/2014
Keepmoat, the community regeneration specialist, has said it has secured £23m of Scottish contracts in the quarter. The largest single contract is thought to be worth £10.9m and will allow insulation improvements to be made to 3,000 homes in South Lanarkshire. Other contracts involve upgrading the
24/09/2014
RES, the renewable energy firm, has won its appeal against the rejection of plans for its proposed wind farm near Langholm. The developer had planned to construct a 15-turbine wind farm at Solwaybank, close to Scotland's border with England, but the scheme was refused by Dumfries and Galloway Coun
24/09/2014
Plans to build a new club house at Donald Trump's golf course in Aberdeenshire have been approved. The granite-clad clubhouse would replace the temporary clubhouse currently located on the Menie site. On Tuesday, members of the Formartine area committee agreed to approve the ambitious plans, sub
24/09/2014
A construction firm has been fined £4,000 after pleading guilty to safety failings. The plea relates to an incident where a barrier fell onto the top of a pram, causing injuries to an 18-week-old baby who was inside. The boy was asleep in his pram while his mother used a cash machine outside a sup
24/09/2014
A building in Kirkintilloch town centre, which has lain derelict since 2007, is to be demolished and replaced by housing, it has been announced. East Dunbartonshire Council recently purchased the former Co-op site after having secured £200,000 from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneratio
24/09/2014
Scottish Water is to hold an information event regarding the new water treatment works at Killylour. The utility provider recently completed the project, which has been constructed alongside the former Killylour water treatment works. However, before the new facility can be put into full service,
24/09/2014
A number of public consultation events are set to commence in relation to a number of proposed affordable housing developments in Aberdeen. Application notices have been submitted for five sites throughout the city and now the council wants to gather the public's opinion on the plans. The local
24/09/2014
Proposals to construct a new primary school in the Midlothian area have been submitted by AHR Architects. The plans would see the school built in Bilston. Valued at more than £6m, work could be completed in autumn 2016 if approval is granted. Accommodating for up to 200 students, Bilston Prima
24/09/2014
Miller Homes has said it plans to float on the London Stock Exchange next month. The housebuilder, which is based in Edinburgh, added that it seeks to raise around £140m by selling off a minimum of 40% of the firm through an initial public offering (IPO). The move would value the company at some
23/09/2014
Latest figures have revealed that the growing wave and tidal energy sector has resulted in more than £217m being invested in Scotland to date. In the last 12 months alone, almost £32m (£31.8m) has been invested in the country. The report by Scottish Renewables, entitled 'Marine Milestones', also
23/09/2014
Plans for the preferred option for the A96 Inverness to Nairn dualling scheme are to go on public display, Transport Scotland has confirmed. The proposals will allow the local community, businesses, road users and those affected by the scheme to view and comment on the designs. The exhibitions w
23/09/2014
Proposals to construct 55 new affordable homes in Saline, Fife, are to go on public display later this week. Earlier this year, Kingdom Housing Association announced it had secured planning permission in principle to built up to 55 homes at a site on Oakley Road in the village. The public consul
23/09/2014
Plans for the local community to gain ownership of the historic Castle Toward Estate in Argyll continue to progress, after a Scottish Land Fund award of £750,000 was agreed for the initiative. This will allow South Cowal Community Development Company to put the funding towards purchasing the 143-a
23/09/2014
A new, purpose-built temporary accommodation unit for homeless people has been officially opened. The facility, which is located on Island Road, was opened by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar leader, Councillor Angus Campbell. Situated on the former Acres Playing Field, the unit has 24 on-suite rooms,
23/09/2014
More than 100 homes in Dundee are to receive improved external insulation, after the local authority approved the relevant plans. It is thought 108 homes in Arklay Street in the city will benefit from the project, valued at £638,000, under a scheme by utility providers, Dundee City Council and the
23/09/2014
Renfrewshire Council has said it is to host a number of rehousing advice sessions this week for tenants in Johnstone Castle. The events will allow the local community to speak to housing staff regarding plans to demolish 48 blocks of tenement flats and replace them with new housing. It is unders
23/09/2014
The Orkney Islands Council (OIC) has said the B9047 Road in Hoy is to temporarily close in places to allow repair and strengthening works to be undertaken. The closures will occur during the day and will be in place for five days from Monday 29 September. The areas of road undergoing improvement w
23/09/2014
Abertay Housing Association has announced the reappointment of QAPM Limited as its main contractor for maintenance works. Following a rigorous re-tendering process, QAPM will be responsible for reactive and void maintenance works. The new contract will commence on 6 October and is for an initial
23/09/2014
The Helix parkland project has been named the Best Environment Project at this year's National Lottery Awards. The Lottery contributed some £25m towards the £41m project which is located in Falkirk and includes the giant Kelpies statues. The ambitious project has seen 300 hectares of land transf
22/09/2014
A contractor to carry out ground investigation work as part of the A82 Target to Inverarnan improvement scheme has been appointed. The contract, valued at more than £370,000, has been awarded to Environmental Scientifics Group Ltd, Transport Scotland has confirmed. The work is scheduled to begin
22/09/2014
A new housing development has been completed in Abernethy, Kingdom Housing Association has confirmed. The properties are located at the Provost Mains site in the village and have cost a total of £1.4m, with funding assistance of £431,000 provided by the Scottish Government. The 12 three-bedroom
22/09/2014
Up to 100 new jobs look set to be created in West Lothian. It is understood Oil States, an Aberdeen-based oil and gas services company, are looking to employ 100 additional staff in a number of areas. The new recruits will include technicians, machinists, inspectors and welders and they will be ba
22/09/2014
A public meeting regarding the Third Don Crossing project works is to take place this evening (22 September). The meeting is open to those in the Bridge of Don and Danestone communities, Aberdeen Council has said, and will allow those in attendance to learn more about the project, its associated c
22/09/2014
Plans to construct a new specialist children's facility in the Scottish Borders has been approved. The £1.5m centre will be located on the former site of Earlston High School and will accommodate up to 40 pupils. According to the designs, the building will consist of a single-storey, with a garden
22/09/2014
Plans by BAE Systems to move to a new shipyard facility in Glasgow are to go out to tender this week, it is understood. According to reports, the plans are for the shipyard located at Scotstoun in the city. It is one of two options unveiled by the company earlier this year regarding its Govan and
22/09/2014
Midlothian Council has unveiled its plans to create new homeless accommodation units. The supported accommodation would be created following the transformation of two empty properties in the area, it is understood. Plans for the initiative have already been submitted to the local authority and
22/09/2014
A drop-in session regarding the future management of Glenmore and Upper Rothiemurchus forests is to be held later this week, it has been announced. The event will allow the public to find out more about the long-term plans for the area, as well as give them the opportunity to voice their views on
22/09/2014
A series of essential repair works are to be carried out on the Tay Road Bridge next month, Dundee City Council has confirmed. The works will be undertaken on the carriageway, and the expansion joints of the bridge. The project will be carried out over three consecutive weekends, from 7.30pm on
22/09/2014
The new global headquarters of Sureclean have been officially opened in Alness. The facilities are located adjacent to the original site at River Drive in the area, where most of the company's workforce is based. The £2m development has been part-funded by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (H
19/09/2014
A total of 27 new homes are to be constructed in Tullibody, Kingdom Housing Association has announced. The £3m development, which will be located at Alloa Road, will consist of a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom houses and flats and meet a range of housing needs. Seven flats in the developmen
19/09/2014
Following Friday's result that Scotland has voted to remain part of the UK for the foreseeable future, a number of industry experts have commented on how the result could affect the Scottish construction sector. The vote was confirmed early on Friday morning, with 55% against independence from the
19/09/2014
Kier Group has announced its underlying pre-tax profits for the year end to 30 June stands at £73.1m, an increase of 54% from 2013. The figure excludes accountancy adjustments of £42m, related to contact rights and acquisition activity, the construction company has added. Commenting on the lates
19/09/2014
EDF Energy has said it has hired a further six apprentices for its Hunterston B Power Station. The latest recruits are Rachel Boyd, 18 from Ardrossan; Michael Hodge, 22 from Largs; Keri Lumsden, 18 from Troon; Ryan Nisbet, 18 from Cumnock; Darren Whannel, 21 from Irvine; and 19-year-old Fraser Wri
19/09/2014
Smith & Frater Ltd has been awarded £50,000 from the West Lothian Enterprise Sub Committee to help its future growth. The Bathgate-based firm provides a number of timber-based products to the building and construction sectors, including manufactured kitchens, steel and timber doors and doorsets.
19/09/2014
Falkirk Council has said The Helix has been shortlisted for a national environmental award – with the results of the vote expected to be revealed this evening (19 September). The competition will feature on 'National Lottery Stars 2014' on Friday night, which celebrates the best of lottery funded
19/09/2014
Additional improvements have been carried out at Amulree Village Hall in Perthshire, after SSE donated funds to the project. The monies will allow the car park at the venue to be upgraded. The SSE Griffin and Calliachar community fund panel granted £15,000, while SHE Transmission provided the fina
19/09/2014
A nursery in Midlothian is benefiting from new play equipment thanks to a donation from Scottish Water. The utility provider has donated two sections of pipes from its £130m Glencorse Water Treatment Works to Milton Bridge Nursery. The pipes, which were produced on site at Glencorse during constru
19/09/2014
William Lippe Architects has revealed that it is to open a new office in Aberdeen, due to increased demand on its services. The company's new office will be located at 25 Albyn Place in the city and will officially open on 1 October. In a statement, the firm said that while it does have the nece
19/09/2014
The new, completed Maggie's Centre at NHS Lanarkshire has been unveiled by Reiach & Hall Architects. The centre is located within the grounds of Monklands Hospital. Costing £1m, the facility is arranged around two central courts, while four small sheltered courts will help maximise shelter and c
18/09/2014
Plans to build a new Baldragon Academy in Dundee have been approved. The green light means that contractor Robertson Construction can begin work on the site. The new school will be able to accommodate 1,000 pupils and will be part of a shared campus, including the relocated Sidlaw View Primary S
18/09/2014
A fire has broken out at a construction site in North Lanarkshire. The incident happened at a residential development in Craigeuk, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has confirmed. Two appliances were dispatched from Motherwell Community Fire Station to attend the blaze, with a third ap
18/09/2014
Work to demolish two tower blocks at Knightswood has commenced by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), it is understood. Residents in numbers 240 and 280 Lincoln Avenue have been relocated from the properties. The demolition is part of a wider regeneration programme for the city, which also included
18/09/2014
Plans to construct a new nursing care home in Grantown on Spey have been unveiled. The proposals, which would see a £3.5m 40-bed facility located on a site at Seafield Avenue, have been lodged with the Highland Council. It is understood Parklands Group is behind the planned development, which wo
18/09/2014
A new biomass boiler plant has been installed at Scotsburn Court in Tain, the Cairn Housing Association has announced. The containerised boiler plant was built in Inverness and contains fuel storage, tanks, heat exchangers and a large boiler. The housing association has invested more than £200,000
18/09/2014
Gourag Bridge is to undergo repair works after it was damaged earlier this year, the Highland Council has said. It was damaged after a vehicle crashed into the structure. The bridge, which is located on the U1221 Loch Bran – Boleskine – Gartbeg Road in Inverness, will have to temporarily close a
18/09/2014
A new £9m hotel and retail development is to be constructed in St Andrews, Fife, it has been announced. According to Urban Realm, work on the project will begin next month. The development, designed by Michael Laird Architects, will be delivered on the site of a former abbatoir. The abbatoir wil
18/09/2014
Inverclyde Council has issued a statement confirming a return to two-way traffic on Nelson Street in Greenock. The change comes following the completion of repair and strengthening work that had been carried out to a bridge in the area. From tomorrow (19 September), the priorities on Nelson Stre
18/09/2014
Fife Housing Association has appointed Maureen Garvie OBE as its new Chair of the Group's Board. Ms Garvie, who is from Dunfermline, has said she is "delighted" with the appointment. In a statement, she added that she is looking forward to working with the rest of the board at what is "an exciti
18/09/2014
Planning officers at Stirling Council have said they will not be supporting plans for a new sports hub and associated housing estate at Park of Kier. The proposals had been put forward by Judy Murray, the mother of former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, as well as professional golfer Colin Montgom
17/09/2014
The second phase of student residences has been completed at the University of Stirling, it has been announced. The accommodation, which has opened in time for the autumn semester commencing, is part of the university's £40m residences redevelopment project. The new residence, known as Beech Cou
17/09/2014
An agreement to sell electricity generated by a tidal energy scheme in the Pentland Firth has been signed, it is understood. The developers, MeyGen, said it had signed a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), with energy firm SmartestEnergy. MeyGen, which is owned by Atlantis Resources, said th
17/09/2014
Dumbarton Football Club has said it is continuing to develop plans to move to a new stadium. In a statement, the club confirmed it would submit a planning application to West Dunbartonshire Council in January 2015, but added that consultations with the community would be carried out first. The p
17/09/2014
The first public consultations regarding a masterplan to regenerate Aberdeen city centre are to take place later this month. The sessions will take place in The Academy Shopping Centre, Belmont Street, over four days and will allow people to have their say on the future issues facing the city. The
17/09/2014
A £25,000 to refurbish the Kilsyth Swimming Pool complex has been completed. The centre now features a new steam room, sauna cabins, shower area and heated loungers. In addition, the leisure pool has also been transformed, with the removal of the island to create more space for swimming lessons. T
17/09/2014
Work to restore the industrial heritage of a village in East Ayrshire is underway, the local authority has announced. Catrine, located in East Ayrshire, was formerly a hub for cotton manufacture and now a community-led initiative aims to restore that heritage. Following years of planning and con
17/09/2014
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said that house prices in Scotland are now at a record high. In fact, the country is the first region of the UK said to have house prices surpass the peak level prior to the economic downturn. The ONS said, for the month of July, prop
17/09/2014
Edinburgh Council has said it is looking to hear from the public regarding their thoughts on the future of Saughton Park. The park is about to undergo a significant restoration project. In order to help shape the future use of the facility, an interactive session will be held today (Wednesday 17
17/09/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council has confirmed it has allocated an additional £270,000 to help convert Kirkcudbright Town Hall into an art gallery. Last year, the local authority agreed to set aside £615,000 towards the project, but the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) had said the Council would need to i
17/09/2014
Work to improve the B851 Sockish's Bends in the Highlands has commenced. The project, which started on Tuesday (16 September), will begin with tree felling in order to allow for road widening and wall construction on the route. A road traffic order is now in place and runs until 24 December, the
16/09/2014
A funding package to help construct the largest community-owned wind farm in the UK has been agreed. Three turbines have been proposed by community organisation Point and Sandwick Power for Lewis, situated in the Western Isles. The turbines would be capable of generating 9MW of power. It is un
16/09/2014
Mark Wilson, Chief Executive of Aviva, has warned Scotland that it faces higher borrowing costs for infrastructure projects, such as roads and schools, if the country becomes independent. He added that while the insurance firm would continue to invest in Scotland, there would be "increased risks"
16/09/2014
Plans to create a new mixed-use development in Glasgow's Merchant City have been released. According to Urban Realm, the proposals would include 500 homes, a 120-bed hotel, 500 student rooms, and retail outlets. It would be located in the city, surrounded by Hutcheson Street, Trongate, Candleriggs
16/09/2014
A public consultation is to be held into a project that would see the Stronelairg wind farm connected to the National Grid. The event has been organised by Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission and will allow the local community the opportunity to view initial display plans for an electrical
16/09/2014
Two war memorials are to be restored in East Dunbartonshire, the local authority has confirmed. Work will commence on the Bearsden War Memorial next Monday (22 September) and is expected to last for two weeks. This will be followed by work to renovate the Milnagavie War Memorial, with work startin
16/09/2014
A public meeting regarding works on the Third Don Crossing is to take place next week. Those in the Bridge of Don and Danestone communities are being encouraged to attend the event where they can learn more about the project, associated construction works and any related mitigation measures. The
16/09/2014
A civil engineering firm has been fined £200,000 after one of its workers was killed on a repair job. The incident happened in April 2010 at the Annick Water Viaduct in Ayrshire, Scotland. Glasgow-based SW Global Resourcing Limited has pleaded guilty to the safety charges. Kilmarnock Sheriff Cou
16/09/2014
The former Orkney Arts Theatre, located on Mill Street, Kirkwall, has been put up for sale by the local authority. In a statement, the Orkney Islands Council (OIC), said it is inviting offers of over £78,000 for the venue. The building was used as a Temperence meeting hall towards the end of the
15/09/2014
Kier Construction, in a partnership with Alumno Developments, has completed an £8m project to deliver student accommodation in Glasgow's West End. The project saw the site of a former retail store in the area converted into student residence and a modern retail space. The student accommodation com
15/09/2014
The final phase of an affordable housing development has been completed in Kirkliston. The homes, 162 in total, were delivered by Barratt Homes in partnership with Home Scotland. It is understood that half of the properties will be made available to those in need and who are on traditional socia
15/09/2014
A proposal to create a new civic space in the Shawlands area is to be put to public consultation, it has been announced. If approved, the civic space would be created close to Langside Hall. In 2012, the Shawlands Town Centre Action Plan was launched which has involved Glasgow City Council, Shaw
15/09/2014
A main contractor is being sought to undertake a project to restore the University of Edinburgh's historic McEwan Hall. The revamp will cost £18m and will see the building transformed with maintenance and repair issues being addressed, including damp, damage to the exterior stonework, and cracked
15/09/2014
Work to address a number of technical issues at the swimming pools at Eastwood Park Leisure are being carried out. In a statement last week, East Renfrewshire Council said the pools were to close after chemical readings obtained during routine water quality standard tests revealed the water did no
15/09/2014
A road resurfacing scheme is to get underway at Dundas Street. The work will begin from Monday 15 September and last for three weeks. The project is part of Edinburgh Council's 2014/15 Capital Maintenance Programme, and will see the carriageway resurfaced on Dundas Street, between Fettes Row and
15/09/2014
Funding for the Stonehaven Flood Protection Scheme has been approved, in principle, by Aberdeenshire Council it has been confirmed. Last week, members of the Council's Policy and Resources Committee agreed to approve funding of between £14m and £16m for the project. Officers were asked to look a
15/09/2014
A programme of roadworks is set to commence in East Marketgait, Dundee, today (15 September). The project will take place between Seagate roundabout and East Dock Street and will see the carriageway resurfaced. As a result of the works, the southbound carriageway will close. The initiative is ex
12/09/2014
A planning application for 91 new homes in Renfrewshire has been submitted by Barratt Homes West Scotland. The homes would be delivered at Ferry Village and would consist of 24 apartments and 67 terraced, semi-detached and detached homes. They would consist of one- to four-bedrooms. If the plans
12/09/2014
Almost £3m a week is being invested in constructing new schools and community facilities in Aberdeenshire, the local authority has confirmed. The investment also includes significant improvements carried out to infrastructure. At a meeting of the Council's Policy & Resources Committee on Thursda
12/09/2014
Construction work has commenced at West Lothian College's campus in Livingston. A new two-story sport and fitness hall is being built on the site. The facility will be located beside the current sports hall and, when completed, will allow the existing fitness suite to move and create a new teachin
12/09/2014
A new children and young people's home has been proposed for Kirkcaldy, Fife. A public consultation on the plans will now get underway to allow the local community to view and comment on the designs. The drop-in meetings will be held on: • Monday 22 September from 2pm to 4pm at Kennedy Hall
12/09/2014
A new £50m transmission substation in Denny has been energised as part of the Beauly to Denny power line, it has been announced. The substation is a key part of the project as it is required to support renewable energy generation in the north of Scotland, as well as enhancing the security of elect
12/09/2014
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has said it has received the Scottish Government Reporter's recommendations regarding its proposed Local Development Plan (LDP). A team will now examine the report, which is 432 pages long, before presenting the modifications to the Planning Committee
12/09/2014
The Deveron Bridge in Turriff is to temporarily close, Aberdeenshire Council has said. The closure, which begins on Monday 15 September and lasts for two weeks, is necessary to allow road resurfacing works to be carried out to the Deveron Road (B9025). The road will re-open daily, between 7pm an
12/09/2014
A new Doosan DX140LC-3 Stage IIIB compliant excavator is being used to help deliver vital electrical power to the national grid. Purchased by Scottish contractor, D A MacDonald Contractors Ltd., and supplied by Scotia Plant Ltd, the 14-tonne machine joins several other Doosan excavators recently
11/09/2014
A new survey has found that the housing market in Scotland remains "resilient", beside losing some momentum. The findings, by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), said that activity in the last month had been affected by the increased length of time taken to process transactions. H
11/09/2014
Atlantis, the company behind the MeyGen turbine tidal scheme, has secured a 25-year lease from the Crown Estate for the seabed involved in the project. It is the largest marine energy Lease to be awarded by the Crown Estate, and the first in the Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters region. A total o
11/09/2014
Updated plans for the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) are to go on display this week. New artists' impressions of the centre reveal the progress made by the development team following a consultation exercise in May. The designs are of both the interior and exterior of the propos
11/09/2014
More than £7bn of planned construction works could be in jeopardy if Scotland votes to leave the UK next week, it has been suggested. According to a report by Barbour ABI, Scottish Construction: A Bright Future?, there are currently £38bn of construction projects planned throughout the country. Ho
11/09/2014
The sale of Ferguson Shipbuilders to Clyde Blowers Capital has been confirmed. Last month, the shipyard went into administration with the loss of 70 jobs. Administrators KPMG were brought in and chose Clyde Blowers Capital as the preferred bidder for the business. It is understood the shipyard w
11/09/2014
Plans to create a new housing development on the site of the former Burntisland Primary School at Ferguson Place are to be put out to public consultation. The proposals would see the existing buildings converted into 25 affordable homes for social rent, while an additional seven new build homes wo
11/09/2014
Work on a new flood relief drain system is to commence in Stonehaven's Old Town next week. The project is part of a wider scheme to try and protect the local community from flooding and will cost around £235,000 to complete. They works include the construction of a large inlet chamber, more than
11/09/2014
An exhibition regarding a proposed new multi-million pound Care Home and Day Care Centre in Dumbarton is to be held. The event will allow the local community to view the proposals and comment on the plans. A 3D visualisation of the new centre, including examples of the internal and external layout
11/09/2014
Work on a new solar PV insulation has been completed at Linlithgow Academy. When fully operational, the revenue savings are expected to be around £6,000 a year. West Lothian Council has said that a programme of installation works at other school buildings will now follow. The scheme is part of t
11/09/2014
A full business case for Argyll and Bute Council's Oban Bay waterfront regeneration has been approved by the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee. The full business cases (FBCs) are for both the public realm enhancements and the new North Pier Maritime Visitor Facility. The FBCs will now go b
10/09/2014
Fife Council has given the go ahead for seven potential wind farm sites in the area. On Tuesday, the local authority confirmed it had supported plans to invest in turbines at Lochhead and Lower Melville Wood landfill sites which already have planning consent. Councillors also instructed officials
10/09/2014
Investigations into a potential site for a new community sports centre in Stranraer are ongoing, Dumfries and Galloway Council has confirmed. The new Wigtownshire Community Sports Centre would include activities such as an indoor bowling facility, ten-pin bowling alleys, laser quest, a multi-purpo
10/09/2014
Another "significant milestone" has been completed on the Beauly Denny project, SSE has confirmed. The team behind the development have now completed work on all 539 tower foundations in the Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission section. The foundation teams has spent three years on this sect
10/09/2014
A development of new affordable homes has been completed in Craigmillar, Edinburgh, with the first tenants already moving in. The project, which saw 60 new homes constructed in Greendykes, are modern and energy efficient, and have a landscaped, secure communal area, complete with seating and bike
10/09/2014
West Dunbartonshire Council has launched a consultation regarding proposed improvements to a number of primary schools in the Bonhill area. The recommendations involve Highdykes Primary School, Ladyton Primary School and St Ronan's Primary School, as well as the Ladyton Early Education and Childca
10/09/2014
A policy that will address the issue of bringing empty properties back into use is to be presented to Dumfries and Galloway Council next week, it has been announced. The Scottish Government introduced regulations to allow local authorities to increase its council tax charges on properties that hav
10/09/2014
East Dunbartonshire Council has launched a consultation regarding the future of Mugdock Country Park. Some 270 hectares of woodland, open moorland, lochs and castles are included in the land, and the local authority is now wanting to hear from residents on how to shape the development of the park'
10/09/2014
Plans to merge three high schools in North Lanarkshire could be scrapped after those opposed to the proposals voiced their concerns. The project would have involved building a new Catholic secondary school for the Motherwell area, by merging Our Lady's High School, Bothwellpark High School and Tay
10/09/2014
Hunter Demolition has announced it has been shortlisted in the Recycling & Environmental Demolition category at this year's World Demolition Awards 2014. Last year Hunter Demolition, which is based in Glasgow and Edinburgh, became the first Scottish company to win the Contract of the Year Award.
10/09/2014
Keepmoat, the housing and regeneration specialist, has announced three new appointments in Scotland. Peter Rough has been appointed as financial controller, Stephen Nugent as business development manager and Carol McKay as sustainability manager. In the 2013/14 financial year, the company genera
09/09/2014
BAM Construction has been confirmed as the preferred bidder for the V&A Museum in Dundee. On Monday evening, Dundee City Council's Policy and Resources Committee agreed to award the preferred status to the building firm – despite fierce opposition from unions and opposition Councillors. It has b
09/09/2014
Work has commenced on a scheme that will deliver three separate hydro schemes near Achnacarry in the Scottish Highlands. The three projects will be linked by a 9.5km private grid network, the developer behind the scheme, Green Highland Renewables, has said. Situated on the north shore of Loch Ar
09/09/2014
Plans to build a wind farm, around five miles south west of Ben Wyvis, has been rejected by the Highland Council. The development, proposed by PI Renewables, would have consisted of 14 turbines located on the slopes of Carn Gorm. The developer said the scheme would contribute to the environmenta
09/09/2014
A consultation regarding plans to construct a new £15m primary school campus in Balloch is to open later this week, West Dunbartonshire Council has confirmed. The proposals involve Haldane, Jamestown and St Kessog's Primary Schools, and would see the Haldane and Jamestown schools amalgamating into
09/09/2014
A new study by Scottish Renewables has found that the anaerobic digestion (AD) industry in Scotland could more than double in size in the next two years. The AD process involves farm slurry, vegetable peelings, paper and other organic material decomposing inside a closed chamber to produce gas, wh
09/09/2014
George Street in Edinburgh has reopened following the completion of a project to transform the area. The initiative aims to make the area more attractive to commuters, shoppers, local residents and tourists. As part of the project, a two-way cycle lane, as well as a one-way system for general tr
09/09/2014
A further public consultation regarding a series of road improvements at the B851 Sockich's Bends, the Highland Council has confirmed. The event will be held at Farr Community Hall on Thursday 11 September, from 7pm to 8pm. It is understood that a temporary closure of the B851 will begin on Mond
09/09/2014
A four-week trial in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, which was introduced at the junctions of Catherine Street, Kerr Street and Cowgate last month. The temporary phased changes aimed to give pedestrians and cyclists in the town as much priority as vehicles. The trial enabled a number of tempor
09/09/2014
The Highland Council has been awarded a top innovation prize at this year's Energy North Awards, it has been announced. The award-winning project, Carbon Saving Capital Works for Council Buildings and Properties, focuses on biomass and the local authority has said this has helped pave the way in t
09/09/2014
Caledonia Housing Association has announced the launch of its new Estates Service. The service will be responsible for managing the communal area at selected schemes and residential estates, and will include tasks such as site supervision, low-level repairs and cleaning. The services team consis
08/09/2014
UCATT, the construction union, has urged Dundee Council to reject BAM Construction from being awarded a key public sector contract in the city. The local authority is due to meet today (8 September) to discuss the multi-million pound contract for the V&A Museum in the city. Last week, it was revea
08/09/2014
A planning application for 28 new flats at Kings Park, Cathcart in Glasgow, has been submitted by Lawrence McPherson Associates. The firm announced it had submitted the proposals on behalf of homebuilder Dickie and Moore Ltd. The development would be located on the former Kings Park Bowling Club
08/09/2014
The second phase of works at Waverley Station in Edinburgh are to commence today (8 September). The works, which will help improve access for pedestrians in the area, will focus around Waverley Bridge. A scheduled completion date of December has been given for the phase. From today, lane width r
08/09/2014
Work to improve the natural environment of watercourses, as well as waste water infrastructure, has been completed by Scottish Water. More than £3.4m has been invested in projects in Cambuslang and the south of Glasgow. A number of schemes to improve the waste water network have been carried out
08/09/2014
SSE has announced that the Atholl Centre in Pitlochry is to become an emergency connection point in the event of an emergency. The decision comes after severe storms in the Pitlochry and Blair Atholl areas in December 2012 affected the electricity supply. SSEPD have since been working alongside
08/09/2014
Draft plans for a number of new workshops in the Vale of Leven Industrial Estate are to go on display to the public, it has been announced. The event will allow the local community to view and comment on the plans before a planning application is submitted. West Dunbartonshire Council recently s
08/09/2014
Forestry Commission Scotland has said its car park at Scolty will be closed from 10 to 12 September. The facility is necessary in order to allow urgent repairs to be carried out to the access road at the site, which is around one mile south west of Banchory. Dan Cadle, from the Commission's team
08/09/2014
Recruitment firm Hays has announced it is to move to a new 9,200 sq ft office space in Glasgow. According to reports, the company will also be hiring more staff, following an increase in demand from construction firms. Hays will move from its existing premises in Glasgow's West Regent Street, to
05/09/2014
Plans to construct a new innovation centre and campus hub at the University of Edinburgh have been approved. The plans, designed by Atkins, will see a new £32m facility built at the University's Easter Bush Campus. It will provide veterinary students and staff with specialist research facilities,
05/09/2014
Detailed plans for the construction of the new Inverness Royal Academy have been submitted. The application has been lodged by The Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport Service. The new £34m school, as well as the associated community and sporting facilities, will accommodate up to 1,420
05/09/2014
The final two steel 'Precipitator' structures at Cockenzie Power Station have been demolished, ScottishPower has announced. Following the demolition, work on site will now focus on internal building work. This will include the internal strip-out of materials from the station buildings, as well as
05/09/2014
Almost 200 jobs are to be lost as energy firm Technip closes its offshore wind business. The company said it had taken the decision to close after carrying out a review of its operations. According to reports, it is thought than over 70 roles will be lost at its base in Westhill, Aberdeenshire,
05/09/2014
A new play area for Belleisle Park in Ayr has been approved by South Ayrshire Council. The new play park will include wooden frame swings, slides, a mini-beast exploration table, wind chime orbs, sea saw, springy rides, music and adventure trails, a jungle climber, zip slider, a six-metre birds ne
05/09/2014
Mears 24/7 has been awarded a 10-year contract by West Kent Housing Association (West Kent), to deliver their out-of-hours call handling service. The contract, which can also be extended for another five years, is worth £450,000 over the decade and will come into force from this month. It will p
05/09/2014
East Renfrewshire Council has said the swimming pools at Eastwood Park Leisure have been forced to close to allow essential repairs to be carried out. Repairs are needed at both the main pool, and the small pools, in order to address ongoing technical issues. In a statement, the Council has said
05/09/2014
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is encouraging construction firms in the Grampian area to attend a safety event being held later this month. Around 75% of workers killed or injured on building sites are from small and medium sized construction companies, and those firms are now being invited
04/09/2014
BAM Construction has been recommended as the preferred bidder to build the V&A Museum of Design Dundee. The Policy and Resources Committee for Dundee Council will be asked to appoint a main contractor for the project. Next week, Councillors will hear that before a fixed price tender for the work
04/09/2014
Plans to construct a £90m development on the former site of Napier University campus has been approved by Edinburgh Council. The proposals will see 145 properties built on the Craighouse site, of which 64 will be created by converting the 16th and 19th Century buildings on the land. An applicati
04/09/2014
Work to upgrade the Loreburn Hall into a temporary leisure centre continues to progress well, Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced. The hall is set to become the temporary home of DG One Leisure Complex's 'Dry Side', as DG One undergoes a number of remedial works. Under the project so far
04/09/2014
Edinburgh Council has confirmed contractors have been appointed to develop a hydro at Harlaw Reservoir. When completed, it will use energy from the water to power more than 50 homes. Work will commence on site next week (8 September) when the land will be prepared for the installation of a turbi
04/09/2014
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has announced the date and venue for the first of two symposia to discuss issues surrounding the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Library. GSA is involved in continuing efforts to raise £20m to restore its famous Grade A-listed Mackintosh building. The venue was badly d
04/09/2014
Scottish Water has completed a project to improve the natural environment of watercourses in East Renfrewshire. An investment of almost £2.8m has been spent on the scheme which focused on the Stamperland and Busby areas. The work on the waste water network will help to improve the environment of t
04/09/2014
The Glengarry Community Woodland Steering Group has submitted an application to purchase the former Forestry Depot and adjacent woodland in Invergarry, the Forestry Commission has said. The area covers approximately 30.5 hectares. Administered by Forestry Commission Scotland, the National Forest
04/09/2014
Fife Council has said it has completed its roadworks on the B981 at Cluny. The project has been finished two weeks ahead of schedule. The works, which cost around £260,000, included: • Removing the temporary supports to the bridge, carrying the B981 over the Den Burn • Extending the struct
03/09/2014
High Wood Health has been named as the preferred bidder to deliver a new district general hospital in Dumfries and Galloway, it has been confirmed. The successful consortium includes Laing O'Rourke as construction partner, and Serco providing its estate management services. It is understood that
03/09/2014
A community facility has been restored in Stoneyburn, West Lothian, thanks to an investment of £100,000 from the local authority. The building was formerly used as a sports pavilion but was under used. The project, in addition to the park improvements and added half pipe, have created a youth-fo
03/09/2014
Construction work on 10 new homes in Brae, Shetland, has been completed, the local authority has announced. Work on the development, known as Gary Couper Road, commenced in July 2013 and is located in the Moorfields area. The two-bedroom homes have been built to a modern, energy efficient specif
03/09/2014
A Park-and-Ride facility at Blantyre Railway Station is to double in size. Work on the £325,000 project, funded by SPT, will start in the coming months, South Lanarkshire Council has said. It is anticipated that the 60-space facility, situated on Station Road, will be open to the public by early
03/09/2014
Plans to invest £2m to upgrade Lochgelly have been unveiled by Fife Council's Town Centre Development Unit. Three projects have been identified to help transform the town centre, and involve restoring two historic buildings to bring them back into use, as well as the creation of a new town square.
03/09/2014
East Dunbartonshire Council has welcomed news that an area of green belt land in Bishopbriggs is not being put forward as a potential site for new housing. The local authority has previously voiced its concerns over the possibility that land to the south of Auchinairn Road, which is currently zone
03/09/2014
Hadden Construction has been appointed to build a new extension for Kirkliston Primary School in Edinburgh. The project, which will be phased out over three years, will consist of eight additional classrooms, a gym, dining hall and enhanced sports facilities. Phase one of the scheme will involve
03/09/2014
Clyde Windows & Construction Ltd have announced they have been accepted as a Trusted Trader by the Which? magazine group. The double glazing and construction company is the first such company in Scotland to have achieved the accreditation. The recognition follows a number of checks on the business
02/09/2014
Next week, Dumfries and Galloway Council will be asked to agree to plans to tackle the issue of empty housing in the region. If Councillors do agree, the local authority has said it will proactively target properties or sites, which are either in a serious state of disrepair, are derelict, or are
02/09/2014
NHS Highland has announced its preferred site for a proposed new hospital and health and social care resource centre. The proposed development would be located at Aviemore, and forms part of a wider redesign of services in the Badenoch and Strathspey area. At this stage, the body has said the cho
02/09/2014
Graham Construction has said it has reached a significant milestone in its Silverburn shopping centre project. The steelwork of the £20m extension to the facility has now been completed. Around 1,800 tonnes of steel has been used to create the frame for the 10,900m2 extension. Once completed, th
02/09/2014
Construction work has started on a new park-and-ride facility in Wishaw. The 40-space car park will be located at Belhaven Road. Under the project works, the site will be landscaped, while lighting and CCTV will be installed. RJ McLeod is carrying out the work on behalf of North Lanarkshire Co
02/09/2014
A new full-sized 3G pitch is being installed at Gagarin Way, Lumphinnans. The development has been welcomed by Fife Council and also includes an upgrading of the facilities' three grass pitches, as well changing facilities and car parking. Executive Committee Member for Fife Council, Councillor
02/09/2014
The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has agreed to oppose plans for a proposed wind farm near Cockburnspath, it has been reported. The development would be located on the Scottish Borders' boundary with East Lothian, and would consist of 27 turbines in the Aikengall IIa project. Community Windpowe
02/09/2014
Seventy-seven new affordable homes have been completed in Larbert, Falkirk. The properties, developed by Link Housing, have been constructed at Bellsdyke in Larbert. Work on the first phase – 28 homes for social rent – commenced in December 2010, but following additional funding from the Scottish
02/09/2014
Scottish Water is to carry out a series of improvement works in Gourock. The project will not only improve the local environment, but help to tackle sewer flooding in the Steel Street area of the town. A total of £1.5m will be invested in the waste water infrastructure to minimise the risk of in
01/09/2014
Work had commenced on a new housing development in Smithton, Inverness. The £3.5m scheme will see 25 new homes built by contractors Compass Building, on behalf of Albyn Housing Society. The project is expected to be completed by September 2015 and will include 17 two- and three-bedroom homes ava
01/09/2014
Kier Construction has been selected by hub South West Scotland to construct the new £40m education campus in North Ayrshire. The campus will be built on a greenfield site in the Garnock Valley and will incorporate the former Garnock Academy and Glengarnock Primary School. It will be able to cater
01/09/2014
There has been a high level of interest expressed in the potential redevelopment of Stranraer's East Pier, it has been confirmed. Dumfries and Galloway Council and Stena Line have said more than 20 inquiries have been made into a proposed development. They added that those interested, have until t
01/09/2014
Argyll and Bute Council has confirmed a project to improve the U59 Machrihanish Road is to commence this month. The scheme will last for approximately 12 weeks. McFadyens Contractors (Campbeltown) Ltd. will undertake the work on behalf of the local authority, and will involve improvements to dra
01/09/2014
A £2.5m project to upgrade infrastructure in East Renfrewshire has been completed by Scottish Water. Residents in parts of Barrhead, Neilston, and Uplawmoor will benefit from the scheme, which involved the utility provider changing the source of the water supply in the above areas. Previously, the
01/09/2014
SSE has said it will welcome more than 170 new apprentices, graduates and trainee engineers over the next few weeks. Under The Bridge to Employment programme, the energy provider will work alongside three schools in the Great Glen area. They are Charleston Academt, Glenurquhart High School and Loc
