Building Briefs – August 26th

Construction work on the Brechin Flood Prevention Scheme is well underway, with work ongoing from the Inch, along River Street and into the East Mill industrial estate.

The most significant recent progress is on the new flood defence in River Street, where foundations are complete and the wall will soon be visible.

Construction works remain on course for completion by March 2016, although as recent elevated river levels have shown, this is dependent on weather conditions.

High flows in the River South Esk earlier this summer led to the river breaching its northern bank and flooding the River Street carriageway.

But the emergency response from the council and measures put in place with flood scheme contractor, Morrison Construction were successful in preventing flooding to properties.

And it will generally be the case that the level of flood protection will increase as the scheme progresses.

Funding for £3m City/Region Deal projects in Inverness approved

Projects worth £3million have been approved by the UK government as an initial allocation of City-Region Deal funding.

The business case for the first project, which was approved by the City of Inverness Area Committee on 2 June, 2015 relates to the upgrading of grounds and access to Inverness Castle to enhance the experience for visitors, which is linked to a separate project being undertaken by the Highland Council to create a public viewing platform at the North Tower.

The second project is to create a free public access Wi-Fi scheme for the City of Inverness to increase digital connectivity, progress the “smart cities” initiative and enhance the visitor economy.

£1.7m regeneration fund for town centres

Social justice secretary Alex Neil has announced £1.7 million of funding to help revitalise and regenerate town centres across Scotland.

The Town Centre Communities Capital Fund is open to community organisations to support capital projects which will make real and lasting improvements to town centres.

New extra care facility officially opened in Inverurie

A new £5 million extra care housing complex for adults with learning disabilities was officially opened last week by Aberdeenshire Provost Hamish Vernal.

The building situated on St James’s Place, Inverurie, just across from Inverurie Hospital, incorporates 24 self-contained apartments with associated communal spaces.

The facility is a cross between residential accommodation and healthcare. As well as the apartments and communal facilities it also includes a patio and seating area within a courtyard area, plant beds, grassed areas, trees and shrubs.

Contractors Bancon Construction presented a cheque to nearby Kellands Primary School whose pupils choose the name for the building, St James’s Court.

The development forms part of the current phase (phase 5) of the council new build programme which will see the completion of 169 new homes by December this year.

It also forms part of the accommodation strategy for adults with learning disabilities called “A Place to Live”.

99 new homes approved for Brechin

Councillors have approved plans for 99 homes in Brechin.

The Scotia Homes application will comprise properties at a site at Dubton Farm.

Members of Angus Council’s development standards committee gave the application the green light at yesterday’s meeting in Forfar.

New homes will be built between Pittendriech Road/North Latch Road and Dubton Farm, with a community woodland and open space provision in the northern portion of the site, between the housing and the nearby A90 Dundee to Aberdeen dual carriageway.

Representations regarding the application have been submitted on grounds including the potential effect on local house prices and adverse impacts during construction.

Breedon Aggregates appoints new group CEO

Breedon Aggregates has announced the appointment of Pat Ward as group chief executive officer.

Currently CEO of Aggregate Industries Europe, Ward will succeed Simon Vivian, who, having led Breedon since its creation has indicated his wish to step down as group CEO and will move to a non-executive role with the company.

Pat is expected to join Breedon early next year once the terms of his departure from Aggregate Industries Europe have been agreed and the required regulatory announcement will be made at that time.

Community gives play Edinburgh park new lease of life

Plans for a new, improved play park for Craigpark Crescent were approved by the City of Edinburgh yesterday.

The plans were created in response to community calls for a new outdoor space for children and young people.

The existing play park was initially marked for closure following complaints from some local residents and concerns about the age and condition of the equipment. However, members of the community gathered together to voice their support for keeping a play area and a Friends of Craigpark Crescent Group was established. The group then submitted a petition calling for new plans to be drawn up and has been instrumental in developing these plans to reflect what local people want.

The plans have now been approved by the transport and environment committee and include a woodchip section with play equipment and a meadow flower area.

East Ayrshire’s £500,000 road improvements programme

East Ayrshire Council has announced a programme of road improvements is scheduled to take place next week.

New Cumnock will benefit from road resurfacing works on a number of streets as part of a £500,000 budget commitment made by council leader Douglas Reid.

The councillor pledged to improve the condition of roads within the local housing estates.

The six week programme will be carried out by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance and will begin on Lime Road on 31 August.