Building Briefs – February 2nd

Aberdeen City Council has approved its new Local Development Plan.

The five-year strategy will reform planning and development services, as well as offering a firm foundation for investment in the city.

Future development sites and the scale of development expected on each of the identified sites are mapped out, including expectations of high quality design and infrastructure delivery by developers for sites such as Grandhome, Newhills and Countesswells.

In addition, the need for ‘masterplans’ to be drawn up and the importance of local community involvement is also highlighted.

Expansion plans for Borders pharmaceutical firm

A Scottish pharmaceutical firm has revealed plans to expand its headquarters in the Borders.

It will allow Kyowa Kirin International - formerly ProStrakan - to increase staff numbers in Galashiels from 150 to 200 over the next five years.

It has taken a 10-year lease on a building next to its headquarters to allow for the expansion.

It will increase the size of its HQ by 40% and create a complex capable of housing 200 staff.

Work is expected to be completed later this year.

Heliport for VIPs approved for brewery site

A Scottish brewery is to get its own heliport to welcome VIP guests.

The facility will include a terminal building and parking and it will be the first commercial heliport on the Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire.

Council planners have granted permission for its construction on the site owned by the Arran Brewery and distillery.

Chance to meet A90 Laurencekirk junction improvement design team

A ‘Meet the team’ event is being held on 17 February 2017 in Laurencekirk when representatives from Transport Scotland and their design consultant Amey will be available to answer questions on the design and assessment process for this much-needed scheme.

‪Funding of £24 million for the design and construction of a new grade-separated junction at Laurencekirk was announced last year as part of a package of additional investment alongside the Aberdeen City Region Deal.

The event is an opportunity for local residents and road users to meet the people designing the junction improvement and also to find out more about the essential design and assessment process to be followed during the development of the scheme.

It is due to be held on Friday 17th February 2017 (noon-7pm): The Dickson Memorial Hall, Station Road, Laurencekirk AB30 1BE.

Clark Contracts to deliver new Edinburgh nursery

Clark Contracts has started work to build a new nursery in Edinburgh.

A sod-cutting event was held on the site of the new building in Wardieburn Road yesterday.

The new Granton Early Years Centre will provide 40 places for three to five-year-olds, 15 places for two to three-year-olds and nine baby places.

Features include:

integrating technology such as interactive screens and specially designed ‘tablet logs’ for learning

Aecom continues investigations for Highlands bridge refurb project

Aecom is continuing work to develop an ‘affordable’ solution for a bridge refurbishment scheme in the Highlands.

The consulting engineers have been carrying out ground investigations as part of a scheme to refurbish the Coghill Footbridge in Wick.

New information on ground conditions has resulted in design changes and construction cost estimates have now risen past the £505,000 capital budget available for the scheme.

Current proposals allow for refurbishment of the main span utilising existing piers and abutments and the addition of a new in-line single span at the south end of the crossing.

Economy secretary receives Green Investment Bank assurances

Cabinet secretary for economy, jobs and fair work, Keith Brown, has secured an assurance from the UK government that the strategic importance of the Green Investment Bank to Scotland is being fully considered as part of discussions around its privatisation.

Mr Brown has repeatedly urged the UK minister of state for climate change and industry, Nick Hurd, to ensure that any negotiations with a preferred bidder prioritise Scotland’s interests.

Mr Brown has now written again to Mr Hurd, calling for clarity on the sale of the bank, following reports that the current deal is under threat.

He reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s determination to retain the Bank’s Edinburgh headquarters and the jobs of the 55 highly-skilled people employed there.

Road improvements for East Kilbride

Essential road improvement works will be carried out on West Mains Road as part of South Lanarkshire Council’s £126 million roads investment programme.

The resurfacing project will kick off on Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 February when the road will be closed between Kirktonholme Road and Kittoch Street.

That part of West Mains Road will be reopened again by the morning of Monday 27 February at which point a closure will be implemented on the next section between Kirktonholme Road and Churchill Avenue. This second phase of works is scheduled to be complete by Friday 3 March.

Feasibility study into Aberdeenshire mountain bike trail centre

A feasibility study into the creation of a major mountain biking trail centre in Aberdeenshire has been launched.

It is being carried out by the North East Trail Centre Organisation (Netco), a group of cyclists who are campaigning for better facilities in the area.

It will assess three potential sites at Durris, Pitfichie, and Hill of Fare in terms of possible environmental and financial impact.

The centre could include trails, bike shop, a cafe, and bike wash.

Renfrewshire’s LED streetlight replacement scheme takes shape

An LED lighting replacement scheme in Renfrewshire is scheduled to be complete this summer.

Work to replace 30,600 street lamps throughout the region began in May 2016.

Around 21,000 lights have now been installed by Renfrewshire Council. Once completed, the system will reduce carbon consumption by 60% and save around £750,000 a year.

In addition, a new report to the Environment Policy Board has revealed there were fewer lighting-related complaints during this financial year than over the previous 12 months.

Next phase of Dyce park and ride facility complete

Work on the next phase of a £15.2 million park and ride facility in Aberdeen is now complete.

Buses have started using the new Dyce Park and Ride site, which provides a 1,000 vehicle space facility for commuters travelling to Union Square bus station.

The Aberdeen City Council project is the latest in a series of infrastructure improvements by the local authority to congestion and reduce journey times as part of a wider strategic plan to connect with other major infrastructure projects which are designed to transform moving around the city including the AWPR/B-T, the Berryden Corridor, and the third Don crossing which was opened last June.

The road element of the scheme, which included a three-lane dual carriageway and cycle lanes, was opened last August.