Building Briefs – September 19th

Offsite specialist Portakabin has delivered a management office and conference facility within six weeks for Edrington

The Macallan has opened a brand new £140 million distillery and visitor experience on the Easter Elchies estate, which has been home to the single malt since 1824. The new distillery and experience will not only help meet global demand via an increase in production but also introduce new audiences to the growing brand.

Portakabin was chosen by The Macallan to provide a bespoke management office and conference facility to tie in with the launch of its brand new distillery and visitor experience building.

With a quick turnaround vital to the scheme, Portakabin were able to deliver a high-quality custom-built suite for the team while they wait for permanent facilities to be installed.

Decanting senior management on site was a last minute decision and The Macallan needed an appropriate solution for the busy site. Portakabin ensured the building included a custom-made kitchen as an employee breakout area as well as super-fast data in the offices to meet with their expectations.

Blyth+Blyth worked in partnership with the Portakabin team as consulting engineers.

Superglass donates to Alloa autism group

Stirling-based insulation manufacturer Superglass has lent a helping hand to an Alloa autism charity N-Courage, with a generous donation worth £665.

The donation of insulation will be installed at the community group’s new gymnasium facility for those with autism to empower themselves in fun and innovative ways through activities like martial arts.

The two pallets of Superglass Multi Roll and Timber Roll donated will be installed in the ceiling and stud walls of the gym, which when completed will also feature an office and a multi-function space.

The donation was delivered to the new gym facility with the help of Stirling business Ultimate Insulation Supplies Ltd, which also provided its services free of charge.

Housing minister opens Melville’s first Bonnyrigg homes

Kevin Stewart, minister for local government, housing and planning, has officially opened a new affordable housing development in Bonnyrigg recently completed for Melville Housing Association.

Located at CALA Homes’ Eagles Green development at Broomieknowe, the 14 new homes were part-funded by a £1 million grant from the Scottish Government, and made possible thanks to Midlothian Council’s Affordable Housing Policy.

The new Melville homes, the first new-build project completed for Melville in Bonnyrigg where there is a particularly high demand for affordable housing, are made up of six terraced properties and eight cottage flats, with communal gardens, open space and car parking. Across Midlothian there are currently over 4,000 individuals and families waiting for an affordable home.

The 14 homes at Broomieknowe are made up of six three-bedroom terraced houses and eight one-bedroom flats with two specially adapted properties for tenants with additional needs. All of the homes are equipped with electricity-generating solar PV panels as part of Melville’s commitment to delivering more sustainable communities.

Councillors to discuss Dundee green and open space improvements

Almost £360,000 of environmental improvements across Dundee are set to be discussed by councillors next week.

A total of 11 projects in green and open spaces around the city will redesign, landscape and provide play equipment at a total cost of £359,000.

Among the projects looking for the green light will be the redesign and enhancement to the city churches through creation of gravel panels that will ease maintenance and create additional planting; improvements to Clatto Park including installation of bollards, and a drainage system; installation of outdoor exercise equipment at Hilltown to enhance the current provision; new play equipment at Ardler and St Kilda parks and installation of green gym equipment at Fintry play area.

The neighbourhood services committee meets on September 24.

National Energy Efficiency Awards recognition for River Clyde Homes

River Clyde Homes is celebrating success at the National Energy Efficiency Awards after scooping the prize for National Insulation and Fabric Project of the Year.

The ceremony took place in Birmingham and the awards were presented by comedian Lenny Henry.

The Inverclyde-based housing association was nominated for the award by Union Technical Services for a project which saw 250 hard-to-heat homes across Inverclyde receive upgraded insulation. The work involved the extraction of old cavity wall insulation and infill of waterproof insulation beads which offer improved insulation to properties whilst allowing the building to breathe.

Alongside improving the thermal efficiency of the homes included in the scheme, the project aimed to reduce heating costs and raise living standards for River Clyde Homes customers. It was financed through the Energy Company Obligation Scheme which sees energy providers fund works which improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The project is part of River Clyde Homes’ commitment to ensure that all existing housing stock meets the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) ahead of the 2020 Scottish Government targets in order to reduce energy consumption, fuel poverty and the emission of greenhouse gases. The standard will contribute to reducing carbon emissions by 42% by 2020, and 80% by 2050, in line with the requirements set out in the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

The nominees had to be able to provide evidence of a customer who had benefited from the project and who was willing to endorse the project with a favourable testimonial statement.

The judges said of the winning submission: “This is a wholly social housing enterprise which considers the ‘whole house’ approach and adds significant value to both landlord and tenants alike ensuring that livings standards are improved across all measures”

Partick Housing Association buries time capsule at new development

Partick Housing Association is well underway building 60 new affordable homes on the site of the former St Peter’s Primary School.

The school closed its doors in 2013, when it merged with nearby Notre Dame Primary School, and for over 100 years was an important institution in Partick that shaped the lives of many local people.

Ex-pupils, teachers and staff from the former St Peter’s Primary School have gathered in Partick to bury a time capsule containing lots of photos, information and artefacts from the old school.

Views sought on future transport investment in South West Scotland

Transport Scotland is keen to hear views and ideas from all of those with an interest in transport in South West Scotland through an online public survey launched today and available for the next eight weeks.

We want to hear from people living or working in the south west of Scotland on problems and opportunities associated with the transport network as we start the process of planning transport investment for the next 20 years.

The survey is part of the work going on to produce a South West Scotland Transport Study which is considering possible improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel on key strategic corridors in the region. Findings from the study will then be considered as part of the second national Strategic Transport Projects Review.

The Online Survey is available to complete with all responses requested by 14 November 2018.

An online Placecheck tool has also been set up to allow the public and interested stakeholders to record specific comments on transport issues in the study area, including potential improvement options, using an online map of the study area.

Information event to be held on Gairloch Waste Water Treatment Works

An information event is to be held on the proposed Gairloch Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW).

In April, Scottish Water withdrew an application to amend its discharge licence at Gairloch for further discussion to take place via a Stakeholder Group. The discussions took place in order to build a shared understanding of the issues and identify an acceptable solution.

Taking place at Gairloch Community Hall on Monday 24 September between 3:30pm and 7:30pm, the event will allow Scottish Water’s team to report on the progress made.

Following completion of an independent technical review of the technology currently in place at Gairloch WWTW and the options for the future, it has been agreed that Scottish Water should proceed with installing a new treatment process made up of septic tanks, disc filters and ultra-violet (UV) treatment.

Scottish Water has agreed that it will operate the new treatment process throughout the year for an initial two year pilot period, but will then seek to provide treatment without UV for an agreed period in the second winter. At the end of the pilot period, Scottish Water will work with the Stakeholder Group to agree long term operating arrangements based on the evidence obtained.

Investigation works to begin on Tarbert sewer network

Investigation works are to begin on Tarbert’s sewer network to identify improvements for flood prevention in the area.

Scottish Water is spearheading the project, which will inform the design and implementation of upgrades to the network.

It aims to reduce the risk of flooding in the village’s Harbour Street and Barmore Road.

Work will be carried out by contractors on behalf of Scottish Water’s alliance partners amey Black and Veatch (aBV) and is expected to take four weeks.

From Monday 24 September, investigation work will be phased along Barmore Road (from The Victoria Hotel) to Harbour Street (near to the Loch Fyne Gallery). Full pedestrian access will be maintained, however, temporary traffic lights and parking restrictions will be in place to enable this work to be carried out safely.

Water network successfully upgraded in Drymen

A £750,000 upgrade to the water mains network in Drymen has been successfully completed ahead of schedule.

The project involved upgrading 3.8 miles of pipework along the local water mains network to provide customers with additional resilience and security of supply.

Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA) was expected to take eight months to complete the work, but delivered the project in four months.

The work was completed on behalf of Scottish Water.