Building Briefs – August 24th

CMS Window Systems named finalist in green VIBES awards

CMS Window Systems again made the shortlist in the prestigious Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland (VIBES) Awards.

The manufacturer has been shortlisted in the Management SME award category, a feat it has achieved four times in the last seven years.

The awards programme has been recognising the commitment, actions and achievements of Scottish companies in reducing their impact on the environment for 15 years.

The winners of this year’s categories will be announced at a special ceremony taking place on 26 November at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh.

Strong construction growth forecasts for despite public housing slowdown and skilled labour shortage

Construction output is forecast to increase 13.2 per cent by 2017 and private house building is expected to be a key driver of this growth, according to the latest forecasts from the Construction Products Association.

A sharp fall in public housing, however, is expected to hinder short-term growth whilst significant investment in building a skilled workforce will be needed to support construction in the medium-term.

Key highlights from the forecasts include:

Construction work completes on luxury apartments in Prestwick

Work has been completed on 8 luxury apartments at Links Road in Prestwick.

The apartments overlook the world famous Prestwick Golf Course which inaugurated the first Open Championship in 1860.

The apartments, designed by lma | architects on behalf of prestige house builder, Dickie and Moore Ltd, include 7 two bedroom apartments and a spectacular 4 bedroom two storey penthouse complete with roof garden.

The apartments are situated on the site of a former sandstone Victorian villa. The dilapidated two storey villa was demolished and replaced with the three storey new build apartments. The apartments are designed to replicate the massing of the existing building with architectural references taken from the existing villa, ensuring that the new development sits seamlessly into the streetscape.

One key aspect of the design has been ‘light’. The windows have been carefully designed to maximise natural daylight within the apartments but also to maximise the uninterrupted panoramic views across the course. This design feature is maximised in the penthouse where a full height panoramic window to the roof terrace and a full width roof light to the duplex master suite has been introduced.

Jackie Baillie MSP opens Bield homes in Dumbarton

An innovative housing development in Dumbarton has been hailed as a shining example of how high quality and affordable homes can be provided for older people.

Such has been the demand for accommodation at Glenfinnan Gardens, which has been developed by care and housing provider Bield in partnership with Persimmon Homes, that all properties were quickly snapped up and a waiting list is in place.

The success of the housing project was revealed at official opening of the development which was conducted by Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie and chair of Bield, Gerry O’Sullivan.

The amenity housing development is located within the £100 million Lomondgate project, one of Scotland’s most ambitious regeneration projects - a public-private partnership led by Strathleven Regeneration Company, established with the support of West Dunbartonshire Council, Scottish Enterprise and Diageo.

Glenfinnan Gardens is a three storey development for older people housing 18 one bedroom homes and 15 two bedroom homes. All of the new homes feature modern open plan living and kitchen areas and have shower rooms featuring level access shower facilities. The development includes many features including generous circulation spaces and full lift access to help residents stay independent and in their own homes for as long as possible.

This is the first Bield project which has been taken forward under the grant assistance regime from the Scottish Government.

Blairgowrie arts centre plan backed

Plans for a new Blairgowrie arts venue have been approved.

The conversion of the Laird’s House store on Lower Mill Street was backed by councillors, despite objections from nearby residents.

Roy Sim Properties applied to transform the former shop into a function venue similar to the Birnam Arts Centre.

Members of the development management committee backed the plan after hearing that there had been no formal complaints about noise or anti-social behaviour at a nearby JD Wetherspoon pub, which opened more than a year ago.

Options for Aberdeen Town House roof repairs to be outlined

A business case will be prepared for councillors to decide how to proceed with repairs to the historic Aberdeen City Council Town House roof.

Officers will draft a report detailing a number of fully-costed options available to elected members after new information emerged concerning the condition of the clock tower and spire.

Councillors were given a verbal update on the extremely complex project at a meeting of full council.

City council officers are now preparing the business case, which will be presented to a meeting of the finance, policy and resources committee on September 15.

The work on the 150-year-old A-listed building includes the renewal of slating and the replacement of rotten woodwork as well as ironwork and lead detailing, some of which is believed to be unique in the UK.

Councillors were told that access to the roof area was very limited, which meant that a detailed visual inspection was not possible until recently.

Once access was gained, it was found that the gables, pediments, louvres, capitals and pinnacles were constructed of a timber core which was covered entirely with lead. Up to that point, it has been thought that the construction was most likely to have been of granite.

A subsequent examination of the building features and material highlighted considerable deterioration.

The city council is now seeking to find the most cost-effective way possible to complete the vital repair work.

Information events on Fife affordable homes proposals

Fife Council is giving the public the chance to view plans for proposed affordable housing developments in Methil and Leven.

The Methil proposal is for 26 affordable homes to be built at the former council depot in Keir Hardie Street with a mix of wheelchair bungalows and two storey houses. The development is subject to planning approval and confirmation of available funding.

A drop-in event for members of the public to view and discuss on proposal will take place at Methil Library on Wednesday 2nd September between 4.30pm and 7pm.

In Leven, people are being given the chance to view plans for a mix of cottage flats, wheelchair bungalows and two storey houses in the Turpie Road / Aldi area.

If approved, the homes will be built for Fife Council by Cruden / Hart Homes. The homes will then be available to rent to council tenants contributing to the council’s wider affordable housing programme that aims to deliver 2,700 new homes by 2017.

The drop in event for surrounding residents to view the design proposals will take place at Mountfleurie Primary School on Thursday 3rd September between 4.30pm and 7pm.

Roadworks to begin in Kirriemuir

Work on the repair and maintenance of roads in Kirriemuir town centre begins today.

Scheduled to last approximately seven weeks, the surfacing works will take place in Glengate, St Malcolm’s Wynd and High Street.

Undertaken in phases, the project begins with road re-surfacing in St Malcolms Wynd and then in Glengate, followed by the cobbles (or red setts) being lifted, repaired and re-established in High Street.

The maintenance project falls within the local conservation area and will be carried out sensitively in accordance with the streetscape’s status.

Coltart Contracts begin work on new community garden

Work has begun to transform part of Maryhill into a community garden.

Coltart Contracts have moved into the area to start work with work expected to be completed before the end of the year.

The new development brimming with flowers and vegetables – and a play area for kids - comes after the community landed a bumper £249,990 lottery windfall.

Campaigners in Maryhill won the cash injection from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland after impressing them with the ambitious community garden plans for their neighbourhood.

Now the area near Maryhill Road is being transformed and landscaped and will include a much-anticipated growing space where locals can grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Maryhill Housing Association which helped the residents’ group with the funding bid to the Big Lottery said its policy of creating new residents’ associations was bearing fruit.