Building Briefs – August 4th

New statistics released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show growing demand for bricks.

In the second quarter of 2016, brick deliveries were 10.4 per cent higher than in the first quarter. Brick deliveries in June 2016 were 7.4 per cent higher than in the previous month.

Despite numerous indicators suggesting a slowdown in the construction industry, these numbers correlate with ONS housebuilding statistics.

These show that 41,222 new homes were built in the UK in the second quarter of 2016, an increase on the same period in 2015 and the highest number of houses built in any three-month period since Q4 2007.

Contract boost for Kilmarnock fabricator

A Kilmarnock-based metalwork fabricator has won contracts worth more than £800,000, giving it the confidence to take on three staff and bring an apprentice on board.

Annandale Design has secured work with eight clients in the last three months, including contracts with the University of Glasgow and at Edinburgh’s Quartermile office development.

The company said the wins have boosted its growth projections, giving it the headroom to invest in three new trades people and an apprentice at its Kilmarnock workshop.

Work starts on Shetland resource centre

Work has started on a purpose built hub designed to cater for the needs of people with a wide range of learning disability, autistic spectrum conditions and complex support needs in Shetland.

Representatives from Shetland Islands Council, which is investing £6 million into the replacement Eric Gray Resource Centre, were joined by current users and contractors DITT at Lerwick’s Seafield for the ceremonial turf cutting this week.

The council said the needs of individual clients has been incorporated into the design of the new facility. Different parts of the building can be used separately to ensure that people accessing services are able to mix and take part in activities with an appropriate peer group.

Designed by Richard Gibson Architects, the building will be single storey with a timber framed construction, with a mixture of larch and fibre cement cladding to the walls, and natural slate and polymeric membrane to the roof.

Contractor DITT has expects construction of the 1,770 square metre building to last 24 months.

Prestigious safety award for Clark Contracts

A prestigious safety award has been awarded to Clark Contracts by RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) as part of the Occupational Health and Safety Achievement Awards 2016.

ROSPA’s President’s Award recognises the accomplishment of Clark Contracts in securing RoSPA Gold Awards in each of the last ten years, by demonstrating excellent occupational health and safety management systems, a rigorous approach to occupational health, a continued high level of performance and compliance with control measures.

Clark Contracts will be presented with the President’s Award during the annual presentation ceremony at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on 15th September 2016.

Central Scotland councils join Help to Adapt scheme

Homeowners across most of Central Scotland are being encouraged to make alterations to their homes to ensure it continues to meet future needs, as Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire and Clackmannanshire join 12 other local authorities in supporting the Scottish Government’s Help to Adapt scheme.

Help to Adapt encourages homeowners, aged 60 or over, to be proactive in adapting their homes to enable their long term independence and quality of life.

Uniquely it will help owners pay for the adaptations, by using the equity in their own home, and organise all the work for them.

The pilot initiative, managed by Link Group Ltd, provides a personalised service which aims to deliver peace of mind for homeowners. It removes the stress of having to organise the installation of adaptations such as stair lifts or handrails and offers assistance to manage the process every step of the way.

Funding for communities to have direct say in design of their area

Communities across Scotland will have the chance to map out the future of their towns with design experts.

The Scottish Government is launching two funds to allow people to have a direct role in making their towns and villages better places to live.

Funding of £300,000 is available across two grant schemes – the Design Charrettes programme and the Activating Ideas Fund.

Charrettes bring together the public, stakeholders and designers over a number of days to draw up viable proposals, while the Activating Ideas fund will support participation and empowerment initiatives in disadvantaged areas.

Work underway to restore Stirling riverside pathway

Work is underway to restore a recreational pathway along the banks of Dunblane River in Stirling.

Environmental consultant IKM Consulting has been appointed as principal contractor to repair the walkway below Dunblane Cathedral.

The section of path has been closed since 2011 after it was washed away due to a period of bad weather.

The council has allocated £100,000 towards the project, while Dunblane Development Trust has secured a £10,000 grant from the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environment Trust. In addition, over £2,000 has been raised from public donations.

The repair works will be overseen by the local authority’s Localities and Infrastructure Service.