Building Briefs – December 18th

A team of employees from Edinburgh-based CALA Homes have recently returned from Cambodia where they have been taking part in The Big Build project organised by the charity Habitat for Humanity (HFH).

The Big Build seeks to help tackle poverty by building and renovating homes for vulnerable families.

CALA’s Andrew Aldridge (land director, Chiltern), Rachel Dillon (group training and development manager) and Craig Leishman (contracts manager, East of Scotland) have raised over £8,000 for the charity by joining 250 volunteers from across the world to build 29 homes in just 10 days, for families currently living in informal settlements in the Battambang Province.

Speaking about the experience, Rachel Dillon said: “When we arrived I think we were all shocked by the conditions that so many people were living in. The majority of homes were very simple; made from corrugated iron, with little protection from sun, rain and risk. Houses are often on stilts to offer some protection from the flood waters and there is no electricity or a clean water supply in many.

“It was hard work and the heat and humidity made it especially challenging, but the personal reward for all of us has been huge. We had an official handover with our family to move them into their home. We decorated their house for them and had a ribbon cutting ceremony where they were presented with some gifts, including a framed picture of us during the build. We were invited into our family’s new home and through the translator, each of us shared a little bit of the significance of participating in the build.

“We have been incredibly privileged to be able to support this family. The reward of doing something so immediately tangible in terms of its benefits and being able to see them move in to their home will be up there in terms of the most profound moments in life for all of us.”

The Cambodian Government has estimated that at least 10 million people lack access to decent housing. 2.8 million people, or 17.7 % of the population, still live in extreme poverty without any social safety net, and an estimated 2 million houses need critical improvement to meet minimum quality standards. It’s estimated that an additional 1.1 million houses will be needed by 2030 as a result of a population increase and rural urban migration in Cambodia.

For the past decade, HFH has been working to provide holistic housing solutions and helping to secure land tenure for the homeless, informal settlers, those affected by HIV/AIDS, and street children and orphans. Since 2012, more than 17,820 families have gained access to housing through HFH’s partnerships.

Glasgow charity gets Christmas boost from Mactaggart & Mickel Homes

Generous staff at Mactaggart & Mickel Homes have donated almost 200 Christmas gifts for deserving children.

The family housebuilder chose to support Glasgow-based charity Spirit Aid’s Christmas Toy appeal,​ which helps to put a smile on children’s faces by making sure they get a visit from Santa.

Leith homes given million pound makeover

Residents of a Leith street who once feared they might lose their homes have benefitted from a £1 million housing improvement programme thanks to Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association.

Places for People Scotland acquired 92 properties in Lorne Street from the Agnes Hunter Trust just over twelve months ago. The grant-making Charitable Trust’s decision to sell the properties to safeguard its ability to maintain financial grants to organisations which support health and social welfare in Scotland, had left tenants facing an uncertain future.

Since taking over the portfolio Castle Rock Edinvar has significantly improved 21 empty units by installing gas central heating, undertaking electrical upgrades and replacing kitchens and bathrooms where necessary. It has now successfully re-let all previously empty properties in the portfolio.

The Association is investing a further £960,000 before the end of March 2018 on a planned maintenance programme that will see timber double glazing installed in all properties, heating upgraded where required to meet its standards, a programme of roof maintenance as well as kitchen and bathroom improvements.

Graham Construction builds Christmas spirit

Graham Construction has brought some festive cheer to the patients and nurses at Raigmore Hospital, delivering gifts to those spending Christmas in the children’s unit.

Staff from the construction company, currently working on site, arrived at the unit with a variety of presents including selection boxes, board games, children’s gift sets and baby toys.

Graham Construction is currently undertaking a two-year refurbishment of existing facilities at the Hospital - built in 1980 - to meet modern healthcare standards.

The work will see an overhaul of the Theatre Suite, consisting of nine Operating Theatres, along with the relocation of critical services within the tower block, fire safety upgrades and the extension of the sprinkler system.

Graham Construction will also move all critical care services into one area within the ground and first floors, creating a new purpose built Critical Care Unit.

New 70mph speed limit for Queensferry Crossing

A speed limit of 70mph will be introduced on the Queensferry Crossing from tomorrow after the completion of all required surfacing work.

This move means the commitment to have a 70mph speed limit in place before the end of 2017 has been met. This also marks a key milestone in the delivery of the benefits from the £1.35 billion investment in improving the reliability of cross-Forth travel.

A consultation is currently underway regarding the designation of the Queensferry Crossing and its connecting roads as a motorway, as is normal in these circumstances. Once this process is complete in the New Year, motorway regulations will come in to force. In addition, the Intelligent Transport System is on schedule to be operational in the New Year across the entire scheme.

In advance of these final steps, a guide will be published in the new year to provide information for all users of the entire scheme, including the ITS, the road layout and what vehicles can and cannot use the Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge once the regulations come into force.

While the road layout is self-explanatory for drivers the guide is intended to give the full variety of users and drivers of different vehicle classes the information they’ll need to plan their journeys over the Forth.

Work complete on £24,000 Ayr restoration project

Work on a £24,000 restoration project in Ayr is now complete.

The scheme at Newton Tower was carried out over a seven-week period.

Features included power washing and sympathetically painting the tower to its original colours, with the white spire and ivory walls of the building now restored to look the way it did when first built in 1795.