Building Briefs – December 2nd
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Vattenfall to move to offshore wind farm support base in Aberdeen Harbour
Vattenfall has signed leases totalling 24 years with Aberdeen Harbour Board, becoming the first offshore wind operator to invest long term in the port’s facilities.
The company is set to establish its construction team’s base within the Regent Centre by next month and also move into a warehouse unit at Commercial Quay.
The facilities will support the construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance (O&M), and eventual decommissioning phases of Vattenfall’s more than £300 million European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) off the Aberdeen coast.
A team of up to 10 personnel, including skilled offshore wind technicians, will be based at the facilities during the lifetime of the project. The warehouse will undergo a substantial retrofit and the company anticipates moving into the new facilities within Q2 of 2017.
The EOWDC is Scotland’s largest offshore wind test and demonstration facility. It is being developed by Vattenfall-owned Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Limited. Construction onshore of the innovative 92.4MW, 11-turbine offshore wind scheme started last month with first power expected to generate in summer 2018.
Triple safety accreditation achieved again by Clark Contracts
Three of the UK construction industry’s leading health and safety authorities have recognised construction, refurbishment and maintenance contractor, Clark Contracts for its commitment to achieving excellence in health and safety.
For the 13th year running, the company has been awarded accreditation from Safecontractor, the leading third party accreditation scheme which recognises very high standards in health and safety management amongst UK contractors.
Clark Contracts has also been awarded Construction Health and Safety (CHAS) for the 10th consecutive year and a third safety accreditation from Altius,
Clark Contracts’ applications for the Safecontractor, CHAS and Altius accreditations were driven by the company’s desire for a uniform standard across the business.
Clark Contracts also recently received the President’s Award from RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) following 10 consecutive gold medal awards.
McLaughlin & Harvey shortlisted for Arts & Business Scotland award
The Awards celebrate outstanding collaborations between the business and cultural sectors. McLaughlin & Harvey’s collaboration with Glasgow International at the time of the Glasgow International Festival 2016, has seen the firm being named in the running for an Arts & Business Scotland award.
The awards are split into 8 different categories with McLaughlin & Harvey are shortlisted for the Placemaking Award. This category recognises a unique partnership which has shaped the cultural activities to celebrate the very best of Scotland’s creative, cultural and historic wealth, and can show how cultural tourism can raise the profile of Scotland at home and abroad.
During the time of the Glasgow International Festival, there was an opportunity to celebrate the architectural value of the Kelvin Hall, which McLaughlin & Harvey were redeveloping at the time. They were able to host two large scale solo exhibitions from the Director’s programme by Australian artist Helen Johnson and Glasgow based artist Claire Barclay.
The main foyer space and former event space directly above, were utilised for these installations, meaning they were able to benefit from the original interior architectural features of the space, including large scale mirrors, detailed cornicing, ornate windows and chandeliers.
In opening up this building to the public during construction and engaging the space in a new way, McLaughlin & Harvey have not only been able to celebrate this historic building but also to showcase two contemporary artists to local, national and international audiences - housed within an amazing cultural treasure.
The awards party will take place at Glasgow Royal Concert Halls in the New Auditorium on Thursday 23 March 2017.
Lovell and Clyde Valley Housing Association to create 112 affordable homes
Partnership housing developer Lovell has started work on the first of three new housing developments for Clyde Valley Housing Association which will help tackle the shortage of new affordable homes in South Lanarkshire.
The three developments in East Kilbride, Blantyre and Hamilton combined will create a total of 112 brand-new rented affordable homes.
Lovell acquired the land and worked closely with the housing association to bring forward the schemes.
Construction has now started on site at the first development in Kenilworth Road, East Kilbride. The £4 million scheme will deliver 34 new affordable rented homes comprising 26 two-bedroom flats and eight two- and three-bedroom houses. The new homes will be built on derelict land which previously formed part of the South Lanarkshire College campus.
The new timber-framed development, scheduled for completion at the end of 2017, will provide smart, modern homes built to high energy-efficiency standards, helping minimise residents’ energy bills. Properties will meet the Scottish Building Standards Silver level (Aspects 1 and 2) thanks to their low-energy heating systems and reduced carbon emissions.
This will be achieved through a range of green technology including high-efficiency combi boilers; photovoltaic panels; advanced insulation and a flue gas recovery system which enables heat from waste flue gases to be recovered and used to preheat cold water entering the boiler. Lovell will also create new roads and infrastructure to serve the development.
Next year, the company will start work on two other developments in partnership with Clyde Valley Housing Association: a 40-home scheme in Hamilton and a 38-home development in Blantyre.
In addition to easing the shortage of affordable homes locally, the schemes will create jobs and training for people in the area who will take priority for employment and training opportunities being provided through the new developments.
First step secured for £11m expansion of The Fruitmarket Gallery
The Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh has taken the first step in a major £11 million redevelopment which will see it expand into a neighbouring building.
The gallery which stands on Market Street next to Waverley Station, is one of the leading contemporary art galleries in the country.
It has now been given the green light by the City of Edinburgh Council, which owns its property and that next door, currently the Electric Circus bar and club, to take over that building when the Electric Circus closes.
RGU architecture students to benefit from creation of new scholarship
The Ina Scott Sutherland Charitable Foundation has pledged £50,000 to Robert Gordon University for the creation of a new scholarship aimed at supporting students from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.
The ‘Ina Scott Sutherland Access Scholarship’ will support four undergraduate architecture students for the duration of their five year degree course, providing financial support and bespoke mentoring support during their degree course.
RGU has long benefitted from the philanthropic support of the Scott Sutherland family. Thomas Scott Sutherland, architect, entrepreneur, local politician and alumnus of RGU gave his house and Deeside estate to the university in 1954. This has become the heartland of the Robert Gordon University riverside campus today. In 1957, six years before his death The Scott Sutherland School of Architecture was officially opened.
Georgina Scott Sutherland was proud of the family connection with Robert Gordon University and made a generous donation herself in 2000 to support the building of the then new library, (now the Aberdeen Business School), which was designed by Sir Norman Foster.
Dundee sports hub approved
Plans for a sports facility and community hub have been approved by Dundee City Council.
Dundee East Community Sports Club has been granted permission to begin work on its new two-storey facility at Whitton Park.
Included in the blueprint are changing rooms, a coffee shop, community spaces and offices.
The club believes the project could create at least 20 local jobs.
It is hoped that the new sports and community complex will offer increased opportunities for more people to take part in sport and wider community projects for all generations.
Robertson Tayside continues work on Dundee primary school
Robertson Tayside is continuing work to build a new £13.2 million primary school in Dundee.
The contractors are developing the new Tayview Primary and completion is scheduled in time for the new term in August next year.
The project involves creating a new two-storey, three-stream primary school designed for 650 pupils and 70 nursery school places.
The scheme was procured through Scape Group’s National Major Works framework.
As part of the development, pupils got the chance to unveil the badge of their new school on Wednesday, 30 November.
Winner of SNIPEF Annual Awards 2016 announced
SNIPEF, the leading trade association for plumbing and heating firms in Scotland and Northern Ireland, has awarded its Business of the Year Award 2016 to CHC Group Ltd of Craigavon.
The award recognises technical skills and ability, excellent customer service and a commitment to raising standards in the industry.
The judging panel described the winning firm as being “a highly skilled operation with good evidence of mentoring and multi-skilled operatives” adding that “their use of technology adds value and makes the business efficient while ensuring good customer service”.
Other firms short-listed for the award were Edinburgh firm Celsius Plumbing and Heating Ltd and K. Downs Plumbing and Heating of Glasgow.
The SkillPLUMB/SNIPEF Apprentice of the Year 2016, Alasdair Scott of Moray College was presented with a certificate.
The winner of the SNIPEF Merchant Customer Care Award 2016 was announced as Jon Marshall of William Wilson Ltd, Inverurie.
Also shortlisted for the Merchant Customer Care Award: Scott Hassan of William Wilson, Kirkcaldy and Mark Baxter of City Plumbing Supplies, Portobello in Edinburgh. These individuals were nominated by SNIPEF members for excellent levels of customer service.
The SNIPEF Merit Award 2016 for outstanding contribution to the plumbing industry was presented to Professor Rudi Klein, chief executive of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ Group.
Cemetery improvements in Dundee
Improvements are being carried out for the future of historic Balgay Cemetery.
The works are being undertaken by Dundee City Council as part of a series of improvement works to cemeteries across the city.
In Balgay Cemetery the council will be carrying out memorial safety work and restructuring work in order to level the lair sections of the cemetery.
The work shall also assist in the future maintenance and operation of the cemetery.
New Cuningar bridge opens over River Clyde
A new pedestrian and cycling bridge has opened over the River Clyde.
The structure forms one of the two main entrances to the Cuningar Woodland Park and was officially unveiled at 11am on Wednesday, 30 November.
The development forms part of the £5.7 million Cuningar Loop development, a partnership project between Clyde Gateway and Forestry Commission Scotland to bring 15 hectares of vacant and derelict land back into use.
Lightway completes £3.23m LED upgrade on Erskine Bridge
Electrical contractor Lightways has completed a £3.23 million LED upgrade project on the Erskine Bridge over the River Clyde.
The 22-week scheme has seen over 800 individual lamps replaced with more efficient LED lighting across the 1,300-metre long structure. In addition, almost 130 lamps have been switched to LED lighting on the A82.
High mast lighting columns, aircraft navigation lights and tower top CCTV have also been replaced as part of the project, which will reduce energy usage by up to 70 per cent.
Scottish Business Awards recognise Multiplex for corporate social responsibility
Multiplex has been awarded the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award at the 2016 Scottish Business Awards, held on November 17.
The CSR Award recognises businesses in all sectors that embrace their responsibility to the environment, local communities, employees and other stakeholders, resulting in a positive impact on wider society.
The Scottish Business Awards are the UK’s largest business awards.
Multiplex received the award based on its Community Engagement activities at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children & Department of Clinical Neurosciences project in Edinburgh, showing that the company is committed to making a difference in the wider community.
Among other criteria, Multiplex demonstrated a consistent commitment to CSR, including school and higher education engagement, fund raising, mentoring, ethical sourcing in the supply chain and other effective partnerships with stakeholders.
Contracts to be awarded for River Ness beauty spot
£225,000 works to improve a network of paths and bridges, river bank erosion and trees on the River Ness Islands in Inverness will be awarded to contractors next month by Highland Council on behalf of the Inverness Common Good Fund.
Members of the council’s City of Inverness Area Committee have welcomed an update on proposed improvements to the Ness Islands Management Plan which was produced in 2015.
The aim of the plan is to ensure that the islands area is maintained and managed in an appropriate way.
School pupils laying foundations for future construction careers
Glasgow school pupils laid the foundations for their future careers with a day helping out at a construction site.
Ten S4 students from Springburn Academy, in the north east of the city, tried out their skills at the Loretto Housing site at Barclay Street opposite their school.
The pupils, who are all working towards a Construction Skills Certificate (CSC) qualification, tried their hands at bricklaying and plaster boarding on site.
They also met senior managers from Loretto Housing, part of the Wheatley Group family of housing, care and property management organisations, and contractors, McTaggart.
The visit was arranged as part of a 12-week programme developed by McTaggart to help students gain practical skills and experience needed to get ahead in their career through tutoring, career support and hands-on experience on the site.
It forms part of the Community Benefits programme Wheatley Group asks for from its contractors, which ensures that developments have a positive impact in the local area by creating jobs and training opportunities for the people who live there.
The Barclay Street site has already created four new jobs and six work place training opportunities for people in the community.
The new homes, a mixture of one-and-two bedroom flats and three-bedroom houses are due to be completed by next summer.
The development includes eight supported flats and four wheelchair flats for people with high support and mobility needs.
Work continues on Scottish Borders flood alleviation schemes
Scottish Borders Council is continuing to make progress on a number of major flood alleviation schemes in the region.
Two alleviation projects have been completed in the last year, with one getting closer to its next phase before construction.
Almost 600 homes/businesses are now protected in Selkirk following the completion of £31.4 million in defences for the town. All walls, embankments and river restoration works have been completed in less than two years.
Included in the major works is a new water management system at St Mary’s Loch to store extra water.
Other key highlights include:
In addition, significant work has been carried out to take the £36.4m Hawick Flood Protection Scheme forward.
Consultations and community events have been held to gather views on the scheme and shape the final designs. The development is set to go before Councillors and the Scottish Government for approval next year.
A further £250,000 scheme to protect 40 properties in Peebles is set to begin, while an earlier project has been carried out at Skiprunning Burn.
New climbing wall to be built in Perth
Scotland’s newest climbing wall will be built at Perth College UHI’s state-of-the-art sport and wellbeing academy.
The college has been awarded £200,000 by sportscotland to build the climbing wall and hope to have it available for public use by January.
The facilities will be suitable for climbers of all abilities, including para-athletes.
Aviemore company Dream Climbing Walls designed and built the wall, taking inspiration from iconic Scottish climbing venues including Carn Dearg, Mangersta, Strone Ulladale and Etive Slabs.
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