Building Briefs – December 7th

Work starts on first design and build contract for LAR Housing Trust

The chair of a housing charity is hailing the start of construction at an East Lothian site as an important milestone for the organisation.

Housing minister Kevin Stewart was on hand as work got underway at LAR’s site in Cockenzie, its first design and build contract.

LAR chair, Andrew Robertson, described the development of 26 homes as a game changer for the charity, which was formed two years ago to provide 1,000 properties at mid market rent across Scotland.

The development consists of four one-bed and 22 two-bed apartments and is being built by Hart Builders, part of The Cruden Group. It is the first contract to be called off from LAR’s £5m building framework.

The development, which should be ready for tenants by late summer 2018, has already piqued the interest of the local community, with a number of people expressing an interest to rent one of the apartments when they are completed.

Holiday village planned at Thirlestane Castle

Plans for a major tourism development near a castle in the Scottish Borders have been revealed.

They could see 500 static caravans and 50 touring caravan pitches and an entrance “hub” put in place at Thirlestane Castle, near Lauder.

Lauderdale Estates also hope to build a new access route from the nearby A68 to the development.

It said the final scale of the project would depend on the consultation process and site credentials.

The history of Thirlestane Castle is said to date back to at least the 14th Century, when a large Border fort was built on the site to defend the approach to Edinburgh from the south.

The central part of the present castle was completed in 1590, remodelled in the 1670s, and then again in the 1840s.

Green light for Peterhead’s first drive-through coffee shop

Peterhead could soon have its own drive-through coffee shop after plans were approved for a site next to Burnside Road and the A892.

Architects Mackie Ramsay Taylor drew up on the plans on behalf of Carnoustie Links Development Ltd, which would serve motorists driving to nearby stores as part of the Burnside Business Park.

There are also proposals for a retail unit that could be divided into two smaller units – for food or other produce.

An Aberdeenshire Council planning officer said the scheme will “not have a detrimental impact on the surrounding immediate area, or on the wider area of Peterhead”.

The coffee shop will have 28 parking spaces and there would be 22 for the retail unit.

New director of housing at Hillcrest Housing Association

Hillcrest Housing Association, parent of the Hillcrest Group of Companies, has announced the appointment of Bob Sander as its new director of housing.

Bob started in post this month and is responsible for leading the Housing Management function within Hillcrest Housing Association, ensuring the delivery of key objectives, and providing strategic direction.

Bob has previous worked in senior roles within several housing organisations including Abertay Housing Association and Circle 33.

60 new homes set for Fort William

TSL Contractors has been appointed to build 60 new homes in Caol, Fort William.

Works at the former Lochyside Primary School site will begin in January next year and continue into late summer 2019.

The company has now announced it will host a contractor and supplier open day at Caol Community centre from 4pm – 6.30pm on Tuesday, 12 December.

Anyone unable to make the event, or those who would like further information on the project, are encouraged to contact TSL’s General Manager, John Forbes, at j.forbes@tslcontractors.co.uk for further details.

Chance to comment on plans for Highland Perthshire

On Tuesday 12 December an information drop-in event will be held at Pitlochry Town Hall 2pm-7.30pm with information on the proposals in the Proposed Local Development Plan 2 for the Highland Perthshire area. Once adopted, the Local Development Plan will shape the development of the area.

There have been few changes for the Highland Perthshire area during the update and refresh of the adopted LDP.

The main changes are in Pitlochry. The existing housing site at Middleton of Fonab is extended to the west to allow connection through to Foss Road. There is also a small extension to the existing housing site at Robertson Crescent but this will be for access and open space only.

In Aberfeldy the new site at Amulree Road which was previously consulted upon as an alternative to the site South of Kenmore Road, has not been taken forward as the Kenmore Road site is now under construction.

The employment site at Inver has been removed due to the risk of flooding on this site.

The settlement boundary at Murthly now includes Gellyburn to the North.

Morrison Construction apprentices landscape Spinners Gate garden

Over the course of a week apprentices working on Morrison Construction sites have volunteered their time at Spinners Gate Resource Centre in Paisley to landscape the garden.

As part of Morrison Construction’s community benefits scheme three TIGERS (Training Initiatives Generating Effective Results Scotland) apprentices created a path through the garden and a raised perimeter around the potting shed.

The new path has levelled the surface and will prevent the area becoming muddy after rain, creating safer access for service users. The perimeter around the potting shed creates a space for potted plants that is easier to maintain.

Spinners Gate Resource Centre is home to two Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership learning disability services: Community Networks and Gateway, which develop opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism.

Both services use the potting shed enabling the service users to take part in gardening activities throughout the year, which have therapeutic benefits.

City Building paints bright future for local children

A group of pupils have gathered at the site of what will be the new Dalmarnock Primary School to launch a competition designed to get young people thinking about construction.

Aimed at local children aged between three and 12 the project is being delivered by Glasgow-based City Building in conjunction with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, and tasks young pupils with coming up with creative designs for the site’s hoarding boards.

The budding artists will take their inspiration from a theme which encourages the kids to think about the importance of safety in construction. The winning entry will then be displayed on the hoarding boards at the site of the new Dalmarnock Primary School, which is due for completion in 2019.

The £15 million, state-of the-art school is being constructed by City Building in the heart of the former Commonwealth Village. It will house 14 classrooms which will be fitted with interactive technology, assembly and gym halls, drama and nurture rooms and a library. The public square includes a clock tower and a seven-aside football pitch will also be located within the grounds.

To kick of the competition, pupils from nearby Dalmarnock Primary School and Silverdale Nursery, who will attend the new school in the future, were greeted by the construction industry’s official mascots, Ivor and Honour Goodsite. City Building chair Councillor Greg Hepburn and Councillor Chris Cunningham, city convener for education, skills and early years, were also in attendance.