Building Briefs - February 1st

• Urban Union’s sells out Perth development

Launched in 2016, Muirton Living – a 101 home, mixed tenure community in Perth – sold out after its final property, The Anderson, was purchased in January.

Muirton Living’s range of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties, with garden space and private car parking facilities, has proven to be incredibly popular with first-time buyers, who have taken advantage of the many incentives and offers available, such as Help to Buy and First Home Fund, to take their first step onto the property ladder.

Fortunately, for those who have missed out, Urban Union continues to expand its offering across Scotland. A range of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes and apartments are still available at their Laurieston Living and Pollokshaws Living developments in Glasgow and at Pennywell Living in Edinburgh.

• Green light for Ayrshire glamping pod campsite

Plans to open a “high quality” glamping site in Ayrshire have been backed by officials.

Proposals for the wooden pods were given the green light by council planning bosses last month.

• Arbroath Flood Protection Scheme work rescheduled

Tree-felling work due start at St Vigeans as part of the Arbroath Flood Protection Scheme has been rescheduled.

The work, which was due to begin in January, will now take place from February 8.

Closure signs have been removed from the area, meantime, and the path remains open and accessible this week. The path will be now be closed to the public from Monday 8 to Friday 19 February, while work takes place.

A thorough bat survey, due to be undertaken by a specialist in advance of the tree felling work was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. To ensure this important survey work can be done and any potential disruption to the local roost avoided, the tree felling has now been rescheduled.

• Fife hails continued improved performance of council Planning Service

Members of Fife Council’s economy, tourism, strategic planning and transportation committee are set be briefed on the continued improved performance of the Planning Service over 2019/20, following new Scottish Government feedback. 

The performance of the council as a Planning Authority is set to be scrutinised by members on February 4, following submission of the Planning Performance Framework 9 (PPF9) to the Scottish Government.  

Scottish Government feedback was given on the 15 set performance markers within the Planning Performance Framework that are given with red, amber or green ratings. 

The report showed positive feedback and areas with green markers include: processing agreements, early collaboration with applicants and consultees, enforcement charter, continuous improvement, Local Development Plan, regular and proportionate policy advice, working across services, sharing good practice, skills and knowledge between authorities and developer contributions: clear and proportionate expectations. 

• Pre-let deal announced for Spire Global at Skypark

Glasgow business location Skypark has announced that it has signed a landmark 29,511 sq. ft. pre-let deal to build a multi-functioning premises for nanosatellite manufacturing for Spire Global UK.

Skypark, which is owned by the international business of Federated Hermes, a leading investment manager, has seen Spire Global UK rapidly expand its presence at Skypark in just 4 years. The pre-let deal will see it move from 11,200 sq. ft. to a new purpose-built office and manufacturing facility totalling 29,511 sq. ft. on a 10-year lease.

A space-powered Earth data company, Spire Global collects data from space to monitor aviation, maritime and weather patterns across the world. The new space will comprise offices and an upsized nanosatellite manufacturing and test facility. The additional space will enable Spire to significantly grow its workforce in all areas of the business, creating high value jobs in the Glasgow area over the coming years, supported by Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Government funding. 

Spire Global was advised by SL Property Consultants and Ryden advised Skypark on the deal.

• Highland Council prepares for new Skye and Raasay investment plan

Representatives from key groups across Skye and Raasay joined together in an online workshop last week to launch the process of preparing the Highland Council’s new Investment Plan for the area.

The workshop, which was attended by over 60 people that are actively involved in delivering improvements in the area, was aimed at gathering initial views on the issues and areas that need to be tackled.

Alongside the initial engagement event a website is being set up (not yet live) where people will soon be able to provide feedback on their priorities for the area.

This will be used to help prepare for future engagement events that are scheduled to continue after the lockdown, including Community Councils and local interest groups. With this collaborative approach it is intended to take a Draft Investment Plan to the Area Committee in Spring.

In the meantime, The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, who are jointly organising the events, will be reaching out to others and hope to announce further in the coming weeks.