Building Briefs - February 23rd

• Urban Union sells out latest release in opening weekend

Launched in 2020, Pollokshaws Living’s range of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom properties provides the comforts and efficiencies of a new build house in the thriving community in Glasgow’s Southside. All properties at the development benefit from Urban Union’s trademark features of high ceilings, long windows and great storage.

Kirsty Parry, sales and marketing manager at Urban Union, said: “We’re really proud of this success at Pollokshaws Living. With its vibrant surrounding community, local amenities and excellent transport links into Glasgow city centre it is a great development to call home.

“Every home comes equipped with all the features necessary for modern life, including well-finished, fully integrated kitchens, plenty of storage space and airy living areas, suitable for a wide range of buyers. And due to buyer demand this is the first Urban Union development to have an enhanced upgrade package. Pollokshaws purchasers can opt for higher spec white goods, superior flooring and electrical upgrades.

“There’s been huge demand for the first release of homes, and we expect that to continue in the months ahead.  Our next release of Pollokshaws properties is scheduled for April – so any prospective purchasers should get in touch for further information and to be added to our waiting list to avoid disappointment.”

Set to complete in 2023, Pollokshaws Living is part of the wider Transforming Communities: Glasgow programme which aims to provide sustainable mixed tenure communities through the provision of new housing, community facilities, green space and, where appropriate, commercial units.

• Timber firm completes biomass installation

Timber firm James Jones and Sons has completed the installation of new biomass plants at its Mosstodloch and Aboyne sawmills, with a combined cost of £5.4 million.

The 2.5-megawatt plant at Mosstodloch, replacing an existing gas boiler, will be used for the group’s own operations, providing heat for buildings, kilns and timber treatment.

The 3.3MW equipment at Aboyne incorporates electrostatic emission filters to achieve future environmental standards, but also allows the site to burn a wider specification of fuel, including forest residues, to heat sawmill buildings, kilns and the timber treatment facility.

• Hillside School extension complete

An extension to Hillside Primary School in Portlethen worth in the region of £1.1 million is now complete.

The four-classroom extension sees additional space for music and drama lessons as well as communal or general breakout areas.

The extension was completed in January, a year after construction began. Temporary accommodation was provided whilst the building works were carried out.

• North Ayrshire Council launches online consultation for Stevenson bungalows

North Ayrshire Council is holding an online consultation on the draft plans for six new amenity bungalows at Afton Court in Stevenston.

Local residents will get the chance to have their say on plans for the new housing which will help breathe new life into the heart of Stevenston.

There will also be an opportunity for those without internet access to view and comment on the proposals. It is hoped that construction can get underway later this year at the site of the former Afton Court Sheltered Housing Unit.

The £1 million project is supported by a Scottish Government grant of £354,000.

Local people and interested parties can view and comment on the draft plans for the development from today, Monday, 22 February, until Friday, 19 March, online here.

Alternatively, anyone wishing to speak to a member of staff about the plans can attend an online drop-in consultation event on Wednesday, 10 March 2021, between 4pm and 6pm.

To book your place at the event please email developmentandstrategy@north-ayrshire.gov.uk or telephone 01294 324031 by Monday, 8 March, 2021.

If you are unable to access the consultation online, please email the address above to get in touch with a member of staff.

• Home Fix Scotland obtains Living Wage accreditation

Home Fix Scotland (HFS) has received Living Wage Accreditation as a standalone company within the RCH Group.

Over the last two years, HFS has followed the principle of being a Living Wage Employer by adopting the same approach as River Clyde Homes.

This accreditation recognises the hard work that has been undertaken to support our staff.

Having the accreditation enables the firm to work closely with its supply chain to ensure they adopt the same principles or to achieve the accreditation for themselves.

• Mears Group hails work of North Lanarkshire tradespeople during COVID-19

Teams of highly skilled tradespeople from Mears Group, in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, have worked throughout the pandemic, maintaining and repairing the council’s tenanted properties and 1,200 public buildings, allowing communities to function as best they can during a period of uncertainty.

Speaking on behalf of his hard-working colleagues is John McMullen, a painter and decorator from Coatbridge, who has served on the Strategic Partnership Housing and Non-Housing Repairs and Maintenance Contract for almost 50 years.

He said: “It is hard to believe that I’ve been doing this work for almost five decades - but it’s true. I’ve lived and worked through many challenges, but nothing like this. The pandemic has impacted everyone in different ways. And I know that it has been hard for many because I talk with hundreds of people about it every day in my job, as do my colleagues.

“Knowing that we are making a positive difference to people’s lives is a privilege. Each day brings a new set of challenges, but we remain focused on the job, which is to make sure the people from our towns know that we have their back. That’s our number one priority.”

John and his team have managed to continue their duties by working to a strict set of principles – Partnership for Safety - which were established and rolled out rapidly in March 2020. The foundations of which are safety, communications, service to communities, building resilient communities and going above and beyond for colleagues.