Building Briefs - January 11th

• Bishopbriggs railway bridge to receive £550,000 makeover

Network Rail is investing £550,000 on a programme of cleaning, steelwork repairs, masonry work and repainting designed to protect and extend the lifespan of the bridge for up to 25 years.

To enable the safe and efficient delivery of the project, the road passing underneath the bridge will need to close from Monday, January 11, until April 2.

Allison Flanagan, Network Rail programme manager, said: “We appreciate the patience of residents while we carry out these vital works.

“Delivering projects of this type, in a constrained location, presents a logistical challenge, but we have planned the job carefully and will complete it with the minimum possible inconvenience to the local community.

“We understand that working close to properties overnight is far from ideal and we will do everything we can to minimise the noise and complete the project as quickly as possible.”

• Plan to turn Glasgow city centre building into hotel

A change-of-use application for a hotel has been submitted for a vacant B-listed building on the corner of Glassford Street and Wilson Street.

The building, which dates from 1908, was last used as a restaurant — Mamafubu — at basement and ground floor; chef’s training school and licensed delicatessen at first floor; and ancillary office space at the second, third, and fourth floors.

A statement included with the application explains: “This proposal will create a 31-bed hotel with a bar and reception area on the ground floor and a small kitchen area within the basement.

“The bar will be open to both customers and members of the public, with the kitchen providing food to the bar as well as room service.”

There will be no alterations to either frontage, along Glassford Street or Wilson Street.

• Edinburgh jeweller presses on with £3m refurbishment

Work is stepping up on a £3 million project to transform Hamilton & Inches’ Grade A-listed, five-storey building in Edinburgh’s George Street.

The project aims to radically revamp the jeweller’s showrooms while upgrading its workshops and service department. A dedicated Rolex repair centre will be developed in the basement.

Hamilton & Inches is working alongside design practice Waldo Works and Simpson & Brown Architects.

• Lowther Hills wind farm project rejected by government

A wind farm project described as “visually dominant and incongruous” by Dumfries and Galloway Council has been rejected by the Scottish Government.

Developers scaled back the Lowther Hills scheme near Wanlockhead from 42 to 30 turbines.

However, the council still opposed the proposals which were taken to a public inquiry.

Ministers have now concluded their impact on the landscape would be “unacceptable” and refused the plans.