Building Briefs - January 27th

  • Dickie and Moore complete project at Inver House distillery

Work to construct fire compartment walls within the existing bonded warehouses at Inver House HQ in Airdrie has been completed by Dickie and Moore.

Building Briefs - January 27th

The works were undertaken within a live environment and close working relationship with the client to ensure minimum disruption of their daily business.



The scope works involved masonry division walls within each warehouse including structural steelwork to create openings and associated fire stopping.

The site was constrained with the whisky barrels that were required to be accessed periodically during the program.

Works were completed in November 2020.

 



  • Further delay to report into state of Ayr’s Station Hotel

A feasibility study into future options for Ayr’s Station Hotel has been pushed back until next month.

The hotel, which is privately owned, has fallen under South Ayrshire Council’s emergency guidance since 2018 when it was issued with a Dangerous Building Notice.

The report is critical to any potential sale to a new owner deal being done.



A council spokesperson said: “The independent feasibility study for the building at Ayr Train Station is now expected to be published in February.

“The slight delay allows further time to consider how recent developments can be reflected in the study.

“When complete, the feasibility study will be published on our website.”

 



  • Bannockburn centre expansion plans submitted

A project to expand the Battle of Bannockburn Experience visitor attraction, put on hold by Covid-19, is currently the subject of a planning application.

The National Trust for Scotland is proposing to install speakers at the rotunda ‘to add soundscapes that evoke the battle and remembrance’ as well as information panels which tell the story of the 1314 battle.

The upgrade – costing £80,000 and funded from last year’s £250,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant to the visitor centre – had been due to take place in 2020 to coincide with the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, but was delayed by the pandemic.



The £9m Battle of Bannockburn Experience opened in February 2014 to mark the 700th anniversary of the battle which played a crucial role in winning Scotland’s independence.

NTS Forth Valley operations manager Cara Stewart said: “These plans will add even more to the experience here at Bannockburn and help visitors get an even better understanding of this place, the events that happened here and what they mean to our country. We are very grateful for the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this work possible.

“They continue the improvements and developments that were made to the landscape and historic monuments when the Battle of Bannockburn Experience was refreshed for the 700th anniversary of the battle in 2014.

“The key developments are the addition of speakers to the rotunda structure, which will be used to add soundscapes that evoke the battle and remembrance.



“A series of external information panels are also planned to help continue the story which is told in the visitor centre, out into the landscape.

“These are developments which were originally hoped to be in place for the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in April 2020, but unfortunately this was halted due to Covid.

“The centre also had plans for events to mark this anniversary, but these were also impossible due to the pandemic.”

 



  • Significant investment continues to offer positive projects in Fraserburgh

The north-east coastal town of Fraserburgh is continuing to see progress on a raft of town centre and community improvements despite the Covid 19 pandemic.

For several years, Aberdeenshire Council - together with public, private and third sectors - has been working hard to bring about strategic change within the physical, economic and community environments of the Broch.

The Fraserburgh Regeneration Development Partnership was formed to oversee the community-led regeneration and has played a major role in securing and developing the town as a vibrant economic and service centre.



This year saw the unveiling of the landmark Faithlie Centre on Saltoun Square following significant investment and redevelopment. Work on the project began in May 2017 to provide space for a range of council services and facilities for community and civic functions including the Fraserburgh Enterprise Hub whose officers provide free advice and support to businesses and entrepreneurs and a free-to-use workspace offering a range of support to businesses and entrepreneurs.

Another of the priorities has been the conversion of the long-time derelict and fire-damaged former John Trail bookshop into an 11-bedroom boutique hotel.

Works are progressing on a complete renovation of the building including roof and masonry repairs, replacement sash and case windows, reinstated dormer windows, replacement rainwater goods, a new extension to the rear and re-modelled interior spaces.

Just up the road, the Kirk Brae Public Realm Improvement Scheme will commence soon with works on road and paving surfaces, seating and planters ongoing. The scheme will also involve repairs to the iconic Saltoun Mausoleum & Temperance Fountain.

A number of architecturally important Fraserburgh properties are also undergoing refurbishment with support from CARS and from the business and property owners.

Fraserburgh Town Centre Conservation Area’s only A-listed building Anderson House, on the corner of Frithside street, which was designed by the prominent Aberdonian architect Archibald Simpson, will undergo complete external repair. Work begins next month on the ironmongery and joinery works, while roofing and masonry will commence in the Spring.

It is one of a several properties on Frithside Street, Broad Street, Commerce Street and High Street which are to benefit from varying degrees if external repairs including roof and window replacement and masonry repairs.

Aberdeenshire Council’s Small Grant Fund is also supporting a number of transformational projects including traditional shopfront restorations on High Street and considerable works at the much-loved Penny Schoolie which is receiving replacement windows, masonry and roofing repairs.

Elsewhere in Fraserburgh, the private sector is showcasing the critical role it has to play in reinforcing the public sector’s combined efforts in the town. There have been several new retail premises opened recently which is indicative of the positive vibe that Fraserburgh now has and testament to the hard working, resourceful and resilient community that is ‘the Broch’.

Construction of a new marine co-ordination centre at Fraserburgh harbour which will service the Moray East offshore windfarm continues apace. The multi-million pound investment in the town also features a control room, workshops, offices and berthing space for vessels supporting the 100-turbine development throughout its scheduled 25-year lifespan.

Work is also due to commence on the much-anticipated Cross Street property development on the site of the former Barbours Garage where Grampian Housing Association will be creating 26 two-bed and nine one-bed residential flats.

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