Building Briefs – June 12th

• Works at two of Skye’s most iconic tourist sites to restart after lockdown eased

Highland Council’s pathworks project at Old Man of Storr, managed in association with OATS, is due to re-start on June 22.

The works on the construction of toilet facilities at the Fairy Pools car park, near Glenbrittle, a project independently run and managed by OATS in partnership with the Minginish Community Hall Association (MCHA), has already resumed.

Principal contractor for the renovation of 600m of the existing path to the Old Man of Storr, McGowan Ltd from Aviemore, had previously made good progress before lockdown, with the majority of path material bagged and ready for helicopter lift onto the hillside.

Once the material has been lifted into the affected areas then works can commence to make the path fit for visitors and reduce the erosion and vegetation loss that has slowly been progressing over the years.

The works at Old Man of Storr are being project managed by Highland Council’s Property Team, working alongside OATS. McGowan Ltd has submitted its proposals for safe working, encompassing social distancing, following guidance relating to COVID-19.

The Storr path renovation project is funded by both the Rural, Tourism & Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) and Scottish Government Rural Payments & Inspections Directorate (SGRPID).

The Fairy Pools car park development is an independent project being run by OATS in collaboration with the car park’s landowner, MCHA. 

Principal contractor for the toilet block at The Fairy Pools car park, James McQueen, from Crossal, Isle of Skye, also working safely to COVID-19 guidelines, are currently in the process of installing an off-grid sewage system and processing tank with sufficient capacity for 200,000 annual visitors. OATS expect that the toilets will be fully operational, alongside the recently completed 140 spaces car park [closed at present], by mid-July 2020. 

Funds were raised for the Fairy Pools project from a range of sources. The car park, phase one, was funded by LEADER, Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise; together with funds raised by OATS and MCHA. RTIF and OATS have funded the toilet block, phase two of the project.

• Work re-starts on new Madras College

Fife Council has announced that construction work will re-start at the Madras College site with immediate effect, whilst maintaining social distancing measures.

This will complete all remaining parts of the project, to allow full occupation of the facility for the start of academic year 2021/2022.

Cllr Fay Sinclair, convener of education and children’s services committee, said: “I’m pleased to see construction work re-starting on the new Madras College as understandably locals were worried the planned opening date would not be met.

“We’re conscious that any delays to the completion date would impact significantly on the whole school community. By re-starting these works now, we can do everything possible to mitigate these delays and achieve an August 2021 opening date.”

The Madras site team have completed the planning and preparation phases as set out in the nationally agreed Construction Re-Start Model, so work can now re-start safely.

The contractor has produced a revised programme, which includes the social distancing measures being followed for the foreseeable future. They will need to work to tight timescales but are confident they can handover the building in summer 2021. This is likely to require Saturday working for the rest of the project.

• Union Plaza gains gold status for digital connectivity

Union Plaza has become the first office building in Aberdeen to be awarded the Wired Certification Gold Rating in recognition of its digital connectivity and infrastructure.

WiredScore is an international scheme that rates a building’s infrastructure, connectivity and technological capacity.

The gold rating is achieved by office buildings which have been designed to incorporate reliable, flexible connectivity features that meet and exceed tenants’ digital requirements.

The building recently underwent an extensive £1.75 million refurbishment in response to demand for more flexible, high quality workspaces in Aberdeen city centre.

The refurbishment included a new business lounge at reception, flexible meeting rooms and break-out areas to create ultra-modern and multi-purpose working spaces. It also included investment in Union Plaza’s digital infrastructure so that it not only meets current hi-tech requirements but will continue to do so well into the future.

• Supermarket chain set for North East Glasgow retail park

Discount grocery retailer Lidl is planning to open a store in Robroyston.

The shop is proposed for two empty units at Robroyston Retail Park.

The premises were most recently occupied by B&M Stores but they recently moved into the larger neighbouring unit previously occupied by Homebase.

Lidl has applied for planning permission to make changes to the frontage of the building.

The store will have eight aisles and a sales floor area of just over 1,400 square metres.