Building Briefs – June 15th

• New showhome concept for CALA Homes (West)

The homebuilder has linked up with Danish interiors brand BoConcept to furnish its new townhouse showhomes – debuting the results at its latest development, Gilchrist Gardens in Erskine.

A series of videos marking the new tie-in have been released, showcasing the two brand-new housetypes at Gilchrist Gardens – and their interiors – in all their glory.

BoConcept worked alongside renowned interior designer Eileen Kesson, of Envision, to bring the two new townhouses to life. The partnership will continue for similar showhomes at CALA’s Jordanhill Park development, as well as its Jocelin Gardens development in Bishopbriggs, both of which have showhomes due to launch this year.

The short films of the four-bedroom Colonsay and three-bedroom Bowden at the 195-home development in Erskine, demonstrate the versatility of the stunning three-storey homes, with interiors commentary from Eileen as well as Matthew Kitson of BoConcept.

• Plans lodged to convert Aboyne B&B into home

Plans have been lodged to convert a bed and breakfast in Aboyne into a home.

Proposals submitted to Aberdeenshire Council seek permission for the change of use of the premises at Struan Hall, Ballater Road, from Class 7, a bed and breakfast, to Class 9, a dwelling house.

The site covers an area of 2,736 square metres.

Planning documents submitted as part of the application state: “The rear cottage building has already been granted residential use although subject to a planning condition forbidding the sale of the cottage separately from the main house.”

• Allanwater Homes announces launch of new Stirling development

Allanwater Homes has announced the launch of a new development at Maitland Crescent in Stirling.

The family-run housebuilder, which sees its parent company Allanwater Developments celebrate forty years of successful operation this year, has been buoyed by securing a number of sales at various developments across Scotland during the lockdown period.

With the market slowly coming back to life, it has decided to press on with a planned 2020 expansion and launch the new Stirling development, to be called simply Allanwater Stirling.

All properties at the new development, constructed with the very latest energy efficient materials, will offer the occupants reduced running costs, as well as having numerous features and benefits. 

With signage already in place, a sales cabin will open on site in the next few weeks, with a stunning showhome and marketing suite complex expected to be launched in the late Autumn. First completions at the new development are likely to be in early 2021.

In January of this year, Allanwater Homes became the first Scottish housebuilder to debut the new range of Michel Roux Jr Kitchens from top supplier Moores, in the new showhome at the Silver Glen development in Alva.

Also planned to launch this year, or early 2021, are additional new developments in Haddington in East Lothian, and Chryston, near Glasgow. Both are brand new geographic areas for Allanwater.

• New guidance issued on protecting ladder users from coronavirus

New guidance from the Ladder Association is helping managers keep ladder users safe during the coronavirus outbreak, whether they’re attending a ladder training course or using ladders in the workplace.

The industry body has offered its advice on the challenges being faced by those responsible for the health and safety of ladder users as they plan a return to work.

In a new guidance document released free-of-charge to the industry, the Ladder Association delves into issues such as how long the virus lasts on ladders, how rescue plans will be affected and how workers can minimise the risk of the virus spreading through proper cleaning of equipment and materials, particularly if they have been handled by multiple people.

Importantly, it includes advice on how workers can maintain physical distancing while using ladders, with a focus on two activities that need to be considered carefully: stabilising a ladder and raising a ladder.

• Applications sought from Kincardine and Mearns for Coastal Communities Fund

Applications are being sought from coastal communities in the Kincardine and Mearns area for a share of monies from the Scottish Government’s Coastal Communities Fund.

As part of the devolution settlement following the Scottish Independence Referendum, revenue generated from the Crown Estate’s marine assets within inshore waters now accrues to the Scottish Government, which in turn, devolved a proportion of it to the 32 local authorities.

Revenue is generated from activity such as licensing for offshore wind farms, oil and gas pipelines and aquaculture leases.

Aberdeenshire Council’s allocation totals £328,314, with each of the authority’s four area committees with coastlines having £12,500 to directly support local projects and initiatives.

One of the key criteria for funding is that the site of the project or the community must lie within one mile of Aberdeenshire’s coastline.

Examples of settlements which could be eligible include Findon, Portlethen, Newtonhill, Muchalls, Stonehaven, Catterline, Kinneff, Inverbervie, Gourdon, Johnshaven and St Cyrus.

As sites are specifically included, however, applications will be considered for projects taking place at coastal locations outwith any particular settlement. 

Applications are being invited from groups or organisations representing communities of interest as well as more general areas such as wildlife or the environment, arts or wellbeing.

The funds must be able to be spent and claimed by March 31, 2021 and there will be no opportunity to extend this deadline. 

• Aberdeenshire Council welcomes successful Spaces for People submission

Aberdeenshire Council has been successful in its £310,000 project bid to ensure people are able to safely access services in town centres while maintaining physical distancing.

Following constructive discussions with Sustrans – which administers the £30 million fund in behalf of the Scottish Government - Aberdeenshire Council’s submission was successful.

The funding will cover 100% of the cost of these temporary infrastructure projects to provide safe walking, wheeling and cycling as the lockdown is eased.

Immediate priority is to be given to the North-east town centres in Banchory, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Inverurie, Peterhead and Stonehaven.

The local authority is continuing to engage on its initial proposals with councillors, business associations, business improvement districts, community councils, bus operators and emergency services.

The proposals are still being developed and will be shared more widely once they are at a more advanced state.

Implementation of the proposals will create additional spaces for pedestrians to observe physical distancing for the foreseeable future in town centres as they begin to reopen.

• Housing plans for Stonehaven guest house

A guest house near Stonehaven could be converted into homes after the oil crisis and creation of the AWPR severely hampered trade.

The Lairhillock Lodge was built in 2009 and offered a base just outside Aberdeen from which tourists could explore the area.

Documents submitted by THE Architecture and Planning on behalf of Jerry Ironside, who has been the owner since 2010, say the works involved could “support jobs in the construction industry at a critical time”.