Building Briefs – June 3rd

A £6.7 million housing complex in Glasgow has been shortlisted for the prestigious Saltire Society Housing Design Awards in the Innovation category.

The Bellrock Close development, run by the charity Scottish Veterans Residences, has been helping veterans who struggle with civilian life since it opened in Glasgow in October last year.

Designed by MAST Architects of Glasgow, Bellrock Close is a unique project which combines high quality, energy efficient and adaptable temporary housing for veterans with specially designed support facilities including an IT Suite, Training Rooms, Gym, Sensory Garden and a community cafe run.

Plans for 179 council homes on Aberdeen agenda

New developments with a total of 179 new council houses could be built in Aberdeen with the prospect of more to come, according to reports.

The former Smithfield School site has been earmarked for 99 units and Manor Walk for 80.

Both would be used for a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom flats and houses.

The city council’s finance convener Willie Young said plans had been tabled after the Scottish Government agreed to chip in.

Costs are being kept under wraps but the two projects are believed to total around £30 million. Three quarters is expected to come from the housing revenue account and the rest from the government.

The committee will be asked to sign off the budget on June 9 and community consultation is to take place on the design layout.

Crichton church crypt visitor centre plans are revealed

Plans have been revealed to create a visitor centre in the crypt of the memorial church on the Crichton Estate in Dumfries.

It is part of the latest investment and development strategy for the university and business complex.

The Crichton Trust and its associated development company have identified two priority projects for the next year.

One includes the creation of a visitor centre in the crypt of the church along with a proposed repair programme. It is part of plans to increase the use of the building.

The other key project is the redevelopment of the south wing of the Easterbrook Hall which used to be a hydrotherapy suite.

It will involve the reinstatement of the pool as part of the development of a spa, bar and restaurant.

The combined cost of the two schemes is £809,000.

Permission is being sought to utilise £650,000 in capital funding previously committed by the council for the development of the campus.

The Crichton Trust said it will fund the shortfall and any future increase in project costs.

Aberdeen City Council takes enforcement action at Broadford Works

Aberdeen City Council has asked for 24-hour security to be put in place at the Broadford Works following a recent spate of unlawful entry and fire-raising incidents.

A Dangerous Building Notice, under the terms of the Building (Scotland) Act 2003, has been served on the site owner - including a key requirement to provide round-the-clock security patrols.

The notice also calls for security improvements to be made at various points around the perimeter of the site, on Maberly Street, Ann Street, Hutcheon Street and George Street, to deter unauthorised access.

A number of measures will be required to improve safety inside the complex, including the blocking of open lift shafts. Warning signs will also have to be erected.

The notice has statutory dates to be met otherwise the city council will complete this work. The 24-hour site security requires to be put in place by 9 June and all other work to be completed by 29 June.

Link completes new affordable housing in Granton

Link Group Ltd’s new affordable housing development at Shortbread Court, Granton has been officially opened by the City of Edinburgh Council’s housing convener, councillor Cammy Day.

The £2.9 million construction of 27 homes for intermediate rent commenced in November 2013, using £767,000 funding from the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, which is managed by the council on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Built by Queensberry Properties Ltd (Cruden Homes East Scotland) the properties consist of one-and two-bedroom flats and meet Link design standards for affordable housing. Each home has gas central heating and hot water systems, high thermal insulation and double glazing to create warm, comfortable and energy-efficient homes that will be easy and economical to run.

Earlier this year, Link completed two further developments at The Mooring, Ratho and Forthquarter, Granton and is currently building another 158 properties for social and intermediate rent (at City Park and Balmwell Terrace) the first of which will be completed by March 2016.

Council homes set for Moray health centre site

The former health centre in Forres is to be demolished to make way for council housing after Moray Council purchased the site from NHS Grampian.

As part of the conditions of sale, carried out with the help of funding from the Scottish Government, the council is required to demolish the existing building within nine months.

Preparations are being made for the submission of a planning application to develop the site for 12 one-bedroom flats with on-site car parking. Subject to funding, a start could be made on site later this year.

Mortonhall baby ashes memorial gets green light

Plans for a memorial to infants at the centre of the Mortonhall baby ashes scandal have been given the green light by councillors.

The garden with a circular walled garden in the grounds of Mortonhall crematorium is expected to be completed by November this year.

Parents were asked to choose between four different designs.

The pond originally proposed will be replaced with a stone water feature due to safety fears.

It will include beech hedges, birch trees, a stone ball water feature, rocks, a pathway and seating and will be located off the existing memorial walkway not far from the main chapel.

A second memorial is to be built in Princes Street Gardens as some families had strong views that they did not wish to return to Mortonhall.

Provost opens £8.2m council housing development in Irvine

North Ayrshire Council’s largest ever affordable housing development has been formally opened by Provost Joan Sturgeon.

The £8.2 million John Galt development in Irvine features 80 high quality new homes including properties for older people, wheelchair users and families with specialist requirements.

The project marks the latest phase of the council’s ambitious housing programme, reaffirming its commitment to providing the highest quality accommodation to meet the needs of local residents – a key aspect of the council’s Local Housing Strategy.

A total of eight trainees and two apprentice joiners were taken on by the contractor Cruden Buildings and Renewals over the course of the project.

North Ayrshire Council received £3.68m in Scottish Government funding for the development, following a successful bid to the National Housing Grant Subsidy.

The homes incorporate a number of sustainable and energy efficient elements, as well as design features that support independent living. These include:

The development has already achieved BREEAM’s ‘EcoHomes – Very Good’ accreditation and also Scottish Building Standards ‘Bronze’ award for sustainability.

New £3.7m playground completed in Ayr

A new £3.7 million playground in Ayr has been completed.

The facilities at Belleisle Park includes wooden frame swings, slides, wind chime orbs, zip slider and other equipment.

Over the next few months the landscaped area will feature picnic areas along with wheelchair friendly wooden seating and tables.

Funding to create the new play facility came from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund.

The design of the area was created via input from the local community.

£750k revamp for Inverness offices

An Inverness office building is poised for a £750,000 revamp after being bought out of receivership recently.

The Green House business venue was acquired for £1 million by developer Henry Dow and his daughter Julie Lister, who have placed the refurbishment contract with construction firm Compass.

Perth and Kinross Council plans major bridge repairs

A listed Perthshire bridge is to be repaired by Perth and Kinross Council.

Straloch Bridge, over Allt Fearnach, forms part of the transport link between Blairgowrie and Pitlochry. It carries the A924 road over the river in single file.

The council has applied for Listed Building Consent (LCB) and, following a detailed inspection, has outlined the work required to halt ongoing deterioration and make the bridge structurally safe.

Lime-based materials will be used during the works, in accordance with Historic Scotland listed building consent conditions.

The works have been planned to take advantage of low water levels over the summer.