Building Briefs – May 28th

Perth-based housebuilder Stephen has won a prestigious award for its role in what will ultimately become Scotland’s largest new town.

The family firm was presented with the ‘Private Development of the Year’ (small) Commendation at the Homes for Scotland Awards 2018.

The Commendation, in respect of 20 cottages the firm is creating at Chapelton, Aberdeenshire, was presented at the HFS Annual Lunch in Edinburgh on Friday 25 May 2018.

The two and three bedroom semi and detached cottages set in attractive courtyards complement the firm’s range of two to six bedroom homes, many of which are already occupied.

Enhancing the immediate local area, access to the courtyards has been designed to be private, with hidden parking while still allowing open views to the courtyards from the adjacent residential street. The landscape design of each south facing courtyard has been given special attention to give them their own individual charm and character providing seasonal interest and intimate seating areas.

Dunoon Queens Hall on track for summer opening

Dunoon’s Queens Hall is on track to host its first public event on Saturday, July 28, after a £12 million project to transform the historic building.

Argyll and Bute Council’s policy and resources committee heard that the work being carried out by contractors McLaughlin & Harvey is progressing well on the ambitious project, which is part of the £30m ‘CHORD’ programme to assist regeneration and economic development the five waterfront towns of Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon.

The Queens Hall’s main auditorium has been completely refurbished to include retractable seating, new lighting and audio visual facilities and the ability to divide the area for different functions. A new café and catering facilities will be provided, with the flexibility to cater for a variety of events including weddings, exhibitions and meetings.

A fitness and training suite will be on site and the building will also house the new library and the offices of Skills Development Scotland. Additionally, a children’s soft play area is included, with a new road layout and public realm enhancing the marine access to Dunoon town centre, Cowal and the National Park beyond.

A concert by ABBA Mania on July 28 will be the first public event at the venue since it closed for refurbishment in 2015, and it will be swiftly followed by a sold-out performance by The Proclaimers on Friday, August 3.

Builders merchants sales growth continues upward trend in Q1 2018

The latest data released in the BMF’s Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) confirms total Q1 2018 sales were up 0.4% on Q1 2017.

Quarterly growth was driven by Timber (+2.3%), alongside Plumbing and Heating (+8.0%), Kitchens and Bathrooms (+3.6%), Ironmongery (+2.1%), and Decorating (+1.2%) - all suggesting that work stayed inside due to the poor weather.

The Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) tracks builders’ merchants’ actual sales to builders and contractors using GfK’s Builders’ Merchant Point of Sale Tracking Data. The BMBI represents over 80% of the value of the builders’ merchants’ market.