Building Briefs - November 11th
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- London & Scottish buys Howden site in Braehead
London & Scottish Property Investment Management (LSPIM) has acquired the 11-acre industrial site occupied by Howden engineering in Braehead for £7.1 million.
With an annual rent of £763,000 (£3.73/sq. ft.) and 4.3 years to run on the lease, the price reflects a net initial yield of 10.1% after acquisition costs have been taken into account. Inglis Howie advised on the acquisition.
The 204,414 sq ft manufacturing and warehousing facility on Old Govan Road dates from the 1960s, but since taking it over in 1982, Howden has extended and developed it to accommodate large-scale manufacturing. It now comprises five interlinked warehouses, with eaves heights ranging from eight metres to 17 metres, and houses 15 heavy-duty cranes. In addition to the industrial units, the site has 18,337 sq ft of ancillary office accommodation over the ground and first floors as well as 230 parking spaces.
The area immediately surrounding the Howden site has witnessed a lot of residential development in recent years in addition to commercial, industrial and retail activity. Nearby is the Intu Shopping Centre at Braehead, which provides 370,000 sq ft of retail space. To the south on the other side of the M8 motorway lies Hillington, Scotland’s largest business park. At over 2.3 million sq ft, it accommodates over 500 organisations employing over 5,000 people.
Businesses on the park have focused on manufacturing and engineering, but more recently there has been growth in high-tech and urban logistics companies.
- Scottish Government commits to £500m bus priority infrastructure investment
The Scottish Government is continuing its programme of investment for over £500 million in bus priority infrastructure.
The Bus Partnership Fund will support local authorities, in partnership with bus operators, to tackle the negative impact of congestion on bus services so that bus journeys are quicker and more reliable – encouraging more people to travel by bus.
The Bus Partnership Fund will complement the new powers in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019. It will enable local authorities, in partnership with bus operators, to work together to develop and deliver ambitious schemes that incorporate bus priority measures to tackle the negative impacts of congestion. In doing so, this will make bus use more attractive, increasing bus usage and patronage, which in turn leads to greater investment and better services.
Work had been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Programme for Government published in September reaffirmed the commitment to this funding programme as a key part of Scotland’s green recovery.
- Proposal to establish trial transport ‘multi-hub’ at Musselburgh approved
A proposal to establish a trial of a ‘multi-hub’ at the Brunton, Musselburgh, as the first in a potential network of interlinked transport interchanges located across East Lothian was approved at yesterday’s cabinet meeting.
The pilot project will look at the viability of transport multi-hubs which are designed to encourage the use of active and sustainable transport as an alternative to the private car.
Environment spokesperson, Cllr Norman Hampshire, said: “The overall concept is for a network of multi-modal transport interchanges (multi-hubs) linked by regular bus and/or train services which will be connected by attractive paths for cycling and walking and supported by other transport facilities, such as car clubs, bike hire and car charging, to make travel options convenient, reliable and affordable.
“The introduction of ‘multi-hubs’ will provide alternatives to private car use in local communities and making it easier to combine a range of sustainable travel options to plan journeys. The council will work with public transport service providers to introduce journey planning apps including the provision of real-time bus information. If there is a period of waiting for a connection the multi-hub facilities will include a seating area and wi-fi to ease the wait.
“The multi-hubs are innovative introductions that are being planned to include future sustainable options including eBike hire and charge points and future accommodation of electric buses and reflect the views of many local communities to provide viable options to private car usage.
“Preparatory work will begin on establishing the pilot project at The Brunton in Musselburgh this year but it’s acknowledged that current travel restrictions, including guidance around minimising the use of public transport, during the pandemic will delay the implementation of the new hub. Discussions have already started with SEStrans and Paths for All regarding funding opportunities.”
- Bright future for Perthshire LED lighting firm
A Perthshire firm which specialises in LED lighting has continued its expansion into the public sector after securing a major contract in the Borders.
Blairgowrie-based OCAD LED won a six-week, six-figure contract to deliver energy efficient lighting for Scottish Borders Council through the Scottish Government Non Domestic Energy Efficiency Framework.
The latest project, which follows a large contract for NHS Forth Valley, includes fitting LED replacement lighting at venues including leisure centres, schools, swimming pools and artificial grass multi-sports pitches.
- New East Lothian sustainable procurement policy approved
East Lothian Council has approved a proposal to produce and implement a revised and updated Sustainable Procurement Policy.
The main objective of the new policy is to ensure that goods and services are procured ethically and responsibly, from ethical and sustainable sources, including through the supply chain and sub-contractors.
Depute council leader, Norman Hampshire, said: “East Lothian Council spends approximately £140 million every year on goods, services and works. It is therefore extremely important that we look at appropriate ways that additional social, environmental and economic benefits can be delivered to East Lothian through our procurement exercises.”
“A key factor in our updated Sustainable Procurement Policy is the recognition of environmental impact and climate change. Through the purchase of required goods and services we must take into account how this can support the reduction of the council’s environmental impact, including carbon emissions, and improving sustainability wherever possible. East Lothian Council’s Climate Change Strategy, which was approved and launched earlier in 2020, sets out our commitment to achieving this through both internal activities such as replacing fleet vehicles with ultra low emission vehicles, and our work with partners.
“The policy also identifies ways in which procurement can improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of East Lothian by linking to local improvement actions set out in the Local Area Partnerships’ Area Plans. This will involve the inclusion of specific clauses where appropriate within contracts known as community benefits clauses (CBCs) and will enable us to obtain tangible benefits where possible to support our local communities.
“It is clear during the current pandemic how important is the continuity and delivery of local services. This will be considerably strengthened by the adoption of sustainable procurement practices that will benefit our local communities whilst also minimising damage to the environment.”
The Sustainable Procurement Policy has been developed with input and feedback from Zero Waste Scotland through its capacity building mentoring programme undertaken by ProCirc, a European consortium of 11 partners, representing both public authorities and research institutes.
The council will undertake regular assessment and monitor progress against the resulting Action Plan. The Sustainable Procurement Policy, Best Practice Guidance and Action Plan will be reviewed (and updated) where appropriate, on an annual basis.
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