Building Briefs – November 16th

Portakabin has stepped in to help Carnoustie Golf Links after plans to rebuild its current premises ahead of hosting the Open Championship in July 2018 meant that the club would be short of facilities.

Construction work on the new state-of-the-art golf practice and training facility, which will also feature a new bar and restaurant overlooking the golf course, began in February 2017.The new building will provide visitors and members with a centralised hub whilst celebrating the rich golfing history of Carnoustie.

As the construction work involved partial demolition of the current site, an interim solution was needed to house Carnoustie’s pro shop, golf services and caddie master. To maintain the links’ outstanding reputation in the region, only Portakabin could deliver a solution with the quality the club needed.

Construction work on site is due to complete in the New Year ahead of the Championship in July 2018.

Plans approved for 24-hour drive-thru fast food restaurant in Aberdeen

Developers have been told they can build a drive-thru fast food restaurant that will open round the clock.

Kemble Estates asked Aberdeen City Council for permission to open the restaurant at the former Peugeot showroom on Broadfold Road – next to the existing McDonald’s restaurant in Bridge of Don.

A similar bid fell through last year after council officers expressed concerns over traffic but those behind the project successfully argued that traffic management is an enforcement issue.

Bridge of Don Community Council had objected to the previous application but said traffic concerns had since been addressed.

Ministers seek ‘additional reassurance’ on fire safety of high-rise buildings

The ministerial task group set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster is to seek “additional reassurance” from local authorities with regard to the safety of high rise buildings.

The group wants specific analysis of high rise domestic properties and non domestic high rise buildings with sleeping accommodation pre-2005, when building regulations relating to the fire safety of cladding systems were strengthened to meet stringent fire tests.

Confirmation of the additional reassurance measures came in an update on Post Grenfell high-rise safety assessment put to the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

In a statement to Holyrood, communities secretary and task group member Angela Constance MSP said the recently commissioned inventory of domestic high-rise buildings over 18 metres, which will include construction type and fire safety features, is expected to be complete by next Spring.

“We will then consider how it can be maintained in the future,” the minster added.

Everwarm awarded heating contract for Loreburn Housing Association

Loreburn Housing Association is currently undertaking energy efficiency improvements to a number of their properties in the Dalbeattie area of Scotland.

The Association chose to award the heating replacement element of those works to Everwarm Ltd in-line with its 1st place ranking on the WS3 framework.

Everwarm will be tasked with the removal of existing low efficiency electrical heating systems, and replacement with new A rated gas fuelled heating systems. To ensure this programme gets off to the best start, and the community are positively engaged from the outset, Everwarm have already held a tenant information day.

Feedback from those attending was very positive and Everwarm said it looks forward to working with Loreburn Housing Association and the Woodside Court community to help increase affordable warmth for the long term.

Former Dundee office building to be converted into antique store

Plans have been approved to convert a former office building in Dundee into an antique centre.

The building at 26 Foundry Lane will be redeveloped to allow the repair, storage, valuation and sale of antiques, historical artefacts and historic furnishings.

Lynne Short, convener of the council’s city development committee, said: “This part of the city is undergoing something of a refresh with new hotels being created, the Reading Rooms planning a revamp and the on-going popularity of the shops at the Gallagher Retail Park.

“The New Olympia acts as a magnet for people to go in that direction and with visitors staying in the area when the hotels are completed there will be a bit of a buzz about that end of town that will be good to see.

“A charging hub for electric vehicles is also on the cards that will help to liven up a historic and interesting part of the city.”