Building Briefs - November 20

The Kirkcaldy Town Centre Design and Development Framework was produced by Fife Council and forms part of the Scottish Government Pilot Planning Programme. It was launched at the conference to help deliver the objectives set out in their Town Centre Masterplanning Toolkit.

The Scottish Government were impressed with Fife’s approach in giving prominence to the multi-functional role of town centres which are represented in the Framework in a clear, concise and easily understood graphical format.

Fife Council in partnership with Kirkcaldy’s Ambitions Partnership Group, the business community and through wider public engagement adopted a fresh approach when creating the Kirkcaldy Town Centre Design and Development Framework, to envision the future role, function and appearance of the town centre as it continues to evolve and be redefined and re-focused into 4 Quarters: Social, Merchants’, Waterfront, and Cultural & Heritage quarters.

The aim is to ensure changes within Kirkcaldy Town Centre are coherent and reflect the principles of the Framework, which will enhance the identity of the Town Centre as it moves forward and develops over the next 20 years.

Cllr Neil Crooks, Chair of Kirkcaldy Area Committee, said: “The Kirkcaldy Design & Development Framework is an important document for our town. It builds on an array of existing work by hard working and committed local individuals, businesses and organisations, and presents a coherent strategy for the future of our town centre. It is one of the most easy to read strategies, and its simple, graphical approach makes sometimes confusing and complex issues understandable for all. It is this clarity of presentation, alongside the realistic ambitions expressed, that has meant the strategy has received cross party support within the Council, through its Area Committee”.

Bill Harvey, Kirkcaldy 4 All manager, added: “This is an exceptional strategy that captures the essence of what our town centre needs to be a more successful place. It sets out a vision that enables all users of the town centre to engage with. The business community within Kirkcaldy Town Centre have fed into the process during various engagement sessions. It is testament to this engagement, and to the final presentation and content of the document, that we now have a robust framework that can help drive or facilitate discussions for the delivery of future investment, at a range of project scales, within our town centre.

Your opportunity to have your say on construction procurement in Scotland

As part of the Scottish Government’s “Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction” recommendations implementation, Construction Scotland would like your views to help shape the future direction of the Scottish Construction Industry.**

The recommendations of the review report cover a wide range of issues and Construction Scotland will consider these under the key themes of:

These themes include 38 of the 66 recommendations from the construction procurement review that are being taken forward for implementation which are summarised here.

There is also the opportunity to be involved with construction industry feedback on the implementation of BIM, modern methods of construction and new and emerging technologies as part of the implementation of recommendations from the “Review of Scottish Public Sector Procurement in Construction”.

If you want to get involved then please follow this link to register your interest before 11 December 2015. You will then be contacted to participate in this vitally important debate regarding the future of the Scottish Construction Industry.

Further information is available here

AWC win gold at Miller Homes contractor of the year awards

AWC Contracts Ltd, a subcontractor for Miller Homes, has achieved the top award at the housebuilder’s annual Scottish Contractor of the Year Awards in a ceremony held at the Norton House Hotel in Edinburgh.

Falkirk-based AWC was recognised for its work on Miller Homes’ developments across Scotland.

The judges took into account various performance factors such as site manager monthly scores, calibre of staff on site, quality of workmanship, materials, paperwork, valuations and plot book sign off, customer care - both towards Miller Homes and its home buyers - and safety, health and environment.

Andrew Fergusson, production director for Miller Homes Scotland and competition judge, said: “Our Contractor of the Year Awards recognise and reward the hard work and dedication of the contracted teams working on our sites on a daily basis.

“The awards, which are now is their second year, help towards strengthen our relationships with our subcontractors and convey our genuine appreciation for good and reliable teams.

“We work alongside many excellent subcontractors and selecting the winners proved to be a difficult task.

Congratulations to AWC Contracts who stood out due to their work for Miller Homes over 10 years. AWC have shown that they are pro-active, honest, committed and their work is of a very high standard.”

Alan Wallace, Managing Director and Owner of AWC Contracts Ltd, said: “I am delighted that the work of AWC has been recognised by Miller Homes. Over 10 years of working with housebuilder’s production team in Scotland we have built up a strong relationship and it has been a great opportunity for our business.

“I would also like to thank all Miller Homes employees for creating a safe environment for our operatives to work in, giving us an excellent product to build as it makes our job so much easier and for giving us a chance to prove ourselves with a top house builder.”

R&W Joinery, Brian Ritchie and Stephen Weddell, based in Edinburgh, secured the Silver award and Stirling-based Style Decorators Ltd. took Bronze.

www.millerhomes.co.uk

FLG Services develops new lifting solutions for North Lanarkshire highway contract

Lifting equipment hire and sales service FLG Services has worked alongside Amey to help reduce manual handling risks and enhance efficiencies on work involving kerb-laying and moving heavy columns from horizontal to vertical positions.

The FLG Service Centre in Glasgow assisted Amey’s highway maintenance contract in North Lanarkshire to help solve a problem associated with lifting heavy kerbs from the back of small trucks.

Previously, kerbs were lifted with a small crane and manually handled into position, but Amey was seeking an alternative which would both enhance Health and Safety for operatives and improve productivity.

After an extensive search of the market for effective solutions, FLG Services sourced the Easygrip EXG Border Stone Handle from Probst.

Just 12kg in weight yet ultra-strong, the Easygrip mechanical grab is easily attached to a Mini Excavator to handle kerb stones. With gripping range up to 300mm and allowing a maximum load of 550kg, just one person is able to operate the grab mechanically. Amey carried out a successful trial of the Probst equipment and FLG Services invested in the product for use by Amey.

Following this success, FLG Services worked alongside Amey to provide another solution to easily and safely lift heavy round columns on-site and in yard areas from horizontal to vertical positions. An international search of innovative new products on the market led to FLG Services importing equipment from Germany.

David Black Amey’s Account Director for North Lanarkshire said: “The fact that FLG Services were able to provide specific equipment to meet our lifting needs demonstrates the close relationship we have with our supply chain and our joint commitment to safety. We are delighted with the solutions offered and all three of the new FLG products are now on long-term hire with Amey.”

Go-ahead for 35 new Dundee homes at Claverhouse

Dundee councillors have approved a £5m plan to build 35 new homes at Barns of Claverhouse.

The development is proposed for a former factory, office and yard. It is proposed that the derelict factory is demolished and the site cleared to make way for the new homes, communal spaces and a play park.

The developers have said a mix of houses would be created and they hope to create a village green-like space.