Building Briefs - November 9th

• Fotheringham Homes wins Show Home of the Year

The showhome, which is one of 26 properties making up this impressive development, was designed in collaboration with Aberdeenshire based The Inside Story, Interior Design and Styling. It was named the best in category at this year’s ceremony which was broadcast live on Friday 30th October from the DoubleTree by Hilton Ballroom in Glasgow by comedian Des Clarke. 

Director Michael Fotheringham said: “We are delighted to have won this much sought after award in a category with some of the biggest names in housebuilding from across Scotland.

“At Fotheringham Homes we pride ourselves on our beautifully crafted homes and the exceptional standard of finish which is our trademark. The Esk really captures this perfectly so it’s great to get that recognition at national level.“

• Ayrshire Housing completes latest development of 27 flats

Ayrshire Housing has just completed its latest development of 27 flats close to the centre of Ayr. 

The two blocks of flats replace a derelict former residential home in Elba Street. The £4 million scheme was built by CCG to designs by Ayr-based architects LMA.

Much of the buildings’ structure was built off-site in CCG’s own factory in Cambuslang. This has guaranteed excellent standards of insulation and air tightness, and general build quality.

Twelve of the flats are managed in partnership with the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership to meet the needs of its clients. The Association said it was also pleased to have assisted South Ayrshire Council in the rehousing of tenants from the nearby multi-storey flats which are scheduled for replacement by new housing.

• Aberdeen begins consultation into 99-home development

A public consultation has started into plans to build 99 new council homes in Aberdeen.

The consultation is being held from the Proposal of Application Notice submitted to Aberdeen City Council on July 24.

The Craighill site development is one of several sites across Aberdeen that form part of the wider Aberdeen City Council Housing Programme 2020 aiming to address a long-term shortage of affordable social rented housing in the city.

The Craighill development aims to have 99 units of varying size and type alongside associated shared surface streetscape, parking and both public and private amenity and open spaces. A generous proportion of the units will be wheelchair accessible.

The proposal aspires to create a new pedestrian focussed neighbourhood with placemaking at the heart of the design ethos. The aim is for the newly formed residential streets to provide an environment in which people can safely interact with each other and take pleasure in their surroundings. The combination of buildings, street and open space should create local identity and positively contribute to the character of the community.

The vision of the Aberdeen City Council Housing Programme is to create sustainable integrated communities and places, delivering affordable homes designed for life, which meet citizens’ current and changing needs, supporting the wellbeing and resilience of our tenants.

The public consultation closes on December 2.

• Green light for Montrose affordable housing development

Angus Council has received planning approval to build 10 new affordable council houses for rent in Montrose.

Situated on land previously used by the Rosehill Resource Centre, this new project in Coronation Way will be another valuable addition to social rented accommodation in Montrose. This project is partly funded by the Scottish Government.

The site, which will comprise of a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties, will have its own access from Forties Road. Not only will these new spacious homes provide families with safe, secure tenancies, they will be low-cost to heat and run, thanks to high levels of energy efficiency built into the design.

The development will fit into its surroundings by incorporating sympathetic design features such as part brick boundary facings, and wildflower meadows along the roadside. Existing trees on the site will be retained where possible, with additional native species being planted too.

• Council reveals housing plans for Garnock Valley

North Ayrshire Council has confirmed plans for housing regeneration in the Garnock Valley.

The local authority is set to demolish 48 flats and invest in brand new high-quality housing.  Historically there has been little or no demand for these flats, as the type of housing no longer meets the aspirations of applicants.

The flats across Beith, Dalry and Kilbirnie have been earmarked for demolition as part of the council’s strategic approach to investing in neighbourhoods. The vacated sites will be utilised for new housing where possible, additional parking provision or open landscaping.

The existing tenants will have a single point of contact at the council who will support them to move to a new property.

To further minimise the impact of these proposals on existing tenants, the council will provide removal services free of charge, as well as compensating the households with a home loss payment.