Building Briefs – October 17th

Construction workers in Dundee have undergone potentially lifesaving training in emergency life support last week.

Robertson Tayside subcontractors attended the first of a number of free sessions planned by the infrastructure firm, with trainers from Heartstart Discovery introducing them to techniques that can help prevent devastating outcomes.

Held at Coldside Primary – part of Robertson’s multi-million pound North East Campus project – the two-hour session included how to care for an unconscious person, how to administer CPR, how to recognise the signs of a heart attack and how to help someone who is choking or badly bleeding.

Once completed, Robertson’s North East Campus will include two new schools plus a nursery, with work expected to be completed by summer 2018.

Councillors reject plans for 247 homes in Laurencekirk

Proposals to build 247 new homes in Laurencekirk have been rejected by Aberdeenshire Council.

Councillors on the Kincardine and Mearns area committee cited concerns of housing density and the layout of roads for the plan at Fordoun Road.

The councillors also said the development would have a detrimental impact on the town’s open space, as well as failing to comply with the approved masterplan for the area.

A spokesman for Barratt Scotland Developments said the decision was “very disappointing”.

Members of Kincardine and Mearns Community Council had put forward objections to the plans, saying construction of the homes will create too much build up of traffic in the area.

Douglas McLeod, regional managing director for Barratt Scotland Developments, said: “We are very disappointed with the committee’s decision, especially in light of the current housing demand for affordable and private homes…which this application sought to address.

“We will wait for the decision notice to be issued and then review our position.”

Public show for Inverness link road option

In a couple of weeks, local residents and road users will have the opportunity to view the preferred route option for the Inshes to Smithton road scheme.

The proposed route for the new single carriageway linking the A9 and A96 trunk roads east of Inverness can be viewed at Inshes Church on 31 October and Smithton-Culloden Free Church on 1 November 2017.

Details of the public exhibitions:

For further information on the A9 / A96 Inshes to Smithton scheme, and to view the exhibition material online (available from 12 noon on 31 October) see our project pages.

Official opening for newly refurbished Borders care home

The Scottish Borders Health and Social Care Partnership and SB Cares have officially opened the doors to the new premises of the Community Equipment Service in Tweedbank.

The recently completed refurbishments to Waverley Care Home in Galashiels have also been unveiled.

Both facilities received funding from the Health and Social Care Partnership to achieve the transformations.

As a result of the refurbishment it has undergone, Waverley now provides a fit for the future care home provision of 10 long stay beds as well as a new 16 bed transitional care facility.

The Community Equipment Service (formerly Borders Ability Equipment Service) now operates from a state of the art facility that has been designed to ensure ability equipment is cleaned and recycled to the highest possible standard in as short a time as possible. This means that equipment can be returned for use in the community without delay. The building also contains an industrial washer/disinfector, improved welfare facilities for staff, a larger warehouse for increased stock holding and a public space for demonstrating equipment.

SPEN begins electricity improvement projects in Lanarkshire

SP Energy Networks has started work on a number of electricity upgrade projects in Lanarkshire.

The company is working to connect Middle Muir and Kype Muir Windfarms to the region’s transmission network and both schemes are scheduled to be completed in 2018.

A total of 24km of underground cables will be fitted over the coming months. Both Middle Muir Windfarm and Kype Muir Windfarm are under construction and will be connected into Coalburn Substation, to the south of Lesmahagow.

In addition, construction work is under way in Wishaw at one of the transmission network’s key substations as part of SP Energy Networks’ reinforcement and investment programme. The scheme involves a sizeable extension to the existing substation footprint which will allow the reconfiguration of the equipment.

RES appeals wind farm decision

An energy firm has appealed against the refusal of a 14-turbine wind farm in Galloway.

RES was refused permission for the Annabaglish project earlier this year.

Dumfries and Galloway councillors said that they were concerned about the impact of the project on the local landscape.

Dundee apprentice named one of country’s best decorators

A Dundee apprentice has won the regional finals of a national competition to find the country’s most promising decorating talents.

Declan Collins, from Valgreen Court, is one of eight finalists in the UK’s Crown Trade Apprentice Decorator of the Year contest.

He will now represent Scotland at the Skills Show at Birmingham’s NEC in November, where he will battle for the title of Crown Trade Apprentice of the Year. Victory in the competition could net him a prize of £1,000.

There’s also £500 for second place and £250 for third.

As well as studying at Dundee and Angus College, Declan is employed by Dundee City Council’s construction department.