Building Briefs – October 3rd

A real-time video networking business has become the latest tenant to move into office space in Leith.

Ajenta has taken a 5,200 sq. ft. suite at Commercial Quay, becoming the fourth new tenant to move to the property within the last 12 months following Royal Haskoning, Inova Geophysical and Duthus Technologies.

The property, which is located in the heart of Leith’s commercial district between Ocean Terminal and The Shore, is a former bonded warehouse with a number of high profile leisure and restaurants on the ground floor - including Michelin-starred The Kitchin - with a range of refurbished office suites on the upper floors.

Bilfinger GVA and Ryden advised Blackstone, the owners of Commercial Quay, while Ajenta were unrepresented.

Sod cut as Borders primary school works begin

The youngest and oldest pupils at Broomlands Primary played a part in marking the start of work on the new £9.7 million school in Kelso today.

Sophia Bernie and Brodie Lawson cut the first sods for the new school, which will be built by McLaughlin and Harvey and is expected to open in 2018.

The new school, which has a roll of around 250 pupils, will have new 12 classrooms, early years centre, a new games hall/dining room and upgraded playground.

McLaughlin and Harvey is currently working with Scottish Borders Council on the construction of Langlee Primary School in Galashiels, which is due to open in 2018.

Progress celebrated at Irvine’s new housing development

A multi-million social pound housing development in Bourtreehill officially got underway last week.

Provost Ian Clarkson joined local councillors and officers from North Ayrshire Council to celebrate the progress of the £4.5 million housing project on the site of the former Fencedyke Primary School.

The works will see 34 high quality, affordable homes erected for North Ayrshire’s residents comprising 23 general needs homes, nine amenity homes that promote independent living for the older population and two wheelchair accessible homes catering for families with specific needs.

The works are expected to be completed in spring 2017. It’s hoped that on completion, the development will achieve Eco Homes ‘Very Good’ rating – demonstrating the council’s commitment to providing housing that is sustainable for both current and future generations.

CKD Galbraith appoints new chief executive

Pam Over has been chosen to become the next chief executive of property consultancy CKD Galbraith.

Mrs Over will become chief executive on 1 January next year, when Tim Kirkwood will stand down from the role after running the business for more than 20 years.

Maintenance work to begin at Aberdeenshire Campus

Maintenance work is to begin at Aboyne and Deeside Community Campus in Aberdeenshire.

The project will see a new electrical panel installed to serve the school library, swimming pool and community centre.

The facility will be closed for 10 days from Saturday, 08 October while electrical work is carried out. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, 18 October with the swimming pool scheduled to reopen on Friday, 21 October.

O’Brien continues work on Highlands leisure centre refurb

O’Brien Construction is making progress on a £2 million leisure centre refurbishment in the Highlands.

The contractor is underway with work to build new facilities and refurbish existing ones at Thurso Leisure Centre.

Features will include a new gym/fitness suite, a new dance studio, a new steam room, a sauna, new changing village and replacement of the roof.

In addition, a full redecoration is underway include a new reception area, reconfigured storage areas, and improving the existing gym and swimming pool.

At a recent project meeting, O’Brien informed the council that its proposed handover date will be extended by four weeks as a result of additional improvement works being undertaken in the pool hall.

The project is now scheduled to be completed by 23 December.

Minister co-chairs first meeting of Islands Strategic Group

Housing minister Kevin Stewart has co-chaired the first meeting of the Islands Strategic Group.

The body, which brings together all six local authorities responsible for the country’s 93 inhabited island communities, focuses on the development of a National Islands Plan to ensure the government’s commitment to empower the Scottish Islands.

The meeting was also co-chaired by minister for transport and the Islands, Humza Yousaf.