Building Briefs – September 15th

Dunedin Canmore submits plans for Edinburgh homes

Dunedin Canmore has announced plans to build 24 homes for social rent in Edinburgh.

The Association, which is part of Wheatley Group, wants to build the homes in Gilmerton Dykes Street.

Subject to planning and other approvals, work on the homes is expected to start in April next year.

If approved, the development would include eight amenity flats for older tenants.

Large student village planned for Water of Leith

A student village could soon be built on the banks of the Water of Leith if new plans get the go-ahead.

The major scheme would see two patches of land off Lanark Road at Longstone transformed into a complex of flats and studio rooms straddling either side of the river – providing housing for around 250 students.

The proposals would also mean the demolition of the recently refurbished Blue Goose Country Pub alongside nearby garage and car dealer Westside Motors.

The Scotsman reports that a private operator would be expected to take over the completed site, which will not be affiliated to any specific university but could target students at Heriot-Watt and Napier.

The plans, which are contained within a pre-application notice submitted to the council by Lanark Road Living Limited and Rick Finc Associates, include 24-hour reception areas and 200 cycle spaces – with no more than five car parking spaces provided at each development.

Developers said there was potential to build a new link to the Water of Leith walkway – but insisted there were no current moves to construct a bridge over the river connecting the two sites.

Council steps in to address safety concerns over derelict Perth church

Direct action has been taken to protect the public from the danger posed by a derelict Perth building.

Perth and Kinross Council had warned the owners of St Paul’s Church they would take matters into their own hands if action was not taken to protect passers-by.

Security fencing has been erected to keep people at a safe distance from the crumbling building.

The building owners have been under pressure to erect scaffolding after a near miss when a slate fell from its roof.

Construction projects put on hold increased by almost 30 per cent in 12 months

The value of projects being put on hold has increased by almost 30 per cent in the past 12 months, despite a resurgent construction industry.

The recent data, compiled by construction data experts Barbour ABI, illustrates in the 12 months from September 2014 to August 2015, £12 billion of construction projects were put on hold. This compares to £8.6 billion in the previous 12 months, resulting in an increase of 29 per cent in just one year.

The sharp increase in the volume of work being put on hold comes despite the growth the construction industry has experienced over the last two years. One of the major reasons for this is a reaction by clients to increased tender prices by contractors and specialists, which are thought to have risen by 15-20 per cent in the last year alone.

London and the South East experienced the biggest jump in projects being put on hold in the last 12 months, jumping by a significant 49 per cent, followed by North England with an increase of 37 per cent.

Green light for new Dumbarton flats

Plans to turn a former Dumbarton town centre office building into ten new flats have been approved by West Dunbartonshire Council.

The application was made by JCR Development Limited for a site at 127-133 High Street.

The building was most recently used as office accommodation and is currently vacant.

Planning permission was sought for eight studio flats and two two-bedroom flats within the three-storey building.

New footbridges for the Great Glen Way at Inverlochy

The Highland Council has appointed local contractor Corrie Construction to undertake the installation of two new bridges on the Great Glen Way at Inverlochy.

The existing timber footbridges have reached the end of their safe lifespan. The new structures are manufactured from recycled plastic derived from bottle caps, crates and agricultural plastics which provides a durable, low maintenance material able to withstand the routine flooding to which they are exposed in this location. The structures have also been designed to allow safe access for a wide variety of users.

Works will start on site on Monday 21st September 2015 and are expected to be completed within six weeks.

Plans for refurbishment of more Aberdeen play areas

Plans showing options for refurbishing larger play areas in Aberdeen are to be on show to the public from tomorrow.

People will be able to give their preferences for the equipment at the sites, which are being upgraded as part of a rolling programme of repairs and improvements by Aberdeen City Council.

The 2014/15 programme included funds from different budgets totalling approximately £500,000, with an additional £150,000 raised from community initiatives and efforts, and the 2015/16 programme also has about £500,000 of city council funding.

Moray wind farm recommended for refusal

More than 1,300 objections have been lodged against a proposed wind farm in Moray.

A planning application for the 12-turbine venture - at Brown Muir between Fogwatt and Rothes - is being recommended for refusal.

Moray Council said there had been 20 submissions in support of the plans.

The application will be considered by the council’s planning and regulatory services committee today.

Community projects to brighten up New Waverley site

Six community groups in Edinburgh are being allocated funding to enhance the New Waverley development in the Old Town while it is under construction.

Projects ranging from community gardens, to art installations and festival lighting for the Canongate, will brighten up the area for residents and visitors alike.

The New Waverley Community Fund (NWCF) is a joint project between the City of Edinburgh Council and Artisan Real Estate Investors, the developers of New Waverley, which is one of the Edinburgh 12 sites. The total fund available is £200,000 including £100,000 being held by the council from a previous developer.

Community groups were asked to make bids for not-for-profit organisations for up to £25,000. The Neighbourhood Partnership for the city centre then recommended six projects from the 20 bids submitted. Over half of the funds are being allocated at the moment and in early 2016 there will be another opportunity to make a bid for funding up to £25,000.