Building Briefs – September 3rd

Dalmarnock housing development fly-through released

A fly-through has been released which showcases a development of 562 new homes next to the River Clyde by Link Group and Laurel Homes.

Formerly occupied by Dalmarnock Power Station, the 22-acre site lay vacant since 1980 until it was acquired by Link Group in 2015. Since then, the partners have delivered the Riverside Dalmarnock development.

The visualisation offers potential residents a glimpse of the housing options available, which include flats, houses and cottage flats, and the high-quality public realm that will be created.

Local people are being offered the chance to purchase one of the new homes 28 days before it is released to the open market. The priority purchase scheme is targeted at prospective purchasers, including existing Dalmarnock residents and immediate family members, tenants of housing associations/ local authorities, waiting list applicants for tenancies and transfers, key workers and first-time buyers.

Glasgow City Council has worked in partnership with Link Group to ensure that the development builds on the recent investment in Dalmarnock. The Riverside Dalmarnock development, which is situated adjacent to the neighbouring Commonwealth Games Village, meets key strategic priorities that are outlined in the council’s Local Housing Strategy including promoting regeneration and enabling investment in the delivery of energy efficient new build homes across all tenures.

The development is designed to be tenure neutral, with a mix of flats and houses for social rent, mid-market rent plus new supply shared equity (NSSE) will also be available. Information about the release of these homes will be given at a future date.

Work progresses on Union Chain Bridge conservation

Work is progressing on the £7.3 million conservation of the historic Union Chain Bridge in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Developments have been made on the second round National Lottery bid.

The second round bid will include a masonry inspection, investigation of the existing paintwork, strain gauge monitoring and handrail works.

The bridge will be closed for ten weeks, beginning on Monday 10 September and running from 9am-5pm. It will remain open on the weekends.

Pedestrians and cyclists will continue to be able to use the bridge but may face short delays.

The Union Chain Bridge, built by Captain Samuel Brown in 1820, is currently the oldest operational suspension bridge in the world still carrying vehicles.

Scottish Borders Council has joined up with Northumberland County Council, community group the Friends of the Union Chain Bridge and Museums Northumberland on the scheme.

The Union Chain Bridge project also aims to use the structure and its conservation to develop educational resources and case study materials for the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths subjects from primary schools up to postgraduate level.

Final phase of Inverness Town House restoration to commence

The third and final phase of the Inverness Town House restoration project is to begin in October.

The historic A-listed building will undergo full stone repairs and replacement, mortar re-pointing, roof repairs, guttering renewal and window repairs and replacements to all sections of the building not part of the first two phases.

Highland Council also announced the four successful applicants who have secured funding awards from the Inverness Common Good Fund.

They include:

£2.6m funding secured for Penicuik regeneration project

Funding of £2.6 million has been secured to help rejuvenate Penicuik town centre.

The funds, approved by the National Lottery and Historic Environment Scotland, will allow improvements to be made to historic buildings and public spaces.

The project will take place over five years, with initial works including widening the pavement and reducing the width of the road on the junction of High Street, West Street and The Square.

Midlothian Council will work with local groups including Penicuik Community Development Trust and Penicuik First during the project.

The council has already committed to investing £460,000 in street improvements in Penicuik High Street, with work expected to start on site in the autumn.

The National Lottery also awarded £1.7 million towards the project.

Information on how property owners and businesses in the project area can apply for grants to restore their buildings or shopfronts will be published within the next few weeks on the council’s website.

Grant increased to improve Nairn High Street accessibility

A grant to improve accessibility to shops and properties in Nairn High Street has been increased.

The Shop Improvement Scheme will now offer a grant of up to 75% of eligible costs (up to a maximum grant of £3,750) if the application is specific to improving access to premises.

The Nairn councillors agreed to increase the grant.

It has been funded from Sainsbury developer contributions of £250,000 which also saw CCTV being installed and a street lighting scheme agreed. The £67,600 Shop Front Scheme opened in 2012 and will run until the funding is fully allocated.

In addition to improving access, which is a current focus of fund allocation, the funding can be applied for to cover a range of improvements including external paintwork, new signage and re-instatement of historical, original or traditional architectural features.

The scheme has seen works carried out to a variety of properties along the High Street and full details of what can be applied for is available in the guidance notes. More than half of the budget has now been allocated.