Building Briefs – September 5th

Employees from housebuilder Campion Homes, which has delivered over 200 affordable homes in the past year, will be taking part in Scotland’s biggest cycling event this weekend.

A total of 19 staff members will take part in the “Pedal for Scotland” event on Sunday 9th September, cycling from Glasgow to Edinburgh to raise funds for the charity Finding Your Feet.

Five will attempt the 100-mile route called “The Big Belter” while 14 will cycle the 45-mile route known as “The Classic Challenge”.

Finding Your Feet supports families affected by amputation or limb difference through sporting initiatives and social inclusion projects, and has directly supported the relative of a Campion Homes staff member.

Dougie Herd and Susan Jackson, joint managing directors of Campion Homes, said: “Campion Homes is delighted to be taking part in this great event and raising money for such a worthwhile charity in the process.

“The team work evidenced across the company to support the 19 cyclists has been tremendous and we are extremely grateful to the many companies and individuals that are supporting us on this challenge. We’re both cycling the 45-mile route and anticipate the arrival at Edinburgh will be very welcome indeed!”

New plans for Aberdeen hotel

Proposals have been revealed that aim to transform a vacant office building in Aberdeen city centre into a new 106-bedroom hotel.

Mandale Construction North has submitted plans to Aberdeen City Council that could see a hotel built at Custom House on Guild Street in Aberdeen.

The firm is seeking planning permission from the local authority for a change of use from offices to a hotel.

Edinburgh’s Royal High School site to be subject of Public inquiry

Edinburgh’s Royal High School site at Calton Hill which has been left empty for 50 years, is to have its future determined by a public inquiry later this month.

The decision over the former Royal High School at Calton Hill will be made by Scottish government reporters.

Developers want to transform the site into a luxury hotel but their applications have been refused.

Campaigners have backed a rival scheme that would see the site become a new home for St Mary’s Music School.

Scott Ferrie and Dannie Onn have been appointed as the two reporters by the Scottish government for the six-week inquiry, which will begin at Heart of Midlothian’s Tynecastle Park stadium on Tuesday 18 September.

The inquiry is set to cost at least £6,000 a day, with more than 350 documents to sift through and 25 witnesses expected to be called.

Key moment for Peter Pan project in Dumfries

An 18-month restoration project on a Dumfries building that helped to inspire JM Barrie to write Peter Pan has been completed.

The finished project means Moat Brae can now open as a national centre for children’s literature next year.

Balfour Beatty has handed back the keys to the Georgian house to the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust. (PPMBT).

Redrow calls for Brexit clarity as profits rocket

Major UK housebuilder Redrow called on the UK Government to provide clarity over Brexit.

The appeal was made as it reported soaring annual profits.

The group reported pre-tax profits up 21 per cent to hit £380 million in the year to June 30 as revenue grew 16 per cent to £1.92 billion.

Legal completions rose 9 per cent to 5,913 and the average selling price hit £332,300.