Building Briefs - September 7th

• Forth Bridge Experience to host online community drop-ins

As part of the pre-application process, the Network Rail project team will be hosting two online community drop-in meetings this month.

Taking place on Monday, September 13 and Tuesday September 21, 2021 from 3-7pm, the online drop-ins will provide members of the community with an opportunity to find out more about the proposals and ask any questions they may have.

To book a slot at the online drop-ins or for more information about the project please visit: https://scotlandsrailway.com/projects/forth-bridge-experience.

A full planning application, including plans, artist impressions and detailed designs will be submitted later this year following the public engagement exercise.

• East Lothian Council’s first Community Asset transfer approved

Dunbar-based charity The Ridge has purchased Black Bull Close and Backlands Garden in the town from East Lothian Council in the county’s first Community Asset Transfer (CAT).

The Ridge provides skills training in rural skills and construction, in particular traditional stonemasonry and joinery. These skills are being used by trainees, including eight Modern Apprentices, to restore historic boundary walls and the ruined Black Bull Close buildings, to bring them back into use, and save the local heritage they represent, for local people to enjoy.

The Ridge works with people in the area to provide local, effective and personalised support. This includes employment training and support, helping people to develop new skills, and promoting personal health and wellbeing.  The Ridge supports people to inspire them in taking the necessary steps to overcome barriers.

The organisation has leased land and buildings at Black Bull Close from the council since 2015 for its activities. During this period, the Ridge has progressed the engagement of the local community in regenerating a neglected waste ground to create the stunning Backlands Garden, and the clearance and restoration of the Black Bull Close buildings, supported by a range of funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Environment Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Fund, Foundation Scotland, the local Area Partnership and Community Council, East Lothian Council and many more. The CAT scheme presents the community with the opportunity to take full responsibility for land and buildings to deliver greater community benefit.

Following on from two extensive community consultations, the Ridge’s plans for the site include enhancing the landscape, improving biodiversity and public access to the garden, developing a much-needed support centre for local people, offices for core staff, a dance studio, workshops, artist studio space, and a training kitchen offering education and training opportunities. They also intend to safeguard the heritage and historic-built environment of this fascinating part of Dunbar’s townscape which up until recently had remained hidden and at risk of being lost forever.

Ownership of the site will strengthen their case to attract external funding towards this aim. The council has received £25,000 from the sale, which The Ridge has secured through grant funding from the Scottish Land Fund.

• Pavements and road on Aberdeen’s Union Street get spruced up

Pavements, doorways, and roads in the Union Street area of Aberdeen are currently getting an Autumn spruce-up with a big pressure wash, clean, repair, patch, tree-trim, paint, and plant along the one-mile-long stretch together with seven nearby roads.

Grime, moss, and weeds are getting removed, minor road repairs are being carried out, steel fences and bollards are being repainted, and winter plants are this week being planted, on the city’s main thoroughfare in an operation involving environmental and roads staff.

The work on Union Street includes power-washing pavements and doorways on Union Street and 20/30yds into side streets, and the same on Bridge Street, Market Street, Broad Street, Castle Street, St Nicholas Street, Belmont Street, and Back Wynd.

It also includes removing chewing gum, painting street furniture, replacing ashtrays and tops of big belly bins, replacing some litter bins on the same streets, and trimming trees at the Smith Screen.

A total of five people from Aberdeen City Council’s environmental team have been involved including the usual cleansing team for the street, painting, and pressure washing. The usual planting up of plant boxes and window boxes, litter-picking and street sweeping is also being carried out.

There roads team has also been undertaking additional gully emptying, lifting and replacing damaged isolated slabs, signage repairs, and road patching.

The bulk of the roads team’s work is all expected to be finished this week and the environment team’s will continue through September.

• A70 evening closures scheduled for Rigside

Essential repairs are to be carried out in the village of Rigside towards the end of this month.

The £20k improvement works will require four evening closures (6pm - 11pm) from Monday 20 September along the A70 Ayr Road between Collierhall Road and Newtonhead Farm.

No unauthorised vehicles will be able to park or drive on the road during these times. The road will remain open out with these times, with temporary traffic management in place.

The signed diversion route will be via the A70, B7078, A702 and A73.

These repairs add to previous improvements along the A70 this year with more than £300K improvements invested at Douglas and Glenbuck.

• Renewable energy firm recognised with Sustainable Development Award at Scottish Engineering Awards 2021

Renewable energy developer and solutions provider BayWa r.e. was awarded the Sustainable Development Award at the Scottish Engineering Awards 2021.

Scottish Engineering is a major industry association for Scotland’s manufacturing and engineering sectors, with over 350 members. The widely respected Scottish Engineering Awards celebrate both inspiring individuals and exceptional organisations, who are the epitome of Scottish excellence. This year, the awards particularly celebrate the companies who in 2020/2021 have stood out in their performance, growth, innovation, and resilience, as well as young engineers paving the way for the future of the industry.

BayWa r.e. was recognised with the coveted Sustainable Development Award by the organisation against a strong pool of talent, for demonstrating excellence within its projects in Scotland in the past year.

• Inaugural community gala a sun shining success for Newtonhill residents

A neighbourhood in Newtonhill came together in the sunshine for an inaugural gala day for residents of Barratt Homes’ established Whiteland Haven development.

The gala, which has been in the planning for over 18 months by parents and local children, included a bouncy castle, face painting and a sports day, with organisers hoping its success means it’ll become an annual event to look forward to.

As well as the opportunity to catch up over food, drink and games, the gala, which took place on Michael Tunstall Place and was sponsored by Barratt Homes, was a chance to reflect over the past year and celebrate their own community heroes who’ve been on the frontline of the pandemic response. 

James Mitchell, sales manager for Barratt Homes North Scotland, said: “After a tough 18 months it’s fantastic to see the community coming together safely to catch up, reflect and enjoy some fun activities. We’re so pleased to be able to support the gala and see the sun shining, the community coming back to life and a really positive day out for all.”