Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for June 2008
30/06/2008
Glasgow's £20m Clyde Arc bridge, known as the 'Squinty Bridge' by locals has reopened following the completion of repairs. The bridge by designer Halcrow and civil engineering contractor Edmund Nuttal Ltd, which opened in September 2006, had to be closed after a cable snapped and crashed onto the r
30/06/2008
Aberdeenshire council has been accused of donating land to Donald Trump to support his golf resort plans as an alternative to making the land available for affordable housing. Lib Dem councillor Paul Johnston said it could be interpreted as a 'sweetener' as part of the planning process for the £1bn
30/06/2008
Stirling Development Agency (SDA), the newly formed 50/50 joint venture between Valad Property Group and Stirling Council, has submitted a detailed planning application for the development of two office buildings located at the heart of Forthside, Stirling's 40 acre waterfront regeneration site. Th
30/06/2008
The first ever framework to protect Scotland's soils from pollution and climate change was launched for consultation today. The Scottish Soil Framework promotes the sustainable management and protection of soils for the economic, social and environmental stability of Scotland. Richard Lochhead, Ca
30/06/2008
The Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI) was launched on Friday. Local authorities, and their partners, will be encouraged to propose more sustainable communities as part of the solution to meeting housing requirements in their areas. Proposals must be ambitious and innovative, addre
30/06/2008
Scotland, along with other devolved countries Wales and Northern Ireland, could lay claim to hundreds of millions of pounds as their rightful equivalent to London's Olympic regeneration money, it has emerged. Scotland may claim up to £165m under the Barnett Formula, a mechanism designed in the 70's
30/06/2008
More than 100 homes and 10 businesses in the An Aird area of Fort William will receive a newsletter this week updating them on land investigations being carried out in the area. The Highland Council first informed local people in January this year of the precautionary action it was taking to invest
30/06/2008
HLM Architects and Holophane Europe Ltd are delighted that, with the support of the Scottish construction and property industry, their first Charity Ball has raised a fantastic £5,000 for The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice. One hundred and thirty people attended the ball at the Radisson Hotel
30/06/2008
Wates Living Space has appointed a new partnership manager in Scotland. Gillian Lavety has been appointed to the role of Partnership Manager for Scotland. She joins from Gladedale where she was Partnership Development Manager for Central Scotland. (GK/JM)
30/06/2008
The Energy Saver for Central Heating Systems with Combi Boilers, gives greater flexibility than the inbuilt timer on the boiler. Complete Time and Temperature control with added protection for overnight frost and periods when the Home is unoccupied. The TLX6501 is a Slimline fully featured seven-
27/06/2008
New guidance for the road construction industry aims to improve recycling and clear up confusion says Scotland's environment watchdog. The document, produced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and The Quarry Products Association Scotland (QPA) clarifies the application of Waste M
27/06/2008
Orkney Housing Association has become the only housing association in Scotland to hold accreditation in the Scottish National Standards for Housing Information and Advice Providers. The award is evidence that the Association's services meet the requirements of the Scottish National Standards. The
27/06/2008
The official opening of the fourth school to be completed as part of Angus Council's £50m school building programme in Forfar and Carnoustie has taken place. Whitehills Primary School in Forfar opened its doors to pupils as part of the programme to provide a total of six new primary schools and one
27/06/2008
A plan to relieve traffic congestion at one of Scotland's worst roundabout has been backed by Aberdeen City Council. A £14m design to ease delays at the city's infamous Haudagain roundabout will now be sent to the Scottish Government for final approval and funding. More than 100 homes in Middlefie
27/06/2008
Following two years with Drivers Jonas in Edinburgh, Sandy Gilmour has been promoted to Associate. Specialising in commercial property development, agency and property investment, Sandy has been involved in the acquisition, disposal and development of some 350,000 sq ft of Edinburgh office space d
27/06/2008
Faber Maunsell/AECOM has announced a merger with Hamilton & McGregor Acoustics Consultancy based in Scotland. Hamilton & McGregor were led by Dr Bernadette McKell, one of the industry's leaders in acoustics, and she will become a Director at Faber Maunsell/AECOM. Bernadette said: "This merger wil
27/06/2008
With energy regularly making the headlines, Energy Action Scotland is working as hard as ever to bring an end to fuel poverty, as it marks its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in 1983, EAS has been working over the past 25 years to turn cold, damp and expensive to heat houses into warm, dry, aff
27/06/2008
An employee has hung up his tools for the final time, bringing to an end almost 50 years of dedicated service with Mansell. Dave Cruickshank, 65, joined the firm in July, 1959, and has since worked at its Aberdeen base with Hall & Tawse Joinery, part of the Mansell group, as a joiner and wood machi
27/06/2008
Almost 100% of domestic noise complaints are responded to within one hour by the City of Edinburgh Council's dedicated noise team. Figures for December 2007/January 2008 show that 99% of the 1070 calls to the noise service were handled within 60 minutes, far exceeding the target of 90%. The impres
27/06/2008
Refurbishment and maintenance specialists Connaught Partnerships Ltd has lent its support to a massive festival of football in the south side of Glasgow aimed at delivering an anti-racism message to school pupils. The massive tournament took place in Nethercraigs Sports Complex with hundreds of pr
26/06/2008
Scotland's green energy strategy took another step forward today with approval for two wind farms capable of generating electricity for 117,000 homes. The 60 turbine, 180 Megawatt (MW) Arecleoch wind farm near Barrhill in South Ayrshire - set to be Scotland's fourth largest - will generate enough e
26/06/2008
Scottish Renewables, the green energy trade body, and BWEA, the UK wind, wave and tidal industry association, today commented on progress in delivering renewable electricity in Scotland ahead of the launch of the UK Government's Renewable Energy Strategy tomorrow. The trade bodies are looking forwa
26/06/2008
The Water Industry Commission for Scotland has announced another significant improvement in Scottish Water's customer service in its annual report for 2007-8. Customers bills likely to rise by less than inflation in each of the next several years. The report outlines the WICS main activities durin
26/06/2008
The challenge of tackling the impacts of climate change in the Highlands can best be met if public, private and voluntary organisations work together on plans to conserve energy and protect the public and habitats from the threat of flooding. Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council,
26/06/2008
A young Montrose man has been named the best carpentry and joinery student at Angus College's annual awards ceremony. Steven Hendry, who works for Mansell, scooped the prestigious Arbroath Guildry award at the ceremony, which took place at the college's Conference Centre. The 24-year-old began hi
26/06/2008
The first of a series of significant visible advancements in the development of the Cumnock Town Centre Regeneration Project has taken place after Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council, officially opened the Project Base in the Glaisnock Shopping Centre. Councillor Reid said: "Th
26/06/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have highlighted the importance of companies conducting planned maintenance checks on machinery after inspectors discovered several faults which could have killed employees at a West Lothian food processing plant. The warning comes as Grampian Country Pork Hall
26/06/2008
Homes for Scotland has given a cautious welcome to the support announced by the Scottish Government for the pressurised home building industry in its statement delivered at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday. Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon was reporting on the progress of the Government's housing
26/06/2008
Construction union UCATT have welcomed the confirmation from the Scottish Parliament that they will bring forward a Bill to allow victims of pleural plaques the right to receive compensation. The Bill is titled the Scottish Government Damages (asbestos-related conditions) Scotland Bill. Harry Frew
26/06/2008
A new travel centre, built by Miller Construction and managed by First ScotRail, opened recently at Aberdeen Station as part of a major redevelopment in the city centre. The leading construction firm is the main contractor for Hammerson's ambitious £250m Union Square project, which will see the cre
25/06/2008
New research unveiled today paints a bleak picture of Scotland in 2050 if action is not taken now to cut carbon dioxide emissions. The research, commissioned by the Energy Saving Trust, finds that more than one in three Scots (34%) think Scotland will need its own Carbon Police Force. A quarter al
25/06/2008
For five nights a week, an army of construction workers have descend on Edinburgh Airport's main runway to work through the night. Working from 11pm until 5.45am, Morgan Est's specialist paving team is resurfacing t
25/06/2008
A radical new housing allocation system that gives priority to need rather than points has been drawn up by Falkirk Council, following extensive consultation. The draft policy was approved by yesterday's special meeting of the Housing and Social Services Committee and will go out for further consu
25/06/2008
Elphinstone has announced plans for a former mart site, after United Auctions revealed it is to unite Perth & Stirling Marts. United Auctions has announced plans to amalgamate Stirling and Perth livestock markets. The changeover will take place in a year's time when a new mart facility at Hill of D
25/06/2008
Three leading architects from across the UK have been awarded honorary degrees by Scottish universities. Architect, Norman Foster was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws LLM by the University of Dundee for his "huge array of striking buildings over the past four decades." The laureation address wa
25/06/2008
Gladedale (North East Scotland) Ltd has been selected as the preferred developer to deliver three contracts worth £14m to create 134 new quality affordable homes in Dundee. Leading housebuilder Gladedale (North East Scotland) Ltd is working in partnership under a framework agreement with three Dund
25/06/2008
Specialist distributor of renewable energy heating systems, Ecoliving has announced expansion in the UK with the opening of two new offices. Ecoliving, which markets renewables including heat pumps that take free renewable energy from the ground, water or air, has appointed two new Technical Manage
25/06/2008
Construction will start next week on a £14m development at Ratho Park close to Edinburgh Airport, bucking the national trend of a slowdown in the construction sector. The office development by The EDI Group is expected to take around 12 months, with the 97-bed hotel opening its doors to the first g
25/06/2008
Locals and councillors in Edinburgh have hit out at a builder's plan to move the affordable housing allocation of an upmarket development away from the development itself. Edinburgh City Council housing chiefs have been criticised for allowing Dutch developer, MaB to build the affordable flats near
25/06/2008
A team of thrill-seeking staff from Robertson Capital Projects tackled the waves of the River Tay to raise more than £2,000 for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS). Eight members of staff, including two directors from the Stirling-based company, took part in the special white water rafting race
24/06/2008
Campaigners seeking an upgrade to the A82 are to meet with the Scottish Government's petitions committee in Dumbarton. Over 8,500 people have signed the petition calling for improvements. There have been 22 people killed on the A82 in the past two years with a further 400 being injured. Campaign
24/06/2008
Education and Skills Secretary Fiona Hyslop is to open Network Rail’s new £4m state-of-the-art training centre for maintenance staff and engineers in Larbert. The facility which can teach up to 100 workers at any one time, features over 200m of replica track and signals and is built on former railw
24/06/2008
Audit Scotland's review of major capital projects vindicates the Government's decision to establish the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) which aims to deliver vital infrastructure projects at better value for taxpayers' money, Finance Secretary John Swinney said today. The report - How Scotland works:
24/06/2008
Edinburgh is the best location in the UK to invest in student accommodation, according to a report from global property consultancy, Knight Frank. Knight Frank's Bricks & Mortarboard Student Accommodation Review ranks Edinburgh above other rival UK cities including all parts of London, Newcastle,
24/06/2008
With schools in Scotland about to break up for the summer holidays, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning the construction industry and parents that building sites are dangerous and must not be used as playgrounds. "Long summer evenings are a time for fun and adventure, unfortunately, al
24/06/2008
A major consultation to ensure Scotland is prepared for the unavoidable impacts of climate change was launched today by the Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson. The consultation is the first piece of work in building a new Climate Change Adaptation Framework for Scotland. Stewart Stevens
24/06/2008
A new appointment has been announced for the Edinburgh offices of a leading chartered surveyors. Frank Malcolm has joined J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors to head the building surveying department. Joining Shepherd from CRGP, where he was an associate, Mr Malcolm's expertise in building surveying
24/06/2008
Councillors are being asked to approve Muir of Ord's biggest housing development, despite concerns about flood risk, additional demands on the road network and a lack of local amenities. The Ross, Skye and Lochalsh planning committee will resume its deliberations about Aviemore and Highland Develop
24/06/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has welcomed the response to a safety seminar held in Aberdeen in conjunction with Aberdeen City Council. Over 200 delegates from the north east attended the event designed to promote safe use of scaffolding. HSE Inspector Niall Miller who organised Thursday'
24/06/2008
Miller Construction has been awarded two contracts by Costco Wholesale UK Ltd to build a new warehouse club and extend one of its existing units. The leading construction firm won a multi million pound contract for the new-build of a Costco warehouse club in Croydon, which will span 12,900 sq metre
23/06/2008
The Scottish Government have unveiled plans to tackle homelessness by allowing councils to award private tenancies. The use of private sector housing will cut waiting times being experienced by thousands of families. Shelter Scotland said major changes are needed to meet the governments target to
23/06/2008
Network Rail has announced today that it will be conducting a strategic review into the case for building new rail lines across the network of Great Britain. The review will look at five of Network Rail's strategic routes, including the West Coast line to Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, the Ea
23/06/2008
Two high rises in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh have been given a dramatic 'green' makeover. After about two years of renovation work, Lochview Court and Holyrood Court in Dumbiedykes have been transformed from their former grey appearance and now boast eye-catching cladding in green and w
23/06/2008
The roof of Glasgow Sheriff Court is now home to Scotland's largest solar panel generating system that will deliver 97kWp of electricity in optimum conditions. When all the efficiency measures planned for the court are in place, solar power could provide around one fifth of the building's electrici
23/06/2008
One of Scotland's well known tourist landmarks in Balmaha, Loch Lomond is about to undergo a dramatic facelift by construction company, akp. The former Highland Way Hotel, in the heart of the village overlooking the shoreline and forming part of the West Highland Way, is to undergo a £4m transforma
23/06/2008
Fife Councillors have given the go-ahead to start work on detailed designs and a funding package for the proposed new Heritage and Cultural Centre in Dunfermline. At the Policy, Finance & Asset Management Committee, it was agreed to commit an additional £500,000 to this project, as part of the Coun
23/06/2008
Around 500 delegates from around the world are expected to descend on Dundee next month for the seventh International Congress, Concrete: Construction's Sustainable Option. The congress will take place from July 8-10 and will feature six conferences focusing on various themes relating to sustainabi
23/06/2008
The Dundrum self catering cottage in Dumfries & Galloway has officially been crowned one of the best self catering establishments in Scotland with a five star accolade. As part of the Kirkbride Farm Holiday Cottages, The Dundrum has become the first self catering property in Dumfries & Galloway to
23/06/2008
Edinburgh Quay Ltd has announced healthcare provider Circle as its fourth tenant at Quay2, the 60,000 sq ft office building at Edinburgh Quay, the capital's mixed-use development at Fountainbridge. The deal sees Circle take over the whole ground floor of the landmark Quay2 development. Circle will
23/06/2008
Work gets underway this week to significantly improve traffic flow around one of the busiest roundabouts in Hamilton. The £1.23m improvement of the Almada St Roundabout, at its junction with Muir St and Bothwell Road, is the sixth and final phase of the Hamilton Town Centre Action Plan. Work will
20/06/2008
Morris & Spottiswood, refurbishment and maintenance services provider to the affordable housing sector, has won its first two Edinburgh-based external housing refurbishment contracts with a combined value of £825,000. The City of Edinburgh Council has awarded Morris & Spottiswood the works as part
20/06/2008
Scottish civil engineering firm I&H Brown have won the £11.75m contract for infrastructure work for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Perth-based firm will carry out infrastructure, remedial and enabling works for the national indoor sports arena and velodrome project in Glasgow's east end. T
20/06/2008
A tender for the demolition of the former Methil Power Station in Fife is expected to be announced later this year. Scottish Power has just completed a process of removing hazardous material from the former coal fired station, now it will be demolished within the next five years. The station which
20/06/2008
Viewpoint, Scotland's oldest Housing Association, has announced the completion of eight refurbished flats in one of their Listed properties at Dick Place in Edinburgh. These flats form part of Viewpoint's £3.5m redevelopment programme to convert 170 studios and bedsits to one and two bedroom flats
20/06/2008
A blaze has swept through a development of flats in the south west of Glasgow. Crews from Pollok Fire Station were called to the construction site on Hopeman Avenue in the Arden area, and local people were advised to remain indoors after wind drove smoke towards their homes. The extent of the dama
20/06/2008
The commitment of The Highland Council to prevent flooding in Caol, Fort William, has been underlined by Convener Sandy Park. The Convener said significant progress is being made in developing this "important project". The assurance was issued in response to a petition that has been circulated in t
20/06/2008
Scottish Renewables today has launched a major drive to urge farmers and landowners to 'get into renewables' at the Royal Highland Show. The green energy trade body has estimated that Scottish farms have the potential to generate electricity equivalent to one sixth of Scottish household's total dema
20/06/2008
Glasgow based, RJ McLeod has unveiled a margin of 7.9% as pre-tax profit jumped strongly ahead to £5.3m. The result follows a margin of 6.3% in the previous year when profit ran to £3.3m. The latest financial figures cover the 12 months to 28 October 2007. McLeod lifted turnover to £67m (figure in
20/06/2008
A conference to promote the huge variety of careers open to women in the construction industry was attended by over 100 young women from all over Scotland yesterday. With only one person in 20 who works in construction being a woman, the Young Women in Construction Conference, organised by Constru
20/06/2008
Connaught Partnership's Northern Region has raised over £1,000 for a children's charity after employees climbed three of the UK's highest mountains in just 24 hours. Six keen climbers from Connaught took part in the Coins Three Peaks Challenge, which began at Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands, be
19/06/2008
West Lothian Council is planning an ambitious £285m spending programme over the next five years. The Council Executive has approved a revised capital budget for 2008-2013, including expenditure totalling £96.4m in the current financial year. Council Leader Peter Johnston said: "Communities across
19/06/2008
The Scottish Government has today announced the provisional out-turn spending figures for 2007-08, which show the lowest underspend since devolution. Making a statement to Parliament, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney reported that just £42m of the planned budget
19/06/2008
Ken Ross OBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of Elphinstone Holdings Ltd, has been honoured at the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of The Year Awards 2008. Ken was named category winner for Business Products & Services at the annual ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow. The awards, decided by an indep
19/06/2008
Longbore Limited, a Horizontal Directional Drilling contractor based in Livingston, Scotland, were awarded 'Project of the Year' for their Marine Current Turbine Cable Installation at the International Society of Trenchless Technology conference in Moscow, Russia. Longbore used guided directional d
19/06/2008
A consortium of housing associations, along with Glasgow City Council, local regeneration companies and Anniesland College, have joined forces to try to save an iconic liner and promote her preservation as part of the overall regeneration of the Clyde. Linthouse, Partick, GHA and Link Group is camp
19/06/2008
Scotland's householders will be able to complete census questionnaires online for the first time during the next census in 2011, the Registrar General announced today. Duncan Macniven said residents in west Edinburgh, Lewis and Harris will be the first in the UK to test the new option when they tak
19/06/2008
The Highland Council has cordoned off part of the pavement outside the Inverness Town House today in order to protect the public from loose masonry on the Town House building. The loose masonry was found above gable windows on the Town House yesterday morning during a routine building inspection by
19/06/2008
A £30m Scottish Investment Fund has been launched to help enterprising Third Sector organisations become more effective and efficient. The details of this project have been taken forward in partnership with Green MSPs - as part of the informal agreement between the party and the Government followin
19/06/2008
DM Hall LLP chartered surveyors have opened a new office in a prime site in Dundee to make the most of its expanding business interests in the city. The firm, which has offices located throughout the length and breadth of Scotland, moved from its South Tay Street offices to a custom-built office wi
19/06/2008
Carronvale Homes has announced plans for a new housing development in Cambus, Clackmannanshire. To be known as Orocco, the new, select development will comprise 16 two-bedroom cottage flats. Work on the development is expected to start in September 2008 with prices starting from around £115,000. S
18/06/2008
The Scottish Government’s proposed Local Income Tax (LIT) would be bad for enterprise and for the economy, CBI Scotland has warned. In a submission to the Scottish Government’s consultation on LIT the business organisation represents its members’ concerns over the proposals. Key amongst these conc
18/06/2008
Car tycoon Sir Arnold Clark has abandoned proposals to demolish Glasgow’s oldest motor garage and replace it with a housing and retail development after public outcry. Now the historic garage owner has revised plans and will reveal a new refurbishment proposal at the site this evening. Once they
18/06/2008
Gleeds, the Glasgow-based Management and Construction Consultants, has launched its own TV channel aimed at providing an ‘info-tainment’ package of programmes to its staff and clients worldwide. In what Gleeds believe is an industry first, 18 offices in the UK are to receive the new channel at the
18/06/2008
Balfour Kilpatrick is relocating its head office, Projects Unit and Scotland West operations in a move to reduce its carbon footprint. The new office is situated in nearby Hillington Park, Scotland's largest business park. The move into Lumina building, close to Glasgow International Airport, took
18/06/2008
Inverclyde Council has published revised plans for renewing the Schools Estate that will ensure all pupils are educated in new or refurbished schools. The plans involve the modernisation of the entire schools estate, including primary and secondary schools, as well as ASN Schools and Pre-5 Establis
18/06/2008
The regeneration of the River Clyde is helping turn the river into a unique education resource and classroom for thousands of pupils under a project launched today. The Clyde Waterfront Curriculum Resources for Schools project involves a new website offering teachers specially prepared lesson plan
18/06/2008
Boat strike protection worth £17m is being added to the Tay Road Bridge. Bosses at the Tay crossing plan to place sheet piling and concrete round certain bridge piers so that a vessel would bounce off them rather than strike the supports. Tay Bridge manager John Crerar said: "Most of the vessels g
18/06/2008
Specialist distributor of renewable energy heating systems Ecoliving today announced expansion in the UK with the opening of two new offices. Ecoliving - which markets renewables including heat pumps that take free renewable energy from the ground, water or air - has appointed two new Technical Man
18/06/2008
Fyfestone, part of the Aggregate Industries Group, is undertaking a £2.8m investment programme to improve its product and service offering for its customers in Scotland. Despite a number of economic factors, such as the financial crisis in the banking sector and subsequent credit crunch putting gr
18/06/2008
Plasterboard waste is costing the construction industry around £50m a year in raw material and disposal expenses alone. One in eight sheets of plasterboard bought and delivered to site is classified as waste, which has led to an alarming 243,000 tonnes being sent to landfill and a sizable environme
17/06/2008
The latest Marketing Trends Survey from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, conducted by Ipsos MORI, has found Scottish marketers are overwhelmingly pessimistic about prospects for the UK economy, and are increasingly concerned about the outlook for their own organisations. When asked about how t
17/06/2008
Building solutions company akp has been awarded contracts to provide the interior fit out for two new tenants at Hamilton International Business Park. Instructed by the business park owners, HF Developments, akp's interior division is to fit out a new beauty salon in unit six, and a children's nurs
17/06/2008
Buckhaven's modernised Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital was formally opened by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon today. A £4.45m upgrade and refurbishment of the hospital has just been completed and provides a range of new services including a men's health clinic, sexual health clinic, a Maggie's C
17/06/2008
The OFT has today launched a market study into property management services for common and shared residential property in Scotland. Residents in tenements and other collective residential properties in Scotland use property managers, known as factors, to manage common and shared property - for exam
17/06/2008
Over 100 people attended Fife Council's Development Services annual Housing Forum event, including figures from the housing sector as well as partner organisations. This year's event looked at the challenges faced in implementing the finalised Fife Structure Plan and how these can be addressed. D
17/06/2008
The Kingdom of Fife is reviving its royal roots as ScotAsh, the Kincardine-on-Forth based Œgreen cement company, was presented with Scotland's only Queens Award for Enterprise2008 in the Sustainable Development category. The Queen's Award was handed over by the Lord-Lieutenant of Fife, Mrs Margaret
17/06/2008
River Clyde Homes has welcomed news that it is to receive over £11m in grant funding to help improve housing in Inverclyde this year. The Scottish Government has announced it expects £493m to be spent across the country as part of the Housing Association Grant programme, with Inverclyde set to rec
17/06/2008
Defective and poorly erected scaffolding poses significant risks to both construction workers and members of the public and each year a high number of people are killed and seriously injured as a consequence of poor standards being adopted by the industry. Aberdeen City Council and the Health and S
17/06/2008
With sustainability increasingly becoming a central focus within the construction sector, housebuilders are under growing pressure to consider their carbon footprint and reduce their environmental impact. Establishing better environmental practice can not only improve a company's ability to attract
17/06/2008
Hazelwood School, believed to be Europe's most advanced school for children with multiple disabilities and sensory impairments, was officially opened on Monday. Designed by award-winning Glasgow architects Murray Dunlop, the new £6.8m school opened to staff and pupils of the former Carnbooth (which
16/06/2008
Scottish housebuilder Tulloch Homes Group has shown its resilience in a weakening housing market in the second half of 2007 after announcing operating profits have increased by £9.5m in 2007. In its 2007 Annual Report and Strategic Review the Group revealed total operating profits have risen in 200
16/06/2008
Former Energy Minister and Labour icon Tony Benn has said that Britain's oil wealth has been largely squandered by the refusal of successive governments to establish a dedicated oil fund and choosing instead to channel the money into general revenue. Benn told Holyrood: "Well, we sold off the oil I
16/06/2008
Homes for Scotland, a respected and authoritative voice on housing and planning matters, has said it is encouraged that the reasons for the lack of supply of new homes have been recognised by the Scottish Government, but has said that the Housing Supply Task Force must now move its focus from 'exami
16/06/2008
The Scottish Government have been asked to make "a positive early decision" on Donald Trump's £1bn golf resort application by a leading business figure. Speaking at the inquiry at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre into plans for the Menie estate, Geoff Runcie, the Chief Executive of Aberdee
16/06/2008
The Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick, a modern interpretation of traditional structures, is one of 21 projects from across the UK to be shortlisted for this year's Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award. They show how design can ensure that people are valued and respected in the deli
16/06/2008
At a time when companies are finding it harder to attract investment, it’s important to demonstrate to potential investors that your business is properly run, in addition to being profitable. With this in mind, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has issued free guidance on the
16/06/2008
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has helped re-launch a community facility following the demolition of its previous premises. Two double multi-storey blocks, 40/80 and 45/85 Stirlingfauld Place, were quickly reduced to rubble. The blocks had contained 552 properties, including a community facility
16/06/2008
Hillhead Housing Association has celebrated the completion of its first new housing development at Meiklehill Road, Hillhead. Designed by Hypostyle Architects, the scheme includes the first 'home zone' development that has received approval by East Dunbartonshire Council. This is a unique design
16/06/2008
Miller Construction has appointed Heather Sharkey as Tenant Liaison Officer in Aberdeen. Heather will oversee, from a construction aspect, the tenant liaison activity of the Union Square Development – a £250m project for Hammerson which will see the creation of a major retail and leisure developme
16/06/2008
Scotland might be missing out on the European Championships but for the country's builders at least, the ‘Braveheart’ passion was on display as teams competed for the inaugural Scottish Building Federation 5-a-side trophy in Perth on Saturday June 7th . Whilst Switzerland and the Czech Republic bat
13/06/2008
Grangemouth oil refinery, Scotland's main fuel depot, is being picketed by Shell tanker drivers in a row over pay. Around 600 drivers are to take part in the industrial action after talks between the Unite union and managers from two firms which deliver fuel to Shell garages, broke down amid fears
13/06/2008
A wind farm capable of powering a third of the homes in Argyll and Bute has been approved. Ministers have consented the 60 Megawatt, 20 turbine Carraig Gheal wind farm near Kilchrenan, which could power 32,000 homes. Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney said: "Carraig
13/06/2008
National Energy Action (NEA) and Energy Action Scotland (EAS) have warned that the Government has lost its way in its battle against fuel poverty. The current incidence of fuel poverty in the UK is virtually the same as 10 years ago and the good progress made during the early 2000s has all but been
13/06/2008
Joanne Bell, who is studying Building Surveying at Glasgow Caledonian University, has been announced as regional winner of the Association of Women in Property (WiP) National Student Awards 2008. Joanne wins £500, an opportunity for a work placement, free membership of the Association upon graduati
13/06/2008
Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) has approved plans for a 13-turbine wind farm on the Eisken Estate on Lewis. There have been no objections from the Scottish Government. Developer Nick Oppenheim scaled down the project from the original application for 16 turbines. Oppenheim has
13/06/2008
The clearance of a vacant retail and residential site in Peterhead owned by Aberdeenshire Council has been approved, ahead of planned regeneration. The three vacant shops and 58 vacant residential units on a one-acre site at the junction of St Peter Street and Errol Street are not fit for purpose.
13/06/2008
Fife Council will make a final decision on the site for Kirkcaldy's new swimming pool on September 17. Detailed design work will start later that month, with the aim being to have the new complex up-and-running by summer 2011. A total of 11 sites are currently under consideration. This approach was
13/06/2008
With the cost of fuel causing concern nationally, South Ayrshire Trading Standards is reassuring motorists that they are getting fair measure when they fill up locally. The cost of fuel has risen by about 20p per litre in the past year. So how do customers know that the amount of fuel they are payin
13/06/2008
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) believes that the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) could provide the incentive to encourage investment in uncertain times. The Scheme is designed to help smaller, higher-risk trading companies to raise finance by offering a range of tax rel
13/06/2008
As climate change steadily dominates the news agenda, companies in the construction industry increasingly have no choice but to take action to reduce their environmental impact. However, many still remain unaware of the positive impacts that taking a proactive approach can have on both their busi
12/06/2008
Stirling is aiming to become the UK's first carbon neutral city using £1.25m in funding announced today from the Big Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government to the community led Going Carbon Neutral Stirling (GCNS) project. The ambitious project, which is also supported by Stirling Council, aims t
12/06/2008
The viability of the £175m regeneration of the historic Bo'ness waterfront is under review by Falkirk Council due to the knock-on effect of the credit crunch on the construction sector. Original proposals by developer ING Real Estate including a 90-room hotel, yacht club, restaurants, bars and shop
12/06/2008
Contractors will work without interruption to complete the Usher Hall project once this year's Edinburgh International Festival is over. The project team made the decision to press ahead in collaboration with the RSNO and the SCO. Both organisations have been able to make alternative arrangement
12/06/2008
Work on the sixth and final contract to upgrade the A851 road between Broadford and Armadale, Sleat, Isle of Skye, is on target to be completed in October. This will upgrade the road from a tortuous single track and passing place standard to a modern six-metre wide two-lane carriageway on a free-fl
12/06/2008
The first phase of a £30m new Argyll holiday home development is now underway at Machrihanish Dunes golf resort. The two-bed, four star luxury cottages have views across the first hole of the Machrihanish golf course. Seasonal Freehold Fractions for leisure developments is a new concept for Scotlan
12/06/2008
Scott Reid, an apprentice plumber from Moray College, has just won the prestigious Scottish Regional SkillPlumb Competition. The competition, which is organised by the Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation (SNIPEF), brings
12/06/2008
Hillcrest Housing Association has named a close in one of its new development after a ropier named John Gilmour. The eastern end of the Grassmarket is known as the Bowfoot and was infamous for being the site of the gallows. Any buildings that lay on this site would have had a view over the hangings
12/06/2008
Homes for Scotland has backed new standards introduced by the CML for industry professionals who act for lenders on newly-built property transactions. The new procedures, which come into effect on September 1, will ensure that the conveyancing and valuation processes capture the true value of the
12/06/2008
Aberdeen City Council is launching public consultations on the potential release of land to provide more affordable and family homes in the city. The 10-week consultation period will focus on eight sites earmarked in the Aberdeen Local Plan, as modified, for new homes in the period 2006-2010. Fee
12/06/2008
The electrotechnical industry is recognizing the fast pace of technical and regulatory change with a major updating and restructuring of one of its most important trade qualifications. From the end of the year, the requirements for achieving Approved Electrician status - one of the most important c
11/06/2008
Donald Trump's plans for a £1bn golf resort are to be scrutinised for the second day as the Trump inquiry resumes. On the opening day of the public inquiry Trump was grilled for four hours, facing questions from environmental groups opposed to protected sand dunes being incorporated into the scheme
11/06/2008
Historic Scotland has announced it is to go ahead with a £12m project to return the royal lodgings at Stirling Castle to their Renaissance magnificence. A total of £9m is being invested by Historic Scotland with an additional uplift of £3m granted by the Scottish Government. The result will be a m
11/06/2008
Four Scottish projects are among the some of the best building and conservation projects from around the world which make up the shortlist of the RICS Awards 2008. Selected following regional heats the shortlisted entries now compete to become overall category winners in Building Conservation, Reg
11/06/2008
Scotland's chief statistician today published headline results from the 2007 Scottish Household Survey. The survey's results include a finding that 93% of adults rate their neighbourhood as a very or fairly good place to live. This includes 27% of adults in the most deprived quintile who rated thei
11/06/2008
The public is being asked for their views on the suitability of five sites as the possible location for a new Highland Gallery and Museum - an inspirational 21st century cultural facility for Inverness and the Highlands. Sites at Castle Street, Midmills and the Riverside or Stand Sections of the No
11/06/2008
Responses to a consultation seeking the views of young people on the legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games were published yesterday as part of the national Discussion Day on the games. The consultation, carried out by Young Scot, Scotland's national youth information agency, engaged with 1,024 youn
11/06/2008
Audit Scotland has praised Orkney Islands Council's 'well-developed local housing strategy' in a report for the Accounts Commission. The report states that the council has a well-developed local housing strategy which focuses on the need to ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing. However
11/06/2008
The inspirational Homes and Interiors Scotland Exhibition has expanded to become a three day event for the first time this year, running from Friday 29th to Sunday 31st of August. Organisers say it's the only show in Scotland dedicated to quality interiors is set to be the biggest and most stylish
11/06/2008
West of Scotland based housing developer Turnberry Homes have said they are bucking the downward trend in the property market with customers queuing for new build apartments. Turnberry Homes launched their new site of luxury apartments at Parkhall Gardens in Clydebank on Saturday June 7 and discove
11/06/2008
Tait Security, a division of Glasgow-based Tait Group, is expanding into the North-east with the opening of an Aberdeen trade counter and distribution centre. The firm, which is the fastest growing supplier of both IP and traditional security products in Scotland, aims to increase turnover to £4m
10/06/2008
An outline planning application to invest up to £70m in the transformation of land on the western edge of Nairn, bringing hundreds of jobs to the local community, was today lodged with the Highland Council. The proposed concept masterplan for a mixed-use development at Delnies, was lodged by the Ca
10/06/2008
The inquiry into Donald Trump's £1bn Aberdeenshire golf resort plans has begun. The inquiry is expected to last several weeks at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) and will look into why the American Tycoon's plans for "the worlds greatest golf course" at the Menie Estate were rej
10/06/2008
A convoy of up to 100 lorries will stage a "go-slow" protest on the M8 over the rising price of fuel. Protestors will start at Strathclyde Country Park and travel from North Lanarkshire to Holyrood to hand in a letter to Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson urging for a reduction on fuel duty. Bot
10/06/2008
Shetland Island's Council Development Committee agreed to retain the budget of £2.4m towards the building of a new abattoir following ongoing studies into the feasibility of this project. Since the initial decision by the Council was taken last year to set aside these investment funds, investigati
10/06/2008
A new canal basin is the centrepiece of a proposed new CALA Homes development at Ratho, Edinburgh. The development, located at the heart of the conservation village, also features 100 private houses, 18 affordable homes and a 60-bed care home. CALA Homes has joined forces with British Waterways S
10/06/2008
A new service to help rural communities apply for a range of funding programs was launched today. Rural Direct will aim to ensure communities reap maximum benefit from schemes aimed at tackling climate change, reducing waste and improving environmental management. The Crofters' Commission and the
10/06/2008
Inverclyde Council's Planning Board has given the green light to plans for 192 new homes on the site of the former Scott Lithgow Kingston shipyard in Port Glasgow. At a meeting this afternoon, the Board approved the plans by Kenmore Homes for 159 houses with 2-4 bedrooms, and 33 one or two bedroom
10/06/2008
Communities Minister, Stewart Maxwell has released the Scottish Housing Regulator's assessment of the Mazars Report. The Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, whose members are engaged in Second Stage Transfer of housing stock initially transferred to GHA, commissioned charter
10/06/2008
Work on two key elements that will underpin the multi million pound transformation of Dundee's waterfront will go before councillors this week. Members of Dundee City Council's planning and transport committee will be asked to approve £450,000 of works to Gellatly Street and changes to the area's c
10/06/2008
The UK's largest independent baking business, Warburtons, has started operations at its new distribution depot at Eurocentral business park in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The new £2m, 20,000 sq ft purpose built distribution facility, is the latest industrial development to be built by Morgan Ashurst for
09/06/2008
Donald Trump has arrived in Scotland today ahead of his appearance at the public inquiry into his plans for a £1bn golf resort. The US tycoon flew in to the isle of Lewis and paid a visit to his late mother's former home near Stornoway. Mary MacLeod Trump was born in Scotland and grew up on Lewis,
09/06/2008
Measures outlined by the government will do little to help the 4.5 million people in the UK that are currently living in fuel poverty according to Cut the VAT Coalition. Richard Hyslop, Cut the VAT Coalition Coordinator, said: "This announcement by the government does not go far enough in helping t
09/06/2008
A luxury mansion in Edinburgh could be on course to become Scotland's first £5m house. The seven-bedroom house in the plush Grange Loan area of the city has been put on the market at a starting price of £3.5m. However, Strutt & Parker - the estate agents handling the sale - claim the hot property
09/06/2008
A new service to aid rural communities in applying for a range of funding programs was formally launched by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead today. Rural Direct will aim to ensure communities reap maximum benefit from schemes aimed at tackling climate change,
09/06/2008
Lovell is celebrating winning a series of safety awards in Scotland. For the fourth year in succession, Lovell has won the Gold RoSPA Occupational Health & Safety Award for maintaining high standards of health and safety management at its construction sites and offices in Scotland. The awards are
09/06/2008
West Dunbartonshire Council's Planning Committee has approved a planning application from Cordale Housing Association to build 279 homes for rent and sale in Dalquhurn Estate, a 30 acre site in Renton. This development, which was the biggest land acquisition by a single housing association in Scot
09/06/2008
Holmes Partnership has submitted a full planning application, on behalf of Valad Property Group, for a major commercial mixed-use development on 110 Queen Street, Glasgow. Located in one of Glasgow's most important conservation areas, and surrounded by mainly Category A buildings, the £40m Queen S
09/06/2008
Last week saw the official Launch of OpenHouse at the NAEA & ARLA Scottish Conference at Airth Castle Hotel, near Stirling. OpenHouse is a special partnership initiative between Surveyors Panel Management, SPM and the company registration specialist firm Millar & Bryce (subsidiary of MacDonald Det
06/06/2008
Rock Ness revellers will be treated to an additional visual spectacle this weekend with the switching on of the feature lighting on the Ness Bridge, Inverness. The lighting is computer controlled across a wide spectrum of colour and has been successfully used to provide visually dynamic light affec
06/06/2008
Residents and visitors to the Isle Of Skye will be able to take part in more leisure opportunities than ever before thanks to the opening on July 1 of the new community facilities at Portree High School. The 25 metre, 5 lane swimming pool features a floating floor which means the depth of the pool
06/06/2008
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell has today released the Scottish Housing Regulator's assessment of the Mazars Report on the valuation of the housing stock transferred to Glasgow Housing Association. The Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, whose members are engaged in Sec
06/06/2008
Sports facilities across Scotland are to receive new investment of £781,904, including £67,000 for mountain biking at Fort William where the world championships are being held this week for the seventh successive year. The existing downhill track, among the only specialist mountain bike tracks in B
06/06/2008
Three public bodies are working together to help Aberdeen businesses improve water quality in a local burn. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scottish Water and Aberdeen City Council formed the East Tullos Burn Working Group in April 2007. To raise awareness of the burn and its his
06/06/2008
A stretch of city centre road will be closed next week to allow for essential maintenance. Bon Accord Terrace will close on Monday, June 9, for up to five days between the Justice Mill Lane and West Craibstone Street junctions to ensure public safety while BT carries out manhole cover repairs. Hou
06/06/2008
An innovative project to reduce the amount of plastic bags being thrown out has helped scoop a major environmental award for a north-east school. Banchory Primary School was named as a winner of the Green School Awards after their project, entitled 'Bags for Banchory', got the judges vote. Devised
06/06/2008
St Leonard's has become the first nursery school in Edinburgh to achieve the prestigious Eco Schools Green Flag status for a third time. The coveted Green Flag is awarded to schools who exhibit proactive environmental work covering topics such as water, health and wellbeing, waste management, litte
06/06/2008
East Ayrshire Provost Stephanie Young visited Balmoral Knitwear recently to formally re-open the Balmoral Mill & Coffee Shop car park. As part of the Flood Prevention Scheme for Galston, which was recently completed by the Council the banks of the River Irvine and its tributary the Burnawn, which s
06/06/2008
After a year of construction work, Morrison Construction, part of Galliford Try group, has this week handed over, on schedule, a brand new school for pupils with additional support needs in Inverness. Drummond School is the eighth of the eleven new schools projects to be completed under The Highland
05/06/2008
Glasgow's £20m Clyde Arc bridge, known as the 'Squinty Bridge' by locals is due to reopen on June 29 following the completion of repairs. The bridge by designer Halcrow and civil engineering contractor Edmund Nuttal Ltd, which opened in September 2006, had to be closed after a cable snapped and cra
05/06/2008
The Scottish Government's target of increasing housing supply to combat shortages and affordability issues is being put in serious jeopardy by cuts in lending by mortgage providers. That is the message delivered by home building industry leaders following today’s meeting of the Board of Homes for S
05/06/2008
Culture Minister Linda Fabiani MSP is urging the country's developers and architects to consider the built heritage as an avenue for future developments. Speaking after the Scottish Design Awards where she presented the award of Best Re-use of a Listed Building Award, sponsored by Historic Scotland
05/06/2008
The new ferry terminal in Belfast will provide more economic opportunities for the South West of Scotland and promote even stronger links between Scotland and Northern Ireland, First Minister Alex Salmond said at the official opening ceremony at the Stena Line terminal yesterday. Mr Salmond said: "
05/06/2008
A hard-hitting exhibition about climate change which has wowed audiences all over the world returns to Edinburgh today to mark World Environment Day. Hard Rain: Our Headlong Collision with Nature, by photo-journalist Mark Edwards, will open in East Princes Street Gardens this morning, fresh from it
05/06/2008
The Bothwell Street off-ramp at the Kingston Bridge, Glasgow, will close on June 14 for 20 weeks to enable Transport Scotland to invest £4.5m on necessary, major resurfacing and repairs. The work which is being managed and supervised by Amey on behalf of Transport Scotland involves replacing worn p
05/06/2008
Castlehill Housing Association new website has gone live. Gordon Kyle, Chief Executive of Castlehill said: "We have thoroughly researched what information we need to provide on the website and think that the site is now more helpful to our existing and prospective customers." The new site includes
05/06/2008
Initial work has begun on the new Kingsland Primary School in Peebles. The first phase will involve the construction of a new combined footpath and cyclepath linking Kirkland Street and Wemyss Place to Haylodge car park. This is expected to take eight weeks to complete and is being undertaken by J
05/06/2008
REHAU's supply of a PROFILA data cable management system to M&E contractors Skanska for Slough Borough Council's PFI schools project has led to a similar new contract for eight PPP schools in Midlothian, Scotland. The PROFILA data system was chosen by Skanska in Slough because it fitted the specifi
05/06/2008
Playtime at an Alness school is about to become more imaginative and exciting thanks to a £31,000 project which has transformed a desolate and unattractive area within Obsdale Primary school into a play area which encourages pupils to get creative and devise their own playtime fun. The project was
04/06/2008
A new advice network to help Scots cut their fuel bills was launched today. The Energy Saving Scotland advice network will offer free advice on energy efficiency, small scale renewables and sustainable transport. The one-stop-shop will help customers access grants from the Scottish Government and
04/06/2008
The site for a 700 capacity super prison for the north east of Scotland is to be announced in Peterhead later today by Mike Ewart the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service. The new jail will be built in the Peterhead area and replace the aging Victorian-era prisons in both Peterhead and Cr
04/06/2008
Developers are appealing against the rejection of plans to turn a historic pub in the Scottish borders into housing. A planning application to turn the Crook Inn at Tweedsmuir into four flats and a house was turned down by the Scottish Borders Council in March, members of the Tweeddale Area Commit
04/06/2008
A group of Edinburgh school pupils has won a CHANGEit award in the Innovation category after Miller Developments funded their trip to London to pitch their campaign idea to the judging panel. Lewis Blackley, Jamie McGovern and Emma McKie, who are all 14 years of age and from Castlebrae Community Hi
04/06/2008
SELECT, the authoritative trade association for the electro-technical industry, is ready to celebrate 10 successful years of steady growth, strategic expansion and dramatically improved service to its nationwide portfolio of member firms. SELECT, the trading name of the Electrical Contractors' Asso
04/06/2008
Ruberoid Building Products has re-launched its definitive guide to waterproofing, the 'Waterproofer's Handbook' in response to popular demand. The new look 124 page handbook is designed to provide specifiers, designers, builders merchants, specialist distributors and contractors with the most compre
04/06/2008
Ayrshire Housing Association has officially opened its latest development for rent in Kirkmichael. An open invitation was extended to everyone in the village which gave the event a real sense of informality. The 12 house development is an attractive addition to this conservation village. At the sam
04/06/2008
Members of South Ayrshire Council's Leadership Panel have agreed to the submission of a funding application to the Sailwest Project, which could lead to the economy of South Ayrshire being boosted by three maritime projects. The Sailwest Project is part of a European co-operation programme for the
04/06/2008
Cirrus Research plc, the UK company which specialises in the design and development of noise measurement equipment for health and safety applications have launched their Noise in Action Photography Competition. Cirrus are looking for interesting, unusual or imaginative images of their noise measurem
04/06/2008
Measures to tackle the shortage of affordable housing for new and young families in the Cairngorms National Park area have been approved. The planning committee of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) met at Ballater to agree modifications to their local plan that will see developers oblig
03/06/2008
A new £18.8m fund to help communities take local action to tackle the global threat of climate change opens for business today. The Climate Challenge Fund, which will support community-led action to reduce emissions, was officially launched by Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Richard Lochhead
03/06/2008
Rok building company has officially opened its new office in Stirling to serve the county and surrounding areas. Rok has worked on several contracts in the area over the years and has already established itself as a local builder. Stirling Provost Fergus Wood was asked to cut the ribbon to offici
03/06/2008
Scottish planners, architects and designers are today joining senior police at the Scottish Police College to discuss ways in which the design and construction sectors can incorporate counter-terrorism principles in their work. The session, named Project Argus 'Professional', is being hosted by th
03/06/2008
A ground-breaking new group which will help shape a prosperous future for rural Scotland held its first meeting yesterday. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead chaired the inaugural meeting of the Rural Development Council in Dunkeld. The council includes a number of individuals w
03/06/2008
Nearly 70 people died in Scotland last year, and almost 3,800 were seriously injured as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. A seminar for housebuilders being held in West Lothian this week aims to reduce this toll. The Health and Safety Executive in partnership with the Scottish House
03/06/2008
A programme of conservation and repair on historic Kirkyards in Aberdeenshire is set to continue through an award of £49,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of a wider project valued at £150,000. Kirkyards, which are a focal point for many communities, contain a wealth of information which a
03/06/2008
Lettings are going well at The Elements, Land Securities' new £130m shopping centre in Livingston, with several top high-street names already signed up. Leasing Director David Smith reported today that the 375,000 sq ft shopping centre, due to open on October 16, is now 70%t let or in solicitors' h
03/06/2008
The demolition of two multi-storey tower blocks by Glasgow Housing Association has brought the regeneration of the Laurieston area one step closer to reality. It took just under 10 seconds and less than 120 kilos of explosives to blow down the two 23-storey-high blocks at No's 40/80 and 45/85 Stirl
03/06/2008
A campaign to attract shoppers in to the Old Town area of Inverness whilst the £6m streetscaping improvements reach a critical stage was launched yesterday. Colourful city centre banners entitled 'Strictly Come Shopping' have been erected in key locations to promote the message that the city is sti
03/06/2008
Bison Concrete Products has appointed Nigel Brown as the new General Manager for Scotland. Nigel Brown brings considerable experience to his new role, having held senior posts in aerospace, engineering and manufacturing. Mr Brown said: "There is a lot of opportunity in Scotland and we want to use
02/06/2008
Planned investment of £1.5bn is expected to create at least 21,500 new approved affordable homes by 2011, it was announced today. Unveiling this year's Affordable Housing Investment Programme, Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell said the funding for the next three years was 19% more than planned b
02/06/2008
Over 5,000 council trade workers are to hold a one–day strike, which could be repeated every two weeks until an agreement is reached in a row over pay. Trade workers such as plasterers and electricians for councils including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Fife are said to be unhappy about being for
02/06/2008
Over 5,000 people have not reaffirmed their desire to remain on a waiting list for council housing in Falkirk. At the beginning of the year, 12,605 people had their names down for a council house but following a review of council home allocation policy in January, the local authority called for peo
02/06/2008
Two ambitious directors at McKean Group, which carries out both principal and specialist contracting works within the construction industry, have completed a vendor instigated management buyout of the Glasgow-based organisation for a sum approaching seven figures. Group directors, David Noar, and M
02/06/2008
A new website that will enable the people of Scotland to see at a glance how Scotland is performing was launched today. The Scotland Performs website
02/06/2008
The famous Walkers Shortbread has opened a new factory in Elgin. The security and safety of the workers being paramount, G.A. Barnie specified Prysmian's FP200 Gold cable to power the fire alarm system, installed in the plant rooms and loft space in the Walkers Shortbread Factory. The £8m investme
02/06/2008
A category B listed bridge in Dundee's Balgay Park has been officially reopened after a £250,000 facelift. The Hird Bridge was transformed by Robertson Land & Building in a project funded by Historic Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund and Dundee City Council. Convener of Dundee City Council's leisure
02/06/2008
Miller Developments is taking an innovative approach to reaching potential customers within the commercial property sector by creating its first dedicated sales and marketing suite for the eight new office pavilions at Alba Business Park, Livingston. The companies new on-site sales and marketing su
02/06/2008
The City of Edinburgh Council has welcomed the Scottish Government's announcement of affordable housing investment for the city but called for a review of the way funding is allocated across the country. The Scottish Government, through the Affordable Housing Investment Programme, has allocated Edi
02/06/2008
Eurocell Building Plastics (EBP) has recently opened its most northerly depot, in Inverness, Scotland. This latest opening takes the total number of Eurocell depots to 87 nationally. With a population of just over 60,000 people and a thriving local economy, there are a large number of installers,
