Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for November 2009
30/11/2009
Progress continues on the M74 Completion project with the successful erection of beams at Glasgow Road underbridge. The operation took place over two weekends in October and November using a crane to place the 39 precast concrete beams onto the structure. Placed end to end, the beams used to con
30/11/2009
The number of affordable homes built in Scotland this year reached the highest level since records began, according to official figures released today. There were 33% fewer private sector homes completed between April and June this year than the same period in 2008. There was a 71% increase in aff
30/11/2009
King Sturge has recently concluded a lease on behalf of Joint Properties at Abbeyhill Industrial Estate to a martial arts centre. Unit 1, which extends to 4,450 ft², has been let to Alba Martial Arts, operating as Edinburgh Martial Arts College on a ten-year lease at an annual rental of £31,157 (£7
30/11/2009
One of Glasgow’s most deprived communities, Possilpark, is set to get a brand new £9million state-of-the-art health and wellbeing centre. The centre is scheduled to open in 2012 and will replace the existing health centre in Denmark Street which was built in the 1970s. The move is part of wider pr
30/11/2009
Robertson Homes has appointed two core agencies from the Tangible Group to refresh its marketing communications and take the brand into the next stage of its development. In a bid to strengthen its overall marketing approach, the home builder has appointed The Leith Agency and Stripe Communication
30/11/2009
Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels has been instructed by Blair Nimmo and Gary Fraser of KPMG, Joint Administrators to EBH Limited to market and sell the 170-bedroom Novotel at Edinburgh Park in Edinburgh. Alan Creevy, Director with Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Scotland, who is handling the sale in Glasgow alo
30/11/2009
Robert Burns' Cottage was re-opened yesterday following a £1 million renovation of the historic site. The building now features a new Education Pavillion where people can learn more about the National Bard. The cottage is a key part of the National Trust for Scotland's £21 million Robert Burns Bir
30/11/2009
Stirling Council has welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Government that Riverside Primary School will be part of the new school building project. Portfolio holder for Education, Councillor Graham Lambie, said Riverside was a priority school for development. He commented: "The proposals f
27/11/2009
More than 130 new houses for rent are to be built in East Kilbride. East Kilbride Development Consortium, which is led by Clyde Valley Housing Association in partnership with East Kilbride and District Housing Association and West of Scotland Housing Association, will construct 133 affordable homes
27/11/2009
Construction firm McKean & Co recently handed over three projects to Rok totalling £2.3 million. The contracts included a housing project in Greenock as well as work at Glasgow's Southern General and construction of Network Rail office accommodation in Irvine. In Greenock, the Glasgow-based firm -
27/11/2009
Shelter Scotland has responded to statistics released yesterday by the Scottish government on how many households are being referred to local authorities because they face eviction or repossession. The statistics are being released for the first time, after landlords and lenders were required to t
27/11/2009
Edinburgh Napier University has received royal recognition for its collaborative research in to noise insulation involving the house building industry. The research has helped revolutionise new-home building practices and standards and led to the establishment of the Robust Details scheme, benefit
27/11/2009
The new multi-use games area (MUGA) at Burnfoot Community School in Hawick has been officially opened. The MUGA is the culmination of a partnership project between the school and Burnfoot Community Futures 'Fitba!" project which gained more than 10,000 phone votes on The Big Lottery Fund’s People’s
27/11/2009
Angus Council is set to develop a new scheme to help house owners and private tenants carrying out work on their homes, by providing advice, information and practical assistance. The new arrangement will replace the grants scheme currently in existence. The focus of the new scheme will be on meet
27/11/2009
Capita Symonds has announced the acquisition of engineering consultancy Multi-Tech Contracts Ltd (Multi-Tech) for an undisclosed sum. Multi-Tech, which has an office in Edinburgh, employs over 150 staff specialising in engineering, design and project management services to the chemical, food, petro
27/11/2009
Ellon Community Council has hosted a special thank you supper and ceilidh evening for everyone involved with the construction of a shelter in Gordon Park. Eleven Prince's Foundation Building Craft apprentices worked alongside master craftsmen to construct a small octagonal building with seating. T
26/11/2009
Mortgage lending to Scottish first-time buyers increased 26% in the third quarter of 2009, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) Scotland. There were 5,400 first-time buyer loans in the third quarter, up from 4,300 in the previous quarter and unchanged from the third quarter of 2008.
26/11/2009
Work to secure an area of potential landslip above the only access road to the village of Pennan will begin on Friday, it has been confirmed. Following the approval of elected members, a contractor has been appointed to begin pinning a mesh across the area using around 100 10m-long metal 'soil nai
26/11/2009
The announcement that Paul Morrell has been appointed to the position of Chief Construction Advisor (CCA), by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) has been welcomed. ConstructionSkills' Chief Executive Mark Farrar said: "The decision to have a dedicated construction representative
26/11/2009
Leading Aberdeen-based health and safety firm Safetynet Scotland Ltd has announced the appointment of a key member of staff. Just last month the company – which specialises in providing company specific health and safety services – announced a move to new, larger premises. Now it has appointed Per
26/11/2009
Lovell has been chosen as a contractor partner by the Rowan Group, a consortium of eight housing associations operating in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. As a member of the Rowan Group's contractor framework, Lovell will help the Group to deliver its four-year, £55 million programme of new hou
26/11/2009
New technology developed at Edinburgh University is set to make wind power cheaper and more reliable. The technology replaces the complex gearboxes in existing wind turbines with a lightweight, direct drive system that is easier to manufacture and cheaper to maintain. Researchers at the University
26/11/2009
Senior doctors from across the globe have come together to form the International Climate and Health Council. Aimed very much at changing the build and infrastructure environment, it is aimed at mobilising health professionals across the world to help tackle the health effects of climate change.
26/11/2009
Skykon Tower Solutions has won a contract to supply towers for Europe's largest onshore wind farm. Scottish and Southern Energy is to build 152 turbines for the Clyde Wind Farm near Abington in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The £500 million project is expected to offer 456MW of new renewable electr
25/11/2009
A council has today given planning consent to develop Europe's largest data centre, situated on the outskirts of Lockerbie. Dumfries & Galloway Council has granted the scheme planning in principle and it no longer needs referral to Scottish Ministers, meaning that work to construct one of the larg
25/11/2009
Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson welcomed 15 young people on the road to career success as they were formally inducted to an M74 Modern Apprenticeship scheme. The apprentices, who are mainly from the Glasgow and South Lanarkshire area, started working on the project last year as a result of the
25/11/2009
More powers on energy regulation would deliver better opportunities for Scottish business and a better deal for consumers according to Energy Minister Jim Mather. The National Conversation paper on energy, published today, highlights ways that more power over energy policy would benefit Scots for
25/11/2009
A new funding package has been agreed, which will help identify options for the second phase of the Ravenscraig regeneration project. Scottish Enterprise, North Lanarkshire Council and Wilson Bowden have agreed to provide £2 million funding, which will go towards the preparation of detailed area pl
25/11/2009
Fife Council's Private Landlord Registration Team registered more than 7,000 landlords in 2008-09, according to the Fife Housing Partnership. Housing and Communities Committee and Fife Housing Partnership Chair, Cllr. Brian Goodall, expressed his delight at the Team's performance: "After a slow sta
25/11/2009
Commercial property consultants FG Burnett has been commissioned by SPT to secure new tenants for eight Glasgow subway station kiosks. FG Burnett is seeking premium brand businesses for the high-visibility kiosks which range in size from 120-1,180 sq ft. The Glasgow Subway is the third oldest un
25/11/2009
Residents of Glencarse, Perthshire, have shown the Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead how Scottish Government funding has installed energy saving measures to reduce carbon emissions in the local community hall. While creating a warmer hall, heat loss has been reduced and a more efficient heatin
25/11/2009
A Scottish firm that specialises in the use of natural stone work in construction projects has been celebrating success. Kirk Natural Stone Developments were "very pleased" to be involved with both the internal and external work which was carried out on the new Malmaison Hotel, Aberdeen. Helen Kir
24/11/2009
A £2.2m bridge upgrade on the A82 is set to get underway following the award of the works contract for the Ba Bridge replacement Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, announced today. Transport Scotland has awarded the contract to RJ MacLeod, who will undertake replacement of the existing narrow s
24/11/2009
Members of the Scottish Building Federation have hosted a highly successful discussion with the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP. Taking palce in Edinburgh on Monday the 23rd November, it was themed around the subject of "Scottish construc
24/11/2009
Glasgow City Council has announced the Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative is to be continued. Council Leader, Councillor Steven Purcell, said he wanted to focus on preparing for the economic upturn by building up the pool of skilled labour within the city. More than 1000 qualified school leave
24/11/2009
The highest number of construction fatalities last year, were in London, Scotland and the South West, according to information uncovered from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In 2008/9 53 construction workers were killed at work, a 26% decline on the 72 deaths recorded in 2007/8. Despite the
24/11/2009
Property tycoon Donald Trump has halted further dealings with one of the property owners refusing to sell up to make way for his proposed £1bn golf resort in Aberdeenshire. According to BBC Scotland Mr Trump has branded Michael Forbes, who lives on the Menie Estate, a "loser" who is damaging the im
24/11/2009
Brickwork specialists, VB Contracts, has become the first company in Scotland to scoop a prestigious industry award. The firm, established just seven years ago, was crowned Specialist Brickwork Contractor of the Year 2009 at the annual Brick Awards. It is the first time in the Brick Award’s 22 ye
24/11/2009
Edinburgh's property market is remaining strong despite claims in the latest Lloyds TSB report that house prices have fallen in the city, according to one of the Capital's leading solicitor estate agent. Responding to the latest Lloyds TSB Scottish House Price Monitor, which claims Edinburgh house
24/11/2009
Pupils, staff and members of the local community are benefiting from the completion of a £3 million refurbishment programme at Dalmilling Primary School in Ayr. The extensive work, which was phased over a 4-year period, has transformed the school buildings with new external cladding, toilets, ceili
23/11/2009
The Scottish government, teaming up with the house building industry, is to test a new way of increasing the supply of affordable homes to buy through its new Supply Shared Equity Scheme. Developers are being asked to take equity stakes jointly with the Scottish government in unsold or partially bu
23/11/2009
A £15.9m road improvement project on the A75 has moved a stage forward with the publication of important statutory road orders. The Made Road Orders for the Dunragit by-pass project were published on Friday November 20, 2009 by Transport Scotland. The scheme will see construction of a new 5.3km s
23/11/2009
The completion of a hydro scheme in a remote Lochaber area has the power to re-invigorate the community, according to the estate managers. The £300,000 project is being carried out at the Kilmalieu Estate in Ardgour by the Abernethy Trust with the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Commun
23/11/2009
A major regeneration scheme for Middlefield and preparations to fix the Haudagain roundabout bottleneck have taken a major step forward. Aberdeen City Councillors have approved plans to stop re-letting the estimated 276 homes potentially affected by the proposals for a new link road between North A
23/11/2009
Historic Scotland today issued a new CD Rom during National Maintenance Week which brings together expert advice to show owners the best way to maintain and care for their traditionally built properties. Ruth Parsons, Chief Executive for Historic Scotland, launched the CD at the Scotch Whisky Herit
23/11/2009
A £5.4 million housing development in Orkney was officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond on Friday. Mr Salmond met residents moving into new properties from the second (final) phase of The Meadows development in Kirkwall, as well as representatives of Orkney Housing Association Ltd which d
23/11/2009
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has approved a new 25-year lease at Arnish Point, Stornoway. This paves the way for a new state-of-the-art salmon processing plant and the creation of up to 100 full time jobs. Lighthouse Caledonia is sub-letting plot 1.4 and plans to construct a new buildin
23/11/2009
A pioneering low-carbon community badged the 'conservation area of tomorrow' aims to set new standards in urban planning. The 121 home Polnoon development near Eaglesham Village in East Renfrewshire, encapsulates a new design approach to build a better quality living environment. The Scottish gove
20/11/2009
Mivan has secured a major museum fit-out project in Glasgow. The £4.4 million Glasgow Riverside Museum project is the firm’s largest museum scheme since the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. They will be supplying and installing a range of complex exhibition systems, street scenes and displa
20/11/2009
Twenty four people who have successfully completed their apprenticeships with Fife Council’s Building Services have been recognised for their achievements. Their graduation to fully qualified tradesmen brings the number of apprentices who have completed their training with the service to more than
20/11/2009
Kier Scotland has completed the construction of the largest Sainsbury’s in Scotland. The store in Braehead, near Glasgow, opened yesterday – just five months after building work began. At nearly 70,000sq ft, the new single-storey store will be almost 10,000sq ft bigger than Scotland’s next larges
20/11/2009
Archial Architects' design for the new £10.5 million pioneering world-class centre for veterinary medicine has picked up the Supreme Award from the Glasgow Institute of Architects. It has also been short-listed for the prestigious RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, which will be
20/11/2009
A new College Campus for Stirling is another step closer with the Council's Planning Panel agreeing in principle to a new college being built at Kildean near Raploch. The application, by Forth Valley College, is to develop college campus facilities on the site of the former Riverways Restaurant wit
20/11/2009
Construction workers in Lanarkshire are being invited to an event this Tuesday to find out more about protecting themselves from Silicosis − a potentially lethal lung disease caused by breathing in stone dust. Around 10 construction workers die each week as a result of breathing in dust cont
20/11/2009
Future development options for the Cults area of Aberdeen were outlined at a public consultation event this week. Proposed development options for the area include a site for 185 homes on land at Friarsfield and a major proposal for 3,000 houses plus employment land at Countesswells. The options a
20/11/2009
A new affordable housing development in Edinburgh by Places for People has been praised by judges of the prestigious Saltire Housing Design Awards. The 49 affordable flats, built on a brownfield urban site on Mitchell Street in Leith, were designed to complement the local area and existing street p
19/11/2009
Households in rural parts of Scotland will be offered cheap to run, 'plug in' energy to help cut household fuel bills. Grants of up to £6500 are being made available through the Scottish Government's £60 million Energy Assistance Package, to install low-carbon air source heat pumps for people who n
19/11/2009
The organisers of the Commonwealth Games are making progress in a number of key areas but now need to put in place an overall programme plan, ensure costs are under control and continue to identify and manage other risks, according to Audit Scotland. The progress report on planning for the delivery
19/11/2009
Kier has today announced the appointment of Paul Sheffield as Group Chief Executive. Mr Sheffield will succeed John Dodds who after nearly forty years with the Group intends to step down as Chief Executive and from the Board at the end of March 2010. Paul will then take over as Group Chief Execut
19/11/2009
HM Naval Base Clyde's brand new Supermess – to be named Neptune Building – has opened for breakfast business. Monday, November 17, saw the Junior Rates' Mess open with Royal Navy personnel tucking into their eggs, bacon and cereal in the plush new surroundings. Next Monday, November 24, will see t
19/11/2009
East Dunbartonshire Council have been awarded £361,000 for Kirkintilloch town centre from the second round of the Scottish government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund. The council applied to the fund and the award will used to complete preliminary works to the site at Glasgow Road in preparation for
19/11/2009
Bridon, a leading manufacturers of specialist wire and rope solutions, has announced the appointment of Jonathan Templeman to the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Based out of Bridon's headquarters in Doncaster, Jonathan’s key role will be to develop a strong vision and strategy that will pr
19/11/2009
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport's Chair, Alistair Watson, recently visited the newly-created site compound in Greenock's Kilblain Street to signal the start of the work on the £1.3million new bus station. Kilblain Street is currently closed to buses as work on the bus station's new layout sta
19/11/2009
Dundee must improve council housing in the city but the upgrade will "come at a cost", that's the message from housing convener Jimmy Black at the start of a consultation process on next year's council rents. A report to the city council's housing, Dundee Contract Services and environment services
18/11/2009
Construction insolvencies are down but "challenges lie ahead", the Scottish Building Federation has warned. Commenting on the publication of the Insolvency Service’s Q3 statistics on the UK construction industry which show a 4.7% fall compared to Q2, Michael Levack, Chief Executive of the SBF, warn
18/11/2009
Ground-breaking noise insulation techniques pioneered by Edinburgh Napier University have led to a four-fold drop in complaints about noise from neighbours in new build homes and benefited over one million home owners. The research has now received the highest accolade that can be conferred on a h
18/11/2009
Angus Council has awarded the contract to dredge the Barry burn, Carnoustie to Highland Quality Construction. Work is expected to begin in the next fortnight, and will take approximately five weeks to complete, subject to weather conditions. The work will involve the removal and disposal of sedim
18/11/2009
Aberdeen-based Northern Offshore UK Ltd has announced an extension to its ongoing drilling services contract with Maersk Oil and Gas for the jackup Energy Endeavour, worth an estimated US $6million. This extension is for work on an additional well, plus an optional workover well and will commence i
18/11/2009
Culture Minister Michael Russell has thanked the hard working team, coordinated by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust, that ensure the doors of Glasgow’s most intriguing buildings remain open. The Minister met the organisers and building owners who make the annual Doors Open Day event such a huge
18/11/2009
A massive clean-up squad made up of local residents and staff from social housing and refurbishment specialists, Connaught, has rid the litter from communities in Priesthill. Over thirty adults and children armed with rubber gloves, bin bags, cleaning solution, masks and goggles supplied by Clean G
18/11/2009
Scottish home buyers who fear they may lose out due to the insolvency of a Spanish developer have been given until the 2 December to register their claim with the Spanish authorities, says law firm DWF. Trampolin Hills Golf Resort SL, a company that sold hundreds of properties to British and Irish
18/11/2009
Visiting the Denny Tank in Dumbarton yesterday, the Culture Minister announced £249,000 capital funding for urgently needed restoration and repairs. Michael Russell was at the Scottish Maritime Museum's Dumbarton site to see first-hand the challenges it faces in maintaining its large estate, and to
17/11/2009
The most significant Scottish transport infrastructure project for a generation has reached a historic stage as it goes forward for scrutiny by the Scottish parliament. The introduction of the Forth Crossing Bill, which seeks authority to implement and build the new Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC)
17/11/2009
A new factory and 50 new jobs are being created by construction skills company, CCG, in South Lanarkshire. The company will be involved in building houses for sale or rent as part of the 200 million pound Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village. The new jobs will involve off-site assembly of timber f
17/11/2009
Scotland's home building industry has set out the case for a continued UK-wide economic re-inflation package ahead of the Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report on 9 December. Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, the body representing companies building 95% of new homes built for sale in S
17/11/2009
Aberdeen-based BlueSky Business Space, a Chess Group plc company, has secured close to £2 million worth of new business within the last six months. The company is a provider of flexible, serviced office accommodation in the North-east with Business Centres located in Westhill and Altens. The new
17/11/2009
Measures to reduce the level of rent arrears are working, and the outstanding amounts of money are steadily declining, according to Angus Council. There has been a noticeable drop in the number of cases where tenants owe in excess of £1000, from 277 in March this year, down to 191 in October. Conv
17/11/2009
Aberdeen City Council has been awarded more than £1.25 million from the Scottish government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund. The money will be used to launch a special initiative to breathe new life into empty shops in Torry – and to boost the shopping areas of Mastrick, Rosemount, Peterculter and
17/11/2009
The Concrete Block Association (CBA) has welcomed the results of a recently commissioned independent survey. The statistically balanced omnibus survey carried out in October 2009 confirmed the overwhelming desire of those interviewed to live in a home constructed from brick and block. Telephone in
17/11/2009
Two town centres in Argyll and Bute are in line for a makeover, thanks to the council's success in a government funding scheme Argyll and Bute Council has secured £600,000 of government money towards its plans to revitalise Dunoon and Bowmore on Islay. The funding – which will be shared equally be
16/11/2009
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors will be carrying out a series of inspections at harbours, marine bases and pipe yard sites throughout the North East and Highlands of Scotland targeting work involving the lifting and movement of heavy goods. The aim of is to raise awareness, promote se
16/11/2009
A campaign to raise awareness of fuel poverty and to highlight energy saving schemes has been launched. The Warm Homes initiative will be driven by Energy Action Scotland and National Energy Action. Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "I very much welcome this campaign. It is unaccept
16/11/2009
The President of the UK Royal Town Planners Institute has praised Aberdeen City Council's planning department for the positive impact it has had on the city's developments. Martin Willey was impressed by the quality and level of development, not least that reflected by the number of cranes in opera
16/11/2009
More is needed to be done to assist first time buyers to take their first step on the property ladder, according to a group of the Lothians' leading solicitor estate agents. The Edinburgh and Lothians Property Group (ELPG) believe that, although house prices are rising and mortgage lending is on th
16/11/2009
A hospital designed by a Glasgow based Architects has been recognised at the Building Better Healthcare Awards. The new £33m South Wing of the Western Health and Social Care Trust's Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry, Northern Ireland – designed by HLM Architects in Glasgow in association wi
16/11/2009
Property maintenance firm One Call Home Assist has secured a deal to provide emergency repairs and maintenance with a leading Scottish letting company. The Edinburgh-based firm, which provides maintenance contracts designed to help homeowners and landlords save thousands of pounds in repair bills,
16/11/2009
Pupils entered the completed replacement for Grove Academy for the first time today as the school opened for lessons. The new building represents the finish of the construction phase of Dundee City Council's £90 million PPP programme to provide six new primaries and two new secondaries. Pupils hav
16/11/2009
Brechin is to receive £1.8m from the government's town centre regeneration fund (TCRF). The bid was submitted by the council in August to supplement and expand the work being done in the town centre through the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). The £1.8m grant from the TCRF will be used towards
13/11/2009
A Consumer Focus Scotland study exploring the attitudes of disadvantaged consumers to switching energy supplier has found that many currently struggle to even understand their energy bills and believe that there are too many barriers to switching. Switching Off: Attitudes to Switching Energy Suppli
13/11/2009
Zebec Biogas Limited and partners The William Tracey Group have announced the granting of planning consent for a new Anaerobic Digestion facility to be located at Barkip near Beith in North Ayrshire. North Ayrshire Council recently issued consent for the new 75,000 tonne per annum capacity plant
13/11/2009
Over 40 Scottish 'high streets' will benefit from a £20 million share of government cash to revitalise their town centres, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil announced today. It is the second tranche of money awarded from the £60 million Town Centre Regeneration Fund, set up earlier this ye
13/11/2009
Projects across Scotland that have helped people in lower income or disadvantaged communities to make energy savings in their homes have been recognised by the EAS EnergySavers Award 2009. The results of the award, which is organised by fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland and supported for
13/11/2009
As temperatures drop and central heating systems are switched on for the winter, trading standards chiefs are warning householders to look out for rogue gas fitters. More than 250,000 gas jobs are done every year by rogue traders who do not have the right skills and qualifications, according to the
13/11/2009
Proposals to replace two primary schools in Fort William and three in Easter Ross with two new schools (one in each area) have been approved for submission to the Scottish Government by members of The Highland Council's Education, Culture and Sport Committee. Replacement of the five schools with tw
13/11/2009
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has appointed Mr Kristofor Hall as a graduate surveyor to its Glasgow residential department. Mr Hall, from Langside on the south side of Glasgow, graduated in civil engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University and recently completed a masters in Property Management I
13/11/2009
Future development options for the Milltimber area were considered at a planning consultation event at Milltimber Primary School on Wednesday. The options were set out in the Aberdeen Local Development Plan Main Issues Report which was published by Aberdeen City Council last month. The consultatio
12/11/2009
Construction companies in the north of Scotland have forecast a 22% fall in annual turnover by the end of 2009. The new figures published today by the Scottish Building Federation’s Highland Building Employers’ Association show that the impact of the economic recession on the building industry in t
12/11/2009
The go-ahead has been given for a £10 million modernisation of Cupar's Adamson Hospital. The whole scale refurbishment is set to create a 'one stop shop' to meet the healthcare needs of residents in Cupar and the surrounding area. This will include consultant outpatient services, a minor injuries
12/11/2009
A dilapidated two-storey block of flats in Musselburgh is to be demolished and replaced with a new three-storey block under a £1.3m contract approved at a meeting of East Lothian Council’s Cabinet. CCG (Scotland) Ltd was awarded the contract to carry out the works at 5-9 Links Avenue in Musselburgh
12/11/2009
The Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland (CIH) Presidential Dinner will take place on the evening of Friday 22 January 2010, it has been announced. This prestigious event is made possible with support from Connaught Partnerships Ltd and will be held in the Mansfield Traquair in Edinburgh. Crai
12/11/2009
Scottish Renewables today joined the Scottish Government in calling for the UK Treasury to release up to £174 million to invest in renewable energy. The money is currently held by Ofgem under the Fossil Fuel Levy arrangements, which mean the Scottish Government is unable to access the cash without
12/11/2009
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has appointed a graduate surveyor to its Glasgow residential department. Kristofor Hall, 29, from Langside on the south side of Glasgow, graduated in civil engineering from Glasgow Caledonian University and recently completed a masters in Property Management Investment
12/11/2009
An iconic 18th century building on Edinburgh's Calton Hill could be brought back into residential use following a two-year restoration project. Old Observatory House is renowned as the finest surviving residential building designed by James Craig, the famed 18th century 'architect of the New Town'.
12/11/2009
Scottish business leaders have overwhelmingly accepted the government's challenge to dramatically reduce waste. The news came at a consultation hosted by Envirowise in Edinburgh. The majority favoured mandatory collection of environmental data but rejected proposals for setting targets on managing
11/11/2009
Edinburgh Council has been fined £14,000 after 14 of its employees, were potentially exposed to asbestos while carrying out refurbishment work. The workers, including joiners, had been instructed to remove laboratory doors from Castlebrae Community High School back in April 2007 and carry out alter
11/11/2009
Scotland’s historic environment is a vital part of the country’s economy, Culture Minister Michael Russell told parliament today. Speaking in a debate on the legacy of buildings and monuments, the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution encouraged debate on how it can best be us
11/11/2009
A wind farm developer in Shetland must scrap an advert after it was found to be "misleading". The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld four complaints against a mailout which was published earlier in the year by Viking Energy. The leaflet detailed the joint venture plans between the Shetland
11/11/2009
The Scottish Construction Forum has welcomed an announcement from John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, that the Scottish government will introduce a scheme to simplify prequalification processes for public sector contracts including construction. Speaking at the Fo
11/11/2009
East Lothian Council has awarded a contract for £900,000 to build eight new affordable properties in Middleshot Square, Prestonpans. Ogilvie Construction Ltd was awarded the contract following a competitive tendering process at a meeting of the council's Council's Cabinet on 10 November. Construct
11/11/2009
Work is to start on site later this week on a new respite centre in Argyll and Bute for children with a disability. The Provost of Argyll and Bute, Councillor William Petrie, is to cut the first turf on the Ardlui House facility in a special ceremony on Thursday (12th). Among those also invited ar
11/11/2009
The Culture Minister has expressed the Scottish government's commitment to a national centre for architecture based within The Lighthouse building in Glasgow. Michael Russell said that arrangements were in place for the employment of staff working on the three Scottish government-funded national ar
11/11/2009
To enhance the products and services that Automatic Protection Ltd (APL) offer they have now purchased a Room Integrity Test kit and have trained their engineers to carry these tests out. Room Integrity Testing has become a vital part of any fixed extinguishing system with BS recommending a test af
10/11/2009
ConstructionSkills Scotland has appointed Phil Ford as Project Manager within its newly formed Future Skills Unit. Phil, who has come from a role in development in ConstructionSkills, the sector skills council for the construction industry, will provide a focus for the unit's work in Scotland, whic
10/11/2009
Council tenants, elderly and vulnerable residents in South Ayrshire may soon benefit from the first Council house building programme for more than 30 years. Agreed at a special meeting of South Ayrshire Council today, the proposed new Council houses form part of the Council’s Strategic Housing Inve
10/11/2009
People living close to the proposed Inverness Campus at Beechwood have been invited to a second exhibition to view plans for Phase One of the development. Community members interested in viewing plans and learning more about the development are invited to The Green House, Beechwood Business Park, f
10/11/2009
A Scottish demolition company has won two prestigous categories at the International Demolition Awards. Safedem, the only Scottish company to be shortlisted, picked up the Explosive Demolition Award and the top award - Demolition Company of the Year Award. The awards were handed out at a ceremony
10/11/2009
With only one week to go before the closing date the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland is reminding organisations across to get their entries in for the CIH Scotland Excellence in Regeneration Award. The award, run in partnership with the Scottish Government's Scottish Centre for Regen
10/11/2009
Views on a proposed waste to energy plant at Peterhead were gathered in the town last night. Buchan Combined Heat and Power Ltd is seeking full planning permission for a residual waste to energy power plant at the Upperton Industrial Estate, Invernettie. The pre-determination hearing was arranged
10/11/2009
New coal power stations in Scotland must be able to utilise carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to cut emissions, it has been confirmed. Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney yesterday said the Scottish position will be the same as the rest of the UK, following t
10/11/2009
Hodgins Smith (CDM) Limited, a Prestwick-based provider of health & safety consultancy and training solutions have joined with First Response to form a service that will be available to organisations nationally. Hodgins Smith employs 10 people who operate throughout Scotland. Susan Hodgins, Offi
09/11/2009
Plans to develop the first Borders crematorium adjacent to the Wairds Cemetery in Melrose have been approved. Members of the Planning and Building Standards Committee of Scottish Borders Council (SBC) voted eight votes to two to agree the proposals, submitted by Westerlee, for a crematorium and par
09/11/2009
Housebuilder, Stewart Milne Group, has won the Housebuilding Innovator of the Year Award at the Housebuilder Magazine Awards in London on 5 November 2009. The company has been recognised for innovation in all aspects of the industry including sustainability, design and marketing. Present at the a
09/11/2009
Scotland's home insulation scheme gets underway today. Thousands of people living in poorly insulated houses will now get more help to make their homes greener and lower their fuel bills. Households will be offered free energy audits, advice on becoming more energy efficient and free or discounted
09/11/2009
Award-winning architects Gareth Hoskins Architects of Glasgow have been chosen to create a design study to ensure Aberdeen Art Gallery is fit for purpose for the 21st century. The announcement marks the first stage in an exciting project to modernise and enhance the gallery as it celebrates its 125
09/11/2009
An event designed to encourage people to maintain their buildings is to take place in Rothesay. Rothesay Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) is having a 'Maintenance Week' from 20-27 November to kick-start the project. The event coincides with the national Maintenance Week, promoted annually by th
09/11/2009
Wave and tidal energy companies are to be asked for their views on the future development of EMEC, the Orkney-based European Marine Energy Centre. The centre is already responding to the needs of the marine power industry by developing new nursery sites for testing prototype devices. "We aim to co
09/11/2009
Skill levels and competency standards across the construction industry continue to improve, with one and a half million workers now holding a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, it has been announced. The milestone was officially passed when Dunne Christie, a Contracts Manager wit
09/11/2009
Businesses need to show smart-thinking beyond the knee-jerk reaction of making cuts to survive the recession and instead look to strategically focus on their property to plan for the future, according to a leading workplace design specialist. Space Solutions said companies in the commercial sector
06/11/2009
Today the iconic design of the New South Glasgow Hospital Campus has been unveiled. The design was unanimously agreed as the outstanding contender from three strong bids. While the £670 million contract was not the lowest of the three bids, it did represent the best value for money in delivering,
06/11/2009
Construction union UCATT are disappointed that the government has been able to find billions of pounds to bail out the banks but seems unable to find just a few million pounds to compensate pleural plaques victims. On Tuesday, the government announced that £33. 5 billion would be made available to
06/11/2009
The candidates for this year's Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) best building award - worth £25,000 and the largest prize of its kind in the UK - have been revealed. The nominations are varied and include a cancer centre and even a boathouse - just two of the total of 11 shortli
06/11/2009
A project which will create new jobs and help companies cut emissions has been launched in Dundee. ProCenseo has developed new and highly innovative software for calculating energy use in commercial buildings. The Space Manager software enables energy assessors to be much more accurate and producti
06/11/2009
Five children a day in Scotland face the threat of homelessness due to eviction, according to a new report from Shelter Scotland. The report, Eviction of children and families: the impact and the alternatives, highlights the depth of the problem in Scotland and the devastating impact that eviction
06/11/2009
Registers of Scotland (RoS) issued figures showing the average price of a residential property in Scotland increased by 6.1% in the third quarter (July to September) of 2009 and is now £154,453. This is a decrease of 3.6% when compared with the same period in 2008. The volume of sales transacti
06/11/2009
Through a mixture of repeat business and new clients, Stewart Milne Construction has been awarded new contracts totalling around £10 million. The contracts, which are for a variety of projects throughout Scotland, range from social housing developments to private clients; and from hotels to churche
06/11/2009
The SNP has again sought a voice in the debate on climate change. As the House of Commons tackles climate change as well as the UK government's preparation for the Copenhagen climate change conference, the Scottish National Party (SNP) Environment Spokesperson Mike Weir has repeated calls for a Sco
06/11/2009
One of Scotland's biggest woodfuelled district heating schemes supplying low carbon energy to over 200 homes is among projects to benefit from government grants. The Hill of Banchory scheme in Aberdeenshire is one of 16 projects to share in more than one million pounds of awards under the Scottish
05/11/2009
The Scottish Government has become a full member of The Climate Group, one of the world's most influential organisations focused on developing and sharing expertise on developing a low carbon economy. Stewart Stevenson, Climate Change Minister, made the announcement in Barcelona while attending Uni
05/11/2009
Stirling Council is forging ahead in its drive to build new council houses and to end the use of Bed & Breakfast temporary accommodation. The Council has agreed to an Acquisition Programme that will see the Council buy both second hand and unsold new homes to fill the chronic shortage of social ren
05/11/2009
The Comhairle is seeking expressions of interest from building contractors for the redevelopment of a former Mill Building on Seaforth Road in Stornoway to create a new Creative Industries and Media Centre. The design has been developed on behalf of the Comhairle by ZMArchitecture, working in conj
05/11/2009
Over 5,500 council tenants in Aberdeenshire this winter will be much warmer thanks to a programme of upgrades carried out by the council since 2008. Measures to improve energy efficiency of properties include upgrading loft insulation to 300mm, draught proofing windows and doors, insulating water
05/11/2009
The business case for East Renfrewshire College has been given the green light after councillors voted 12 to eight in its favour at last week's full council meeting. They've given the directors of environment and finance the go-ahead to take forward the design of the building and asked them to work
05/11/2009
Young people and local elected members came together earlier this week to celebrate the official opening of the refurbished Savoy Centre in Methil. An investment of £735,000 allowed extensive refurbishment work to be carried out on the centre including improvements to the sports hall, a range of ne
05/11/2009
Clydebank is closer to having a new cultural centre, after West Dunbartonshire Council's Housing, Environmental and Economic Development Committee agreed in principle to progress the Civic Heart Project to the development stage. A report to the Committee outlined a number of options for the Town Ha
05/11/2009
With one major contract completed, a leading air conditioning installation business is pressing ahead with the final stages of another prestigious development. B-DACS (Air Conditioning Services) Ltd - which is based in Uddingston, Lanarkshire - has finished one in Kilmacolm and are in the process o
04/11/2009
A joint planning application to create Scotland's first purpose built Waitrose store has been lodged with East Renfrewshire Council by Gleniffer Estates and Waitrose, the food shops of the John Lewis Partnership. Located off Crookfur Road in Newton Mearns, the store represents the second phase of t
04/11/2009
FG Burnett has been awarded a property management contract for Esson Properties Ltd's Blenheim House in Aberdeen. The 17,000 sq ft Grade A office development in Fountainhall Road was opened in 2006 and is currently let to blue chip financial companies Ernst & Young and Brewin Dolphin. FG Burnett's
04/11/2009
Scottish Borders Council has welcomed the announcement by Finance Secretary John Swinney that the procurement process to appoint a contractor to take forward construction of the Borders Railway will be started before the end of the year. Council Leader David Parker said: "This is excellent news for
04/11/2009
Midlothian Council is to continue its investment in providing affordable homes and its latest development will see outdated facilities in Loanhead replaced by new social housing. The full council voted to close and demolish Loanhead Town Hall, subject to the satisfactory relocation of three groups
04/11/2009
Rule changes to the Scottish Government's £60 million Energy Assistance Package will target more of the least energy efficient houses in Scotland. In future, households with a band E energy performance rating will benefit as well as those in band F and G. Where appropriate, insulation and heating
04/11/2009
The first Scottish winner of a major materials handling award has been recognised. The Fork Lift Truck Association's (FLTA) highest honour was made at this year's Annual Awards for Excellence, and left the winner, Douglas Gillespie stunned. Commenting on the industry accolade, the Founder and Mana
04/11/2009
A top home automation company has been adding to the attractions of an innovative new homes' development. The HBS Group contracted Cleverhouse - the Glasgow firm run by Erik Hansen - to install a high quality, functional and stylish product into each property at Winston Barracks. Included in the s
04/11/2009
Around half of consumers surveyed by Which? Switch didn't read, or only glanced at the terms and conditions (t&c) of their contracts when they changed their energy supplier. Consumers looking to switch this autumn need to read the t&c to make sure they're getting the best deal. This could also help
03/11/2009
Tradesmen across Scotland are the target of a new national campaign warning them to beware of a hidden killer − asbestos. A total of 2617 of Scottish men died from mesothelioma − a cancer caused by breathing in the deadly fibres − between 1981 and 2005, higher than the national av
03/11/2009
Homeowners who are 'on the brink' and just managing to hold onto their home may be unable to continue when costs increase. A leading charity has warned that home repossessions are set to soar as interest rates start to rise again. Shelter Scotland Director Graeme Brown said mortgage actions taken
03/11/2009
There are worries this week over why Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland firms have not benefited more from London Olympic contracts. A parliamentary question has revealed that just 17 Scottish firms had received Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) contracts – in contrast to 1,022 English firms. Wa
03/11/2009
A popular TV personality - the STV weatherman Sean Batty - has helped residents launch one of Glasgow's most colourful and unusual new landmarks. More than 100 residents and guests braved the pouring rain to attend the switch-on, on Sunday 1 November, of the Castlemilk Lighting Project – a lighting
03/11/2009
Aberdeen's £275m Union Square development has been opened to the public, The mixed use city centre scheme has been designed by BDP for Hammerson and provides retail space, restaurants, cinema and a hotel beside the city’s main bus and rail stations. Centrepiece of the main atrium is a piece of pub
03/11/2009
Galliford Try has been awarded a £6.3m contract to refurbish a commercial unit at Pine Trees Estate in Staines for Aberdeen Property Investors UK. The contract involves enabling works including stripping out, re-cladding and fitting out an existing commercial unit and the construction of a new atri
03/11/2009
It has emerged today that a new joint letting agent for Glasgow's Centralpoint Logistics Park, has been appointed. Jones Lang LaSalle Industrial Team (JLL) will be responsible for the development, which is adjacent to the £330 million Maxim Office Park development on the M8 motorway near Glasgow.
03/11/2009
Pupils at Sandwood Primary School, Glasgow, have flagged up their commitment to the environment by achieving the Eco-Schools Green Flag - the highest award presented through the Eco-Schools programme. It recognises the hard work by pupils at the school cutting waste, recycling materials, improving
03/11/2009
Environment Minister Rosie Cunningham is blaming "climate change" on the recent floods which have hit parts of Scotland over the past 24 hours. Experts have also warned there could be more torrential rain to follow. Ms Cunningham said: "Once again we have seen the misery and destruction flooding c
02/11/2009
As the construction of huge regional sport's facility on the site of a former Scottish steelworks reached the half-way point, Ministers have been urged to make the overall regeneration of the former Ravenscraig steelworks in Lanarkshire a top priority. Councillor Jim McCabe said he would be "bitter
02/11/2009
Even though construction work has already begun, a leading entrepreneur's plan to build a tourist and golf resort in Scotland has just been attacked by a 'green' politician. US tycoon Donald Trump's plans for a huge construction project that will result in a golf resort and a large number of luxury
02/11/2009
The largest ever development to receive planning permission in Clackmannanshire Council's history has been approved by the planning committee. The £330 million development at Forestmill will see over 1000 houses being built and bring significant new businesses to the area. The approval by the plann
02/11/2009
One in every two Scottish homeowners would spend more on building works if VAT were cut to 5% said the Scottish Building Federation last week. The news was revealed after a new survey of Scottish homeowners, which suggests that 50% of those surveyed would invest in building works to repair or impro
02/11/2009
New research results reveal that Scottish construction firms believe recruiting more women into the industry could improve the skills of the workforce and help solve future skills shortages. The research, undertaken as part of 'Getting In, Getting On…in Construction', a three year project by Constr
02/11/2009
The industry body representing Scotland's home builders has called for "breathing space" on the implementation of new building standards which it says will only marginally reduce Scotland's overall carbon footprint and may, in the process, delay the provision of essential new housing to meet both pr
02/11/2009
Unite, Scotland's largest trade union, has today condemned the Scottish government's decision to scrap the £120 million Glasgow Airport rail link amid growing criticism. Finance Secretary, John Swinney, told the Scottish parliament the rail link had to be scrapped in this year's Scottish budget. Th
02/11/2009
A practical event for builders, construction workers and contractors in Fife this week aims to reduce the death toll in Scotland's construction industry. Eleven workers in the construction sector were killed and more than 1,500 were seriously injured in Scotland last year. The Working Well Togethe
