Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for February 2009
27/02/2009
Low income families across Scotland will benefit from a new energy efficiency scheme that aims to help the fuel poor, Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said today. The Energy Assistance Package will be backed by Scottish Government funding worth around £60m pounds per annum - 30% more than
27/02/2009
New Scottish buildings will soon be among the most carbon efficient in Europe, Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson said today. New building standards for homes and non-domestic buildings will reduce carbon emissions by 30% beyond current standards. The moves, to be introduced in October next
27/02/2009
Strathclyde Police plan to build a new £5m state-of-the-art police station at Braehead. It will serve the communities of Renfrew, Braehead, Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton, and Glasgow Airport. The building will be constructed at the Braehead and Renfrew Riverside mixed-used developments on Station
27/02/2009
At an award ceremony last night, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) presented fourteen new Honorary Fellowships. Fellowships were recieved by men and women from a wide range of backgrounds, including art, engineering, health, journalism and the environment. Honorary Fellowships rewar
27/02/2009
NHBC's latest house-building statistics reveal that the number of applications from builders to start new homes fell by almost two thirds year-on-year during the three-months from November to January. These latest figures come as NHBC's predictions for new home starts for the financial year 2008/0
27/02/2009
Scottish Enterprise, together with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, today began the hunt for Scotland's enterprise success stories with the launch of the Enterprising Britain 2009 competition. Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, is calling for hotspot
27/02/2009
The Highland Council is urging the UK Government to stimulate the housing and construction industry in the Highlands during the economic downturn by releasing much-needed funds. The Council, which has a stock of 14,000 houses, is currently spending £15m each year on loan charges to service its £14
27/02/2009
Cameron House Community Education Centre was officially opened on Monday 23 February. The new state-of-the-art community education centre is on the edge of Prestonfield Park at 34 Prestonfield Avenue. The striking modern building houses a large games hall, with space for three basketball courts,
27/02/2009
Berwickshire High School in Duns, the first of Scottish Borders Council's three new high schools opened on Tuesday. February 24 was exactly two years and 24 days after the PPP contracts were finalised with the Scottish Borders Education Partnership (SBEP). Headteacher Rob Kelly received the keys f
27/02/2009
East Renfrewshire housing chiefs are working with tenants to enable them to inspect areas of housing services and report back with their recommendations. The tenant led assessments aim to drive up standards and ensure that housing services are focussed on meeting the needs and aspirations of tenant
26/02/2009
New data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders shows Scottish house purchase lending declined 40% in 2008, compared to 50% across the UK. Scotland accounted for an increased share (12%) of the total number of UK house purchase loans in 2008 (10% in 2007). However, Scotland is not immune from the
26/02/2009
A £70m plan for a new Stena Line port linking Scotland to Northern Ireland has been recommended to receive council approval. The ferry operator wants to move the Irish Sea services out of Stranraer into a new terminal at Old House Point just north of Cairnryan on Loch Ryan. The new port would redu
26/02/2009
Edinbirgh Council leader, Cllr Jenny Dawe, welcomed the go-ahead for the £850m plans for the 'St James Quarter'. The modern quarter will be made up of retail and office space, linked by public squares. Retail space for 90 stores will be created in addition to 15,000 sq ft of office space, up to 25
26/02/2009
Hope remains alive for the £40m golf plan backed by Jack Nicklaus despite administrators being appointed to the developers. The FM Group of companies have been taken into joint administration by Fraser Gray, Elizabeth Mackay and Anne O'Keefe, of international recovery specialist Zolfo Cooper on Wed
26/02/2009
Scotland's apprentice of the year Peter MacLeod of Castle Fraser-based Laing Traditional Masonry demonstrated his skills to Alford Academy pupils this week, at an event coinciding with this year's National Apprenticeship Week. Taking place at Alford Academy on Wednesday evening, the 25th February,
26/02/2009
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Lifelong Learning, officially opened Galston's new eco-friendly primary and nursery school on Monday 23 February 2009. The new school opened to over 400 pupils in August last year. Designed and funded by East Ayrshire Council, this is one of the best-equipped and
26/02/2009
The Scottish Construction Centre (SCC) in conjunction with Edinburgh Best Practice Club has organised a presentation of Demonstration Projects on insulation and damp-proofing in buildings. The presentation took place in Sanderson Building of University of Edinburgh on 18 February 2009. This eve
26/02/2009
Further progress is being made on the six new community campuses which are being built as part of Perth & Kinross Council's Investment in Learning Programme. The next steps in planning for the opening of the new campuses was reported to the Lifelong Learning Committee on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
26/02/2009
J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors is offering a prominent High Street retail unit in the heart of Irvine town centre for let. The modern unit has rear delivery yard and is located in a mixed use area, including retail, offices and residential premises with nearby occupiers including Clydesdale Bank
26/02/2009
Aberdeenshire Council has named Ritchie Johnson as the new Director of Housing and Social Work. Ritchie, 41, who is currently the authority's Head of Strategic Development (Housing and Community Care), is expected to take up his new position in early March this year Born in Shetland, Ritchie's fi
25/02/2009
Work has begun on upgrading the Glenuig Inn on the Arnamurchan Peninsula to make it more attractive to people seeking a green tourism experience. A complete renovation of the hotel includes energy efficient measures and replacing the one remaining wooden chalet with internal bunkhouse accommodation
25/02/2009
Edinburgh Council officials have recommended approval for the £850m new St James Quarter. Plans include the demolishment of an office block and the St James Centre at the east end of Princes Street, located within the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. Designers Allan Murray Architects want to replace
25/02/2009
Talks on the regeneration plan for Denny town centre are making progress. Once Falkirk Council and partners Henry Boot Developments plc sign a development agreement, owners and occupiers will be contacted for discussions on property options. In the meantime, the Church Walk scaffolding is being kep
25/02/2009
The Highland Council has launched the preparation of the new Highland-wide Local Development Plan which will tackle the strategic issues across Highland for the next 20 years. This follows a recent meeting with the Scottish Government's Chief Planner Jim Mackinnon, who has agreed that Highland be
25/02/2009
Scotland's urban woodlands are to be spruced up with over £870,000 funding from the Scottish Government. Over 20 projects across Scotland are receiving the cash, ensuring that local woodlands make a bigger difference to the health and well-being of communities living nearby. The work will include:
25/02/2009
Detailed plans for the long awaited Mull Progressive Carte Centre are about to be unveiled at a series of public information meetings on the island in March. The meetings are planned to allow as many people as possible to hear a presentation about the project and its future development. Councillor
25/02/2009
The £35m South Lanarkshire College Campus has been officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal. The new college is located at Scottish Enterprise Technology Park in East Kilbride and brings together three campuses into one single site, purpose-built facility equipped with state of the art learning
25/02/2009
Leading law firm McGrigors, in conjunction with Wood Group and Brander Recruitment, are hosting a workshop for contractors and companies using contractors. The seminar will focus on reducing the risk of employee tax and implied employment status following the case of Dragonfly Consulting in which a
25/02/2009
Lovell has contributed to a set of full year results released yesterday by parent construction and regeneration group Morgan Sindall plc. Morgan Sindall, which operates through five specialist divisions of fit out, construction, infrastructure services, affordable housing and urban regeneration, ha
24/02/2009
New build completions dropped by 4% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same quarter in 2007 (from 5,720 to 5,480). According to the latest Housing Statistics for Scotland completions for the 12 months to September 2008 were 7% lower than for the previous 12 month period, dropping from 25
24/02/2009
First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during his two day visit to Washington DC. The meeting, a month into the new administration, was at the US Department of State and is the first between a Scottish First Minister and US Secretary of State. Mr Salmo
24/02/2009
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a campaign in Scotland to increase health & safety awareness amongst those involved in developing property as part of their business. Edinburgh-based HSE Principal Inspector Jim Skilling, said: "Tragically, last year, 38 people in Great Britain die
24/02/2009
The City of Edinburgh Council's skatepark design team have met with a Dundee City Council counterpart to discuss their experience of developing a skatepark. Dundee's 1,000m2 facility, completed in 2006, has been hailed a great success and the Edinburgh team have been getting valuable pointers on d
24/02/2009
Aberdeen City Council is to host a construction showcase highlighting the positive future of the local construction industry this week. The event will focus on the large number of private and public sponsored projects currently being planned in the city. The council, which chairs the Construction
24/02/2009
The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council (SFC) is investing £100,000 in an innovation scheme to help Scottish universities work with small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The scheme can be used to offset costs for a broad range of collaborative activities to support business gr
24/02/2009
People in Orkney will shortly be asked for their views on the further growth and development of three of the county's largest villages. Finstown, Dounby and St Margaret's Hope are to be the subject of individual masterplan studies, similar to the work carried out in Kirkwall and Stromness last year
24/02/2009
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is appealing to local business owners and managers in Moray to complete a survey on their current business property situation and future property needs. HIE has commissioned the study to quantify the demand for business and industrial property and serviced si
24/02/2009
The home building industry has reiterated its call for immediate progress on the four priority recommendations recently announced by the Housing Supply Task Force. Ahead of his first meeting later today with the new Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil, Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes
24/02/2009
J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, on a joint basis with GVA Grimley, has been appointed to offer an established town centre office location in Ayr for let or sale. Located at 24 Wellington Square, the traditional two-storey, basement and attic building offers a number of individual office suites ra
23/02/2009
Talks are to resume later in an effort to resolve the Edinburgh tram dispute. The row between a consortium including the German firm Bilfinger Berger and tram project managers Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (Tie) has resulted in work to lay tram tracks being put on hold. The closure of the main s
23/02/2009
Pioneering work begins today to install solar water heating panels on the roofs of seven B-listed Georgian tenements in the historic heart of Edinburgh, a Conservation Area and World Heritage Site. The £200,000 Renewable Heritage project, benefiting social housing properties, is being run in partn
23/02/2009
The new £9.2m Alloway Primary School designed by Glasgow based architect Ryder Architecture has been officially opened by Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. Procured under an ambitious £76m public private partnership (PPP) scheme for South Ayrshire Council with
23/02/2009
Businesses in the Highlands and Islands should seek assistance to identify export markets for their goods and services which could help them through the current trading difficulties. This was the message from Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Development International (SDI) and Chief Operati
23/02/2009
Ten projects across Scotland have been offered a total of £1,221,617.26 to deal with waste at community level, it has been announced today. A composting service in Aberdeen, reusing building materials in Lanarkshire and diverting white goods from landfill in Dundee are among the successful applican
23/02/2009
HRH The Princess Royal has officially opened the new Inverclyde Academy in Greenock. The Princess was taken on a tour of the new £29m school by Head Teacher Catherine Sorensen and Inverclyde Council's Head of Schools Estates Tom Reid. The design of the building is being held as an example of best
23/02/2009
Aberdeen Council tenants in the Torry area will get the chance to preview new security doors, kitchen and shower units to be fitted in their homes as part of a modernisation programme. An open day is being held on Thursday, 05 March, when the new doors, kitchen and shower units will be on display.
23/02/2009
Independent consumer watchdog Consumer Focus has called on energy regulator Ofgem to prohibit suppliers overcharging their customers. Historically, consumers paying by cash, cheque or pre-payment meters, those who use electricity only or have not switched suppliers, have been charged unjustifiably
23/02/2009
With more than 60 years experience, Nihot is a proven market leader in the supply of air technologies for the separation and upgrading of miscellaneous waste fractions. In waste processing, controlled air is a perfect separation medium, both in terms of process technology and business solutions.
23/02/2009
In addition to winning the ROCCO Award for Innovation and Technology in 2007, Dyynateq have now successfully won the initial leg of the British Chamber Awards 2008, be named as the winner of the Scottish Chamber for Innovation & Technology. The award certificate was presented to Dyynateq's Managi
20/02/2009
Scotland will lead the future development of marine renewables within the UK and Ireland, it was agreed at today's Summit of the British Irish Council in Cardiff. The proposal, to enable the Scottish Government to take leadership in maximising opportunities while driving innovation and growth in ma
20/02/2009
The Edinburgh Tram project has had to announce today that the planned tram infrastructure work due to commence on Princes Street cannot start as planned this weekend. The diversion of traffic from Princes Street will still take effect from 5am on Saturday 21 February. Information on relocated bus
20/02/2009
To mark National Apprenticeship Week (23rd to 27th February 2009) ConstructionSkills celebrated the 5,800 ConstructionSkills apprentices who successfully completed their apprenticeship last year and urged businesses to continue to invest in training. National Apprenticeship Week provides the opport
20/02/2009
Work to extend the M74 in Glasgow moved a step closer to completion today as the foundations were laid for its link up with the M8. The project - the largest infrastructure scheme currently on the ground in Scotland - is a key part of the Scottish Government's current £2.5bn programme of investment
20/02/2009
Elgin-based QHS Scotland is looking to expand after successfully breaking into the global oil and gas market just 18 months after starting up. QHS (Quality Hydraulic Systems) Scotland has defied current tough trading conditions and is preparing for growth as orders for the design and manufacture of
20/02/2009
Work started this week on road improvements on Kerse Road at Millhall Roundabout, Stirling. The Council, as part of its City Transport Strategy are improving the approach to Millhall Roundabout from Kerse Road. The improvements will provide a dedicated left turn lane for traffic travelling from Ker
20/02/2009
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councillors yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favour of the region's new Finalised Structure Plan. The plan - which lays out an aspirational, 20-year vision for the City and Shire - was backed by 26 votes to 11 at a special full sitting of Aberdeen City Council and 5
20/02/2009
Work to resurface the A815 Marine Parade in Kirn and sections of the A815 Alexandra Parade in Dunoon is due to begin on 30th March. The work will be carried out over the full width of the road extending from Kirn Brae to Alexandra Parade, continuing on the traffic lanes only to just north of the ju
20/02/2009
The new children's house at Forrest street in Airdrie was officially opened on Friday 13 February 2009 by Councillor Barry McCulloch, Convener of Housing and Social Work Services at North Lanarkshire Council, along with one of the young residents. The opening marked the latest stage in a five-year
19/02/2009
The construction industry is set for a major boost as the process to award the contract for Scotland’s biggest ever hospital project gets underway. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has now officially embarked on a process to invite potential bidders for the new South Glasgow Hospitals campus.
19/02/2009
The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) Chief Inspector of Construction has welcomed the excellent turnout of key players in the construction industry in Scotland at a major conference in Glasgow yesterday He told delegates in a keynote address that in these difficult economic times it was more imp
19/02/2009
James Frew, one of Scotland's largest independent plumbers, has signed a five year partnership agreement with Glasgow West Housing Association to provide gas servicing and maintenance services for its 700 tenants. The partnership, which includes the option to extend the contract for a further five
19/02/2009
An archaeological dig commissioned by Fyne Homes has uncovered a rare ceramic face mask jug dating back to the thirteenth century. The jug, which is not a common find in the west coast of Scotland, was found on the site of the former Rothesay Council Chambers and Sheriff Court buildings in Central
19/02/2009
The number of Scottish companies going into liquidation has decreased over the past three months. The latest figures from Companies House show that 82 firms were liquidated in January 09, a 20% decrease compared to November 08 which saw 99 firms liquidated. A total of 83 firms were liquidated in D
19/02/2009
Roads chiefs say that the £300,000 rebuilding of Eastwoodmains Road between Percy Drive and Eastwood Toll is on track. They moved westbound traffic from the south to the north carriageways on Tuesday to allow work to start on the opposite carriageway. This is a crucial stage to ensure that the work
19/02/2009
Plans for a new cultural centre as part of Dumfries town centre's regeneration have taken a step forward. Dumfries and Galloway Council have set up a working group to discuss the possibility of a new performing arts facility. A bid to refurbish the 217 year-old Theatre Royal in Dumfries, which is
19/02/2009
Scottish industry has saved £550,000 thanks to efforts by Scotland's environment agency to promote economic recovery. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) worked with the Scottish Government to identify ways to help save businesses money in the current economic climate. A range of meas
19/02/2009
The report from the public local inquiry into proposals to upgrade the Beauly to Denny electricity line will now be reviewed by Scottish Government ministers. The inquiry, which was the largest since devolution, focuses on plans for a new transmission line able to carry 400,000 volts (400kV). Evid
19/02/2009
Hundreds of delegates from across Europe will attend the 3rd International Congress, combined with IFKAD (International Forum on Knowledge Asset Dynamics) 2009, organised by the Intellectual Assets Centre, at the University of Glasgow on 17 - 18 February 2009. Among the topics to be covered in a se
18/02/2009
A multi-million pound plan to develop Edinburgh Airport into one of the most modern gateways in Europe - and support hundreds of jobs - has been launched by operator BAA. The company, which also owns Aberdeen and Glasgow airports, is to invest £40m on a major terminal extension that will increase c
18/02/2009
Over 80 properties in the Little Deny Road and Overton Crescent areas of Denny are due to see a £2m improvement package rolled out from late spring this year. A recent meeting of Falkirk Council's Policy and Resources Committee heard how various internal
18/02/2009
A multi-million pound investment project to bring new community and sports facilities to Banff and Macduff has been announced by Aberdeenshire Council. Negotiations have been ongoing for a number of years about the development of Canal Park and the creation of a Better Life Centre in Banff. The ar
18/02/2009
The founder of easyJet, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, is awaiting approval on plans for an easyHotel at One Hill Street Glasgow. The redundant office block previously owned by gm+ad will be fully refurbished to meet the franchise remit of budget accommodation in city centre locations without sacrificing sp
18/02/2009
A new Director of Services to People has been appointed to Clackmannanshire Council. Grahame Blair heads up the service which covers education, housing, community and social services. Grahame joins Clackmannanshire from West Lothian Council where he was Head of Social Policy. A graduate of Edinbu
18/02/2009
Maxi Construction have participated in the Employer Engagement Day with West Lothian College on Thursday 12 February 2009. The day was organised by West Lothian Chamber of Commerce with the aim of strengthening relationships between the College and the business community. It is hoped that the
18/02/2009
Right to Buy has been temporarily suspended for some tenants in Forres, which has now been designated as a 'pressured area'. This will affect 28% of the social housing stock in Forres. This follows the Scottish Government's decision to approve Moray Council's pressured area application and will all
18/02/2009
The power of networking and professional development is more important now than ever, according to the Association of Women in Property. With many businesses in the property and construction sectors suffering cutbacks as a result of the economic climate, the support offered by Women in Property p
18/02/2009
'An inspiring new building for an inspiring school', that's the message from Alloa Academy Head Teacher Ralph Barker as the school prepares to move into its new premises. As two schools - Alloa Academy and Fairfield School - will be joining together on the site, the move was seen as the perfect opp
18/02/2009
Aberdeenshire Council is cutting rent increases in recognition of the effect of current financial pressures on local residents. Annual rent increases for council-owned property will be reined in below the level expected. The council has changed its approach to setting of rents and charges for the
17/02/2009
The slump in Scottish house prices has continued according to a bank's House Price Monitor. The latest research from Lloyds TSB has shown the rate of decline has slowed however the average domestic property price fell by 2.3% in the three months to 31 January. The average mix adjusted Scottish hou
17/02/2009
A hydro electric scheme, capable of powering up to 700 homes, has been given the go ahead by Scottish Ministers. The run of river station, at Inverar in North Perthshire, will have an installed capacity of 1.2 Megawatts (MW). Energy Minister Jim Mather said: "This decision is further evidence of h
17/02/2009
Land Securities has been awarded the top industry benchmark of sustainability for its Elements Square development. The £130m extension to the existing shopping centre in Livingston, The Centre, achieved a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent rating in r
17/02/2009
The reappointment and extension of appointment of two members to the Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board (SIDAB) was announced yesterday by Jim Mather, the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism. Reappointed to the Board is: Mr Neil Macdonald, Chairman of Barr + Wray Group Ltd, and
17/02/2009
Stirling scientists are to conduct the world's first study into the effects of micro wind-turbines on birds and bats. At a time of public and political interest in energy from renewable sources, domestic micro-turbines could make an important contribution to energy production. But there are growing
17/02/2009
Two lay-bys are to be introduced on a vital economic and community lifeline for the West Highlands. Transport Scotland has invested a further £239,000 to provide two lay-bys on the upgraded A830 between Arisaig to Loch nan Uamh. Work is nearing completion on the £23m project, which has seen almost
17/02/2009
Scotland's Morrison Construction part of Galliford Try plc has been selected as one of five framework partners on Frameworks Scotland. The four year construction framework with an estimated capital expenditure in the order of £100m to £150m per annum will be managed by Health Facilities Scotland on
17/02/2009
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead today announced the appointment of two new members to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). The new members are Mr Tim Rollinson and Mr Dennis Dick. Tim Rollinson is an ecologist with more than 3
17/02/2009
Saving energy and watching the pennies is something no-one can escape during the current economic climate but Falkirk Council tenants may soon be able to do both. Falkirk Council has teamed up with British Gas to offer tenants two 'free' energy saving products which will allow tenants to monitor an
17/02/2009
A planning application for a two-storey office development on the derelict site of a former filling station has been lodged with Aberdeen City Council. An interim report on the proposal for the site, which previously housed the Texaco Filling Station at the junction of Crathie Terrace and Holburn S
16/02/2009
The Crown Estate has today announced it will be offering exclusivity agreements to companies and consortia for 10 sites for development of offshore windfarms within Scottish territorial waters. The 10 agreements will be made to nine companies and consortia, and in total the sites have the potential
16/02/2009
Construction and Projects partner, Sandra Cassels, from Burness, will be speaking at this week's 'Get set for Glasgow 2014' RICS Scotland QS and Construction conference at the City Halls, Glasgow on 19th February 2009. Cassels, who is widely acknowledged as being at the forefront of advising client
16/02/2009
Underwater cleaning specialists Panton McLeod has used an innovative robot with an uncanny resemblance to Wall-E to ensure customers in Argyle & Bute get the purest supplies at the tap. The Borders-based firm has been working with Scottish Water to ensure a series of service reservoirs in Dunoon re
16/02/2009
Scottish waters are the natural home for marine renewables, First Minister Alex Salmond said today as he officially opened the new offices of SeaEnergy in Aberdeen. SeaEnergy is the latest marine renewables development company to choose Scotland as the base for its drive to develop, own and operat
16/02/2009
A Napier biofuel expert was asked to lead the recent trade mission backed by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) on the environment in Manila. The trade mission was led by Professor Martin Tangney, director of the Biofuel Research Centre (BfRC) at Napier University and involved several high profile priv
16/02/2009
Plans for a new hotel and flats development on a derelict site in Dyce have been recommended for approval. The application, which is to be considered by the Aberdeen City Council Planning Committee on Thursday 19 February, seeks permission to build a 131-bedroom hotel with associated restaurant, fu
16/02/2009
Aberdeen Councillors have approved a 3.8% rent increase for council tenants next financial year. At their annual budget meeting, elected members agreed by 29 votes to nine to maintain the rent policy of the rate of inflation plus 1%. This equates to a rent increase of £2.23 per week, reflecting a
16/02/2009
Work to demolish the former Kepak abattoir site at Burnfoot, Hawick has begun and is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. This will allow the site to be released for development for use by local businesses or to attract new businesses to set up in Hawick. The site is owned by the Kepa
16/02/2009
Scotland's new Environment Minister officially took up her new post on Thursday and spoke of her determination to play a leading role in creating a cleaner, greener Scotland. Roseanna Cunningham's appointment, part of the First Minister's reshuffle on Tuesday, was formally approved by the Scottish
16/02/2009
Ayrshire-based building contractors William Skinner & Son have announced the appointment of Richard Brown as Project Manager at their Southern Division in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire. Richard, 37, started his training in 1988 and spent the next three years at Peterborough Regional College obtaining a
16/02/2009
As a company actively involved in house building we understand what's involved in completing extensions and new build houses - this is where we would like to assist in your project. At Alpha Property we start when we say we will and carry the full works through to completion. Works are insured and
13/02/2009
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has published a study into the Scottish property management market which has found that the market is not working well for consumers in Scotland. Scottish property managers, also known as 'factors', manage common shared property such as roofs, staircases and gardens
13/02/2009
Fife Council has unanimously approved its housing budget for 2009-10. Council tenants in Fife will see their rents rise by just 4% next year, one of the lowest rent increases in Scotland, and charges for lock-ups and garden maintenance frozen at last year's rate. Cllr Brian Goodall, Chair of the ho
13/02/2009
South Ayrshire Council will be spending £8.6 million on day to day repairs and maintenance and £8.4 million on upgrading and improving some of the 8,316 houses it owns in the coming year. A review of the Council's housing revenue account and capital investment programme has been carried out over th
13/02/2009
Glasgow City Council is to be offered additional funding of around £6m to help create an additional 1000 new Modern Apprenticeship places. The funding - £2m a year over the next three years - will enable Skills Development Scotland to work with Glasgow City Council on creating the additional places
13/02/2009
Local authorities across Scotland have confirmed that they will freeze council tax for the second year running. Finance Secretary John Swinney said the decision by a majority of councils would provide vital relief for households at a time when the effects of the economic downturn are being felt acr
13/02/2009
Payments to Housing Associations are being increased to ensure construction work continues in the current economic climate. The standard Housing Association Grant assumptions are rising by an average of six percent. This will mean an additional grant of between £4,000 and £5,000 per house. These m
13/02/2009
Aberdeen City Council proposals to work with a private sector developer to rejuvenate Hazlehead Golf Course have passed a major milestone. The full council has voted 28-13 to support in principle a partnership with The MacKenzie Club to enter into a lease agreement to improve the course and turn it
13/02/2009
Twenty lorry loads of Styrofoam roofing insulation have been making their way into the heart of Aberdeen over the winter as work continues on the £250m Union Square regeneration project. 14,000 m2 of 140mm thick Roofmate SL-A from Dow Building Solutions is being supplied to principal roofing contra
12/02/2009
The average house price for Scotland over the fourth quarter, October to December, of 2008 showed a decrease of 3% when compared with the same period in 2007. The average price of a residential property in Scotland for this quarter was £153,623. This is a decrease of 4.1% on the previous quarter o
12/02/2009
Stirling Council's Planning Panel has agreed to a further 34 new rented homes being built in Cambusbarron. The Panel gave the green light to Forth Housing Association for more rented homes to be built on land between Polmaise Home Farm and King George's Field, St. Ninians Road. The new homes will b
12/02/2009
The OFT has today published a study into the Scottish property management market which has found that the market is not working well for consumers in Scotland. Scottish property managers, also known as 'factors', manage common shared property such as roofs, staircases and gardens within tenements a
12/02/2009
Trade unions, business leaders and politicians presented the Scottish Government with a number of serious questions concerning the future of Scotland's energy supply. At a Conference yesterday at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh organised by Scottish Engineering and Unite, the crucial issues of energy su
12/02/2009
North Lanarkshire Council, Scotland's largest local authority landlord with around 37,200 properties, has announced its 2009/20010 housing budget totalling over £100m. And, for the fourth consecutive year, the Council will keep average rent increases at 3.5%. This increase together with savings
12/02/2009
The foundations for future sustainable communities are being put in place in West Lothian after plans to build a further 452 new council houses were announced. West Lothian Council's Council Executive has agreed to build at nine sites across West Lothian. The sites are: Dixon Terrace, Whitburn; Ro
12/02/2009
Housebuilder Stewart Milne Homes has launched a new website, making buying a new home as easy as doing the supermarket shop. Taking internet shopping to the next level,
12/02/2009
Parents of the new primary school to be built to serve the eastern part of Dunfermline will be asked to consider naming it the Andrew Carnegie Primary School, as work continues to ensure the virtual school at Inverkeithing is ready for pupils. Proposing the honour be given to Carnegie, Chair of the
11/02/2009
Peterhead's reputation as Europe's number one fishing port will be enhanced by new development at the town's harbour. Peterhead Port Authority plan to turn an unused embankment, adjacent to the existing quay into a new harbour facility, significantly increasing the port's capacity and benefiting bo
11/02/2009
Changes to the Scottish Government Ministerial team were announced yesterday. Alex Neil was appointed as Minister for Housing and Communities. The Sport remit will now be led by Shona Robison who becomes Minister for Sport and Public Health. Roseanna Cunningham was appointed as Minister for the
11/02/2009
£13.5 million will be spent on essential improvements works on the 'Wave 3' schools in Edinburgh over the next five years. The City of Edinburgh Council has prioritised the work under its forthcoming Capital Investment Programme which is due to go to next week's Council Budget Meeting for approval.
11/02/2009
North Lanarkshire Council has agreed efficiency savings totalling £10m for 2009/10, boosting the budget available to invest in frontline services for residents. This is the third year in which the council has proposed £10m of savings as part of its Service and People First programme, which is on ta
11/02/2009
Shelter Scotland yesterday praised the contribution former Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell has made following the news he has been replaced in a government reshuffle. And the charity welcomed the appointment of Alex Neil as new Communities Minister - urging him to breathe new life into Scotlan
11/02/2009
The regeneration of Cumnock Town Centre has received a significant boost thanks to the announcement by Historic Scotland of an £888,050 grant award to East Ayrshire Council for a Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) in the Cumnock Conservation Area. The grant will enable the Council to work
11/02/2009
Property consultants FG Burnett have disposed of the former Richmond Park Laundry in Rutherglen, Glasgow, on behalf of owners Rentokil Initial Services Limited. The 2.3 acre landmark site in the town's Cambuslang Road was purchased by Exchange Court Properties, the six figure price reflecting the s
11/02/2009
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond will officially open the new £38.5m Dumfries and Galloway super campus later. The Dumfries and Galloway College opened in September next to the University of Glasgow and the University of the West of Scotland. The new site at the Crichton replaced the old build
11/02/2009
Contractors are being forced to keep tenders low in an attempt to remain competitive and ride out the recession, as a result of new orders falling significantly and the demand for construction work drying up, according to the latest Tender Price Index compiled by RICS' Building Cost Information Serv
11/02/2009
The recently upgraded and extended Dunning Primary School is being officially opened on Friday 6 February 2009 by the Scottish Government's Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop MSP. The £4.3m project, designed by Perth & Kinross Council architects, has seen the five-c
10/02/2009
E.ON, one of the UK's leading renewable generators, has today announced that it will be generating electricity from the waves. As part of the company's staged approach towards developing the potential of marine energy, E.ON will buy, install and test a wave power device in UK waters. The init
10/02/2009
A new marine management body is being created to help Scotland make the most of its seas for future generations. Marine Scotland, which will be up and running by April 1, will play a key role in managing Scotland's seas, with direct responsibility for marine science, planning, policy development,
10/02/2009
An investment of almost £18m for school improvements and a replacement swimming pool for Aberdeenshire has been warmly welcomed by councillors. swimmers. Members of Aberdeenshire Council's Education, Learning and Leisure (EL&L) Committee on Thursday gave their support to primary and secondary schoo
10/02/2009
Glasgow's newest office development has celebrated reaching its highest point with a 'topping out' ceremony. Clarion, a 10-storey, 75,000sq ft BREEAM 'Excellent' office is located in the heart of Glasgow's business district on the corner of Wellington Street and Cadogan Street. The event is a mod
10/02/2009
The official opening of the Rothesay Pier and Harbour redevelopment was carried out on Saturday, 7th February 2009, by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change. Following the decision to replace the ferries operating on the Rothesay to Wemyss Bay route with larger vessels, Argy
10/02/2009
A total of 10 people died and more than 4,000 suffered serious injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall from height in Scottish workplaces last year. These shocking statistics have prompted the launch of an awareness raising campaign from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The second phas
10/02/2009
Faber Maunsell | AECOM has been chosen by Scottish Enterprise to work on the Union Terrace Gardens project in Aberdeen. The vision is to create an accessible open space that will integrate the Union Street retail and business thoroughfare with the cultural heart of His Majesty's Theatre and Aberdee
10/02/2009
Plans for a new hotel at St Enoch Square have been submitted to Glasgow City Council. North Ltd and Farrell & Clark want to build a 229-room hotel fashioned from limestone, polished blockwork and colour coated metal. The development will complement ongoing refurbishment of the St Enoch Centre howe
10/02/2009
Halls in south Aberdeenshire are getting together this Valentine's weekend to celebrate the launch of a 'Love Your Hall' toolkit that will provide support to hall committees. The events will take place from 11.00am on Saturday, February 14 in Laurencekirk and Sunday, February 15 in Tarland. Hall c
10/02/2009
Property consultants FG Burnett and James Barr have secured an investment sale at one of Aberdeen's premier office parks just two days after its official opening. Unit 18 at Gladman Development's Abercrombie Court in Westhill has been sold to Kenfield Properties LLP, a private Aberdeen investment c
10/02/2009
WRAP and Envirowise are committed to supporting the construction industry by promoting the benefits of SWMPs through a series of workshops designed to explain their positive potential and the business benefits above and beyond compliance. The one-day training workshop has been developed to provide
09/02/2009
Householders will be able to install their own energy generating equipment, including solar panels, without planning permission, Finance Secretary John Swinney announced today. The move follows a Scottish Government consultation on planning reforms aimed at increasing renewable energy generation an
09/02/2009
The Archial Group has been shortlisted as one of five architectural practices bidding for the £300m New Campus Glasgow project. New Campus Glasgow is an ambitious plan to develop a world-class learning facility, led by Glasgow's four city centre colleges; Central, Metropolitan, Stow and Nautical St
09/02/2009
Balfour Kilpatrick's projects unit has announced the award of the electrical and instrumentation services term contract for INEOS Manufacturing Scotland Ltd at Grangemouth. This award is the term contract for maintenance work with the opportunity to develop into projects and turnarounds works based
09/02/2009
Layher Ltd, a leading modular scaffolding manufacturer and supplier, is to enhance its facilities in Livingston. The 12,000 sq. metre site, located close to the former Layher premises, now boasts an administrative and management facility alongside an extensive storage yard and versatile demonstrati
09/02/2009
Steps to prevent serious shortages of affordable housing in North Lanarkshire have been announced. Right to Buy has been temporarily suspended for some tenants in all letting areas in Cumbernauld and Moodiesburn, which have now been designated as 'pressured areas'. This will immediately affect 1,59
09/02/2009
Nine historic communities across Scotland will benefit from more than £5m, Culture Minister Linda Fabiani announced on Friday. Announcing the latest round of Historic Scotland's Conservation Area Regeneration Schemes (CARS), the Minister said: "These grants provide vital support for councils who wa
09/02/2009
An important piece of cinema and architectural history is set to reopen its doors again following a £2.15m restoration and fit-out programme. The Hippodrome, Scotland's oldest purpose built cinema, which first opened in 1912, will reopen with a special community screening on the 6th of April 2009.
09/02/2009
On Wednesday, an HSE-organised event in Paisley will give construction contractors the opportunity to learn how to prevent deaths and accidents on sites in the Renfrewshire area. Tickets for this event are still available and can be obtained from HSE in Glasgow. The Construction Safety and Healt
09/02/2009
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell has urged more energy companies to reduce prices. Mr Maxwell was speaking on Friday as Scottish and Southern Energy announced it is reducing prices for domestic electricity and gas customers on 30 March 2009. Average prices for electricity customers will fall
09/02/2009
Businesses around Scotland are now benefiting from a £3.3m Scottish Government project to extend broadband services. On Friday Finance Secretary John Swinney visited one of the 4,000 businesses and households able to access broadband after Ministers launched an initiative to connect properties prev
06/02/2009
Steps to prevent serious shortages of affordable housing in North Lanarkshire have been announced. Right to Buy has been temporarily suspended for some tenants in all letting areas in Cumbernauld and Moodiesburn, which have now been designated as 'pressured areas'. This will immediately affect 1,5
06/02/2009
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) will reduce its prices for domestic electricity and gas customers from the 30 March this year. Average prices for electricity customers will fall by 9% and for gas customers they will fall by 4%. The drop in wholesale energy prices which started between July an
06/02/2009
Stirling Council has agreed to adopt a revised planning policy for Housing in the Countryside. This follows a review of the existing policy bringing it into line with current Scottish Government Policy and Guidance. The new policy means the Council will have a more relaxed approach when considering
06/02/2009
Fife Council's Housing Service is helping its 31,000 tenants not to panic and get help if they are having trouble paying their rent. Recent figures show the amount of tenants in rent arrears across Fife has increased from £2.4 million in January 2008 to £3.2 million in January 2009. Local Communi
06/02/2009
Returning to his native island Stuart Robertson has been appointed area manager for Shetland by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Stuart joined the agency in 1993 and is currently based at its Inverness headquarters as head of regional infrastructure which covers transport, telecoms and popul
06/02/2009
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has now signed its new repairs and maintenance contract, which will be introduced on 1 April 2009. The new £40m per year contract will deliver a more comprehensive and customer-focussed service to GHA's 65,000 tenants and 26,500 homeowners. With more than 200,000 r
06/02/2009
Stewart's Melville school in Edinburgh has been crowned the Edinburgh and Lothian Schools Construction Challenge champion for 2009. The team of ten S2 pupils, aged between 13 and 14, from Stewart’s Melville beat off competition from 29 other schools across the region to scoop the title after a seri
06/02/2009
Inverclyde Council is offering extra help for people struggling to heat their homes. The Safe, Sustainable Communities Committee have agreed to provide cash to households who don’t qualify for the Scottish Government’s National Central Heating Programme in 2009/10. Convener Councillor Robert Moran
06/02/2009
Over 80 secondary school pupils have visited the site of the new Motherwell College following a unique partnership set up between leading contractor Miller Construction (UK) Ltd and Motherwell College. The College which has close working relationships with schools in the North Lanarkshire area appr
06/02/2009
Having bore the brunt of the credit crunch fallout in 2008, the Scottish home building industry has endured a period of unprecedented economic turmoil and uncertainty, resulting in dramatic drops in activity and the loss of many thousands of jobs. Whilst 2009 promises to be just as challenging, it
05/02/2009
Interserve - the services, maintenance and building group - has secured a £600m deal with Health Facilities Scotland. The deal means the company is now one of five Principal Supply Chain Partners (PSCPs) in the new Frameworks Scotland programme. The framework is spread across four years. Framewor
05/02/2009
Up to half the country's domestic gas heating could be met by turning waste into biogas, according to a new report from National Grid. Biogas could give the UK a new reliable source of green energy as the North Sea gas reserves run down. The report looks at how all the biodegradable waste streams
05/02/2009
A team of pupils from Sandwick Junior High School have been hailed as the Highlands and Islands' top young renewable energy experts, after the Scottish Parliament played host to the thrilling conclusion to this year's Big Green Challenge debating competition. The grand final of the competition, whi
05/02/2009
The restoration of the Grade A listed City Chambers in Edinburgh has been completed. As part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s "Fit For Future" initiative Associates has carried out a range of conservation projects throughout the City Chambers for the past three years. The works included a reinst
05/02/2009
Kenmore Property Group has sold a six acre vacant landsite at Langlands in East Kilbride to The Trustees for the Marwood Group Pension Fund ("Marwood") for £350,000. The site has been sold with a development agreement in place with South Lanarkshire Council to split the property into two, install a
05/02/2009
Kährs has appointed a new distributor in Scotland. Woodstocks - a division of wood flooring specialist, G L Floors - will provide a full trade counter, warehouse and showroom facilities from its premises in Newcraighall, Edinburgh. The new Woodstocks division will be headed up by Graham Kerr, wh
05/02/2009
The Crown Estate has announced the appointment of James Cooksey to a new role as Head of Urban Asset Management. James will be central in helping implement The Crown Estate's investment strategy which will look to diversify the urban portfolio, managing regional assets as actively as central London
05/02/2009
The number of individuals registering with the Engineering Council UK (ECUK) as Engineering Technicians (EngTech) during 2008 has risen for the fourth consecutive year. The new influx of registrants brings the total number of current EngTech registrants to 13,711, representing an increase of 1,343
04/02/2009
Construction bosses are being urged to maintain a commitment to staff training to preserve the industry’s workforce during recession, as new figures are published today from the Construction Skills Network (CSN) report. The annual CSN report, produced by ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Counci
04/02/2009
The leader of Scotland's construction industry today hailed the prospect of a consensus deal on the Scottish budget as good for construction. Following a round of negotiations between Scottish Ministers and opposition parties, it is expected that the final budget will be approved unanimously by MSP
04/02/2009
Eight young people from Scotland have qualified for the UK squad for WorldSkills 2009, to be held in Calgary in September. They will now spend the next few months practicing and refining their skills to vie for a place on the final UK team, to be announced in June. The young people, who are were n
04/02/2009
Work began today on the first phase of a £2m community learning and sports development in Fochabers. The new extension at Milne's High School will result in a range of integrated facilities which will benefit pupils and the public in Fochabers and surrounding communities. Construction will be in
04/02/2009
Refurbishment work started this week on the £200,000 pedestrian underpass below King Street at Limonds Wynd in Ayr. The work which will be completed in April includes new brick wall cladding, new metal parapets and handrails, replacement street lighting, anti-slip pavements, improvements to drainag
04/02/2009
More improvements are on the way for Stenhousemuir town centre. Construction is set to start next month on the new Tryst Community Centre as part of the final phases of the regeneration project for the town centre. The design will tie into other completed improvements in the town centre which incl
04/02/2009
Lews Castle Trust is seeking a development partner to maximise the commercial potential of a project to repair and re-use Lews Castle in Stornoway. Studies undertaken by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and its partners have identified a mixed-use development, consisting of a new museum nan Eilean and a h
04/02/2009
Environmental improvement works will be taking place at Tradespark Wood, Nairn. The works are being carried out The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service. An existing rough parking area located on Tradespark Road will be upgraded to provide a three-bay parking area with one of the b
04/02/2009
New gateway signs are going up on most roads into East Lothian identifying the county as the birthplace of Scotland's national flag, the St. Andrew's Cross or Saltire. Designed to raise the county's profile, especially during Homecoming 2009, the new logo aims to capitalise on East Lothian's unique
03/02/2009
A new £1m annual prize fund to inspire innovative ways of improving the energy efficiency of Scotland's housing sector has been launched. Minister for the Environment Michael Russell today announced that the Scottish Energy Efficiency Design Awards will be open to applications from April this year.
03/02/2009
The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) has agreed to support in principle a new college for the West Highlands to provide a more efficient and effective way of delivering further education in this part of Scotland. Argyll, Lochaber, and Wester Ross and Skye colleges, which are currently independent, ha
03/02/2009
Construction firms have been invited to find out if their apprentices are plasterminds or trowelblazers at SkillBuild – Britain's biggest skills competition to find the best young builders across a range of construction trades. SkillBuild regional competition dates are now available and entries ar
03/02/2009
Angus Council's consultation with Monifieth residents about town centre improvements starts next week with a presentation to Monifieth Community Council. The council is proposing a £250,000 programme of environmental improvements which include town centre gateways; lighting; street furniture and in
03/02/2009
Councillors have agreed to move forward with plans to secure the cliff face above the historic coastal community of Pennan. The work to reduce the risk of future landslips on the coastal slope will be subject to a number of conditions, including the signature of an Exclusion of Liability by all pro
03/02/2009
An historic building in Glasgow is to be brought back into public use. Maryhill Burgh Halls, which opened in 1878, and an adjacent former police station are to be transformed into a community hub thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund award of £990,000. Maryhill Burgh Halls has lain empty for eight yea
03/02/2009
The regeneration of Cumnock town centre took a giant step forward this week as the planning application for a new £8m office development was lodged with East Ayrshire Council. The new office development is the first phase of the Cumnock Town Centre Regeneration Project which aims to revitalise the
03/02/2009
J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors has been appointed to sell a former gym and leisure club with an attractive beachside setting at 6 Beachpark, Harbourside Irvine Suited to a variety of uses, with a long ground lease, the property is situated in an area of open parkland close to Irvine beach and boa
03/02/2009
DEGI, part of Aberdeen Property Investors, has recently sold a retail property belonging to the portfolio of its DEGI EUROPA open-end property fund. The property is located at Am Brand in Mainz/Germany, and was sold to Aachener Grundvermögen Kapitalanlage GmbH seated in Cologne. Having acquired it
03/02/2009
A planning application for an extension to a Borders housing develop has been shelved due to the tough current economic conditions. The Scottish Borders Council has been told Roxburghe Estates wish to withdraw plans to extend phase two of the development at Sunlaws near Kelso. The planning applica
02/02/2009
A plan to create thousands of green energy jobs by 2020 will aid economic recovery and lead Scotland to a more sustainable future, John Swinney said today. The Scottish Government will progress action as part of its economic recovery programme - across energy generation, energy efficiency and trans
02/02/2009
Renewable energy development can be a key economic driver across the Western Isles, according to a new study. A Scottish Government report has identified various economic and community benefits from different forms of renewable energy developments, that can exist in harmony with environmental desig
02/02/2009
Fundraising has commenced for a full refurbishment and extension of St Andrew's Cathedral. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Scotland will raise the cash for renovations and extensions including a new cloister garden and apse. Peter Howson, one of Scotland's most famous painters, has been asked to
02/02/2009
A junction in the Borders near Peebles is to be upgraded after a pensioner was killed in a road traffic accident last year. After disembarking a bus on the A703 Mailingsland junction in November, 73-year-old, Jessie Knox, died when she was struck by a van. A number of primary measures will be intr
02/02/2009
The sale of two multi-million pound flagship buildings in Edinburgh city centre has given the city's property market a glimmer of hope. The Royal Bank of Scotland building in St Andrew Square, is to be sold to a private investor for £16m while Thistle Property have nearly completed a £9m deal for t
02/02/2009
BAA has appointed a new head of construction and design. Steve Morgan, the former commercial director at British Nuclear Fuels, is to replace Rob Stewart who will now report to Morgan as construction director. In his role as capital director Morgan will lead BAA's £6.6bn investment plan overseeing
02/02/2009
A leading property service has been appointed to sell a traditional village local pub in Ayrshire J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors will manage the sale of The Green Shutters, set in the village of Ochiltree, around 12 miles east of Ayr. Located in the centre of the village within a local conservat
02/02/2009
Rugby legend and renowned architect David Leslie has returned to work for the first time - two years after an accident that doctors feared would leave him paralysed. The father-of-three fell 20 ft from the roof of his Broughty Ferry house in 2006 and spent three months in Dundee’s Ninewells Hospita
02/02/2009
A masterclass on the need to transform the country’s most deprived areas during a recession will take place at the end of the month. The masterclass which runs from 25-26 February will teach delegates how to develop their negotiation and project management skills to get a better deal for residents
02/02/2009
Historic Scotland is due to begin an excavation at Broughty Castle Green in Broughty Ferry this week. The agency has commissioned archaeological excavations to investigate the cause of a hole which has opened up on the castle green. A geophysical survey took place late last year to investigate the
