Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for August 2009
28/08/2009
The rate at which the UK economy is contracting has been reduced. In the three months from April to June the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) dropped by 0.7% from 0.8% compared with the previous quarter. Year-on-year decline has been reduced to 5.5% from 5.6%
28/08/2009
South of Scotland MSP, Alasdair Morgan, has joined the Edinburgh's Economic Development convener, Cllr Tom Buchanan, to officially open the first 1km section of the Edinburgh Promenade. In tow were local school children, older people's walking groups, cyclists and kite-flyers, all of whom will be a
28/08/2009
Two award-winning buildings designed by Archial Architects, one of the largest architecture practices in Scotland and the UK, have been nominated for Roses Design Awards. The buildings are Pollok Civic Realm, which recently won a Royal Institute of British Architects Regional Award, and Dumfries De
28/08/2009
Directors at Scottish water quality engineering firm Panton McLeod have been left shocked after an advert for a new staff member attracted more than 100 applications in just four days. While other companies across the country have been cost-cutting and trimming their workforces, Borders-based Panto
28/08/2009
Mechanical services company, EnerMech Ltd, has secured an important distributorship agreement with leading lifting equipment specialist Gunnebo Industries. Aberdeen-based EnerMech will have preferential rights to the distribution of all Gunnebo’s lifting products to oil and gas industry companies
28/08/2009
Scottish Renewables, the voice of Scotland's renewable energy industry, has welcomed the launch of the joint Government and industry marine road map, which identifies the critical support needed to capture nearly 12,500 jobs in this sector by 2020. The report’s conclusions include:
28/08/2009
Catamount Energy Limited (CEL), a partnership between Statkraft and Duke Energy has received consent from the Scottish Government to build Berry Burn wind farm. The wind farm consists of 29 wind turbines with a maximum installed capacity of 78.3 megawatts and will be located on the slopes of Carn
28/08/2009
A total of 21,384 new houses have been built in Scotland over the last year, according to new official figures published today. While new builds in the private sector have fallen during the economic downturn, building of affordable homes by the public sector is at the highest level since the mid 19
27/08/2009
House prices rose across the UK by 1.6% in August according to the Nationwide. At £160,224, the average price of a typical UK property is still slightly lower than a year ago, however the annual rate of change rose further in August, from -6.2% to -2.7%. Martin Gahbauer, Nationwide's Chief Economi
27/08/2009
Scottish Water operator, Jake Huey rushed to the rescue, when Nemo was unusually found – at the Philipshill Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW). It was nearly a sorry tail, with the little fish about to breathe its last gasp, inadvertently flushed down the toilet and about to meet its fin-ale. Jake
27/08/2009
Angus Council's Infrastructure Services Committee has awarded the contract for over £810k of carriageway resurfacing works on the A933 between Colliston and Leysmill to Tayside Contracts. Eight companies submitted eligible tenders for the kerbing, drainage, reconstruction and surfacing works, the l
27/08/2009
Plans for a replacement swimming pool and leisure facility in Helensburgh have taken a major step forward with the appointment of the Consultant Team to undertake the Outline Business Case (OBC). The contract to carry out the OBC for the new building was awarded to a team led by Gareth Hoskins Arch
27/08/2009
Angus Council responded to last year's severe and prolonged winter weather with a record number of gritting treatments of the county's roads network. The gritting regime started earlier than anticipated in October and ran through to the end of March, with the council recording its third highest num
27/08/2009
The range of services provided to council tenants in Dundee will be showcased at a special event being staged by the city council this Saturday, August 29. The council's housing department, together with partner organisations such as Tayside Police and Tayside Fire and Rescue, are holding a Tenants
27/08/2009
A Perth-based window and door manufacturer is celebrating after receiving high profile recognition for its commitment to its staff recruitment, training and development programmes, having recently been awarded the national Investors In People Standard. Sidey Ltd was presented with their certificate
27/08/2009
As more and more people buy signed limited-edition prints of their favourite music albums to add style to their homes, the Artists Gallery - the sole Scottish agent for the world's leading retailer in signed limited edition album fine art - will be drawing attention to its stand at the Homes & Inter
26/08/2009
Around 12,500 jobs in marine renewables could contribute £2.5 billion to Scotland's economy by 2020, according to a report published today. The industry-led Marine Energy Group study charts a course for wave and tidal power around Scotland, and highlights actions to build further success in the sec
26/08/2009
New hi-tech equipment offering interactive travel services and real-time advice has just gone live at Stirling Station. The Smart Point terminal at Stirling has been funded by Transport Scotland and is the first to be installed in Scotland. This is the latest element of a £650,000 investment pack
26/08/2009
A blot on the landscape created by the oil boom of the 1970s is to be turned into a £45m pound world-class tourist destination in the west of Scotland. The first phase of the new 230-berth, deep-water, state-of-the-art Portavadie Marina complex and resort will be officially opened today by Jim Math
26/08/2009
New rules to revamp the way power plants get connected to the UK's power grid have been proposed by Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Miliband. The shake-up will help new projects waiting to get a date to feed electricity into the grid to get out of the queue, and will in particular help renewable en
26/08/2009
Some of the proposals which recently won Alloa £2 million to be spent on physical improvements in the town centre are on display. The 'Imagine Alloa' display is on show in the former Travel Care shop on Alloa High Street. The shop will be open from 9 to 5 today for anyone to drop in and find out m
26/08/2009
Medieval artefacts have been discovered in the courtyard quadrangle of Robert Gordon's College in Aberdeen. The city council's Archaeological Unit worked on the Schoolhill site while while workmen re-landscaped the quadrangle as part of extensive building works over the summer. It is rare for this
26/08/2009
Administrators have been appointed to the Lighthouse Trust. At the request of the charity's directors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Scotland has appointed two of its personnel to run the troubled business. A charitable organisation, The Lighthouse Trust employs 57 staff (full and part time) and r
26/08/2009
Ministers have announced the Government's response to the recent consultation exercise on the appointment of a Chief Construction Officer. The Government plans to appoint a Chief Adviser to Government on Construction to equip Britain's construction industry with the skills and knowledge to become c
25/08/2009
A multi-million pound improvement scheme on the A92 in Dundee will be delivered through a partnership that reduces the programme of works by one month. The £3 million upgrades, which start on 8 September for ten weeks, are being funded through Transport Scotland and Dundee City Council. The progr
25/08/2009
The UK Contractors Group and National Federation of Builders have, together with Construction News, jointly launched a competition law code of conduct to help avoid breaches of competition law by the construction industry. The code highlights the need for construction companies to have rigorous in
25/08/2009
The state-of-the-art Airyhall School opened its doors to pupils on Thursday August 20. Airyhall Primary School.This is the second school in Aberdeen City Council's £120 million 3Rs project to be completed. Airyhall and Braeside schools came together under one head teacher at the Braeside site whil
25/08/2009
The search for Scotland's top building apprentice has been launched this week. James Birnie and last year's apprentice of the year, Peter MacLeod, opened nominations for the tenth annual James Birnie Awards for Craft Excellence at the Town House, Aberdeen. The awards, run by the Scottish Buildin
25/08/2009
Members of Fife Council's City of Dunfermline Area Committee have seen the significant progress which has been made with the refurbishment of Carnegie Leisure Centre first hand. Melvin Provan, the Council's lead Architect, Rob Tait from project managers Turner & Townsend and Wendy Watson, Customer
25/08/2009
Uddingston Sports Centre, which is part of the new grammar school, has been officially opened to the public. The sports centre, with its own separate entrance for the public, which is managed and operated by South Lanarkshire Leisure on behalf of the council, is open to the public outside school ho
25/08/2009
One of the UK's leading names in urban regeneration and commercial development projects, Muse Developments, has hired Glasgow based McGarvie Morrison Media to handle PR and corporate communications in Scotland. The appointment comes as Muse prepares to boost their presence north of the border with
25/08/2009
Plans for a major refurbishment of Polson Park, Tranent have been dealt a blow with the announcement that the Heritage Lottery Fund has rejected the funding bid. Proposals had been submitted for a £1.2 million complete refurbishment of the Victorian park which would have included the restoration o
24/08/2009
An Inverclyde Convener has called for an action group to tackle flooding. Flooding from the watercourses across Inverclyde causes disruption to residents, damage to property and forces road closures. Last December, severe flooding caused chaos after heavy rain and unusually high tides. Inverclyde
24/08/2009
The Scottish First Minister today visited Fraserburgh's largest employer, Macrae, to mark completion of the first phase of a £2 million investment programme to upgrade its fish processing factory. Macrae Fraserburgh, part of The Seafood Company, has a core staff of 550 and employs up to 800 staff d
24/08/2009
Continuing tough economic conditions demand the Scottish Government be allowed to bring forward further vital infrastructure investment, John Swinney has said. The Finance Secretary was speaking on Friday as the Scottish Government published its latest assessment of Scotland's economy. With eviden
24/08/2009
The redevelopment of Edinburgh Napier University's Sighthill campus has received a philanthropic boost of nearly £500k. The funding – which will be used to maximise the benefits of the new building for the wider community – has come from The Robertson Trust and The Garfield Weston Foundation. The
24/08/2009
Portlethen-based Downhole Products (DHP) is launching its own staff operation in West Africa to boost its sales in the potentially lucrative oil and gas sector in the region. DHP, which is a world market leader in oilfield equipment, has appointed Nigerian-born Frank Ibazebo as its regional sales e
24/08/2009
Renfrewshire Council is arranging a public meeting in Johnstone to discuss the council's £92m investment in education, community and leisure facilities. The meeting is being organised by the council's Johnstone and Villages Area Local Committee and will take place in Johnstone Town Hall at 7 pm on
24/08/2009
Muirfield Contracts is the latest company to sign up with Mardak Ltd for its construction accounting and contract management software. After extensively researching the marketplace, Muirfield selected Mardak Construction Accounts (MCA) as the best fit solution for their requirements. Based in
24/08/2009
Stirling Council is urging residents, whose home or business is served by a private water supply, to apply for a grant to help make improvements. The government grant of up to £800 is not means tested and can be used to carry out improvements to the water source, distribution system and treatment o
24/08/2009
Children in the Pumpherston area of West Lothian will be excited to know that work is starting on a re-development of Harrysmuir play park this week. Youngsters from Pumpherston and Uphall Community Primary School were consulted about what they would like for the new play park. Costing around £5
21/08/2009
The longest bridge of its type in Scotland gets put in place this weekend as Falkirk Council prepares to install a new footbridge spanning the main Glasgow to Edinburgh rail line at Redding near Falkirk. The 56m (184ft) long and 1.8m (6ft) wide steel bridge is the longest 'Warren Truss' footbridge
21/08/2009
One of the largest architecture practices in Scotland and the UK, Archial Architects, has completed a £12m extension to the Bon Accord Centre in Aberdeen. The extension, undertaken on behalf of The Scottish Retail Property Partnership, amounted to some 50,000 sq ft of retail space together with som
21/08/2009
A ground-breaking facility for extracting plant oil has been formally opened by Environment Secretary, Richard Lochhead. The Essentially Scottish Botanicals steam distillation unit in Beauly will be used to extract oil from Myrica gale an indigenous Scottish plant more commonly known as Bog myrtle
21/08/2009
Scotland's first ever Zero Waste Plan has been unveiled. The draft plan details the steps Scotland needs to take on the journey towards a Zero Waste society. It proposes a number of ambitious approaches to reduce waste, increase recycling and send less waste to landfill, including:
21/08/2009
A free programme of events that will show Dundee in a different light could illuminate the city later this year. The "winter light night" will be part of the One City Many Discoveries campaign and take place on Friday November 27. Will Dawson Convener of Dundee City Council's city development comm
21/08/2009
Fife Councillors have agreed that more time is needed before a final decision is taken on the site of the new Madras College. Members of the Education and Children's Services Committee agreed to a recommendation that a further assessment of sites at St Andrews West takes place and a report on this
21/08/2009
Clackmannanshire Council has agreed to sell the former Zones Leisure Centre to Alloa Athletic Football Club, which plans to refurbish the pitches and provide leisure facilities. The Centre was closed last year and councillors decided to market the building with a view to investing proceeds from the
21/08/2009
Imagine you come home tired after work – you enter your house through the front door and no one's home to cater to your needs… and yet maybe someone is at home. You press the "open up" icon on the panel in the hallway, and Master Link Gateway is at your service! Now what can it do for you? The Ma
20/08/2009
Britain's house building industry has unveiled ambitious plans for a national New Homes Week to promote the many benefits of buying a new home. The New Homes Marketing Board (NHMB) believe New Homes Week 2009 (NHW09), scheduled for September 12th to 20th this year, will be a nationwide celebration
20/08/2009
Union Square, Hammerson's latest retail regeneration scheme, will open to the public on the 29th October 2009. The development is bringing over 1,000 retail and leisure jobs to Aberdeen as well as new retailers to the city. Union Square comprises of a main covered mall with glazed atrium as well a
20/08/2009
Aberdeen Sports Village, a joint venture between Aberdeen City Council, the University of Aberdeen and sportscotland, will stage an Open Day from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, 22 August. The complex, on the site of the former Chris Anderson Stadium, will raise the bar when it comes to sports provision i
20/08/2009
Plans have been put forward to hold an open week at the Forth Road Bridge during the week beginning October 26. A new report to the Forth Estuary Transport Authority recommends holding a week-long public exhibition combined with school and community visits. On Saturday 31 October, it is proposed
20/08/2009
Orkney Islands Council is reminding people to have their say in the first stage of the review of Orkney’s Local Plan. The closing date for comments on Phase 1 of the review, the Development Plan Scheme, is August 31 at 5pm. This is also the deadline for land owners to come forward with details of
20/08/2009
An Acarsaid, the Highland Council's care home for older people in Broadford, Skye, is to undergo a £1.4m refurbishment over the next eight months. Residents will move to Graham House, Dornie, on Monday (24 August) and remain there during the major upgrade of the home. Work will include improving
20/08/2009
Inverclyde Council's Education and Lifelong Learning Committee has today approved plans to install a second all-weather pitch at Inverclyde Academy. The original plan had been to have a grass pitch on the Greenock site which already boasts first-class gym and sports hall facilities along with the e
20/08/2009
A brand new footbridge is now in place across the Brox Burn, reopening a link between Parkwood Gardens and West Burnside. The bridge replaces one of six structures demolished along the length of the burn as a result of the floods in August last year. The new bridge is stronger, wider and longer t
19/08/2009
Three companies involved in the continued mis-selling of land in Scotland have been ordered into liquidation in the High Court following a Government investigation. In making the order to wind-up the companies (Chapeltown Associates Limited, Highland Properties Estate Agency Limited and Osprey High
19/08/2009
The £2.5m headquarters of construction company Leiths Scotland has been officially opened in Aberdeen by First Minister Alex Salmond. The First Minister welcomed the company's commitment to investing in Aberdeen, which, he said, demonstrates confidence in the Scottish economy and construction indus
19/08/2009
A new opportunity for forestry projects to take advantage of substantial funding from the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) has been announced today. Forestry proposals within Rural Priorities will now be assessed on an ongoing basis rather than only being examined at the assessment centr
19/08/2009
A multi-million pound project which aims to restore Aberdeen's historic Green to its former glory is now underway. The Green Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) has been set up to tackle the problems of rundown historic buildings and streetscape where long-standing economic and structural decline
19/08/2009
Over 500 vulnerable residents in and around Keith are set to gain the benefits of essential energy efficiency advice, thanks to a grant from the ScottishPower Energy People Trust. REAP (Rural Environmental Action Project) received nearly £7,000 in funding from the Trust to put 10 staff members and
19/08/2009
The long school holidays - a seven week break - has allowed contractors to move in to schools across Inverclyde to carry out essential repair and improvement works. While Inverclyde's schoolchildren have been enjoying their summer holidays, a small army of dedicated Council staff have been working
19/08/2009
One of the largest architecture practices based in Scotland, Archial Architects, has won planning consent for its proposal to replace an 'unloved' office block at Cumberland Place in Southampton with a modern high quality development. The existing building has been vacant for some time and is now s
19/08/2009
The Highland Council's Caithness Sutherland and Easter Ross Planning Applications Committee has refused an application by Combined Heat and Power (Highland) Ltd to establish a waste to energy combined heat and power plant within the Cromarty Firth Industrial Park at Invergordon. Councillors Maxine
18/08/2009
A £1bn scheme to electrify the track between Edinburgh and Glasgow is to be funded by Network Rail. The company has agreed in principle to borrow money against the value of its assets. The Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) could cut journey times between the two cities to around 35 mi
18/08/2009
Inverclyde Council's ambitious £80m PPP Schools Project is in full swing as demolition work on the site of the final new-build gets underway. Bulldozers are pulling down the former St Columba's High School in Gourock where a state-of-the-art new school, Clydeview Academy will be built. St Columba'
18/08/2009
Wates Retail has awarded a contract to Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) to provide electrical services for a Marks and Spencer store at Union Square in Aberdeen; the first contract awarded to the newly formed BBES. Kevin Sheridan will manage the contract which includes installation of CCT
18/08/2009
Council housing tenants in Stirling will be given more help to avoid rent arrears The Council's Executive has agreed that early intervention and more face-to-face contact with tenants is the best way forward to help people from falling in to arrears. Changes in the way the Council's Housing Servic
18/08/2009
Construction has started on a £3m project to transform a key site in Airdrie town centre. Old Wellwynd Church is being redeveloped into a social enterprise centre – One Wellwynd - which will boost the local economy and provide community facilities for Airdrie's residents. Speaking at a sod cuttin
18/08/2009
The Highland Council is to make a second bid for Euro funding to help upgrade the A 855 Portree – Staffin road to two lane status. The Council attracted 25% funding towards the first phase of road widening improvements, which are estimated to cost £0.5m and is seeking the same support from the Euro
18/08/2009
South Ayrshire Council's £235,000 refurbishment of the pedestrian underpass below King Street at Limonds Wynd in Ayr is now complete. Councillor Peter Convery, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and the Environment was joined by local Councillors, the contractor, Officers and local residents at th
18/08/2009
The newly refurbished Stromness Squash Court opens to the public next week. Orkney Islands Council has taken on management of the courts following the end of the lease between Stromness Squash Club and the Council. The court will be run by the team at Stromness Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre. T
17/08/2009
Glasgow City Council has announced Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd as the construction contractor to deliver the National Indoor Sports Arena (NISA) and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, a facility that will host two events at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The NISA and velodrome - which will be one of the bi
17/08/2009
Britain's first Army recovery centre to treat injured soldiers is to be officially opened. The head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, will join other servicemen to open the convalescing centre at Erskine, Edinburgh. The purpose-built 12-bed centre will provide f
17/08/2009
A £1.6m investment in Aberdeen's Scottish European Green Energy Centre (SEGEC) through the European Regional Development Fund, was announced today. The Scottish Government is also providing more than £1m of funding over the next three years. At the official opening of the Centre, based at the Univ
17/08/2009
Around 14,000 homes in the Montrose and Brechin areas of Angus will benefit from a major programme of insulation. The Home Insulation Scheme and the Energy Assistance Package from the Scottish Government could mean a £2m investment for the Angus economy through employment and construction industry
17/08/2009
Ayr-based building contractors William Skinner & Son have successfully completed a £260k refurbishment of the Modern Languages and Religious Education Departments of Queen Margaret Academy. The project was part of the ongoing schools rebuilding and refurbishment programme currently being carried ou
17/08/2009
Views are being sought on how neighbourly disputes over high hedges can be resolved more effectively. This could include encouraging the inclusion of hedge height limits in property title deeds, better mediation options, or examining the case for a new law on the issue. Community Safety Minister F
17/08/2009
Big changes will soon be happening in two East Ayrshire town centres thanks to an announcement from the Scottish Government that projects in Galston have secured significant funding through the Town Centre Regeneration Fund. The Council was successful in securing almost £1m for the Galston and Cumn
17/08/2009
Nursery company Little Einstein's is to open a new state-of-the-art nursery in the heart of Glasgow this month. Nithsdale House Nursery, in Pollokshields, will provide an early learning experience for children from shortly after birth until they are ready for the first days of school age. The new
14/08/2009
The number of mortgage repossessions fell in the second quarter of the year, while cases of arrears leveled off, according the latest figures published today by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). A combination of factors has helped keep mortgage arrears and possessions in check, despite the rec
14/08/2009
The company delivering the tram project for Edinburgh has now initiated formal contractual dispute resolution with the Bilfinger Siemens CAF (BSC) consortium in an attempt to resolve the dispute which began in February of this year. The move is being backed by the City of Edinburgh Council. Desp
14/08/2009
The new £36m building for the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, focusing on drug discovery and development, is on target to be up and running in 2011. Dr Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, marked the construction milestone and topped-out the new building. The
14/08/2009
The Right to Buy (RTB) should be scrapped for all new tenancies, according to housing charity, Shelter Scotland. The charity is calling on the Scottish Government to be bolder in its reform of RTB by ending the policy for all new tenancies. The policy, which allows social tenants to buy their rent
14/08/2009
Edinburgh is the UK’s most desirable city according to PlaceIndex - an independent study carried out by YouGov. Scotland's capital came out on top following the survey of 10,000 adults across the country. Cities are ranked on 11 key indicators which include – cultural experience, atmosphere, frie
14/08/2009
There was disappointment at East Dunbartonshire Council this week as news came through from the Scottish Government that the authority's bid for £1.3m funding for Kirkintilloch town centre had been unsuccessful. In June, the Council supported by Kirkintilloch's Initiative, submitted an application
14/08/2009
FG Burnett has been appointed to provide managing agent services for a new development in Inverurie by Cala Homes. Priory Park in the town's North Street is a development of 48 high specification one, two and three bedroom apartments. FG Burnett, an Aberdeen commercial property agent, will manage
14/08/2009
Local youngsters can get their skates on and 'wheelie enjoy' themselves thanks to a new £185,000 extension to Renfrewshire Council's skatepark in Linwood. A new purpose-built concrete bowl has been added to give skaters and BMX riders the speed and momentum they need for stunt jumps. The facility
13/08/2009
A project that involves the collection of landfill waste gas to convert into power is getting underway. The Landfill Gas Utilisation project has been officially launched by Scottish Borders Council (SBC). It will operate from the Easter Langlee landfill site in Galashiels to generate electricity w
13/08/2009
Construction of the Saughton Skatepark is due to start this weekend following the appointment of the project's main contractor, Clachan Construction Ltd. The company has extensive experience in this area, having built concrete skateparks throughout Scotland including Glasgow (Kelvingrove Park and D
13/08/2009
A piece of land which has become an eyesore in Sauchie is to be sold for development. The site at Swinburne Drive was abandoned in the 1990s by a housing developer who left the area derelict and unsightly. Despite attempts at enforcement by the Clackmannanshire Council, the developer, who had gone
13/08/2009
A Galashiels school, Tweedbank Primary, is soon to undergo a £1.5m refurbishment to provide the improved accommodation needed as a result of the increasing school roll. As part of these works, temporary accommodation was planned to be installed at the school in time for the new summer term. D
13/08/2009
Shell U.K Limited and National Grid are joining ScottishPower's carbon capture and storage (CCS) consortium, as the energy company sets out to deliver the UK's first commercial size CCS system operating from a coal-fired power station by 2014. The consortium is forging ahead with this new technolog
13/08/2009
A £400k improvement programme for 40 council owned properties in Falkirk has been given the go-ahead. The properties (a mix of two storey flats and family housing) will have new roofs installed as well as re-rendering of the outside of the building with new roughcast. Work is scheduled to start in
13/08/2009
North east firm Scape Homes is to showcase its Angus projects with a series of special events this month. On Thursday, August 20, Scape Homes is opening the doors of one of its Angus developments for an exhibition of work by North east photographer Andrew Sage between 4.30pm and 8pm. Drumyellow ne
13/08/2009
The Scottish Building Federation has revealed that, by the end of August, more than 900 construction trainees and apprentices will have been made redundant since the same time last year. According to Federation Chief Executive Michael Levack, the figures, collated from ConstructionSkills and Membe
12/08/2009
Robertson Construction Group has begun work on one of the biggest ever health developments in the north east. The new £110m emergency care centre at Foresterhill in Aberdeen will be a significant milestone in NHS Grampian's ambitious plans for the Foresterhill campus over the next 20 years. The ce
12/08/2009
A national online database that holds information on and images of more than 280,000 of Scotland's buildings and built archaeology has opened its files so that members of the public can add their own knowledge directly to its archives. RCAHMS is the national collection of images and items about Sco
12/08/2009
The regeneration of Saltcoats and Ardrossan took a major step forward this week after funding of almost £1.5m was secured from a Scottish Government fund. The funds, £1.45m in total, have been secured by a "delighted" Irvine Bay Regeneration Company from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regene
12/08/2009
A series of community information displays setting out landscaping and other mitigation measures to be introduced once work commences on the construction of the Forth Replacement Crossing will be open to the public this week. The displays will be on show at various libraries and community centres i
12/08/2009
Aberdeenshire Council is to hold an information day outlining plans for the demolition of 16 properties and construction of 18 new council properties in Mintlaw. It will take place on Friday August 14 at Aden Country Park Inn, Station Road. The drop-in session will run from 1.30pm to 7.00pm and a
12/08/2009
Over 150 delegates are expected to attend Scotland's foremost Community Energy Conference which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday 26/27 August at Stirling University. The audience will include representatives from local community groups across Scotland who are interested in joining the incr
12/08/2009
Birley Manufacturing has successfully completed a £600,000 project for Waitrose as part of the supermarket chain's acquisition and conversion programme. The programme forms part of Waitrose's ambitious expansion strategy, whereby the supermarket chain plans to double its estate. Project "Troy" was
12/08/2009
The Highland Council has been notified of the Scottish Ministers' decision to confirm approval of ASDA's planning application at Slackbuie, Inverness. The Council welcomes the decision but is disappointed that there is no reference to planning gain in relation to road improvements – which is the ma
12/08/2009
Tenants of East Renfrewshire Council's 3,100 council houses are being invited to take a look at repairs, stock condition, energy efficiency, and rents in special workshops at this year's annual tenant conference. It takes place at Thorntree Hall, Thornliebank, from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturday 1
11/08/2009
More than 1,250 Scottish jobs can be created or safeguarded with the help of Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) from the Scottish Government. Enterprise Minister Jim Mather is today visiting two of the 24 companies in Scotland which accepted more than £19m from the job creation scheme between Apri
11/08/2009
Lending for house purchase and remortgaging both increased in June, according to lenders. New data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders shows further signs of stabilisation in the mortgage market, but transactions are still weak on a historic basis. There were 45,000 house purchase loans, worth £5
11/08/2009
Scottish footballing legend Kenny Dalglish, accompanied by Councillor Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, officially opened Scotland's first regional football centre in Toryglen, Glasgow. The £15.7m facility houses Scotland’s first full-size indoor synthetic grass football pitch, w
11/08/2009
Work on Transport Scotland's M80 Stepps – Haggs project took a step forward at the weekend with the start of construction work on the North Road Bridge. Contractor Highway Management Group (HMG), carried out the first phase of work to replace the existing bridge by installing a temporary structure
11/08/2009
The Highland Council's Planning Environment and Development Committee is being asked on Wednesday to revise its guidance on housing in the countryside to allow more homes to be built and help the local economy. Changes are aimed at addressing many of the points raised during a recent consultation o
11/08/2009
The campaign to preserve the grounds at the former Speirs school outside Beith is gathering momentum. North Ayrshire Council's Grounds Maintenance Service is preparing a bid for a rural development grant to clear dead wood and reinstate the paths. A recent survey amongst local people showed that t
11/08/2009
Homeowners in Inverclyde are being urged to take advantage of a free council service that can help them maintain their homes. Inverclyde Council re-launched the free Property Inspection Service in January this year to provide homeowners with information and advice on common problems such as poorly
11/08/2009
The Scottish Government has awarded East Lothian Council £416,850 to improve Dunbar town centre. The total project cost will amount to £880,700 when matching funds from the Council are added. The funding came through the government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund and will help bankroll five projec
10/08/2009
Property company Urban Splash, in partnership with Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, will be holding further public consultation about the redevelopment of Irvine Harbour. The exhibition is being held at the Ship Inn, Harbour Street, Irvine, on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August, 10.30am until 5.00pm
10/08/2009
Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson has given his seal of approval to Scottish Water's £6.9m project to connect the West Highland communities of Ardgour, Ballachulish, Duror, Glencoe and Onich to the main drinking water supply from Fort William. On a visit to the drinking water production pla
10/08/2009
The next few months offer a "unique opportunity" to devolve marine conservation powers to Scotland, according to SNP MSP Maureen Watt. Convener of the Rural Affairs Committee Maureen Watt has called for Parliament to debate the devolution of marine conservation policy to Holyrood as part of the cu
10/08/2009
A plea has been made to the Scottish Government for financial assistance to prevent landslips at an Aberdeenshire tourist town. Aberdeenshire Council has written to the Government with the preferred option for slope remediation at Bervie Braes, to the south of Stonehaven. The land belongs to the D
10/08/2009
Halcrow has made a crucial new appointment within the Edinburgh office as it expands the economic and business solutions team. Dr Caroline Currie joins Halcrow as a senior economist from Grant Thornton, where she specialised in the higher education sector. A former lecturer in economics and stati
10/08/2009
Alex Neil MSP, Scotland's Housing and Communities Minister, has officially opened Hebridean Housing Partnership's new housing development Arra's Cottages in Perceval Road, Stornoway. The development consists of 12 new semi-detached houses of various sizes and was completed by local contractor Calma
10/08/2009
The partners involved in the bid to win a share of government funding to revitalise Alloa town centre are delighted that their application has been successful. The Clackmannanshire Alliance submission, led by the Council and involving all the public sector agencies, Clackmannanshire Business and Al
10/08/2009
Housing provider Sanctuary Group has been shortlisted in the Energy Saving Initiative of the Year category of the Sustainable Housing Awards 2009. Organised by Inside Housing magazine, the awards scheme focuses on the best 'green' social housing projects that have been established by organisations
10/08/2009
The public consultation on the Scottish Government's Draft Crofting Reform Bill will close this Wednesday and crofters are being urged to make their views known. Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "I am very grateful to those who have taken the time to make constructive contributions to
10/08/2009
East Lothian Council is planning to resurface Court Street, Haddington, over a period of two weeks beginning Sunday 23 August. The works will extend along Court Street from the Hope Park junction and go a short distance into Market Street and the High Street. The work will be carried out in the e
07/08/2009
Two wind farm developments that will supply green energy to around 43,000 more homes have been approved. The 29 turbine Berry Burn wind farm, on the Altyre Estate near Forres, will have a capacity of 78 Megawatts (MW). The six turbine extension to the 20 turbine Millennium wind farm near Fort Augu
07/08/2009
Real pollution cuts should be priority for governments - say WWF Scotland. Governments must deliver real cuts now in climate pollution and not wait for techno-fixes such as climate engineering, said WWF Scotland today. The call by the environmental group follows a warning by a climate scientist b
07/08/2009
Robertson Highland has secured £12m of construction work throughout the region. The Inverness-based contractor has been selected to develop the new Migdale Hospital at Bonar Bridge under the NHS Frameworks Scotland agreement. Work is planned to commence towards the end of 2009. Robertson has star
07/08/2009
Aberdeenshire Council has welcomed the announcement that two local projects will benefit from a share of national regeneration funds. But it is disappointed at the proportion of funding secured from the Scottish Government's £60m Town Centre Regeneration Fund. Councillors had agreed a plan to acce
07/08/2009
After 38 years caring for some of Scotland's most precious heritage, Norman Muir MBE is to retire. And while he is looking forward to spending more time fishing he remains passionate about his craft. Mr Muir joined the Historic Scotland's predecessor body, the Ministry of Works, as a qualified mas
07/08/2009
Mansell has been awarded a £2.28m contract to construct a new office development in Airbles Road, Motherwell for Regent Capital. The contract will involve the construction of a three-storey steel-framed office building with a net internal floor area of 17,200sq ft. Mansell will also design and con
07/08/2009
Volunteers at The Risk Factory have won the Promoting Intergenerational Projects Award at the recent Get Up and Go Awards. The Risk Factory is Scotland's first purpose-built, interactive, experiential community safety centre. The aim of the centre and all the agencies involved in it is to teach you
07/08/2009
Home Scotland, which is leading the regeneration of East Balornock in the north east of Glasgow has received permission to build the first 56 new homes - on the site of the old Knockburn Primary School. The organisation, which recently won the large housing association of the year category in the 2
07/08/2009
A sculpture by renowned artist Andy Scott has been installed in Clackmannanshire. The sculpture, in the artist's distinctive metalwork, depicts a couple holding hands across a gap, and celebrates the opening of the Clackmannanshire Bridge. The sculpture, known as 'This Journey's End' has been inst
07/08/2009
A free talk which will give an insight into the role of granite merchants, manufactures and craftsmen in the early history of Aberdeen Art Gallery will take place at 12.30pm on Wednesday, 12 August at the gallery in Schoolhill. "Granite and the Gallery" by Aberdeen City Council's arts keeper Jenny
06/08/2009
Forty-eight Scottish towns will benefit from a share of millions of pounds of government cash to help revitalise their town centres and sustain jobs. Nearly £40m has been allocated in this round of funding out of the dedicated £60m fund with applications invited for a £20m second round to be shared
06/08/2009
Surveyors have predicted that house prices will end "slightly higher" than last year, however the market will still face challenges in 2010. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) report said rising unemployment and increases in mortgage rates will limit the recovery in house prices. It
06/08/2009
Planning permission has been secured for a two storey, 50,000 sq ft glass roof extension to Granite House, one of Glasgow's well known office buildings, located on the corner of Argyle and Stockwell Streets. Developers Elandome have appointed Lambert Smith Hampton as letting agents to market this l
06/08/2009
A new shared building for three partners in Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services (SEARS) which will increase efficiency and cut bureaucracy in the Highlands has been opened by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham today. 'The Links' in Golspie will be shared by staff from Forestry Commiss
06/08/2009
Construction of a Skills for Work training centre is now underway at Peebles High School. Building of the house will be overseen by the students themselves and, once complete, will provide premises for pupils to undertake courses in the building trade, gaining valuable work experience from within a
06/08/2009
A £3.4m building project to renovate Aberdeen Crematorium begins in August. The works include the extension of the building, installation of new cremators and the decommissioning of the old cremators. The project is split into three phases. Phase 1, scheduled from 10 August 2009 to 16 May 2010,
06/08/2009
Edinburgh's original cocktail bar, Rick's, has reclaimed the title of Scotland's most stylish drinking destination after an extensive refurbishment. Rick's opened in 2000 and quickly established itself as the fore-runner of the capital's sophisticated style bar scene, serving drinks to a host famou
06/08/2009
Further steps to support economic recovery by the water industry have been announced by Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson. The length of the next water industry regulatory period is to be extended by a year to 2015 to give households, and businesses more certainty about future charges and e
05/08/2009
Culture Minister Michael Russell has announced £500,000 for repairs to the home of Sir Walter Scott. Abbotsford House in Melrose is one of four projects to share nearly £1m in Historic Scotland grants alongside Glasgow Art Club, the Royal Hospital Chapel at Gartnavel and 45 North Bridge Street in H
05/08/2009
To be able to reduce demand for polluting short-haul flights, Scotland must be part of any new high-speed rail network, say WWF Scotland. The environmental group made the call following comments by UK transport secretary, Lord Adonis, that to reduce climate emissions the country needed to "systemat
05/08/2009
Robertson Timberkit production staff have recently completed NVQ qualifications as part of their continued training and development programme. Fourteen workers from the timberframe manufacturer's Seaham plant have attained NVQ Level Two in heavy structural timber framing and a further three are now
05/08/2009
Scottish Water is playing its part in the Central and North Fife economy with the completion of its £4.3m improvement programme at the Glenfarg Water Treatment Works (WTW). The project was carried out by construction partners Black & Veatch. The team proved their credentials recently, lifting gol
05/08/2009
The Climate Change Scotland Bill has been granted Royal Assent and will now become an Act of Parliament. Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson said the legislation now means Scotland is a world-leader on action against climate change, one of the most serious threats facing our world. He said:
05/08/2009
Highway Management Group (HMG), delivering the M80 Stepps to Haggs project on behalf of Transport Scotland, will shortly begin work to demolish and rebuild Glenview Avenue Bridge which crosses the A80 at Haggs and Banknock. The work will require the A80 to be reduced to one lane in each direction a
05/08/2009
The former home of a childbirth and family planning pioneer has been transformed into a new base for Thorpe Molloy Recruitment. The company, which is Scottish Small/Medium Recruitment Agency of The Year, thoughtfully renovated its new Aberdeen HQ, which was once home to women's health and obstetric
05/08/2009
Inverurie's first serviced apartments are to be launched in the town later this month. The four, two bedroomed Inverurie Apartments are located in the town's Priory Park development on North Street. It is hoped that the venture will provide an additional accommodation option for visitors as well a
05/08/2009
Staff from the National Trust for Scotland will be joined by members of the Lothian Bat Group on Thursday 6 August to check Newhailes in Musselburgh and its surrounding buildings for roosting bats. With building work essential at many Trust properties, the check forms part of a wider identification
04/08/2009
Work has started on site at the £12m Aberdeen College Construction Training Facility, designed by Archial Architects. The new facility, being built alongside the current Altens campus, will contain workshops and classrooms for joinery, brickwork, painting and decorating and plumbing courses, as wel
04/08/2009
One of Scotland's leading firms in conservation architecture, Simpson and Brown, has been appointed to work in collaboration with Historic Scotland to prepare a guide on how to restore castles and tower-houses as part of the Agency's Scottish Castles Initiative. The contract to co-produce the text
04/08/2009
Aberdeen's 50m Pool Project Board has announced the appointment of two award winning companies to take the city's pool project forward. In what is a significant development for the project leading construction consultancy, Davis Langdon will be project managers and FaulknerBrowns Architects will he
04/08/2009
Causewayhead Road Bridge (A9 - Stevenson Bridge) over the River Forth will reopen to all traffic ahead of schedule on Thursday August 6, 2009. Stirling Council have thanked residents, businesses, drivers and visitors affected by the lane closure for their patience during this first phase of repair
04/08/2009
Property firm Arab Investments intends to commit substantial capital into developing the Coffee Republic brand and will be embarking on further expansion of the branch network which currently includes 80 outlets, of which 20 are outside the UK, including Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia. Khalid Affara of
04/08/2009
Graham + Sibbald have concluded a letting to Logan Oil Tools at Kintore Business Park on behalf of Kintore Industrial Serviced Sites. The purpose designed office and workshop unit extends to 10,000 sq.ft. and has been let at a rent of £125,000 per annum in respect of a 10 year lease Commenting on
04/08/2009
Leading housing financial consultant Steve Partridge has joined the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Group to lead the professional body's financial consultancy and policy development services. His appointment comes in a period when local authorities, housing associations and ALMOs are likely t
04/08/2009
An innovative schools initiative, the Western Isles Schools Project, has reached a further milestone with expressions of interest now being sought from prospective construction and maintenance contractors to become involved in the project. The tendering has been divided into two specific sections;
04/08/2009
Teachers and learners from across Scotland came together recently to explore the latest developments in technical education at the Big Ideas for Technical Education (BITE) conference, held in Fife. Reid Kerr College in Paisley attended the event, showcasing the College's commitment to the very late
04/08/2009
An Aberdeen housebuilder has turned film producer to put its prime development in the picture. Potential homebuyers can now enjoy a personal viewing of the entire Ivy League location without moving from the comfort of their armchair – thanks to More Space In The City – The Movie. And the initiativ
03/08/2009
Further measures to create a more effective planning system to support economic recovery come into effect today. The changes include:
03/08/2009
Transport Scotland is continuing its investment in the central motorway with a further £4.4m upgrade to the M8 between Junction 5 (Shotts) and Junction 6 (Newhouse) starting August 14 for two weeks. By the time the current programme for this route is achieved in 2011 over £21m will have been commit
03/08/2009
Engineering specialist L&N Scotland are in negotiations to expand operations by opening a base in West Africa. The valve, subsea assembly and specialist welding company has a long track record of working in Angola and is set to capitalise on expertise built up over the years to tap in to the poten
03/08/2009
A total of 322 tenants in Glasgow now have a new landlord following the transfer of homes from Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) to two community-based housing associations under the Second Stage Transfer (SST) process. Provanhall Housing Association has taken control of 195 homes, and another 127
03/08/2009
Fifteen apprentices who were made redundant from the construction industry have been given a second chance by Fife Council. The apprentices who were employed by various firms in Fife have completed the majority of their training but faced the prospect of not being able to finish because of the down
03/08/2009
The Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil MSP, whose brief includes regeneration, visited Irvine Bay recently to see for himself the work being carried out to regenerate the area. In particular, has visited Kilwinning to inspect work underway to breathe new life into the town centre, and
03/08/2009
A joint project between North Ayrshire Council and Forestry Commission Scotland to strengthen sections of road on Arran will go ahead next Spring. The go-ahead follows a successful bid by the Council's Infrastructure and Design Services and Ayrshire Timber Transport Group for a £1m grant from the S
03/08/2009
A report from the Health and Safety Executive has highlighted concerns about the implications of continuing growth in the solar energy sector. The possibility that this will lead to unqualified installers doing work just to keep up with demand is a major issue that is already being addressed by th
03/08/2009
J&E Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, acting together with joint agents CBRE, have reduced the rents on two prime properties in Glasgow city centre to help prospective tenants beat the credit crunch. The reduced rents mean that office suites at 39 St Vincent Place are now available at £10 per sq ft whi
03/08/2009
Sustainable energy solutions firm Active is advising companies in Scotland to take note of new regulations that mean it is now illegal to operate without an F Gas company certificate. An F Gas company certificate demonstrates that businesses have taken adequate steps to contain, prevent and reduce
