Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for February 2012
29/02/2012
Power companies and organisations with a key role to play will today discuss how to identify and help those who struggle to pay their heating bills the most. The 'Making the Links' seminar, organised by Consumer Focus Scotland will bring together local authorities, health boards and consumer groups
29/02/2012
First Minister Alex Salmond today formally opened the first school jointly funded through the £1.25 billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme. Work began on the new Pumpherston and Uphall Station Community Primary School, near Livingston, in September 2010 and children had their first les
29/02/2012
The organisation that acts as the employer voice on skills issues, the Alliance of Sector Skills Councils in Scotland (Alliance Scotland), has urged the Scottish Government to take a ‘leap of faith’ when it comes to investing in skills development to ensure that the Scottish Government achieves its
29/02/2012
Channel 4's Restoration Man will be hosting the Oscars of the architectural and design world being held in Edinburgh this week. Writer and architect George Clarke will host the 2012 Civic Trust Awards which are taking place at The Hub on Friday (2 March). Supported by the City of Edinburgh Council
29/02/2012
Glasgow’s neighbourhoods continue to dominate the affordable end of the city rental market, according to the latest research from Scotland’s leading rental portal Citylets. Figures for Q4 2011 show that of the ten least expensive areas to rent in Scotland eight are in or around Glasgow with Govan &
29/02/2012
27% of the UK’s total carbon emissions are from residential buildings. This means there is a great incentive to improve existing housing stock to meet government target reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Designed to encourage innovative plans for retrofitting existing social h
28/02/2012
City Building – one of Scotland’s largest construction firms – has triumphed in the prestigious corporate social responsibility award category at The Scottish Business Awards 2012. The Awards, which were held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on Thursday 23 February, celebrate Scotl
28/02/2012
The shops at Morven Avenue, Kilmarnock and in Shortlees are due to receive a facelift after Cabinet this week approved funding of £240,000 for regeneration work in both areas. The work will include repainting all external doors, windows and shutters; roof repairs; cleaning and repairing the brickwo
28/02/2012
Scottish Water is about to start a £750,000 project in Bearsden which will upgrade a waste water pumping station and help protect the natural environment in the area. The investment will allow Scottish Water to comply with ministerial directives. The project will modernise the Hillfoot Waste Wate
28/02/2012
A development plan covering four council areas and the next 20 years has beaten off competition from the London Olympics to lift a top industry award. TAYplan's strategic development plan brought home the prestigious UK Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Silver Jubilee Cup for being "original and
28/02/2012
Entries for industry body Homes for Scotland’s annual Awards scheme have reached record levels this year, with 80 submissions received across the 8 categories which focus on customers, people, partnership and design. In addition, two new headline awards have been introduced: "Home Builder of the Y
28/02/2012
New flood protection schemes for Forres, Galashiels and Inverness have come a step closer as part of the local government settlement for 2012-15. The three new schemes will receive support from the Scottish Government for up to 80 per cent of their total costs. Locals Authorities are yet to appoin
27/02/2012
The green light has been given for a £10million garden centre complex in East Kilbride which could create 150 jobs. A detailed proposal by Dobbies Garden Centres plc to develop a 6.2 hectare site in the town's Redwood Drive was given the go-ahead by the South Lanarkshire council's Planning Committe
27/02/2012
Work is poised to get under way on a major project to restore Aberdeen's Victorian Duthie Park to its former glory. Aberdeen City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) are joint funders of the project which aims to revitalise the historic 44-acre park, encourage even more people to visit, and
27/02/2012
The average first-time buyer in Scotland spent 11.1% of their income on mortgage interest payments in the last quarter of 2011, lower than anywhere else in the UK, according to new figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders in Scotland. First-time buyers in Scotland typically borrowed 79%
27/02/2012
Scottish commercial property consultancy, FG Burnett, has been shortlisted for a national award, recognising their performance in the office Agency sector. The firm is one of six finalists in Office Agency Team of the Year category in the Property Awards 2012 and follows one of the business’s most
27/02/2012
As part of a regeneration of Broad Street, Birmingham, Cumberland House is being modernised and re-designed within the constraints of the existing building structure. What once was an obsolete building will be upgraded and reopened as a hotel. The A. Proctor Group supplied this project with their P
27/02/2012
A vital phase in the transformation of the road layout at Dundee's central waterfront has begun. From Monday (February 27) the short section of road between Dock Street and Riverside roundabout will be permanently closed, Drivers will instead have to use Yeamans Shore to get onto Marketgait, River
24/02/2012
Woodfarm High School is set for an upgrade to its PE accommodation. For, as part of East Renfrewshire Council's budget, £646,000 was set aside to upgrade the PE accommodation. Council leader, Councillor Jim Fletcher, said: "Our budget decisions were based around investment in our communities. I'm
24/02/2012
Fife Council apprentice joiner Andres-Pinero Ruiz has been named best in Scotland at the Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) Scottish awards. Andres won the title of Best 2nd year Apprentice and the overall award for 1st/2nd year at last week's Awards Ceremony in Peebles. The APSE awa
24/02/2012
Two Fife-based organisations are celebrating this week with the news of a grant award of £26,000 as part of the People’s Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund. The Ecology Centre is partnering with the Kingdom Housing Association in a project to create a mobile outdoor classroom which will visit school pu
24/02/2012
Professor Lorne Crerar has today been appointed by Ministers as Chair of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Lorne is a founding partner and Chairman of Scottish commercial law firm Harper Macleod LLP, which has offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness and has held the part-time Chair of Ban
24/02/2012
New rules have been introduced this week that aim to reduce the number of planning applications and help householders to make changes to their home. The Scottish government has introduced legislation that will allow individuals to tackle the majority of extensions, sheds and garages without plannin
24/02/2012
Haddington Business Association, Community Council, Amenity Society (HADAS) and History Society have joined forces to prepare a vision for a bright future for Haddington town. The work is largely funded by East Lothian Council, and is being undertaken by consultants Urban Animation. The aim is t
24/02/2012
The first of 22 new 'robots' have been ordered for use on the New South Glasgow Hospitals Campus. The robots or automated guided vehicles (AGVs) will move the vast majority of goods around the new hospital complex once it’s open via a subterranean tunnel providing a safer system of working for staf
24/02/2012
A small grants scheme aimed at helping to preserve Portsoy’s historic buildings has been launched by Aberdeenshire Council, and information will be available at the Making It Real meeting organised by the community council on February 29. Applications are invited from owners and tenants with repair
23/02/2012
The University of St Andrews have taken an important step towards a major redevelopment of the Students’ Association building in St Mary’s Place. The University Court has agreed to invest over £400,000 in detailed designs for a top-to-bottom revamp of the Union, which has remained largely unchanged
23/02/2012
Plans to upgrade the A82 Loch Lomondside took a step forward today, when Transport Scotland outlined its proposals for alleviating traffic congestion at Pulpit Rock. Details of the works, which will result in traffic signals being removed from the location after 30 years and the road upgraded to en
23/02/2012
Proposals by Waitrose to build a store opposite Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh have been approved. Argyll and Bute’s planning, protective services and licensing (PPSL) committee made the decision - subject to the applicant fulfilling various conditions - following a public hearing in the town tod
23/02/2012
Having experienced a marked increase in activity in the residential property market since the start of the year, compared to the same period in 2011, one of Scotland’s leading independent property consultancies, CKD Galbraith offers some expert advice for those now considering their options for sel
23/02/2012
A government decision to keep the responsibility for ensuring buildings are constructed to standard has been welcomed by Dundee City Council. Will Dawson, convener of Dundee City Council's city development committee said: "Local authorities' building standards teams are best placed to help make sur
23/02/2012
Fifteen projects designed to boost economic growth and create jobs will receive a share of funding worth £5.3 million, Alex Neil announced today. The projects across the region will focus on supporting people who are finding it hardest to get jobs, those most effected by the current economic challe
23/02/2012
A new car park is being created on the former health centre site at Marshill in Alloa. The car park will open to the public at the end of this month and will provide free, long term parking as part of the Council's parking strategy for Alloa town centre. The site is currently being resurfaced, ker
22/02/2012
The Scottish Land Fund which will help more rural communities buy their land was launched today by Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson. The £6 million scheme will empower rural communities by helping them acquire land and make their dreams a reality. The Minister launched the fund - which will
22/02/2012
The first new council home to be built for a generation in Edinburgh will be officially handed over to the new tenant today. Lynsey Carmichael will be given the keys to her new three bedroom house in Gracemount by housing leader Councillor Paul Edie. The flat is the first of 1,400 homes for rent a
22/02/2012
Transport Minister Keith Brown has visited the Scottish Borders town of Galashiels to see first hand some of the preparatory work for the project. The line will see rail services return to Midlothian and the Borders for the first time in 40 years, as well as creating hundreds of jobs for the area.
22/02/2012
Rossco Properties, the property vehicle for entrepreneur Simon Howie’s real estate interests, has let all the available floor space at its Grange Lane storage complex at Grangemouth to global premium drinks business Diageo. With detailed consents in place to enable compliance with bonded warehouse
22/02/2012
Growing Aberdeenshire-based oil service firm ThinJack has announced the addition of a new member of staff to its Aberdeenshire-based team. James Guthrie from Fraserburgh has joined the company in the role of Mechanical Technician and is based at ThinJack’s Westhill headquarters near Aberdeen. Jame
22/02/2012
Research and development spending in the North Sea is expected to increase on the back of rising oil prices, claims oil and gas technology expert Martin Ewan. A partner in legal firm McGrigors, Mr Ewan said a brighter economic outlook, tied to stronger oil prices, would be a driver in bringing new
22/02/2012
Work is underway in Irvine to create the top innovation and industrial investment location in the south-west of Scotland. At i3 – Irvine Industry and Innovation park - landscaping work is already underway to transform the appearance of the site. This will include the removal of accumulated rubbish
22/02/2012
The Scottish Government has again warned the UK Government that their Housing Benefit reforms will remove over £54 million a year from the Scottish economy and put thousands of tenants at risk of increased rent arrears and even homelessness. The Westminster Bill will reduce the amount of housing be
21/02/2012
Greenock recently hosted musical legend Andrew Lloyd-Webber as the composer attended a ceremony at the new Beacon Arts Centre, which is under construction by GRAHAM at East India Harbour. Lord Lloyd-Webber’s foundation awarded a £100,000 grant to the centre’s youth theatre project last July. He w
21/02/2012
A major housing boost for Bridgeton has been formally given the go ahead by Thenue Housing. The Association has signed the deal appointing suppliers to carry out the £5.7 million development of new homes and flats. They are being built at a site known locally as "the playground" and reflects Thenu
21/02/2012
A consortium of 7N Architects and Michael Laird Architects has been appointed to develop a master plan for a vibrant new development in the city’s Fountain Quay area. The appointment was made after a rigorous selection process and the consultants have been tasked to create a vision of a modern neig
21/02/2012
An estimated £18 million programme of essential works is to be started next year on the Kessock Bridge to bring the key route into Inverness and the North of Scotland up to modern standards and ensure public safety. The road surface on the bridge, which carries 30,000 vehicles every day, has reache
21/02/2012
A major redevelopment of Moto’s Kinross motorway service station is set to offer real appeal to retailers and tourism operators alike. As part of the improvements, eight new retail letting units, each extending to 3,000 sq ft are being marketed by joint agents CKD Galbraith and Thursz Property Cons
21/02/2012
More than half of the value of North Sea oil and gas reserves is yet to be extracted – representing an asset with a potential wholesale value of a trillion pounds – Alex Salmond said today, as he urged the UK Chancellor to deliver long-term stability in the tax regime to support maximum recovery by
21/02/2012
A new Water Resources MSc was launched today by Heriot-Watt University at its Dubai campus. Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead visited the campus, recently opened by the First Minister Alex Salmond, for the launch and gave a short speech to industry leaders, academic staff and s
21/02/2012
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has urged the UK Government to set up a Ministerial Group to oversee delivery and implementation of fundamental and far-reaching reforms to the UK electricity market. At a meeting between the UK Government and the three devolved administrations, Mr Ewing argued that new
20/02/2012
River Clyde Homes is coming to the end of its £3.5m demolition programme for 2011/12. Four hundred unpopular properties have been removed from the stock as the housing association moves towards bringing all its sustainable properties to the national Scottish Housing Quality Standard by the end of
20/02/2012
Construction sites in Glasgow are being put under the safety spotlight as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health. Between now and Friday 2 March, inspectors from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) will be visiting sites in Glasgow where refurbishm
20/02/2012
A challenging outlook has prompted a further drop in confidence in the Scottish construction sector, according to a major new survey of employers, published by leading industry trade body the Scottish Building Federation (SBF). The Scottish Construction Monitor is a quarterly survey of around 700
20/02/2012
Fife Provost Frances Melville has cut the first sod at a ground-breaking ceremony for the new storage facility at St Andrews Links. The new storage facility is on the site of a former contractors' yard to the south-east of the Balgove Course close to the A91. It is a major part of the Trust's susta
20/02/2012
Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism Fergus Ewing today announced the re-appointment of Craig Spence and Steven Thomson to the board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the Scottish Government's economic development agency for an area covering more
20/02/2012
In light of new proposals to develop the Port of Leith as a hub for offshore renewable energy manufacture and support and the consequent demand for space at the Port, Forth Energy has written to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit withdrawing its current application for permission to bui
20/02/2012
GVA, an independent commercial property specialist, has acquired RGA Consulting, a leading UK hotel and leisure property specialist based in Edinburgh and London. They completed the acquisition of the business on Friday 10 February 2012. The strategic move marked another statement of intent by GVA
20/02/2012
The Scottish Land Fund which will help more rural communities buy their land was launched today by Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson. The £6 million scheme will empower rural communities by helping them acquire land and make their dreams a reality. The Minister launched the fund – which will
17/02/2012
The first phase of a £1.7m project to realign sections of the A935 between Brechin and Montrose started this week. Visiting the site at West Broomley on Thursday 16 February, the Angus council’s roads spokesman Councillor David May welcomed the start of the scheme, and pledged that investment in ro
17/02/2012
Youngsters of Darvel Primary School and Darvel Nursery School gathered on a crisp, bright afternoon last week to celebrate 'good progress' in the refurbishment of the school and construction of its new nursery wing. Welcoming invited guests, including staff, parents and elected members, Councillor
17/02/2012
The footbridge from Clarkston Toll to the station car park is set for a refurbishment. It links the car park, Clarkston Hall and the library to the popular shopping district in Clarkston, the train station and Clarkston Toll will be closed for approximately five weeks while the work takes place. A
17/02/2012
East Lothian councillors have agreed to increase rent on council homes by 4.3 per cent for 2012/13. The decision was taken at a full East Lothian Council meeting on Tuesday 14 February. Councillors heard that the proposed figure of 4.3 per cent had been put out to consultation, as happens every ye
17/02/2012
Planning Minister Derek Mackay has given the go-ahead to Aberdeen City Council's Local Development Plan – the first in Scotland to be adopted under new planning legislation. The Plan sets out how the city will grow over the next decade, and identifies land for 30,000 new houses and 196 hectares of
17/02/2012
It was announced today that the much anticipated official reopening to the public of the Royal Commonwealth Pool is set for Wednesday 21st March 2012. The £37m refurbishment by Graham Construction is opening as expected in Spring 2012 after a two and a half year construction project which has trans
17/02/2012
A survey of IoD members and guests in the Aberdeen area has demonstrated strong support for the City Garden proposal. Asked whether they preferred the City Garden Granite Web proposal, or the retention of the existing Union Terrace Gardens, 87% of those who took part in the survey voted for the Cit
17/02/2012
Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover UK, will today perform the official opening of the John Clark Motor Group’s new £6 million Pentland Land Rover dealership in the Newbridge area of Edinburgh. Pentland Land Rover took over the Land Rover franchise for the whole of Edinburgh and th
16/02/2012
Deveron Homes’ flagship Cairn View development in Kemnay is to provide the setting for a new art exhibition. Last Friday saw the Huntly-based firm will throw open the doors of “Art in the Showhome” at Cairn View’s Kinord Showhome which is exhibiting works from a collection by Kanita Sim, provided b
16/02/2012
National Grid and ScottishPower Transmission have today announced the award of a £1bn contract to Siemens and cable manufacturer Prysmian to build the first ever sub-sea electricity link between Scotland and England/Wales. The major grid upgrade will increase the capacity of electricity flowing be
16/02/2012
Scottish Water has completed a massive environmental improvement project to provide Campbeltown with a 21st century waste water system. The £23m scheme – one of the biggest of its kind ever carried out in Argyll & Bute – has delivered a modern, state-of-the-art waste water system after upgrading ke
16/02/2012
Transport Scotland’s Principal Contractor for the project, Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) has awarded multiple orders for materials and equipment required for concrete production on the project. These orders are expected to secure jobs at several locations in Scotland. Ready-mix pre-ba
16/02/2012
SSE Renewables, the renewable energy development division of SSE, has received consent from North Ayrshire Council to construct an offshore wind turbine test facility at Hunterston in North Ayrshire. The facility will be Scotland’s first offshore wind turbine test site and will be an extension of S
16/02/2012
Edinburgh’s award-winning Scotch Whisky Experience is about to embark on the next phase of its multimillion pound overhaul, designed to bring Scotland’s national drink into the 21st Century. Following a £3m refurbishment of the attraction and the installation of the World’s Largest Collection of Sc
16/02/2012
Work on a major £200,000 ground floor extension is underway at The Ship Inn in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire. The investment comes on the back of a very successful period of trading for The Ship Inn, with a 19% increase in room trade and an 8% growth in food sales over the past 12 months. Building wo
16/02/2012
Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment today announced a further £500,000 available to households switching from poor performing boilers to a more energy efficient model. Over 1,000 households could receive £400 towards the cost of their new boiler by phoning the
15/02/2012
Plans for an abattoir in Dumfries and Galloway have taken a major step forward thanks to a Scottish Government grant. Dumfries and Galloway Food Co-operative has been awarded a Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant of almost £1.3 million towards the cost of an abattoir at Craignair, nea
15/02/2012
GHA staff raised more than £9,000 to help armed forces charity, Erskine. Erskine was chosen as GHA staff’s charity of the year for 2011 and a series of fundraising events were held across the organisation, including book sales, raffles, a race night, a fiddle concert and a handbag auction. Individ
15/02/2012
West Dunbartonshire councillors were delighted this week to see the first sod being cut on the site of the new £90,000 Milton Community Hall. The hall will be built on King George’s Field in the heart of Milton is expected to be completed by the end of April, weather permitting. It is a welcome sig
15/02/2012
Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment has announced £350,000 to support Clydebank Re-built Urban Regeneration Company (URC) to deliver much needed workshop space at Clydebank East. Working through the West HubCo, Clydebank Re-built will use the funding from the Scot
15/02/2012
Highland councillors must make a decision on the Inverness West Link when they meet to discuss the project at the beginning of March or risk setting the city’s economic development back by years, leading construction bosses have warned. A meeting of the full Highland Council is due to consider the
15/02/2012
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill today launched a new Aberdeen project which will see teams of low level offenders on community sentences being sent out to fix fallen cemetery headstones. Under the initiative, gravestones will be repaired and fallen headstones will be returned to their original up
15/02/2012
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, is driving forward Scotland’s climate justice agenda with support for a groundbreaking, innovative and comprehensive renewable energy programme in Malawi. Promoting sustainable energy and providing access to reliable electricity in r
15/02/2012
Scotland’s first near shore commercial wave power array, which will power more than 1,000 homes, has been approved by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. Two new Oyster wave energy converters will be added to an existing device at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) at Billia Croo, Orkney, to allow
14/02/2012
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) has announced details of its proposed move to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Subject to planning approval the £14 million development will provide a world-class rehearsal space and learning centre, as well as a unique, desirable recital hall and perfor
14/02/2012
The Programme Board of the East Central hub Territory, which comprises 17 public bodies, has formed the East Central hub Scotland Limited, (a joint venture company with a private sector consortium) which will be welcomed by Scottish-based construction firms as a boost to securing future work. The d
14/02/2012
New research has debunked the idea that university degrees are superior to Apprenticeships. Over three-quarters of industry employers regard the vocational learning route as equal or preferable to a higher education when preparing people for successful careers. An independent survey carried out on
14/02/2012
CBC have recently completed their £5m D&B project to deliver the new sustainable Headquarters for Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Parks Authority. The stunning office development, located just 100 yards from the main entrance of Balloch Country Park, provides approximately 2,000 square metres of
14/02/2012
The marine and tidal energy sector is to benefit from £6 million in funding to further develop testing of new wave and tidal prototypes in the seas around Scotland. Scottish Enterprise is launching a second round of the remaining competitive funding from the initial WATERS £13 million fund, launche
14/02/2012
Rugby international Alastair Kellock has taken time out of his 6 Nations training this week to support six young CR Smith apprentices. The six apprentice joiners tweeted about life on the job for National Apprenticeship Week (6-10 February) and Alastair tweeted his encouragement. So far Adam Thoms
14/02/2012
Inverurie-based William Lippe Architects have just announced completion of a £1.25 million contract at Huntly in Aberdeenshire. The architecture and space planning firm was involved in the project to relocate Pipeline Technique Limited from their base at Rothienorman to new, larger premises within
14/02/2012
The Scottish division of leading construction company Mansell, which is headquartered in Aberdeen, has enjoyed a bright period within the education sector during the last quarter, securing contracts worth around £9million. The company has been awarded a number of education projects, including a con
13/02/2012
Construction work has finished on a £3million building at Camphill School in Bieldside in Aberdeen. The Phoenix Hall, built by the infrastructure, support services and construction group Robertson, forms an integral part of the international Camphill Community, an organisation specialising in the d
13/02/2012
Transport Minister Keith Brown has announced further investment worth £1million on a notorious landslip site on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful. The investment, which forms part of an £72 million package of new transport spending across Scotland, will be used to develop additional contingencies
13/02/2012
Alba/SB, based in Angus, is celebrating after collecting gold, silver and bronze awards at the prestigious Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association (SPATA) Awards, held last night on Sunday 5 February at The De Vere Grand Hotel, Brighton. The gold award was given to Alba/SB, for In-Ground Commer
13/02/2012
February is National Heart Health Month so to help you and your colleagues aim for a healthier heart look out for the top Five Tips from the British Heart Foundation and ReSano for both employers and employees to make a change.
13/02/2012
Property investment and development company Chancerygate has sold a three-acre plot at its Altens East site in Aberdeen for an undisclosed sum to CAN, a leading integrity and inspection contractor which provides engineering, inspection and maintenance to the oil and gas, renewable energy, constructi
13/02/2012
Shop and office fit-out and maintenance company, AGM Group, has recently completed its first Community Care Campaign project at Auchmountain Community Resource Centre in Greenock. AGM Group established its Community Care Campaign as a means of providing free and practical support to local communiti
10/02/2012
Facilities for Dundee cyclists are set to go up a gear in quality if plans are approved for velodrome improvements. Councillors at the environment committee meeting on Monday (Feb 13) will hear that the Caird Park cycling track has been identified for upgrading to its surface and also to drainage a
10/02/2012
Housing charity Shelter Scotland has responded to CML Repossession Figures showing the lowest annual number of repossessions since 2007. The figures also reveal a modest improvement in the number of homeowners in arrears. Gordon MacRae, Head of Communications and Policy at Shelter Scotland, said:
10/02/2012
A new Common Housing Register is set to be introduced shortly by East Ayrshire Council and locally based Registered Social Landlords which will simplify the process of applying for social rented housing within East Ayrshire. The Single East Ayrshire Register for Community Housing – SEARCH – is a pa
10/02/2012
Edinburgh’s second business hub on Hamilton Place has officially opened its doors at the Stockbridge Library following the overwhelming success of the first hub at McDonald Road Library. Entrepreneur and noted business expert, Sir Tom Farmer, conducted the ceremony. The hub will provide free train
10/02/2012
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Scotland’s largest consumer exhibition for self-builders, home renovators and improvers, is back at the SECC on May 19 – 20 2012. The show is the ideal place to get in touch with self-build experts. It also gives visitors the chance to source all the p
10/02/2012
Work has started on 62 new homes in the first phase of a major project to transform a Glasgow community. Housing Minister Keith Brown marked the launch of work at the Gallowgate, one of eight areas in the city which are a top priority for regeneration. The new GHA homes, just off Whitevale Street,
10/02/2012
Transport Minister Keith Brown has today announced details of more than £30million of funding for sustainable transport. A new £13million cash injection from the budget consequentials will help get more and more Scots into healthier forms of travel such as cycling and walking. And Ministers have d
10/02/2012
Inverclyde shop and office fit-out company, AGM Interiors, part of AGM Group, has been awarded the contract by EC Harris on behalf of National Australia Group, to carry out external and internal dilapidation repairs to the four storey Clydesdale Bank building at 478 – 484 Union Street, Aberdeen. Th
09/02/2012
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing today welcomed the decision of the UK Technology Strategy Board to headquarter its ‘Catapult’ innovation centre for offshore renewables in Scotland. Mr Ewing said the choice of Glasgow for the headquarters of the new Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult - with the o
09/02/2012
Construction workers across Argyll and the Western Isles are being urged to pick up lifesaving advice at a free event on Tuesday, 14 February at Oban High School. Health and Safety Executive inspectors, alongside leading members of the construction industry, will give practical advice on how to pre
09/02/2012
Last week’s announcement by Samsung to base their first European offshore wind site in Methil cements Energy Park Fife’s growing reputation as a world class centre for renewable technology. Equally it enhances Fife’s ambition to become a leading centre of excellence for renewable and low carbon tec
09/02/2012
Transport Minister Keith Brown has met with senior representatives from Tata Steel at the Scottish Parliament. It follows recent speculation that Tata Steel had bid for the fabrication of structural steelwork as part of the ongoing procurement process for the Forth Replacement Crossing’s Principal
09/02/2012
New guidance was published today by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to ensure further joined up working between responsible bodies during a flood event. Flood Risk Management Planning in Scotland: Arrangements for 2012 – 2016 details the involvement of local p
09/02/2012
An additional £87 million will be invested in affordable and energy efficient homes to support jobs in the construction industry, Housing Minister Keith Brown has announced. The funding was outlined in the Scottish Parliament today by Finance Secretary John Swinney, and will be split as follows: £
09/02/2012
Housing charity Shelter Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that a further £87 million is being committed to housing. Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: "I am delighted that more money is to be invested in housing, showing that the Scottish Government has rec
09/02/2012
Engineering and Technology students at Stow College are set to benefit from a pioneering new partnership. A ‘Knowledge Transfer Partnership’ has been signed between Stow College and The Concrete Society Scotland (CSS) – a group which provides education, information and debate on the building materi
08/02/2012
Scotland’s biggest social landlord has joined forces with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue to help tenants cut the risk of fire in their home. More than 1500 tenants have already had a Home Fire Safety Visit as part of a successful partnership between GHA and SF&R. Residents who sign up for the visits
08/02/2012
The Highlands will benefit from a cash injection of over £12 million for two major road projects as a part of a wider package of transport investment for Scotland. Transport Minister Keith Brown confirmed funding for design work on the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness and upgrade the
08/02/2012
A blueprint to streamline the scoping, planning and consenting of offshore renewables developments was published today. The report, prepared by a task force comprising Marine Scotland, environmental regulators, renewable developers and The Crown Estate, was welcomed by Alex Salmond as he co-chaired
08/02/2012
Argyll and Bute Council is one step closer to releasing almost £9 million to invest in Dunoon's waterfront and cementing its commitment to the town’s positive future. The council’s Dunoon CHORD project board has agreed a £8.6 million business case to make significant changes to Dunoon’s waterfront,
08/02/2012
New figures show that Scotland’s household recycling efforts save local authorities more than £20 million each year. The revelation on how much councils save through recycling comes as Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead launches the latest recycling campaign from the Scottish Government, encour
08/02/2012
Shop and office fit-out and maintenance company, AGM Group, has completed an £84,000 refurbishment contract for the main ground floor corridor of St Columba’s Senior School in Kilmacolm. The project, which was undertaken during the summer break, included stripping out existing finishes, doors, glas
08/02/2012
Three trainee tradesmen in Aberdeen City Council's building services department have been shortlisted for prizes in the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Apprentice Awards. Painter and decorator Stuart McKenzie (24), plumber Chris Black (23) and lift engineer Chris Stoddart (18) will
08/02/2012
Key routes to ports in south west Scotland will be significantly improved thanks to a £50 million package of government funding As part of this, work to progress the £28 million Dalry Bypass will get underway thanks to an initial £10 million investment. This new funding allows this scheme to prog
07/02/2012
Six young CR Smith apprentices will be tweeting about life ‘on the job’ to mark National Apprenticeship Week (6-10 February 2012). Adam Thomson, Darren McDougall, Euan Minnock, Ross Hazel, Darren Smith & Dudley Hughes will be on Twitter throughout the week to give others a glimpse of life as an app
07/02/2012
A planning application has been lodged with West Lothian Council for an exciting mixed use development at Burghmuir, Linlithgow, that will deliver £90m of capital investment. Around 500 permanent jobs will be created by the development with the potential to create up to 1,000 jobs in the adjacent
07/02/2012
Proposals to develop a supermarket and petrol filling station at Newton Farm, adjacent to McDiarmid Stadium, Perth, have been announced by property company, Manse LLP. The development will also facilitate the delivery of over 50% of Perth and Kinross Council’s proposed new A85/A9 link road (a site
07/02/2012
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors, acting jointly with Burns and Shaw LLP, has let two substantial warehouse units at Kilda Way on North Muirton Industrial Estate in Perth to Baldoukie Motors and G4 Security. Baldoukie Motors has leased the 17,400 sq ft warehouse and office accommodation on a three year
07/02/2012
The order books of Specialist Contractors are continuing to shrink according to the latest NSCC State of Trade Survey. A total of 46% of respondents reported a decrease in orders in the fourth quarter of 2011, another significant rise on the 37% that saw the number of orders decline throughout qua
07/02/2012
The chequered flag has been waved to signal the end of the race to win a truly unique prize – a genuine bandstand. Entries have now closed for the competition designed to give young people in Irvine Bay the opportunity to win the Irvine town centre bandstand, and judging will take place over the ne
07/02/2012
Radical changes are being proposed to the way 600,000 houses in the social rented sector are allocated and managed. These changes would particularly affect the 128,000 households on social housing lists. Councils and housing associations would be given greater flexibility over housing allocations,
07/02/2012
CBRE has announced that Andy Hay has been appointed to the new role of Managing Director of Property and Asset Management for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Richard Williams has been appointed as the company’s UK Managing Director of Property and Asset Management. The senior appointment
06/02/2012
Residents in Edinburgh will benefit from £2m extra investment by the City of Edinburgh Council this year in services which will improve their lives and boost the city. The Council meeting approved the proposed investment, identified as the result of prudent financial management across all services.
06/02/2012
New rules come in to force today to make it easier for people to make changes to their homes. The rules allow a range of works within certain constraints – including extensions, access ramps, sheds, garages and decking – to be built without applying for planning permission. Certain restrictions wil
06/02/2012
Mansell's Aberdeen team recently completed Project Harper, a £13 million design and build commercial contract, across two sites, for Huntaven Properties Ltd. The work follows on from the successful completion of their office and mess facility at the Fourdon site earlier in the year. Construction
06/02/2012
The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil, has outlined his intention to further reform public procurement to improve Scottish businesses' access to contract opportunities. Mr Neil said: "I have spent a lot of time in recent months engaging with businesses and others
06/02/2012
Unveiling the new logo and website, Chairperson of Glenoaks Hosuing Association Bill McNamara said they reflected the progressive nature of the organisation as it approaches its 21st anniversary later this year. The website has been simplified making it easier to use and embraces new technology not
03/02/2012
The project to build a state-of-the-art visitor centre at Bannockburn has taken another significant step forward, after First Minister Alex Salmond confirmed funding was now in place to allow construction work to start in the summer. Speaking during a visit to Stirling Castle today, the First Minis
03/02/2012
Tenants from across the city are celebrating moving into new Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) homes in the South Side. The 70 modern, spacious new homes in Brockburn Road, Pollok, have completely transformed a site which used to feature cold, draughty and difficult-to-let tenements. Delighted ten
03/02/2012
Acting on behalf of Henderson Global Investors, James Barr’s investment team has concluded the successful acquisition of Units 1, 2, 4 & 7 Edinburgh Interchange from Park Lane City Ltd, for a price of £4.675 million. The current annual rent roll is approximately £414,000 representing net initial yi
03/02/2012
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors is bringing a world renowned golf shop to the market for sale as a going concern. Established in 1883, the Simpsons business is a famous part of Carnoustie’s golfing history. In addition to being a respected professional golfer, Robert Simpson was a pioneering golf cl
03/02/2012
Aberdeenshire councillors will meet next Thursday to set the council’s housing revenue budget, including rents and charges for the next year. In line with the council's main budget, councillors will be asked to consider a five year financial plan to ensure that the organisation is well prepared for
03/02/2012
Youth employment has topped the agenda at Scotland’s ninth National Economic Forum, held today at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange. As part of the focus on getting more of Scotland’s young people into work, First Minister Alex Salmond and Youth Employment Minister Angela Constance have met with a number o
02/02/2012
Play facilities at Shedden Park in Kelso have been improved. The skate park has been resurfaced, new equipment has been added and the area has been reorganised. The designs and suggestions of young Kelsonians were central to the outcome of these upgrades. The play area now includes a large galleon
02/02/2012
Gladman Developments Ltd has secured an oil exploration company for its 25,000 sq ft headquarters building at Abercrombie Court in Aberdeen. Independent North Sea operator, Fairfield Energy, is to relocate its Granite City operation from Dyce to the Arnhall Business Park site in Westhill. The thr
02/02/2012
Transport Minister, Keith Brown, has visited Perthshire and Morayshire to mark two significant infrastructure projects aimed at improving congestion, journey times and road safety across these regions. The Minister opened the new £31.5 million A96 Fochabers to Mosstodloch Bypass, early and on budge
02/02/2012
A north east architecture and space planning firm has announced the appointment of a new architect to the team. William Lippe Architects have appointed Robert Gordon University graduate Claire Bonner who became a fully qualified architect last year. Notable projects during her career to date hav
02/02/2012
On behalf of owners, Capital Shopping Centre, Glasgow based Rearo has created a brand new state of the art Baby Changing Facility at Braehead Shopping Centre in Renfrew. A relaxed, spacious and colourful new area for people with young families has been designed by Rearo, on the instruction of Quali
02/02/2012
It’s an exciting start to the year for Scottish-based firm Hodgins Smith Consulting Limited as they complete a move to a brand new head office in Glasgow city centre. The move coincides with many other exciting new developments for the health and safety consultancy company in the year ahead. Perr
01/02/2012
An additional £10 million will be invested in new affordable homes to help support jobs in the construction industry and wider economy, Housing Minister Keith Brown has announced. The funding, provided from Barnett consequentials for 2011-12, is earmarked for housing developments across Scotland th
01/02/2012
Members of The Highland Council’s Inverness Ness-side Ward have welcomed the award of a contract to demolish the former Jolly Drover pub at Hilton, Inverness to pave the way for redevelopment. Councillors Norrie Donald, John Finnie, David Henderson and Fraser Parr hope that funding can be secured t
01/02/2012
Scotland is well prepared to achieve its ambition of being a world leading hydro nation, Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil said today. A consultation on a Hydro Nation Strategy and a Water Resources Bill has been launched aimed at cementing Scotland's global reputation as a country with a dynamic,
01/02/2012
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has committed £1.42m funding to the Port Glasgow area. Members of SPT’s Strategy & Programmes Committee agreed to fund a Park and Ride facility at Highholm Road Avenue. The funding also includes improvements for Port Glasgow Bus Station. SPT member for Invercl
01/02/2012
The UK Government’s Welfare Reform plans will rob Scotland of over £54 million a year, new analysis has confirmed, Housing Minister Keith Brown claimed today. The Westminster Bill will reduce the amount of housing benefit support that can be given to tenants in the social rented sector by introduci
01/02/2012
Transport Minister, Keith Brown, has visited Morayshire to mark the completion of a significant infrastructure project aimed at improving congestion, journey times and road safety. Mr Brown opened the new £31.5 million Fochabers to Mosstodloch Bypass on the A96. The bypass on the main road linking
