Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for January 2013
31/01/2013
£1.6m is to be invested in Falkirk’s town centre to preserve and enhance its historic past. The funding will go towards the £2m already awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in May last year. The award was part of Historic Scotland’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) project. The money
31/01/2013
Provost of Aberdeenshire, Councillor Jill Webster has been attending the Scottish Renewables Offshore Wind & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition to raise the profile of wind technology in the area. The event features around 60 exhibitors and over 800 participants and ran at the Aberdeen Exhibition
31/01/2013
The latest figures on vacant and derelict land in Scotland in 2012 have been released by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. The main findings show an overall decrease of 114 hectares in the amount of urban vacant and derelict land in Scotland compared with the 2011 survey. Urban vacant land decreased
31/01/2013
The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) has announced its Gala Event 2013 will be held at the Fairmont, St Andrews on 22 March. This 'Black Tie' event will be held to raise money for Prostate Cancer Charity. A statement from SBF said: "Despite continuing hard times in our industry, our Gala Event h
31/01/2013
N.E.T. Waterjet Ltd., specialist in high pressure water jetting, has announced it is now a registered training provider for the Water Jetting Association (WJA). N.E.T.’s Tom Wallace has been approved as an instructor by the WJA. Mr Wallace has been working in the water jetting industry for many ye
31/01/2013
£1m of funding has been awarded to the historic market town of Cupar as part of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). The funding will cover essential repairs and improvements to the town’s streetscape and buildings. Cabinet Secretary for Culture Fiona Hyslop announced the funding. Sh
31/01/2013
APSE has announced the finalists of its building and housing apprentice of the year awards. The awards recognise apprentices and employing local authorities who have shown a commitment to developing apprenticeships and building skills within Scotland. Commenting on the awards APSE Chief Executive
31/01/2013
Levenmouth Area Committee members have approved a total of £574,000 for 12 road improvement projects in the area during 2013 and 2014. A further £905,000 is to be invested to improve Levenmouth’s footpaths and street lighting over the same period. Fife Council is also entering the eighth year of a
30/01/2013
Scotland has pledged to cut carbon emissions from electricity generation by over four fifths by 2030. First Minister Alex Salmond revealed the new target at the Scottish Renewables-Scottish Enterprise Offshore Wind & Supply Chain Conference, Aberdeen. In 2010 emissions from electricity in Scotland
30/01/2013
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has signed a range of agreements to support the development of the offshore wind sector. The group will now work with four of the region’s leading ports to help attract a potential £100m of investment to the Highlands. First Minister Alex Salmond announced th
30/01/2013
Europe’s biggest oil exhibition will return to Aberdeen for the 20th time this year, according to Aberdeenshire Council. Offshore Europe 2013 will provide north-east businesses with the chance to gain international exposure to world energy markets. The biennial event was launched in 1973 and now a
30/01/2013
Transport Scotland has announced it will award a £9.2m contract to McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd. for improvement works on the A82 at Pulpit Rock. The work is expected to start in the spring and last for around 12 months. The project will see the construction of almost half a kilometre of new road, incl
30/01/2013
Edinburgh tenants who deliberately damage their homes will have to pay for repairs, the City Council has announced. The Rechargeable Repairs Policy was discussed with tenant groups last year. Consulted parties included the Edinburgh Tenants Federation, neighbourhood housing staff and equalities gr
30/01/2013
A former hostel in Aberdeen city centre is being demolished to provide space for a new homeless prevention facility. Victoria House, West North Street, has been empty for years, but will now be redeveloped to create 20 flats and 20 supported units for the homeless. Contractor Hunter Demolition is
30/01/2013
Residents in Maybole are a step closer to receiving their new bypass, following the award of a ground investigation contract. The move follows Transport Scotland’s recent public exhibition. WYG Environment Planning Transport Ltd. has been contracted to carry out detailed investigations and provide
30/01/2013
People in Wick and Thurso are to be given the chance to have a say in the future development of their towns. A series of major public events, known as Charrettes, were launched last week. Representatives from a wide range of groups with varied interests attended a launch event on Wednesday in Thur
29/01/2013
Glasgow and Edinburgh City Council leaders have welcomed the news on the High Speed Rail project. The UK government Department of Transport has outlined the proposed route of the new transport system, which will run north of Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds. However, Cllr Burns and Matheson call
29/01/2013
Scottish construction workers could be in line for compensation, after launching High Court action against Sir Robert McAlpine over the blacklisting scandal. It is thought the bill for compensation could total £600m. The 86 workers have launched the action following news last week that over 500 Sc
29/01/2013
Historic town and city centres across Scotland are to benefit from Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) funding to the tune of £10m. 12 council areas will be allocated funding from the scheme, which encourages local authorities to invest in their historic environment and help stimulate econ
29/01/2013
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has announced the opening of the 2013 RIAS Awards. This year RIAS has again teamed up with Forestry Commission Scotland and Wood for Good, as well as with Historic Scotland and Zero Waste Scotland. Sholto Humphries, president of RIAS, said:
29/01/2013
Work on the upgrading of Glasgow’s Ibrox station is due to start in March. Graham Construction has been announced as the contractor for the £1.7m refurbishment. The development is part of a Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) initiative for a multi-million pound programme of upgrades to al
29/01/2013
House building declined in 2012, with a total of 104,510 new homes built registered across the UK. The latest figures from NHBC show a 9% decrease on 2011 levels, which contributed to public sector housing registrations dropping from 36,680 in 2011, to 26,390 in 2012. The level of private house bu
29/01/2013
Drivers who regularly use Kessock Bridge have been alerted to upcoming permanent road improvements by Transport Scotland. Work will begin in February on the £13.2m development of the 30-year-old bridge, in order to bring it up to modern standards. Transport Scotland has warned drivers of the follo
29/01/2013
Clackmannanshire Council is teaming up with Energy Saving Scotland to provide information for residents on funding applications for green heating schemes. The event will be held at Dollar Civic Centre, Dollar on Wednesday, 6 February between 19:00 and 21:00. Housing Convener Councillor Les Sharp s
28/01/2013
Construction rose by 0.3% in the final three months of 2012, despite falling 2.5% in the previous quarter. The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show the UK construction sector went against the grain in the final quarter of 2012. The economy contracted by 0.3% during the
28/01/2013
Aberdeen and Inverness house prices have been the fastest rising over all other UK cities throughout the past decade, according to a new survey. A report from the Bank of Scotland showed average prices rose by 94% in Aberdeen between 2002 and 2012. Inverness experienced price hikes of 81%, while
28/01/2013
One of the first off-grid eco-houses in Scotland has been given the go-ahead by planners. Located in Trinity Gask, near Auchterarder, the self-sufficient five-bedroom home has been designed by international eco-architect Kirsty Maguire. With no need for mains electricity or for gas and oil, the ec
28/01/2013
Work has already begun to build 15 new council homes in West Dunbartonshire. The new housing at Miller Road in Haldane is part of a £1.5m project. The homes will be ready for rent in early 2014 and will consist of four semi detached houses, five terraced houses and six cottage flats. The developm
28/01/2013
Angus Council is to launch a consultation to seek the views of local people on plans to create a Forfar Community Campus. The news follows a successful bid by the Council for Scottish government funding for the project, which will replace the current school. A meeting of the council’s Education Co
28/01/2013
About £200,000 has been allocated to local groups in the latest round of Inverclyde Council’s Community Facilities Fund. Successful applications include £41,000 to revamp the community centre in Quarriers Village, £37,500 to go on changing facilities at East End United Boys Club and £37,950 to refu
28/01/2013
Perth & Kinross Councillors are to consider proposals for the second phase of an upgrade to the South Inch in Perth. The decision will be taken at a meeting of the Environment Committee on Wednesday 30 January 2013. The Inches are public parks which define the north and south boundaries of Perth c
28/01/2013
Edinburgh councillors are to decide this week on whether or not to back a community bid to refurbish and continue operating Leith Waterworld. An officer report has recommended that the property and site be put up for sale. The report is to be considered on 31 January and has already concluded that
25/01/2013
Crieff Hydro has announced plans for a development programme for the Strathearn area in a bid to create a major tourist hot-spot. The 'Crieff Hydro East' project will be phased over a 20-year period and result in 125 construction jobs per annum during Phase 1, 65 construction jobs per annum during
25/01/2013
A revised planning application for a £380m extension to Glasgow’s Buchanan Galleries has been submitted. Owners Land Securities and Henderson Global Investors will now press ahead with the project. The development has been planned by BDP and will include retail, commercial and hotel elements as we
25/01/2013
The Scottish Design Awards are now open, marking a key highlight in the Scottish architectural calendar. The event aims to recognise the best architecture and graphic design across the country, and is organised by marketing and media group The Drum. Organisers are now encouraging submissions from
25/01/2013
Work is moving forward on the regeneration of Ayr’s Lochside, as part of a £9m project to revamp sections of the community. The project includes the development of 58 new Council homes at the site of a former greyhound stadium, while new homes are being built to replace nine unimproved blocks of ma
25/01/2013
Glasgow is to be transformed into the latest 'smart city' in the UK, with help from a £24m UK government grant. The money is to be used to demonstrate how a city of the future might work. The developments will include real-time information about traffic and apps to check buses and trains are on ti
25/01/2013
Perth & Kinross Council has announced three workshops to be held in the future to discuss the impact of climate change on the Strathearn area. The Strathearn Adapting to Climate Change Panel will meet on 5, 12 and 19 February 2013 at the Strathearn Community Campus in Crieff. The workshops will at
25/01/2013
Fife Council has welcomed news that a Rosyth manufacturer of generators and electrical equipment for the oil and gas sector is to receive a £50m investment. Executive member for Business, Enterprise, Economy & Planning, Councillor Kay Carrington welcomed the investment in Parsons Peebles Generation
25/01/2013
Fife Council intends to take advantage of the lucrative renewable energy industry, with plans to build its own wind farms. The Courier has reported how the Council has designated 15 sites where 16 wind turbines could be installed. The £20m which would be generated over the next two decades could g
25/01/2013
Plans have been submitted for a £200m mixed-use extension to Glasgow’s Braehead shopping centre. The plans, submitted by Capital Shopping Centres (CSC), feature designs for what will be one of the largest private investment projects in Scotland. Over 2,000 construction jobs are expected to be crea
25/01/2013
£450m is to be invested in building projects in Dundee, including an additional £84m to be spent on housing stock. The news has been announced in the city council’s Capital Plans for 2013-17. Ken Guild, Leader of the Administration said: "We are injecting over £450m into new capital projects in co
24/01/2013
Alex Salmond has paid tribute to the Chief Executive of energy firm SSE, following the news that he is to step down. Ian Marchant will finish his post at the group during the summer and will be replaced by Alistair Phillips-Davies, who is deputy Chief Executive at SSE. Mr Marchant will step down f
24/01/2013
Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess has outlined six key demands which she says must be undertaken by the UK government and the energy sector in order to help Scotland tackle fuel poverty. The Minister was speaking at a fuel poverty debate in Parliament, whereupon she told MPs she would b
24/01/2013
Over £80m is to be spent in improving council housing in Dundee over the next five years. Dundee City Council has announced the funding, adding that most of it will be spent on improving fuel efficiency. Jimmy Black, convener of Dundee City Council’s housing committee said: "Against a backdrop of
24/01/2013
The new Inverness Royal Academy project has moved one step closer, following approval from the Highland Council. Members of the Council’s Adult and Children’s Services Committee agreed on 23 January to a series of recommendations that will allow the new £33.98m project to move further towards const
24/01/2013
A consultation on the proposals to build a new Madras College at St Andrews has been launched. The consultation will run until 8 March and will include a series of public meetings, displays and online information. It will focus on the educational advantages of building a new school on site at the
24/01/2013
Clackmannanshire Council has been awarded funding for two projects which will aim to bring empty private sector homes back into use. An Empty Homes Officer is to be shared with Stirling and Falkirk Councils to provide advice and assistance to homeowners. The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership scheme
24/01/2013
Falkirk Council has announced a new sustainable development and climate change action plan, to be carried out over the next two years. The 'Sustainable Development and Climate Change 2013-15' scheme has been conceived with the aim of making Falkirk a more energy-efficient community. Falkirk Counci
24/01/2013
The ceremonious 'topping-out' of a new £4.9m community and resource centre in Auchinleck took place this week. Locals gathered with elected members to celebrate the event with Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council. He said: "This state-of-the-art Well Road building – due for completion in
24/01/2013
Three Forth Valley construction consultancy firms have been selected by Stirling Council to supplement the work of the Landlord Services team at times of peak demand. The firms have been added to the Framework Agreement list, which provides the names of Clerk of Works suppliers approved to undertak
24/01/2013
Moray Council is asking the public to respond to its new draft local housing strategy. The document covers the years 2013 to 2018 and details how the Council and its partners will move forward to improve the housing sector in Moray and help people find homes. The strategy covers owner-occupied and
23/01/2013
Work has begun this week on a major project to provide new facilities at the Port of Cairnryan. The development will support P&O Ferries, which owns the port, in its ferry operations across the Irish Sea. McLaughlin & Harvey have been appointed to undertake the contract, which will see the firm p
23/01/2013
£130m of contracts for the Forth Replacement Crossing have been awarded to Scottish subcontractors, according to figures released by the Scottish government. The latest report shows 334 Scottish subcontractors and suppliers won the work packages, worth £130m, for the new Forth Bridge. The Forth Cr
23/01/2013
The Unite union has called for a "Leveson style" inquiry into the blacklisting of construction workers, describing it as "a national scandal on the scale of phone hacking". Britain’s biggest union has welcomed the commons debate due to take place on 23 January on the issue of blacklisting, initiate
23/01/2013
A trio of firms has been announced to carry out refurbishment works at Glasgow’s Ibrox station. Graham Construction, Sir Robert McAlpine and Clancy Docwra have been appointed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to carry out the works. The £100m Station Refurbishment Programme will aim t
23/01/2013
The winning plan for the redesign of George Square will not be proceeding, following a decision by Glasgow City Council. The Council says the famous square will now undergo a "facelift rather than a radical redesign". Details of the facelift have yet to be announced, but are thought to include ret
23/01/2013
The new planning guidance document for Aberdeenshire is to be considered by councillors this week. Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee will be asked to approve and publish the 2013 Development Plan Scheme on Thursday 24 Jan. The plan will establish a framework for development
23/01/2013
Proposals for a new offshore renewable energy project at Dundee could come a step closer to approval next week. Councillors are to be asked at next week’s meeting to support a £10,000 contribution to the creation of a detailed business plan for the institute. The move comes as Dundee is identified
23/01/2013
Dundee’s central conservation area could be in line for an extension, provided councillors back a consultation. The city development committee is to be asked to support a six-week period to allow interested parties to give their views on the changes. Proposals would include adding North Linsday St
23/01/2013
A bridge strengthening programme in Fife has been approved by the council. The approval came as members of Fife Council’s Executive Committee received an update on the progress of the bridge strengthening programme at their meeting last week. Developments over the past year mean the ten tonne weig
23/01/2013
The Inverness South West Flood Relief Scheme has now been completed, marking the end of a £16m project which could protect up to 600 homes from the risk of flooding. Flood flows which would have normally passed through the Culduthel, Lochardil, Drummond and Hilton areas will now be diverted to outf
22/01/2013
A key renewable energy manufacturing sites in the Outer Hebrides is being further developed to create a leading location for potential developers. Construction work started on Monday a further phase of a £2 million investment project to develop infrastructure at Arnish Business Park. Funding for t
22/01/2013
One of Scotland's most popular shopping centres is set for an expansion. Capital Shopping Centres (CSC), owner of Braehead shopping centre, has submitted a planning application to Renfrewshire Council for permission in principle to build a new mixed use development at the centre. This follows CSC’
22/01/2013
Research by Shelter Scotland has uncovered that over one in four people say housing costs cause stress or depression in their family. The YouGov survey showed that more people in Scotland say they have lost sleep from the stress of paying for their home than people in England and Wales. Twenty-ei
22/01/2013
Aberdeen-based oil and gas service company Centrifuges Un-Limited has appointed a new sales director. With more than three decades of experience in the oil and gas industry, former engineer Gordon Milne began his career at J. M. Henderson Mechanical Engineers and he has worked at various companies
22/01/2013
MP Willie Bain visited a GHA sheltered housing complex to hear how the UK Government’s welfare benefit changes and rising energy costs are impacting on older people. The MP joined GHA Chair Gordon Sloan at the Joppa Street site in Carntyne to meet with the residents. Tenants, aged from 67 to 94, m
22/01/2013
CM Porter Novelli, has been appointed by the UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA) to handle its UK-wide PR programme and social media activity on a long-term contract. CM Porter Novelli has been brought on board to build the profile and increase the visibility of the organisation, amongst both curre
21/01/2013
A Scottish government grant of £1.9m has brought whisky distilling on the Hebridean island of Harris one step closer. The Isle of Harris Distillery which is to be built at Tarbert has been awarded funding from the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant scheme. It is one of five business
21/01/2013
Alex Salmond has been meeting with leader of the Highland Council, Councillor Drew Henry, to discuss key development and infrastructure issues affecting the Highlands. Councillor Hendry met the First Minister in Inverness, where he gave Mr Salmond an update on the Council’s priorities and the progr
21/01/2013
Scotland’s three-year housing budget increased by £200m in 2012, while additional investment saw a 30% increase on plans set out in the 2011 Spending Review. The allocation of last month’s £50m of housing consequentials has yet to be announced. Finance Secretary John Swinney was speaking ahead of
21/01/2013
The Scottish government has assigned £5.4m funding to organisations that assist struggling householders. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced the grant, which the Scottish government says is in response to "a substantial increase in requests for help as a result of Westminster welfar
21/01/2013
Transport Minister Keith Brown has been visiting a new education centre at the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC), which is intended to inspire future generations of Scottish engineers. The new Contact and Education Centre on the south bank of the Forth is a dedicated facility for schools, colleges a
21/01/2013
A new business rates relief of up to 100% has been launched, as the government strives to encourage developers to invest in empty properties. Local Government Minister Derek Mackay launched the new relief, which aims to help new empty properties built in Scotland from 1 April. The scheme’s goal is
21/01/2013
New energy efficient homes have been completed in Muir of Ord in the Highlands, as part of a 257-home, Highland-wide project supported by the Scottish government. The two bungalows and four flats in Curling Court are designed to be energy efficient and exceed the current energy ratings set by Build
21/01/2013
A retail improvement scheme in Formartine, Aberdeenshire, is offering local businesses the chance to apply for funding to pay for improvement and enhancement works. The £60,000 fund is intended to support private investment in retail premises and could go towards work such as the refurbishment of a
21/01/2013
West Lothian Council has signed up to Europe’s largest greenspace initiative, in a bid to transform the environmental quality of the area. The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Local Authority Concordat is intended to deliver "a step change in environmental quality, woodland cover and recreatio
21/01/2013
Scotland’s Education Secretary has been visiting Knockroon in Cumnock to catch up with students who are helping tradesmen build a house. Michael Russell was on a tour of the new Hope Homes housing development on HRH the Duke of Rothesay’s Dumfries House Estate, where pupils of nearby Auchinleck and
18/01/2013
Drilling in the North Sea rose by a third in 2012, according to a new report by business advisers Deloitte. 65 exploration and appraisal wells were drilled on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), according to the group. This was an increase on 2011's figure of 49. 21 projects were approved, indicatin
18/01/2013
Work to upgrade and refurbish Scotland’s canal systems has received funding to the tune of £4.6m from the Scottish government. Transport Scotland says the investment will create about 80 jobs and precipitate a number of infrastructure projects which will impact on tourism, regeneration, sport and l
18/01/2013
Fife house builder Lomond Homes has gone into administration. The Courier says PwC has confirmed the appointment of Graham Frost and Bruce Cartwright as joint administrators. The statement, revealed by the newspaper, said the Glenrothes-based house builder currently holds land with planning permis
18/01/2013
The building of a new community and sports centre in Mintlaw looks set to become a reality, following the allocation of £800,000 funding from Aberdeenshire Council. Councillors at the Policy & Resources Committee have agreed to allocate the planning gain funds to the Mintlaw and Central Buchan Init
18/01/2013
A Sunderland-based housing association could be in line to take over West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA), according to industry news website Inside Housing. Gentoo Group is to take control of the group, subject to the approval of housing regulators on both sides on April 1. The organisatio
18/01/2013
The first stage of assessment of options for replacing the A890 Stromeferry Bypass is on target and will be completed by the end of April, the Highland Council has said. Since the bypass opened in 1970 it has seen a number of rock face failures, the most recent of these being on Christmas Day last
18/01/2013
The preferred route for the new A77 Maybole bypass has been unveiled in South Ayrshire. Transport Minister Keith Brown revealed the plans for the scheme, which have gone on public display. The scheme will see over three miles of new road constructed in a bid to increase overtaking capabilities and
18/01/2013
The second phase of the multi-million pound upgrade of the A74(M)/M74 between Junction 22 (Gretna) and Junction 12 (Millbank) has been confirmed. The £40m programme of works will get underway on 23 February. The project aims to refurbish and extend the life span of the road, which is over 20 years
18/01/2013
Aberdeen City Council has announced the construction of a new combined heat and power plant (CHP) will go ahead. Members of the Council’s Development Management Sub-Committee unanimously approved the plans for the CHP biomass plant . The new facility will burn wood fibre and provide heat through h
18/01/2013
A new multi-million pound community sports facility is to be built in Aberdeenshire following approval from the council. Councillors agreed to include the Hill of Banchory project in the council’s Capital Plan at a meeting on 17 January. Project partners North Banchory Company (NBC) and Bandswim w
17/01/2013
Glaswegians will have to wait longer than planned to see the winning design for the redevelopment of George Square, after the judging panel was unable to make a decision. Six companies have been short-listed in the international competition and the judges were expected to make a final decision on 1
17/01/2013
£4m of private donations towards the new V&A at Dundee have ensured the project is on the road to completion. The donations will go towards the fundraising target of £45m for the new museum and gallery, which is due to be completed in 2015. The Scottish government has already committed £15m in cap
17/01/2013
Transport Minister Keith Brown says he has received reassurances from Transport Scotland that disruption during the Kessock Bridge repairs will be minimised when the work starts next month. Delays caused frustration for many commuters during the Longman Roundabout advance works earlier this week.
17/01/2013
Atrium Homes has announced it has declined a contract with East Ayrshire Council to work on town centre developments as part of the Strategic Local Programme 2012-15. The move follows a decision by the board at Atrium that the Council’s projects could not be delivered within cost parameters accepta
17/01/2013
The Stirling and Clackmannanshire councils are encouraging community groups across the two areas to apply for support from the Environmental Trust. The deadline for next round of applications to be considered will be Friday 2 March, 2013. Stiling Council says the Environment Trust is "keen to supp
17/01/2013
The Scottish government has launched a consultation on proposals to help resolve disagreements between tenants and landlords. The Housing Panel consultation intends to consider plans to help prevent disputes between landlords and tenants in the private and social rented sectors. The consultation w
17/01/2013
Falkirk and Maddiston are to receive 80 new homes for social rent, following a meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee. The homes are to be built over the next 15 months at Merchiston Road in Falkirk, on the site of the former St Mungo’s High School, and at Parkhall Drive in Maddiston, on the
17/01/2013
Morrison Scotland has just completed its first eco house at the BRE Innovation Park at Ravenscraig, Motherwell. The eco house, designed by Apple Green Homes, is the first new-build to be constructed and project managed by Morrison Scotland. Construction took eight weeks and saw the repairs and mai
17/01/2013
New energy standards proposed by the Scottish government pose a threat to both jobs and housing, according to Homes for Scotland (HfS). The group said new proposals will contribute only 0.07% to overall climate change targets, but will add £10,000 to the cost already highly energy efficient new hom
17/01/2013
A new Highland Council report is to recommend diverting money from temporary housing for the homeless to go towards the construction of purpose-built accommodation. The news came as Leader of The Highland Council Drew Hendry promised the Council’s involvement in the regeneration of Inverness city c
16/01/2013
Glasgow City Council has revealed its plans for investment over the next two years, including funding for regeneration and infrastructure projects. £80m of capital investment will go towards improving the city's primary school estate. £11m is to be spent on child care, including the building of tw
16/01/2013
The Scottish government is to form a group which will seek to improve planning performance across the country. Planning Minister Derek Mackay and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorites (COSLA) are to chair the group, which is being set up in the wake of the government’s Key Actions on Planning
16/01/2013
Ground investigations are to be carried out on a development in Moray, amid concerns the former Ministry of Defence land may have a legacy of contamination. Ferryhill housing development in Forres was built in the 1990s, on the site of former MoD land and a former sawmill. Work will now be carried
16/01/2013
Plans for a nine-turbine wind farm near the village of Greenlaw in the Scottish Borders have been announced. The £25m, 22.5 megawatt Rumbletonrig development is being built by TCI Renewables. TCI says £4m could be generated for a community fund over 25 years, and that the local residents would be
16/01/2013
Cuts in public spending and the eurozone crisis will lead to job losses in Scotland’s construction sector, according to the Construction Skills Network (CSN). The news was part of CSN’s annual report, which estimated employment in the Scottish sector would fall by 1% a year on average between 2013
16/01/2013
A marketing drive has begun to find new investors, developers and occupiers for a new business park in Paisley. The Cart Corridor Joint Venture Company (CCJVCo) is currently working to drive uptake for the park in the Shortroods area, after planning permission in principle was granted for a signifi
16/01/2013
The Higland Council is preparing for an £8m redevelopment of its offices at the Market Place site in Wick. Councillors will be relocating their offices to temporary accommodation at Girnigoe in preparation for the closure of the Market Place building on Friday 18 January at 15:00. 80 staff will be
16/01/2013
East Dunbarton Council is reconsidering its plans to renovate and refurbish Kirkintilloch town centre following an unsuccessful bid for a £1.25m grant. The Council launched the bid to the Historic Scotland Conservation Area Regenration Scheme (CARS) last summer. Leader of the Council, Councillor R
16/01/2013
A public exhibition is to be held next week in Blairgowrie to give the public a chance to view proposed improvements in the Wellmeadow and Riverside areas of the town centre. Perth & Kinross Council has announced the public consultation. Improvements to the Wellmeadow bus stance and surrounding ju
16/01/2013
Aberdeen City Council has announced a combined heat and power plant could be in the pipeline for the Arjo Wiggins paper mill site at Stoneywood. Proposals are being considered for a combined heat and power biomass plant which burns wood fibre and provides both heat, in the form of hot water and ste
15/01/2013
The latest plans for the new V&A museum and gallery at Dundee will go on display this week. Detailed proposals for the project will be on show at the Bernard King Library, University of Abertay, on January 17, 18 and 19, from 10:00 to 16:00 every day. The public will be able to view the plans, whi
15/01/2013
Korean firm Samsung Heavy Industries(SHI) has announced it will base its offshore wind project at Fife Renewables Innovation Centre. The project will see the installation and testing of a 7MW offshore wind turbine at Energy Park Fife over the next five years. Work began on the project at the end o
15/01/2013
There has been a significant drop in the number of people assessed as homeless in Scotland. Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess has revealed official statistics which show there were 10,269 applications for homelessness assistance between July and September 2012. The showed a 13% decline
15/01/2013
WWF Scotland has expressed concern over what it sees as a low level of ambition in a Scottish government consultation on lower-carbon building. 'Lower carbon buildings - a review of energy standards and guidance within Scottish building regulations' was launched on 14 January. Elizabeth Leighton,
15/01/2013
Plans have been submitted for a five-storey office development at Rubislaw Quarry in Aberdeen. Carterra Private Equities has announced plans to build on the lisp of the biggest manmade hole in Europe. If approved, the plans will see the development of a narrow strip of land along the curve of the
15/01/2013
A social housing bond company has said it expects to raise £200m to finance housing developments in Scotland. Carduus says it is in talks with half of Scotland’s housing associations to refinance existing debt and raise further funds for development at rates below current bank lending availability.
15/01/2013
Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) has announced the three firms it will be contracting to help carry out demolition work over the next four years. GHA selected three firms from a list of seven bidders and has split its work packages into three pipelines identified for the first two years of the fra
15/01/2013
Construction has begun on 44 new 'Later Living' properties in Aberdeen. The Springfield Road development is being undertaken by McCarthy & Stone and will see the firm build a mix of one and two bedroom apartments exclusively for people over 60s. The plans will be available for purchase from summer
15/01/2013
Highland Council Leader Drew Henry has been expressing concerns that commuters to Inverness are experiencing long delays caused by construction work at Kessock Bridge. Councillor Hendry says he sought assurances from Transport Scotland and operators Scotland Transerv that an unplanned lane closure
15/01/2013
Further education on Skye is to be given a funding boost to the tune of £590,000, as West Highland College UHI prepares for the delivery of the new Portree campus. Finance Secretary John Swinney made the announcement yesterday in a speech to the Institute of Directors Highland and Islands members i
14/01/2013
An additional £1m has been allocated towards the upgrading and restoration of Scotland’s war memorials, in preparation for the anniversary of the First World War. The Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund will pay for the upgrading and maintenance of memorials in villages, towns and cities in Scotla
14/01/2013
Edinburgh Councillors are to make a decision on proposals to improve access to Waverly Station this month. The £1m project would include provision for taxi stacking on Market Street to allow controlled access into Waverley Station and a new roundabout at the East Market Street and Jeffrey Street ju
14/01/2013
£2m is being provided to the National Theatre of Scotland towards refurbishment and the creation of new facilities. The National Theatre is currently considering the development of a "creation space" in Glasgow where rehearsal facilities, offices and technical and storage amenities can be consolida
14/01/2013
A Fife plant has been awarded a £30m contract to build subsea equipment for BP’s drilling operations in the North Atlantic. Rosyth dockyard operator Babcock was awarded the contract, which will see it build new structures for the oil fields west of Shetland. The contract includes the building of 7
14/01/2013
Scotland’s forestry estate is to receive a £3.15m funding boost to improve tourist routes and upgrade services across the country. Forestry Commission Scotland will benefit from the funding, which is part of the £205m announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney to support jobs and growth in Scotlan
14/01/2013
The Scottish Building Federation has called on ministers to "use all instruments at their disposal" to get the construction industry back on track, following a decline in output in 2012. The announcement follows the results for November 2012, which were published at the beginning of the New Year.
14/01/2013
Historic Scotland has revealed its plans to cut carbon emissions at Edinburgh Castle are ahead of target. The Castle’s carbon footprint was reduced by 18% in the year 2011/12, compared with its baseline year of 2008/9. This indicates an improvement on the original target of 10%. Last year’s energy
14/01/2013
The travelling community in Aberdeenshire could be about to benefit from the region’s first ever traveller stopover site, after councillors agreed in principle to create one at Aikey Brae. The site, just outside Old Deer, was approved at a meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee on Thursday 10
11/01/2013
The total cost of maintenance for buildings across NHS Scotland currently stands at £948m. The figure is a reduction of £62m from the £1bn cost in 2012, according to a report published today. The 'State of the NHSScotland Assets and Facilities Report 2012' details the figures which will allow heal
11/01/2013
Work to repair damage to properties, roads, bridges and other infrastructure caused by storms and flooding in Aberdeenshire is expected to total £2m. Over 100 separate issues have been identified in the flooding which occurred across Aberdeenshire on 15 and 23 December. Residents were evacuated fr
11/01/2013
Last year saw a fall in construction output of 8.5%, according to information services company Experian. This was an increase on the group’s forecast in autumn 2012 of 7.5%. The forecaster has also changed its projections for 2013 and 2014. It is now predicting a decline of 3.5% and a growth of 0
11/01/2013
An upgraded motorway junction that is part of the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) is to open next month ahead of schedule. The new M9 Junction 1a will open on 1 February and is intended to provide better connections for traffic on the road network in West Lothian and to the north west of Edinburgh
11/01/2013
Councillors in Aberdeenshire have approved a loan scheme to help provide more affordable housing in the area. The Empty Homes Loan Fund Scheme will loan up to £30,000 for repairs and maintenance on individual properties to help get them back on the rental market. A proportion of the rent money wil
11/01/2013
£200,000 of essential improvement works for a Midlothian primary school have been given the go-ahead. Recent severe weather in the region has resulted in deterioration of the infant building at Paradykes Primary School in Loanhead. Midlothian Council says its priority is to "provide a facility for
11/01/2013
Empty properties in West Dunbartonshire are set for a new lease of life, following £150,000 of funding. The money is being allocated from the Scottish government’s Empty Homes Fund, which provides loans to homeowners who need financial help bringing properties back up to a lettable standard. The p
11/01/2013
Moray residents will get a chance to have their say on how settlements and communities should grow in the region, through a series of drop-in events organised by the council. The sessions are part of Moray Council’s Local Development Plan main issues report and will be held at various locations acr
10/01/2013
£2.9m is to be spent on improving Scotland’s national parks. First Minister Alex Salmond told Parliament during First Minister’s Questions that the funding will improve Scotland’s parks as tourist destinations. The First Minister said: "Scotland’s National Parks - while vital to the protection of
10/01/2013
2013 is set to be a challenging year for construction in Scotland, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). 24% of surveyors who took part in a regular RICS survey said orders from the public sector had fallen. 95% of surveyors the industry is suffering from financial cons
10/01/2013
An increase in the rate of oil and gas recovery in the North Sea by 1% would result in £22bn of extra tax revenue. Energy Minister Fergus Ewing is to tell the Scottish Parliament that maximising the amount of oil and gas recovered from existing oil wells would create substantial benefits for the Sc
10/01/2013
Capita Symonds is to carry out phase four of NHS Scotland’s Health Facilities Scotland (HFS) survey. The group has already completed the first three phases of the programme, including appraisals of over 1.9m square metres of NHS Scotland’s existing land and property assets. The fourth phase will s
10/01/2013
Site fatality for members of the National Specialist Contractor’s Council (NSCC) has dropped by half in the space of nine years. The point of reference is the date at which NSCC began collecting information. The 2011/12 accident survey also revealed the major injury rate dropped 43% and the over 3
10/01/2013
The availability of 95% mortgages for Scottish buyers has been given a boost due to the addition of a new round of builders to the MI New Home initiative, according to Homes For Scotland. The initiative has been developed by Homes for Scotland with the support of the Scottish Government. It aims t
10/01/2013
Plans have been unveiled for two new hotels at Aberdeen airport. The hotels will be built at the city’s ABZ Business Park. £100m is expected to be invested for the construction phase alone. It is expected about 2000 jobs could be created when the Business Park reaches full maturity. The Business
10/01/2013
Highland councillors have postponed a decision on the building of a wind farm in Glenmorie. Highland Council members of the North Planning Applications Committee (PAC) are due to undertake a site visit to the proposed area of the Glenmorie Wind Farm development on Monday 14 January. Members attend
09/01/2013
Potential designs for the redevelopment of George Square in Glasgow go on public display today at The Lighthouse. The six designs short-listed for the £15m international competition were just part of 35 submissions received by Glasgow City Council from across the globe, including from Australia, th
09/01/2013
Transport Scotland is currently hosting an information day for contractors and funders to raise awareness of the opportunities offered by the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR). The project is expected to lead to the creation of 14,200 jobs in the north east of Scotland and a boost of £6bn to
09/01/2013
The construction of an 86MW tidal array scheme at Pentland Firth looks set to go ahead, following a decision by Highland Councillors not to object to proposals. MeyGen Limited will construct and operate the development. The Highland Council says its response to Marine Scotland reaffirms its suppor
09/01/2013
An Aberdeen-based mechanical engineering firm is to expand its business in Scandanavia with the opening of a second base in Norway. EnerMech is investing £3m in its new workshop and offices in Bergen, located close to major shipyards. The company hopes to focus on the process, pipeline and umbilic
09/01/2013
Work is set to begin on Monday 14 January to widen access to the new Inverness Campus at Beechwood. The 20-week contract to widen Culloden Road is being developed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Wills Bros Ltd. were awarded the contract from the Highland Council, which amounts to a tota
09/01/2013
Construction companies are being invited to apply for or renew contracts with the Highland Council, as the body begins reviewing its Contractors Framework agreement. The agreement will be used by the Council for selecting contractors to carry out works, including day to day repairs, general mainten
09/01/2013
Aberdeenshire homeowners could be in line for a warmer winter, at no extra cost. The council has announced a scheme which will see residents supplied with loft and cavity wall insulation for free. The Scottish government’s Universal Home Insulation Scheme (UHIS) will provide free loft and cavity w
09/01/2013
Dumfries and Galloway-based eco insulate Ltd has announced it achieved a customer satisfaction rating of 97% for its work in 2012. The company says much of the high rating came from customers who were pleased with eco insulate’s spray foam materials. Eco insulate says it treated many buildings whi
08/01/2013
LHC is to host a bidders’ day for those interested in tendering for the Timber Window and Door Products (TW3) framework arrangement in Scotland. The non-profit, public sector procurement consortium has organised the event for January 21 at the LHC Scotland office in Edinburgh from 14:00. The date
08/01/2013
Balfour Beatty’s Chief Executive Ian Tyler is stepping down after 16 years with the company. Tyler will be replaced by colleague Andrew McNaughton, currently deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating officer, on March 31. Balfour said Tyler will remain with the company until April 30 to "ensure a
08/01/2013
Residents in an area of Dundee could be set for warmer homes and lower bills, provided an £8m project goes ahead. Dundee City Council’s housing committee is to be asked to support a joint pilot Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme with Scottish Gas for multi storeys and other homes around Kirk St
08/01/2013
Two dozen more affordable homes for rent could be included in a multi-million redevelopment of a former mill in Dundee. The news follows the announcement last April of a funding package worth over £7m to begin work on the 75 flats at the former William Halley & Sons premises in Broughty, Ferry Road
08/01/2013
Network Rail is to spend £4bn on improving Scotland’s train lines by 2019. The funding will go towards projects across the country’s network, including the electrification of the main line between Glasgow and Edinburgh and reopening 30 miles of railway between the Borders and Edinburgh. Network Ra
08/01/2013
BAM Construction in Scotland has been appointed a new Regional Director. BAM Construct UK appointed Douglas Keillor for the new position. He joins the team from his previous position as Construction Director for BAM’s West of Scotland and retail operations. Mr Douglas joined BAM 24 years ago, when
08/01/2013
Aberdeen City Council has released a blueprint proposal on the future development of the Hopecroft area of Bucksburn for public consultation. The Council is seeking the views of the public and interested parties on the Hopecroft Planning Brief. The Brief defines a framework for future development
08/01/2013
Birkhill Bridge on the outskirts of Coalburn has been closed for eight weeks to allow "vital" regeneration work to be carried out. The bridge, which carries the C13 road east of Coalburn approximately 150 metres west of the B7078 Carlisle Road, was closed on 7 January so that it can be "brought up
07/01/2013
More than £5m has been allocated to regeneration projects in Irvine Bay, according to North Ayrshire Council. The Scottish Government has granted a total of £5.2m, which will aid the regeneration of derelict land in Ardrossan and the development of industrial and office space in Irvine. The announ
07/01/2013
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Scotland (RICS) is encouraging property professionals across Scotland to enter its annual awards ceremony in 2013. The RICS Scotland Awards 2013 will take place on 9 May, with judging taking place during the preceding months. The deadline for entry is 18 J
07/01/2013
Construction project starts were up 9% for the three months to December 2012, when compared with the previous year. Figures from construction market analysts Glenigan shows the hotels and leisure sector recorded the strongest performance from any sector in the period. Starts increased by over 70%
07/01/2013
Work is expected to begin this year on the Kingsbarns distillery in Fife following an injection from the Scottish government which amounts to 30% of the total cost. Over £670,000 from the Food Processing Marketing and Cooperation scheme has been granted for the new distillery. This means the devel
07/01/2013
Grampian Police have warned of the possibility of traffic delays as component parts for wind turbines are transported from Inverness and Invergordon harbours to Moray. Parts for 18 wind turbines will be transported Mondays to Saturdays inclusive to the Rothes Cairn Uish wind farm site, near Fogwatt
07/01/2013
East Ayrshire Council is to receive additional funding of £832,000 from the Scottish government towards its programme to build new housing. The Council says the funding means more local people will benefit from new social and affordable housing over the next 3 years. Funding now sits at £4.709m, m
07/01/2013
Work has resumed on the River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme in Inverness, which the Highland Council says will protect 800 homes and 200 businesses. Utility diversion works have begun as part of the £24.75m Scheme, with a focus on Douglas Row and Huntly Street. Douglas Row will be shut to vehicle
07/01/2013
Work on Edinburgh’s new tram system has recommenced, following the festive break. Tram contractors have opened worksites and re-started tram works as the city prepares for the completion of the transport development. One of the next phases in the project will be system testing and tram test runs,
04/01/2013
An Aberdeen-based oil firm has awarded a $300m (£187m) engineering contract for a development east of Shetland. Dana has announced that Luxembourg-registered Subsea 7 will support its Western Isles project. Subsea 7’s contract will include the engineering, procurement, construction and installatio
04/01/2013
A contractor working on behalf of Scotland Transerv will be constructing a new slip road to link Stadium Road in Inverness to the A9 Trunk Road. The Highland Council has announced temporary restrictions for vehicles will be put in place on Monday 7 January and will remain until Monday 11 February.
04/01/2013
Plans have been lodged for a small block of flats on Brook Street in Broughty Ferry. The Brunton Design Studio intends to develop a site on the corner of St Vincent Street which is currently occupied by a dilapidated cottage. The plans are for sixteen flats, including five with 2 bedrooms and elev
04/01/2013
A group of MSPs are calling for a change in the law to prevent firms that use blacklists from receiving contracts involving taxpayers’ cash. According to trade unions, up to 5,000 construction workers in Scotland are on employers’ blacklists because of their involvement in campaigns to improve work
04/01/2013
The company responsible for the London Acquatic Centre, built for the City’s hosting of the 2012 Olympics, is to design a new swimming pool for Perth. S & P Architects have been appointed by Live Active Leisure (LAL) as the design team for the city's leisure park project. The new complex will repl
04/01/2013
A new housing development in Moray has been given the go-ahead by the council. Springfield Properties are to build 380 new homes on the R3 site to the south of Forres. The development will be known as Ferrylea and will incorporate local shops and a new dental surgery. Springfield will work on the
04/01/2013
Work is to begin on 7 January to refurbish the Energy Exploration displays at Aberdeen Maritime Museum following the confirmation of sponsorship from energy firms. The museum will close for two weeks to allow new flooring to be laid without inconveniencing visitors. The building will then re-open
04/01/2013
Fife Council’s Executive Member for Business, Enterprise, Economy & Planning remains optimistic about the region’s development in 2013. Councillor Kay Carrington has released a statement detailing her hopes for investment in energy and construction in the New Year. She said: "Our success in attrac
04/01/2013
30km of key roads in Scotland are due for a New Year revamp after the Scottish government pledged £5m for 'shovel-ready' schemes. A number of road maintenance schemes are to be carried out on major A class and motorways before the end of the financial year. Transport Minister Keith Brown, said: "T
04/01/2013
Glasgow’s City Building has added to its list of favoured specialist trade contractors following an initially low uptake by firms. City Building was set up six years ago from the former Building Services Department of Glasgow City Council. Its annual turnover is now around £200m, and the company m
03/01/2013
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has announced Iain Connelly FRIAS as its new President Elect. Mr Connelly will take up the role on 17 May at the 2013 RIAS International Convention in Strathpeffer. He will be President of the organisation for two years and takes over from S
03/01/2013
Alex Salmond has delivered a New Year message to the oil and gas industry, saying it must work together with the Scottish government to help the sector grow still further in 2013. The Scottish government says oil and gas currently meets more than two thirds of the UK’s energy needs. It said there
03/01/2013
Balfour Beatty has been named by Transport Scotland as the contractor to carry out repairs to the Kessock Bridge. The £13.2m contract will see extensive refurbishment works carried out, including resurfacing of the bridge deck. Work on the 30-year-old structure will occur between February and June
03/01/2013
The bid to find a name for the new Forth Replacement Crossing has thrown up a list of some of the biggest names in Scottish culture and history. The public has been asked to take part in Transport Scotland’s 'Name The Bridge' campaign, which will run until the end of January 2013. So far over 3,00
03/01/2013
Scottish construction firms are losing out due to the fact that too many contracts are being awarded to Irish firms, according to a Scottish business leader. Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said eight contracts recently awarded by Highland Council worth a total of £
03/01/2013
£21.2m of public money is to be used to bring derelict land in the west of Scotland back into use. The Scottish government has put forward £16m for the development of 120,000 sq ft of office space in Dalmarnock, Glasgow. A further £5.2m is going towards funding a new medical centre and industrial
03/01/2013
Clackmannanshire Council will acquire the former Alva Glen Hotel by Compulsory Purchase Order as part of a Local Development Plan for the town centre. The news follows a formal offer to the owner by the Enterprise and Environment Committee in November. It was decided that if the offer was declined
03/01/2013
New guidelines affecting drilling in the North Sea do not go far enough to prevent oil spills, according to WWF Scotland. The measures will mean companies have to demonstrate "financial responsibility" for drilling operations before a licence is granted. The move follows a review in the wake of th
03/01/2013
The Montrose Port Authority has issued a tender for a £6m expansion. The development will see the building of a new 170-metre-long quay at the north side of the harbour. The project is due to be completed by September, 2014. John Paterson, the Port Authority’s chief executive, said: "The work wil
03/01/2013
North Ayrshire Council has been praised by Finance Secretary John Swinney for adopting preventative measures to homelessness. The Council’s housing service has been refocused on preventing people becoming homeless in the first place, rather than simply responding to the problem itself. The homeles
02/01/2013
Work to build a new £6.5m supermarket in Dundee is due to begin, following the award of the contract to Barr Construction. Barr will build Asda’s new 40,000 square foot store, expected to create up to 200 jobs during construction and up to 500 long-term jobs once it opens. Barr will work alongside
02/01/2013
£3.9m is to be spent on infrastructure and regeneration in Scotland to improve the country’s cycle trails over the next two years. The money is part of an additional £21m investment in transport from the Scottish government. Transport Minister Keith Brown confirmed the package as part of the "shov
02/01/2013
Glasgow City Council took to demolishing a B-listed building over the Christmas holidays, causing surprise for local residents. Burnfield Demolition was contracted by the Council to raze Springburn Public Halls. Architecture magazine Urban Realm reported how contractors sealed off Keppochill Road
02/01/2013
North Lanarkshire Council has appointed a new Convener of Policy and Resources (Regeneration and Infrastructure). Councillor David Fagan was appointed following the death last month of long-serving convener, Councillor Tom Maginnis. Cllr Fagan paid tribute to his predecessor: "Obviously I am both
02/01/2013
Perth & Kinross Council has been commended for its design of the Affordable Housing Scheme in Rorrie Terrace, Methven. The Dundee Institute of Architects (DIA) awarded the project in the category of best residential development. The design includes energy efficiency that exceeds standard building
02/01/2013
Inverurie residents are being given the chance to find out about a new £8m care village planned for the Aberdeenshire town. Aberdeenshire Council is inviting residents to view the proposals, which include a 60-bed care home and eight associated one and two-bedroom bungalows, along with specialist d
02/01/2013
2013 is set to be an important year in the regeneration of Dundee’s riverside, after the body behind the waterfront improvement scheme confirmed over £100m of capital projects will be started or completed this year. Dundee Waterfront said construction will begin on the £45m V&A Museum, the £14m Dun
02/01/2013
£5m is being injected by the Scottish government to improve college campuses across the country. The government says the investment will "help to ensure that college students benefit from a better learning environment with buildings that meet their needs." Education Secretary Michael Russell expla
02/01/2013
The Scottish government has pledged funding which could see more than 400 empty homes brought back into use for communities across Scotland. Seventeen housing associations, councils and house builders submitted successful bids for the Scottish Government’s Empty Homes Loans Fund. The fund is inten
