Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for March 2014
31/03/2014
A new survey has suggested there is growing confidence among bosses within the Scottish construction industry. According to the Scottish Building Federation's latest Construction Monitor, confidence was found in positive territory for the third consecutive quarter. It is now at its highest ratin
31/03/2014
The Inverness to Aberdeen rail line is to benefit from an investment of £170m, it has been announced. First Minister Alex Salmond said the scheme will be completed over the next five years. The works will result in: • The re-doubling of the track between Aberdeen and Inverurie • Platform ext
31/03/2014
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating and Home Improvement Show is back for 2014. Taking place at the SECC, Glasgow, this year's show will be held on 17 and 18 May. More than 7,000 self-builders and renovators will be in attendance and there's still time to reserve a stand at the show. Visit
31/03/2014
Up to £6m is to be invested by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) towards a new college campus in Fife. The fund, agreed in principle, will allow Fife College to construct a new facility that will form part of the Levenmouth campus. The campus is expected to open in 2016. The news comes as repre
31/03/2014
The new A75 Dunragit Bypass is due to open to road users from today (31 March). The opening represents a significant milestone in the £17.1m project. The early switching of traffic will enable road users to use the new 5.3km Dunragit bypass and will remove strategic traffic from Dunragit village
31/03/2014
Hundreds of homes throughout Scotland are to benefit from an investment of almost £40m from the Scottish Government. The money will go towards better protection from flooding. The announcement was made by Environment and Climate Change Minister Paul Wheelhouse and will see two major new flood pr
31/03/2014
Work has commenced on a new £4.3m replacement teaching block at Onthank Primary School and and Early Childhood Centre. Giants cranes have been on the East Ayrshire site since last month, and have already lifted the first modules into place. The modern single-storey extension will have large pictur
31/03/2014
N.E.T. Waterjet Ltd. has announced it is now City & Guilds accredited. The Perth-based firm, which specialises in high pressure water jetting, has also unveiled a new course that will cover the safe use of pressure washers. N.E.T.'s Tom Wallace is the approved instructor. Mr Wallace has been w
28/03/2014
Aberdeenshire Council is to spend more than £90m on housing over the next three years, it has been announced. The local authority has said the project will involve the upgrading of existing council homes as well as the construction of new homes. Some 219 homes are now planned for construction ov
28/03/2014
Forth Energy has confirmed it has pulled out of plans to develop three major biomass projects in Scotland. In a statement released on Thursday, the energy company said it was no longer continuing with renewable energy projects in Grangemouth and Rosyth. Both of the projects had received approval
28/03/2014
Construction work has started on a hydro project in the Scottish Highlands. The 1MW Allt Gharagain hydro project by Green Highland Renewables will be located to the west of Achnasheen in Wester Ross and is the fourth project in the immediate area to be developed by the company. Morgan Sindall ha
28/03/2014
Edinburgh Castle is the latest landmark to join in with an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the impact of climate change. The castle is just one of a number of landmarks across the world to take part in Earth Hour. Earth Hour is an event by WWF, which encourages individuals, communitie
28/03/2014
Lanark Pool Company has added to its portfolio of pool renovation projects following a recent refurbishment at a facility in Newmains, Wishaw. The firm was responsible for the extensive refurbishment of the hydrotherapy pool at Murdostoun Castle Brain Injuries Rehabilitation Unit. The existing o
28/03/2014
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has announced a shortlist of 27 projects for its 2014 Awards. The SAS International Group congratulated those who made the shortlist, with special mention for Scottish Water - The Bridge, Stepps by Reiach & Hall Architects and The SSE Hydro,
28/03/2014
A new energy efficiency standard, expected to save tenants money on their household energy fuel bills, has been launched. The initiative could save social housing tenants – whose homes meet the new Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) – an average of £210 a year. The EESSH aims
28/03/2014
The first foundations at the new Harris Academy have been laid, Dundee Council has confirmed. The £31m replacement building is being carried out as a joint venture partnership between hub East Central Scotland (hubCo) and contractor Robertson Construction Group. The project will see a new school
28/03/2014
Plans to construct a new cinema complex in Dundee have been boosted after an operator was named for the project. According to reports, the development at the Wellgate Centre will see Light Cinemas responsible for the running of the facility. It is understood the 900-seater, eight-screen multiple
28/03/2014
Concerns have been raised over plans to install a hot tub and bucking bronco in an Aberdeen nightclub. According to the BBC, the owners of Korova Bar and Underground Klub have applied for permission to make the changes to the Bridge Street premises. It is understood health officials and police h
27/03/2014
New official statistics published today (27 March), show that Scotland's renewable electricity output is now at record levels. The figures, released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, revealed that renewable electricity delivered 46% of Scotland's gross electricity consumption in 2013
27/03/2014
The V&A at Dundee project has been given a further boost following a £5m funding award from Creative Scotland. Construction of the ambitious scheme is set to commence later this year. The museum, which has been designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, is viewed as a vital element to Dundee's £
27/03/2014
A grant of £550,000 has been set aside for the town of Cupar, Fife, to allow essential repairs and improvements to be carried out to its historic buildings and streetscape. The money has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Fife Council has said. The funding, which is being distribut
27/03/2014
Falkirk Council has said the local area is set to benefit from a £150,000 award from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is understood the grant will go towards environmental projects along the Inner Forth area. The projects, five of which are based in the Bo'ness area, will help to enhance the local
27/03/2014
Plans for the future development of the Newmills expansion area has been put out for public consultation, Aberdeen City Council has said. Local residents are now being asked to share their views on the Development Framework. The sites affected by the proposals include the Craibstone South, Rowet
27/03/2014
Plans to transform the Verdant Works museum in Dundee have taken a step further to fruition after receiving funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The £1.8m lottery award will go towards the restoration project by Dundee Heritage Trust. The total cost to renovate the derelict A-li
27/03/2014
Scottish Renewables' has issued a response to SSE's announcement that it is to significantly narrow the focus of its near team development plans for its offshore wind development portfolio. Earlier this week, the energy supplier said it was planning to freeze its domestic gas and electricity price
27/03/2014
Councillor Drew Hendry, Leader of The Highland Council, has praised the authority's Homeless Prevention team on its success to reduce homeless figures in the area. Since the team's establishment in June 2011, it has achieved a 53% reduction in homeless presentations, as well as a 33% reduction in
27/03/2014
North Ayrshire Council are to introduce a number of initiatives to tackle the issue of car parking in its towns. Residents will be consulted on the proposals which aim to ease traffic floor and solve parking issues. In a report, which was approved by the local authority earlier this week, a seri
27/03/2014
STS Events has unveiled its First Person on Scene Intermediate (FPOS-I) Construction Award course. With its head office in Lanarkshire, the company provides a number of courses, such as responder and paramedic services, for a number of sectors – including the construction industry. Working on a
26/03/2014
SSE has said it is to freeze its domestic gas and electricity prices until 2016. The move by the energy supplier comes after the "big six" energy firms in the UK increased their tariffs towards the end of last year. In a statement, the firm said the price freeze would lower its profits, but a mo
26/03/2014
A public consultation has been launched regarding the future development of the Countesswells area in Aberdeen. On Wednesday, the local authority said it had put the Countesswells Development Framework and Phase One Masterplan out to consultation. The site in question is located between Bieldsid
26/03/2014
Construction work has commenced in Dundee on the first new homes to be built under the National Housing Trust (NHT) Initiative. A total of 15 two-bedroom flats are to be delivered at Sandy Loan, Broughty Ferry, and will be made available at affordable rents for people in lower paid employment. U
26/03/2014
Plans to refurbish Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall has been boosted thanks to a significant funding award. The fund, totalling £823,500, is being provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund and will help transform St Cecilia's Hall in Edinburgh. The award is a key part of the University o
26/03/2014
More than 58,000 energy efficiency measures have been installed in Scottish homes throughout 2013, new figures have revealed. The statistics, published by DECC, showed that when it came to the delivery of energy efficiency measures – such as loft and wall insulation and new boilers – Scotland outp
26/03/2014
A total of 67 new jobs have been created by oil and gas service company Howco Group plc. The positions have been made at its Ayrshire engineering division following an investment of £7.5m. The firm, which specialises in the provision of specialised steels and equipment for the buoyant oil and ga
26/03/2014
Midlothian Council has agreed to a three-month extension in discussions regarding the future of Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre. Earlier this week, the local authority discussed plans for the former facility. One of the proposals was to demolish the centre which has lain empty since last year, but Counci
26/03/2014
Some of the Inner Forth's natural and historic locations are to be revitalised following an award of almost £2m by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The announcement has been welcomed by Clackmannanshire Council. It is thought the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative (IFLI) will use the funding over the ne
26/03/2014
An open day has been organised by Argyll and Bute Council to allow residents to hear more about two ambitious construction projects for the area. The projects are due to be delivered at Campbeltown's Old Quay in the town over 2014/15. The first project relates to the redevelopment and upgrade of
26/03/2014
An Imax cinema is to be created at Perth's Playhouse cinema, it has been reported. According to the BBC, the owners of the venue have agreed to install the large screen as part of refurbishment works being undertaken at the building. The move will see the Playhouse, which first opened in 1933, b
25/03/2014
Official figures just released have said the number of applications for homelessness assistance during October to December 2013 has fallen. According to Scotland's Chief Statistician, local authorities received around 8,000 applications within those three months, 10% lower than the same period in
25/03/2014
Arts venues in Dumfries and Galloway have been given a major boost thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). In a grant, announced by the HLF today, three venues in the area will benefit from the investment. In Dumfries, the historic Theatre Royal will be restored and extended, while first-roun
25/03/2014
A new report has revealed Scotland has made "good progress" on reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions in Scotland fell by 9.9% in 2011, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) said. In the UK as a whole, there was a decline of 6.9%. The report said that much of the reduction was due to
25/03/2014
A disused leisure centre in Midlothian could be demolished due to concerns over future cash difficulties. The local authority is expected to hear a report today (25 March) on proposals for the redevelopment of the former Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre. It could see the facility brought back into use by
25/03/2014
Industry body Homes for Scotland has said it has received a record level of entries for its annual Awards scheme. A total of 91 submissions have been received across nine categories. The awards seek to promote best practice and raise standards across the new build sector, as well as demonstrate
25/03/2014
Replacement works carried out at the new A9 Portgower Mill Bridge, over the Allt Gharb Burn in Sutherland, has been completed BEAR Scotland has announced. The £1m project, funded by Transport Scotland and supervised by BEAR Scotland, aimed to resolve flooding issues that have affected the local co
25/03/2014
A £2.7m upgrade project in Brechin has been completed by Scottish Water. Undertaken at the waste water treatment works (WWTW), the three-year long project will now ensure the facility, located near the banks of the River South Esk, will play a vital role in protecting the natural environment nearb
25/03/2014
Blairs Windows has secured new public contract work, it has been announced. The Greenock-based wooden frame window specialist has secured a refurbishment contract with Shettleston Housing Association, that is worth in excess of £500,000. As a result of the contract, the firm will also employ an
24/03/2014
Graham Construction has become one of the first companies to win a new industry award celebrating equality and diversity in the workplace. Presented by CITB Scotland, the 'Be Fair' Accreditation Framework is a new industry-specific equality standard, which provides a structure for employers to add
24/03/2014
The Cala Group has announced it has acquired Banner Homes, one of the UK's leading luxury house builders. The investment by the Edinburgh-based housebuilder described the move as a "perfect strategic fit". Last month, Cala, who currently has 17 active developments across Scotland, said it planne
24/03/2014
Work is set to begin this week to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at Inverness Victorian Market. The £20,000 investment aims to use solar energy to create electricity, which in turn, will save money on the Market's energy bill and reduce its carbon footprint. A total of 40 10kW PV panels
24/03/2014
The Russell Institute in Paisley, Renfrewshire, is to be transformed thanks to a grant from Historic Scotland. The organisation announced last week that it was to contribute £500,000 to the project through its building repair grant scheme. The funds will help see the Category A-listed former hea
24/03/2014
Scottish Water is to invest £60,000 in Strathblane, it has been announced. The project will help to protect the local environment as well as reduce the risk of flooding in the area. The work will involve improvements to our waste water infrastructure which will tackle the problem of surface wate
24/03/2014
Delays to grid charging reforms will cost Scottish electricity generators £90m, it has been revealed. It will also risk postponing the benefits to consumers, according to First Minister Alex Salmond. Last week, Mr Salmond and Energy Minister Fergus Ewing chaired a meeting of industry and academi
24/03/2014
Argyll and Bute Council have issued an update regarding a proposed refurbishment project for Hermitage Park. In January 2014, the local authority, in partnership with the Friends of Hermitage Park, was told by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) that its bid for a grant of up to £2,087,000 to improve
24/03/2014
Essential resurfacing works are to be carried out on a road in South Lanarkshire. The B7018 Dillarburn Road links two rural communities in the area and to allow the work to be undertaken, the local authority has said the road will close for up to 17 days. The closure will be in place from today
21/03/2014
A new Council fund to help bring homes in Midlothian back into use has been launched. Currently, there are more than 23,000 long-term empty properties in Scotland, with more than 400 of these in Midlothian. To try and tackle the issue, the local authority has established an interest-free loan sc
21/03/2014
Lovell has been selected to deliver a £3m design-and-build scheme in North Lanarkshire following a competitive tender process. The development will see 30 new council homes constructed in the Blackwood area of Cumbernauld. It will consist of 12 two- and three-apartment cottage flats and 12 three-,
21/03/2014
Symington Bridge has opened to road users for the first time, signalling a major milestone in the A77 Improvement Project. The new structure will improve access at the junction, by providing road users with safer access to – and from – the A77. Other improvements on the scheme include the constr
21/03/2014
Home Scotland is to invest more than £2m into improving homes in Rosyth, it has been announced. The project will see the affordable housing provider deliver energy efficiency measures to a number of properties to make their homes warmer and improve their appearance. The firm has already started
21/03/2014
More than £90,000 has been set aside to support the Dumfries Town Centre Pilot Housing Regeneration Area (HRA) Action Plan. The local authority confirmed the decision at a meeting of the Housing Sub Committee on Thursday (20 March). A previous pilot scheme to replace cast iron railings and mason
21/03/2014
A consultation is to be held regarding environmental improvement proposals for Kirriemuir Square in Angus. The plans aim to transform the square into a focal point of the town. Some of the work to renovate the area would include replacing damaged paving slabs and introducing new street furniture
21/03/2014
Council homes in the South West Fife area could be set to benefit from an investment of £1.5m. A report was submitted to the Area Committee earlier this week which outlined plans for improvement. It revealed that a total of 304 different jobs will be undertaken in the next year to deliver a series
21/03/2014
Renfrewshire Council has announced it is to investment more than £3m in a number of road schemes in the area. Road engineers have undertaken a detailed survey of roads in towns and villages in the area and prioritised locations where the cash will be spent. For the 2014/15 financial year, some £3.
21/03/2014
Proposals for the future of two town centres in North Lanarkshire have been unveiled. The plans, for Motherwell and Cumbernauld, will now be on display to allow residents and local businesses to share their views on the partnership proposals. The draft Town Centre Frameworks and Action Plans hav
21/03/2014
A new report has revealed that Scottish Water is among the top performing companies for roadwork re-instatements. In 2012/13, the utility provider achieved a 92% compliance rate. This was the second highest rate of the 12 firms assessed by the Roads Authorities and Utilities Committee (Scotland) (
20/03/2014
Plans to redevelop the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Campus have reached a significant milestone in the process, following the approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) by the Scottish Government. The approval is for the £48m first phase of the development. Phase one of the project will include a s
20/03/2014
Almost £2m is to be invested in a number of Scotland's historic landmarks. The funds are part of Historic Scotland's Building Repair Grants and will see six renovation projects receive a cash injection, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs has announced. In Peterhead,
20/03/2014
Plans to dual the A9 carriageway between Perth and Inverness are ahead of schedule, it has been announced. This has resulted in a revised timescale for the ambitious £3m project with earlier start dates now envisioned. In a statement, Transport Scotland confirmed new sections of the road would now
20/03/2014
A residential facility for looked-after children is to be constructed as part of a new housing development in Elgin, Moray. The two semi-detached houses, situated at Linkwood, would be part of a 20-unit development of affordable housing being built for the local authority. Under plans for the home
20/03/2014
Work is to commence next month on new council headquarters in Peterhead. The site, upon completion, will provide a new council HQ – named as Buchan House – for the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire. Following a competitive tender process, the £5m contract was awarded to Robertson Construction Ltd and
20/03/2014
An extension to the car park at Irvine Rail Station is to officially open later this month. The car park will open on Monday 31 March. ScotRail and North Ayrshire Council developed an additional 70 spaces, to increase the car park's capacity from 34 to 104. Some £650,000 of funding was allocated
20/03/2014
A public event is to be held next month to allow residents to share their views on plans to refurbish Campbeltown Town Hall. The South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT) are organising the event which will showcase the updated proposals. Staff will also be available to answer questions on the projec
20/03/2014
Proposals to continue the regeneration of Muirton, Perth, have been approved by Councillors. According to Scottish Housing News, the local authority has given the green light for additional new homes to be constructed in the area. It is understood that land belonging to Perth and Kinross Council
20/03/2014
EEW Energy Services (EEW ES) has won a £1.6m contract for an offshore project in Indonesia. According to reports, the Glasgow base of the steel supplier will produce high-grade steel for a new wellhead platform of East Java. EEW ES, largely funded by Germany's EEW Group, focuses on the oil and g
20/03/2014
The SSE Hydro has received further recognition as one of Scotland's key developments, having won an award for architectural excellence. The facility, which is located in Glasgow, was presented with the accolade at the recent Scottish Property Awards. The SSE Hydro won the Architectural Excellence
19/03/2014
Energy Minister Fergus Ewing has announced formal consent of two adjacent offshore wind farm applications in the outer Moray Firth. Together, they will be the world's third largest offshore wind farm, with up to 326 turbines being constructed. The applications are from Moray Offshore Renewables
19/03/2014
A two further steel 'Precipitator' structures are to be demolished at Cockenzie Power Station, it has been confirmed. According to ScottishPower, the 300-tonne structures, standing at 34 metres, with a width of 10 metres by 12.5 metres, will be demolished next week (Tuesday 25 March). Decommissi
19/03/2014
A date has been agreed for a leisure centre in Dumfries to close in order to allow significant repairs to be undertaken. In a statement released on Tuesday, Dumfries and Galloway Council said that works on the DG One complex would begin on 6 October or "the earliest opportunity after that". It i
19/03/2014
Up to 3,500 homes in Edinburgh are to be insulated over the next year in an effort to make them cheaper to heat and to reduce fuel poverty. In a statement, the local authority said homeowners and private tenants will benefit from an estimated £12m of funding through the Scottish Government's Home
19/03/2014
A £40m project to upgrade the M74 between Gretna (Junction 22) and Millback (Junction 12) is to continue, with the third phase of work due to begin at the end of the month. The work will see the current surface of the motorway replaced to improve driving conditions for motorists. Consequently, thi
19/03/2014
A bid has been submitted by Falkirk Council to improve the path network in the area. If successful, the £8.5m bid would see work carried out to the existing paths to improve cycling and walking routes in the town. The bids will be made to Sustrans for upgrades to eight different areas. This incl
19/03/2014
Discussions have started to determine the long-term future of the Canal Parks facility in Inverness. The talks, which are being held between the Highland Council and the Highland Rugby Football Club, will look at the opportunities available to the sports club committing its future to the Canal Par
19/03/2014
Work has been completed to enhance the water supply for residents and businesses in Kenmore, Perthshire. The project means the supply of water will now be more consistent in terms of its colour and quality, even in times of heavy rainfall. In the past, heavy rainfall has affected the water supply,
19/03/2014
Plans to build a new brewery, hotel and visitor centre in Perthshire have receiving approval from the National Park Authority, the BBC has reported. It is understood the Loch Earn investment by Arran Brewery is planned for a former hotel site in St Fillans. There are hopes that the hotel will be
19/03/2014
Councillors in Fife have approved £10,000 of funding towards Collydean Community Connections for the construction of a play park at Ellon Park, Glenrothes. The funding comes after the group identified a need for the old play park to be renovated. Since then, local children and parents have been in
18/03/2014
An £8.5m refurbishment and extension to the former Clyde Street School in Helensburgh is on target for completion by the end of February 2015, it has been announced. Main contractor, Graham Construction, has been working on site to help transform the Grade B-listed building into a state-of-the-art
18/03/2014
Scotland's trunk roads are to benefit from an additional £10m investment, Transport Scotland has confirmed. The extra funding has been allocated as part of the 2013/14 budget. In a statement, the transport authority said its operating companies would fit the additional work into their current ma
18/03/2014
Cairn Energy has reported a pre-tax loss of £660m for 2013. The previous year, the Edinburgh-based oil and gas firm reported a loss of £116m. It said the figures for 2013 followed a number of unsuccessful drilling projects. Earlier this week, the company said a well in Morocco had proved to be
18/03/2014
More than £21.9m has been paid out to support the housing costs of those in financial hardship, according to official statistics. In the 10 months from April 2013 to January 2014, local authorities have awarded almost 61,000 applications under the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) scheme. Thi
18/03/2014
A public inquiry into plans to drill for gas in Falkirk is to begin later. The controversial proposals by Dart Energy suggest drilling 22 wells in an area near Airth in order to extract methane from the coal bed deep underground. Coal bed methane is natural gas released from deep un-mined coal se
18/03/2014
Millions of pounds of investment by the Scottish Government in schools, hospitals, housing, transport and communications infrastructure projects has delivered some 40,000 jobs across Scotland over the last year. The news was revealed by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Monday. In 2013, 1
18/03/2014
Overnight construction works are to recommence on the A82 Pulpit Rock Improvement scheme. From Monday 24 March, work will be carried out on the £9.2m project. It will continue for five nights until Friday 28 March. To allow the work to be undertake efficiently and safely, contractor McLaughlin
18/03/2014
Work is continuing at the site of the former Witchhill School in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. The £1.8m redevelopment on Witch Road will play a key role in the Council's strategic priority of promoting town centre living, and will provide assisted living flats for tenants with a range of support nee
18/03/2014
A new housing development has been completed in Aberdeen. Donside Village consists of 267-homes and neighbours the nature-rich River Don. The £52m development, formerly on land occupied by a paper mill, was created by housing provider Tenants First and was designed to make life resident-friendly
18/03/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council are to take action to stop construction firms involved in the process of blacklisting from competing for public sector contracts. It is understood the Council is to adopt new guidelines on the controversial issue. In 2009, the practice of blacklisting in the constru
14/03/2014
Construction firms that blacklist, or do not make amends for previous blacklisting, should be denied public contracts, it has been suggested. In a report, published today (14 March) by the Scottish Affairs Committee, it outlines how companies caught blacklisting can make amends and how best practi
14/03/2014
A new study has revealed that 5% of renters in Scotland have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning. The YouGov poll, which was conducted on behalf of Shelter Scotland and Scottish Gas, found that 5% of private tenants across Scotland have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning in their home over the
14/03/2014
SSE Renewables has said it has reached a significant milestone at its test facility at Hunterston, North Ayrshire. Electricity was exported for the first time from its offshore wind turbine at the site. The Siemens SWT-6.0-154 wind turbine, is 177-metres high and used the latest offshore turbine
14/03/2014
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has announced it is to build more than 100 new homes this year. It is understood the Association will have 102 units on site throughout Argyll by the end of March 2014. The developments will be in Oban (40 units), Bowmore (20), Inverarat (12), Helensbu
14/03/2014
The first property in the Highlands to benefit from grant and loan funding from the Empty Properties Initiative, together with grant funding from the Inverness City Heritage Trust, has been completed. The property, which is a former Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Tomnahurich Street, has been lyi
14/03/2014
Plans have been submitted to invest more than £3m in council homes in the Glenrothes area. At a meeting of Fife Council's Glenrothes Area Committee earlier this week, Councillors discussed the proposals which would see almost 800 jobs carried out over the next year to deliver a range of improvemen
14/03/2014
Barratt Homes has issued advice to motorists ahead of a lengthy road closure in Aberdeen. From 16 March, the Mugiemoss Road in the city will close for four months while essential upgrade work is carried out to the existing service mains in the area. Additional work will also be undertaken ahead of
14/03/2014
Work is to begin next month on the refurbishment of Renfrewshire Council's customer service centre. The building, which is located in Paisley, will see £400,000 invested in improving facilities for residents in the area. Work on the Cotton Street HQ will commence on Monday 7 April and when compl
14/03/2014
Argyll and Bute Council has been working to upgrade its road network in Helensburgh and Lomond. The work included general patching and potholing of the roads, while gulley cleaning and major work on Helensburgh Cycle Way – which runs from Helensburgh to Cardross – was also carried out. In addition
14/03/2014
The Highland Council and its consultant URS Infrastructure and Environment UK Ltd are now inviting comment on Part 2 of the options appraisal for the Stromeferry Bypass. The draft routes plans and assessment of the options for Part 2 will be presented at drop-in sessions. They will take place on
13/03/2014
The Miller Group has reported a 57% increase in its pre-tax profits. In its latest results for the year to 31 December 2013, the Edinburgh-based housing firm said the news comes amid an "improving" market. In 2013, the company made £10.4m – an increase from £6.6m the previous year. There was a
13/03/2014
Broadford has been selected as the location for a new hospital in Skye. A steering group, established by NHS Highland, made the selection following public consultation. The preferred site will provide a base for community health and social care workers, and will also be used by the Scottish Ambu
13/03/2014
Restoration work is to begin next week at St Andrews Town Hall, Fife. The work will be undertaken by the Council's Building Services Heritage Team and is expected to take around 16 weeks to complete. Included in the scheme, will be work to the Queens Gardens side of the building and will involve
13/03/2014
A new study has reported that the growth of Scotland's housing market has slowed to its lowest rate in a year. The report, from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), said that the number of people looking to purchase a home in February increased at its slowest rate since April 2013.
13/03/2014
Work has started on a project to restore the Annan Station Gateway, Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced. In 2010, the train station was identified in the Annan Master Plan as being an important gateway to the town and it was recommended that the site should be improved and restored. Work
13/03/2014
Plans to construct a new 1,500-home village in Cairngorms National Park has reached a significant milestone. Springfield Properties, which is based in Elgin, has now received planning permission in principle from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA). The An Camas Mòr will be a new susta
13/03/2014
Since April 2013, SSE has said it has connected more than 250MW of renewable energy across the north of Scotland. In a statement, it added that in the year ahead they hope to connect more than 300MW of additional generation capacity. The utility provider said this target reflected the accelerati
13/03/2014
Proposals to build a new £6.3m primary school in Carnwath, South Lanarkshire, have been approved by the Council. It is understood the school will also incorporate a new nursery and multi-use games area pitch. Morgan Sindall is the appointed contractor for the ambitious project which will be a "t
13/03/2014
A new project which hopes to transform the former Grove Nursery site in Aberdeen has been presented to the City Council's Housing and Environment Committee. Under the plans, the Hazlehead site, which was previously a working nursery where plants were propagated and grown, would be rejuvenated and
13/03/2014
Stirling Council's proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) has been put forward for examination by the Scottish Government's Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals. The Report, as well as the Reporter's Recommendations, will be available to view
12/03/2014
Hampden Park, the Commonwealth Games athletic venue is to be officially unveiled today. Work on the site started three months ago as diggers moved in to transform the football stadium into a world-class athletics venue. As part of the development, a revolutionary solution has raised the stadium su
12/03/2014
Up to £261,734 is to be set aside to help deliver affordable housing in Aberdeen City, it has been revealed. The boost comes following approval by the Council's Housing and Environment Committee on Tuesday. Grampian Housing Association had submitted a grant application to the local authority ask
12/03/2014
A new community cinema is to open in Dumbarton following a successful refurbishment project. The Concord Community Cinema, which has been made possible due to funding from West Dunbartonshire Council, will hold its first screening for residents this weekend. The high-quality community cinema, wh
12/03/2014
Two road closures are to be put in place in Wishaw from next week as streetscape works are undertaken in the town centre. From midnight on Tuesday 18 March until midnight on Saturday 22 March, East Academy Street, between East Hamilton Street and Main Street will close for five days. It will the
12/03/2014
Cowdenbeath Area Committee has welcomed the progress made on a number of greenspace projects in the area. In a report presented to the committee, a number of schemes were highlighted. These included: • Refurbished play areas at Crosshill Park and Wallsgreen Park, Cardenden • New adult fitness
12/03/2014
Work to repair a retaining wall on the B6399 roadside at Stobs, near Hawick, is to commence next week. As a result, essential road closures will be in place in the area, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has said. Temporary traffic lights have been in place at the location for a number of weeks sin
12/03/2014
Social landlords have allowed tenants to disconnect from their contractual responsibility to pay rent, it has been claimed. The comments come as the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland Chair Elaine Gibson opened CIH Scotland's Annual Conference and exhibition at the SECC in Glasgow on Tu
12/03/2014
A total of £400,000 is to be invested in enhancing outdoor spaces in Aberdeen. The money, which has been set aside from an underspend in the Council's Housing and Environment budget, will be used to fund a number of environmental projects. This will include parks, gardens and planting improvements
12/03/2014
The proposed Star of Caledonia could be worth £16m in its first year alone, new research has claimed. According to the BBC, the public artwork, which will mark the Scotland-England border at Gretna, could provide financial benefits for the economy in a number of ways. The £4.8m landmark has been
12/03/2014
Concerns have been raised over the A9 dualling plans by the Scottish Greens. The party has described the scheme as "a mess" and said it will make it more difficult for those living along the route to get from one place to another by bicycle. The worry comes after the Perth branch of the organisati
11/03/2014
With the housing market showing signs of recovery, a new study has revealed that there has been significant increases in the number of properties sold across Scotland's seven cities. The report, published by Registers of Scotland, covers all residential sales in the calendar years of 2012 and 2013
11/03/2014
A new survey into employment within the Scottish renewable energy sector has revealed that more than a quarter of employees are women. This percentage is also larger than the other energy sectors of oil and gas and nuclear. The report, which was commissioned by Scottish Renewables, suggest that 28
11/03/2014
Renfrewshire Council is to decide whether to consult with residents of Johnstone Castle over a proposed housing regeneration scheme. If approved by the Housing and Community Safety Policy Board, tenants and residents will then be invited to share their views on a regeneration strategy. The plan co
11/03/2014
Plans have been unveiled to refurbish an iconic landmark in Dunfermline, Fife. The drinking fountain, which is located in the town's public park, dates back to 1887 and the local authority has joined with Friends of the Park to ensure the structure is restored to its former glory. Chair of the C
11/03/2014
Involvement in the creation of a city centre masterplan for Aberdeen has seen a large response from the industry, the local authority has revealed. A procurement brief, which outlines a clear vision, strategy and action programme for Aberdeen city addresses issues raised in Aberdeen's Strategic In
11/03/2014
Scottish Renewables has said more work needs to be done if the country is to meet its 2020 renewable heat target. The call follows the publication of the Scottish Government's draft Heat Generation Policy Statement as well as a debate in the Scottish Parliament on renewable heat. Commenting on t
11/03/2014
Plans have been outlined to invest £4.1m in council homes in the Cowdenbeath area of Fife. The funding will be used to carry out some 908 jobs in the next year which will help improve a number of properties. The jobs include 257 improved heating systems, 434 new kitchens and 86 new sets of windows
11/03/2014
Morrison Construction is to hold a meet the buyer event next week. The drop-in session will provide local businesses with the opportunity to meet those responsible for awarding contracts to suppliers in relation to the delivery of the £5.2m Transport Interchange. A number of suppliers are requir
11/03/2014
A project to upgrade a children's play area at Esk Road, Inverness, has been completed. The scheme involved pupils from Cauldeen and Hilton Primary School who played a role in planning and designing the scheme, as well as choosing the equipment they wanted to see included in the park. The main f
11/03/2014
The first turf has been cut to launch a £300,000 restoration project at the East Tullos Burn. The East Tullos Burn, located in St Fitticks Park in Torry, is undergoing restoration to improve the appearance of the park, enhance biodiversity and reduce pollution. In 2012, Aberdeen City Council com
10/03/2014
Up to 200 new affordable homes are to be constructed in the Scottish Borders through the National Housing Trust (NHT) initiative, it has been announced. The project involves a new partnership between the Scottish Government, Scottish Futures Trust and Scottish Borders Council to see the homes prov
10/03/2014
Construction work has started on the first sub-sea electricity link between Scotland and the UK. Over the weekend, work commenced on a converter station at Hunterston in Ayrshire that will eventually become one end of a 260-mile long undersea electricity transmission line. The £1.3bn power line –
10/03/2014
Recovery work is continuing at the Rest and Be Thankful site on the A83 to help get the road fully operational again following a recent landslide. Geotechnical engineers and specialist subcontractors have been on site to access the hillside and assess the risk of loose material and make the area s
10/03/2014
Two tourism schemes in North Ayrshire have been awarded £270,000 to attract more visitors to the area. The money, which has been allocated by the UK Government's Coastal Communities Fund, will see both Arran and Cumbrae benefit. North Ayrshire Council has been awarded £100,000 to provide mooring
10/03/2014
A formal consultation on the proposed Moray Local Development Plan (LDP) has been launched by the local authority. The plan outlines a vision and strategy for the area over the next 10 to 20 years and includes development allocations and policies that, once adopted, will be used to make decisions
10/03/2014
Edinburgh Council is to consider whether to progress with plans for a new property enforcement service. The move would result in a further extension to the Shared Repairs service which will continue to respond to any emergency situations on a 24/7 basis. Proposals for an emergency call-out charge,
10/03/2014
A programme of works on the rock faces above the A82 has started, BEAR Scotland NW has said. The works, which commenced today (10 March), will last for up to 12 weeks and will begin at Loch Ness. At the site, about 4.5km north of Alltsigh, initial de-vegetation works as well as an inspection of
10/03/2014
The public has been asked to help shape the future regeneration of Port Dundas in Glasgow as part of a three-day event. The event, the Port Dundas Planning Charrette, will be held in the city this week and will allow local residents and businesses, council officers, developers and landowners to sh
10/03/2014
Scottish Water is to carry out improvement works to water mains in Johnstone and Linwood. The work is scheduled to commence on 17 March and last for approximately nine weeks and will be overseen by contractors George Leslie Ltd. The improvement work will involve the installation of a plastic lin
10/03/2014
East Ayrshire Council has outlined its traffic, transport and road safety programmes for the year ahead. The plans, which include road safety schemes, lower speed limits, and strategic route improvements, will benefit communities across the area, the local authority has said. It was agreed that
07/03/2014
A project to deliver a new children's hospital in Edinburgh has reached a major milestone, officials have revealed. Integrated Health Solutions Lothian have been selected as the preferred bidder to design, build and maintain the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Clinical Neuro
07/03/2014
A house which inspired the Peter Pan story is to open its doors to allow the public to see the renovation works being carried out at the property. The riverside gardens of the property, Moat Brae, in Dumfries was the location where writer JM Barrie played as a child and it is well known that he ba
07/03/2014
Solar panels are to be installed at six water treatment works in an effort to reduce energy costs. The sites in question will be located in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Glasgow, the Highlands, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire, and are part of a wider programme to increase the amount of renewa
07/03/2014
An additional £4m has been made available to help deliver Scotland's low carbon targets and support the development of the country's district heating networks. Heat sources in use for the district heating systems can include geothermal heat and solar heat, for example. The investment, announced
07/03/2014
A scheme, worth £250,000, to refurbish four classrooms at Inverness High School is to start in June. The announcement comes after the Highland Council revealed the contract for the project had been awarded to Morrison Construction. Extensive consultation work has been held regarding the Grade B-
07/03/2014
A plan to invest £6.7m in council homes in the Levenmouth area of Fife has been put before the local Area Committee. In a report, it was revealed that 1,702 different jobs will be undertaken over the next year to deliver a range of improvements in a number of council homes. This includes 492 impro
07/03/2014
Improvement work on water mains in Bearsden is to commence next week, Scottish Water has said. The work, which will be carried out in the west of the town, will see customers benefit from clearer, fresher drinking water and improved security of supply. The scheme will involve the replacement of
07/03/2014
The A83 Task Force is to meet later this month (18 March) to discuss the recent landslides in the Rest and Be Thankful area in Argyll. The landslip occurred at around 2am on Thursday, but most of the land was contained by a new debris fence that had been erected. Some slurry did seep on to the car
06/03/2014
Discussions on a scheme to erect wind turbines in Fife are to be held between local communities and Fife Council. The meeting will allow residents an opportunity to talk to council officers about the general project information, as well as learn more about the potential sites that are being invest
06/03/2014
Kirkcaldy Town House is to reopen next week following the completion of a £3.2m modernisation and refurbishment project. Under the programme of works, a new Customer Service Centre means most council services are now accessible under one roof, including local office services, housing advice, regis
06/03/2014
Scotland's first community hydro scheme on Forestry Commission land is to secure an investment package of £1.9m, Scottish Enterprise has revealed. The funding will allow the construction of the low carbon project, situated in the heart of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, to go ahead. It
06/03/2014
Work to transform Kirkintilloch town centre is continuing to progress, East Dunbartonshire Council has said. Currently, work is continuing on Broadcroft and David Donnelly Place in the town, and has included: • Widening the pavement to improve accessibility from David Donnelly Place to Cowgate
06/03/2014
Plans to prepare a new Action Plan for Inverness have been launched by the Highland Council. The aim of the Action Plan is to identify the most effective ways of improving the environment of the area to make it a place where people want to live, work, socialise and invest. Residents in Inverness
06/03/2014
Almost £8m of upgrade works to council homes in Dundee could be given the go ahead next week. The proposals, which include new kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems for properties within the area, would see the houses move closer to meeting Scottish Housing Quality Standard. If approved, house
06/03/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council is set to discuss the allocation of funds for the region's infrastructure next week. The plans include a significant investment in local road improvements. More than £13m has been requested for 2014/15 from the local authority's capital budget to cover a range of pr
06/03/2014
Work has commenced on a major project that will transform a Renfrew dock into a vital facility for Scotland's strengthening renewable energy industry. Work at Westday Dock aims to improve access to the site by removing sediment from the River Cart. The dredging works have been made possible due to
06/03/2014
Plans to reopen Strachur Play Park have been unveiled, it has been reported. It is understood that having worked closely with a local community group, Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) plan to transform the play area. ACHA have previously been involved with the park when they helped wi
06/03/2014
North Ayrshire Council has confirmed that a major programme of roadworks, scheduled for the Arran area, will avoid the busy Easter and summer holidays. From 17 March to 21 May, the String Road will be closed to allow work to be carried out, but it will reopen over the Easter weekend. The project w
05/03/2014
Industry body Homes For Scotland has said that while the latest housing statistics show a continuing overall decrease in the number of new homes started and completed in the year to September 2013, the Scottish Government must do more to tackle difficulties within the sector. Philip Hogg, Chief Ex
05/03/2014
A £7.25m six-year project to maintain the structure and public safety of Inverness Town House continues to progress. Earlier this week, members of the Highland Council's City of Inverness Area Committee gave the green light for the scheme to proceed to tender. Firms will now be invited to tender
05/03/2014
The board of NHS Highland has confirmed its approval of plans that could see two new hospitals constructed in the area. In a statement, the board added that while a "major redesign of services" in Badenoch & Strathspey and Skye, Lochalsh & South West Ross were ongoing, the new hospitals for both a
05/03/2014
A new bill to protect and manage Scotland's historic environment has been published. The strategy, which is the first of its kind, outlines plans of how the environment can be understood, valued, cared for and enjoyed. The unveiling of 'Our Place in Time', comes as Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop
05/03/2014
A project to restore the historic Dingwall Townhouse tower is to begin later this month, the Highland Council has said. The building, which overlooks High Street in the town, is one of Dingwall's oldest surviving buildings and the refurbishment work will ensure the property remains a landmark for t
05/03/2014
Work is continuing to develop on schedule at Diageo's facility at Kirkcaldy, Fife. The first phase of the development at Begg Farm, Cluny, has now been completed and represents a £150m investment in the area. The additional work will see the site house 46 warehouses, as well as cask filling and
05/03/2014
Dundee City Council has unveiled the first of 500 homes set to benefit from new energy efficiency measures. At a committee meeting, due to be held next week, Councillors are expected to hear that 236 properties at the Boots Graham Streets development, as well as 264 similar properties at Lawton wi
05/03/2014
Building work on the new Redwell School is continuing to progress. The school, located in Clackmannanshire, is now said to be fully wind and watertight, while the work on the roof has also been completed. Once completed, the school will welcome pupils from Claremont and St John's primary schools
05/03/2014
Lochgilphead Joint Campus is to benefit from a new 3G pitch, it has been announced. The all-weather pitch will be installed on site later this year, Argyll and Bute Council has said. The review of the pitch was undertaken by the local authority in partnership with ABC Schools, which maintains the
05/03/2014
Property development and investment company Hammerson has used a new rating initiative which ranks suppliers in the sector as gold, silver or bronze, according to their sustainability credentials. Using an online survey, more than 240 Hammerson suppliers were rated across a number of business area
04/03/2014
New statistics have shown that almost 18,000 affordable homes have been delivered by the Scottish Government since 2011. The figures mean the government continues to remain on track to deliver 30,000 affordable homes by 2016. The Scottish Government housing statistics, released on Tuesday (4 Mar
04/03/2014
A deadline to carry out repairs to a damaged seawall in Lossiemouth, Moray, has been extended. In a statement, the local authority confirmed the initial deadline of 31 March given by ministers had been moved back. In December 2012, the wall was damaged during severe heavy weather. The Scottish G
04/03/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council are set to discuss a £3.4m flood protection plan for Newton Stewart. The meeting, which will be held by the local authority's Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee next week, has been called in response to increasing levels at River Cree. In November 201
04/03/2014
It has been announced that four new multi-million pound school campuses could be built in North Lanarkshire. The proposals for Airdrie, Coatbridge and Motherwell, were approved by the Council on Monday (3 March) and are part of a £73m initiative to improve school facilities for pupils and staff in
04/03/2014
Work on the second phase of the main Kessock Bridge upgrade commenced last month, and BEAR Scotland has said the project is continuing to progress. Part of a £13.2m investment from Transport Scotland, work has now entered the fourth week of a 20-week scheduled programme. A number of works have b
04/03/2014
East Dunbartonshire Council is to continue with plans to construct a new school in the town. The new build will replace two primary schools which are closing in the area - Lenzie and Lenzie Moss. It is understood the new facility will be located at the current Lenzie Moss site. Last month, the C
04/03/2014
Work is to commence on the second phase of the River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme in Inverness. The contract, valued at £9.3m, will be carried out by McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd. It is anticipated that work will begin on the project at the end of April 2014 and last for around a year. Under thi
04/03/2014
A campaign to promote a former ferry terminal in Stranraer as a major development opportunity has been launched. According to the BBC, the site has been marketed by Stena Line and Dumfries and Galloway Council to try and attract a private developer for the land. The East Pier site has lain empty
04/03/2014
Work to update a blueprint that will shape the future of land use in Dundee is expected to begin shortly. The TAYplan Strategic Development Plan is set to be updated since it was first approved by officials two years ago and will take into account environmental and other changes in the area. The
04/03/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council are to organise a number of drop-in events as part of the 100% RES (Renewable Energy Source) project. The events will see energy experts provide advice on how communities can save on their energy bills as well as reduce their carbon footprint. The first event will b
03/03/2014
A new £60m fund has been announced to help households living in fuel poverty make their homes warmer, more environmentally friendly and cheaper to heat. The investment will be delivered through the Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland (HEEPS) and will focus on fuel poor households across
03/03/2014
Construction work has started on a new housing development in Robertland Square, Stewarton. The scheme is part of East Ayrshire Council's wider aim of promoting town centre living. Situated on the former Robertland Hostel site, the project will provide supported accommodation for older people. T
03/03/2014
Plans for a £31.4m flood protection scheme for Selkirk are set to progress, it has been reported. The scheme, which has received support from the Scottish Borders Council, is understood to have said the project is "fully approved, designed and ready to commence the delivery stages", the BBC has cl
03/03/2014
The number of new homes being registered in the UK in January has increased, according to new figures. A new study, carried out by the National House Building Council (NHBC) found there was a 14% increase in new registrations for the rolling quarter (November '13 to January '14) compared to the sa
03/03/2014
Bill Gammell, founder of Cairn Energy, is to step down from his role as chairman after more than two decades in the role. Sir Gammell will step down from the position in May 2014 and will be replaced by Ian Tyler, the former chief executive of Balfour Beatty. Mr Tyler has been on the firm's board
03/03/2014
An ambitious £1bn project to develop Dundee's Waterfront has been successful at this year's Scottish Property Awards. The awards, which took place in Edinburgh, saw the development scoop two awards to add to its growing list of accolades. The project was given an award of merit at the ceremony,
