Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for April 2014
30/04/2014
A new report has found that fewer construction firms have been declared bankrupt in the past year. The findings by the Insolvency Service, revealed that there was a 33% drop in the number of companies going bust. In the 12 months to the end of March, 87 firms were forced into compulsory liquidat
30/04/2014
A new community hub, planned for Glasgow's east end, has been given a £1.25m boost from the Big Lottery Fund. The hub, which will be located next to the 2014 Athletes Village in Dalmarnock, will provide a multi-purpose space for a range of community activities and local services. It will also be a
30/04/2014
A £7.6m initiative to regenerate Denny town centre in Falkirk has been given the green light to commence. In a statement, the local authority said the first stage of preparatory works would start in May 2014. The plans will see the delivery of 10 new retail units, a library, town square and car
30/04/2014
Construction of a new replacement primary school in Aberdeenshire is to commence next month. The school, in Drumoak, would accommodate 145 pupils as well as an additional 30 children in the pre-school nursery. The design includes six classrooms, a double badminton court sports hall with showers an
30/04/2014
Orkney has produced more electricity from renewable sources over the past year than the islands consume, SSE has announced. Over the past 12 months, around 500 small domestic generation sites, plus 28 larger renewable energy sites generated an output greater than 100% of the islands' electricity n
30/04/2014
A project to increase the security of water supply in Dunbar, East Lothian, has been completed by Scottish Water. Commencing in January 2013, the work was carried out by MWH-GLL partnership. The £1.6m scheme will increase the amount of water that can be stored in the town by up to six times. For
30/04/2014
Buildings in Dunfermline, Fife, are to be rejuvenated as part of a move by the local authority to prevent structural problems from beginning. A team, known as the 'stitch in time' team, will look for blocked gutters, broken downpipes, crumbling masonry and unwelcome weeds in and around the area. A
30/04/2014
The Highland Council has said a public event will be held next week which will look at the future development of Tain town centre. The two-day workshop will provide residents and businesses in the area to view the plans and share their opinions, all of which will help to influence the future of th
29/04/2014
New figures have revealed that the Scottish property market is continuing to show further signs on growth. The statistics, released by Registers of Scotland, cover all residential sales, including those that did not involve a mortgage. It found that more than 17,800 properties changed hands for
29/04/2014
St James Quarter, located at the east end of Princes Street, is to be transformed as part of a £850m development. The funding is a funding agreement between Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Government and TIAA Henderson Real Estate (TH Real Estate). A total of £61m is required to improve local in
29/04/2014
The second phase of the River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme has started. The Highland Council has appointed contractors McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd for the £9.3m phase of the development which will see flood walls constructed on both sides of the river between Friars Bridge and the mouth of the river,
29/04/2014
Councillors in Aberdeen have supported proposals to construct 550 new homes in one of the city's suburbs. The plans, which are for Oldfold Farm, Milltimber, also include a replacement primary school. In a statement, the local authority said the proposals would see 25% of the homes consisting of
29/04/2014
Glasgow City Council has said it could turn vacant sites in the city into mini solar farms. In a statement, the local authority has revealed that Future City / Glasgow is showing how technology can be used to make life in the city smarter and more sustainable. The £24m programme is currently condu
29/04/2014
Plans to demolish a former community centre in Aberdeen have been put on hold, it is understood. The Burnside Centre, located on Mastrick Drive, was found on fire on Sunday evening. Around 50 firefighters tackled the blaze and police have said three youths are assisting with inquiries. It is the
29/04/2014
Up to £1.5bn of public and private investment could be achieved thanks to an innovative financial model, according to the Scottish Government. The Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) scheme is already delivering millions of pounds worth of infrastructure projects across Scotland, and allows councils t
29/04/2014
It has been claimed that stones and artefacts found outside a town in the Scottish Borders are likely to belong to a lost village, dating between the 14th and 16th century. The discovery was first made by Scottish Water as they started work to lay new water mains on the outskirts of Selkirk. GUARD
28/04/2014
An independent report by Xero Energy has revealed a number of findings that could help deliver the electricity grid connections needed to unlock the renewable energy potential of the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland Islands. The report, published today, has been jointly commissioned by the UK an
28/04/2014
A new report has claimed that the construction and restoration of venues, as well as the Athletes Village, ahead of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, is already proving beneficial. According to the figures, published by the Scottish Government, more than 1,000 jobs on average have been created
28/04/2014
Three of Scotland's universities are to receive £20m under a new project to help the country meet its carbon emission reduction targets. The universities – St Andrews, Strathclyde and Stirling – will receive the fund from the Scottish Government through the Scottish Funding Council (SFC), which wi
28/04/2014
House prices in Shetland have more than doubled in the past decade, according to a new report by the Bank of Scotland. It found that the price rise percentage was helped due to employment prospects. In the past decade, the report said that the average property price in Shetland had more than dou
28/04/2014
Scottish Water has unveiled its new capital investment plans for the next six years. The plans, which would cover the firm's business plans for the years 2015 to 2021, would amount to a total of £3.5bn. It is thought the investment involves spending more than £340m on improving and protecting dr
28/04/2014
Eco Insulate Ltd has said business continues to improve. For the month of April, the firm has already tendered for work in excess of £250,000. It added that the strong position is a continuation of the high activity levels experienced during the first quarter of the year, with total quote values o
25/04/2014
Design plans for a new dual carriageway link road in Aberdeen have been unveiled. The road aims to solve the issue of ongoing congestion caused by the Haudagain roundabout in the city. The design work has been undertaken over the past year and the preferred option for the scheme is through Middl
25/04/2014
Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has said the timescale for abolishing Right to Buy social housing will be reduced. The Minister made the announcement during the Stage 1 debate on the Housing (Scotland) Bill on Thursday. She confirmed that the government is to amend the notice period from three
25/04/2014
David Ross, Leader of Fife Council, has voiced his concerns over a potential 'bedroom tax' funding gap. Councillor Ross said he was unsure if the funding that has been set aside by the Scottish Government to offset the impact of the tax will actually be enough for Fife. In a statement, Mr Ross c
25/04/2014
Councillors in Argyll and Bute have agreed to progress with plans to construct a new primary school in Dunoon. The school, Kirn Primary School, will be constructed on the current site and will be part funded by a contribution from the local authority, as well as Scottish Government funding. The
25/04/2014
Essential resurfacing works are to be carried out in East Ayrshire next week. The work will be undertaken by the Ayrshire Roads Alliance and will see the A735 Queens Drive, Kilmarnock, between the roundabout at the rugby club and the roundabout at the Hurlford Road junction being resurfaced. The
25/04/2014
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is to host a roadshow at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating and Home Improvement Show this year. The show will take place on 17 and 18 May 2014, at the SECC in Glasgow. Earlier this year, the new domestic RHI was launched; this is a governme
24/04/2014
Dundee is set to benefit from an additional fund of £8.3m to help continue the transformation of its waterfront area. The funding, awarded by Scottish Enterprise, will help create and deliver the area surrounding the V&A Museum of Design Dundee building. It is understood the fund is separate to th
24/04/2014
A new survey has warned of a skills shortage within the construction sector, which could affect the pace of how the industry recovers. According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), for the first quarter of 2014, members reported the highest increase in workloads since 2007. A
24/04/2014
The first of three design contracts for the A9 Dualling programme has been announced. Each of the contracts are valued at between £40m and £60m, Transport Scotland has said. The first contract, which will see more than 43km of the A9 dualled between Glengarry and Dalraddy, has been awarded to jo
24/04/2014
Dumfries and Galloway Council have reportedly rejected plans to build a temporary swimming pool in a car park. The proposals were put forward as an alternative to when the area's flagship leisure centre – Dumfries DG One – closes for major repairs later this year. The pool at the centre is to cl
24/04/2014
A decision by the UK Government to allow eight energy projects to go ahead, have received support from a number of organisations. The schemes are expected to support some 8,500 jobs. Among the projects confirmed to have received the green light, is the Beatrice offshore wind farm, located at Out
24/04/2014
Work has commenced on new council homes in Dunfermline, Fife. The development, which is located at North Fod, off Pittsburgh Road in the town, will consist of 49 properties. The local authority has said the development will sit alongside private housing and will be a mix of 11 bungalows, 26 semi
24/04/2014
North Ayrshire Council has said the final stages of work on the String Road in Arran are underway. Preparatory works are being carried out to allow reconstruction work to begin on the project next week. From Monday (28 April), the reconstruction work will commence. This is expected to be complet
24/04/2014
An Empty House Purchase Scheme in North Lanarkshire is proving to be successful, according to the local authority. The initiative was introduced in 2013 and involves the Council buying long-term privately-owned homes in high demand areas. These properties are then rented out to tenants. More tha
23/04/2014
Eight energy projects have received approval from the Government, it has been announced. The schemes are expected to support some 8,500 jobs. Among the projects being given the go ahead, is the Beatrice offshore wind farm, located at Outer Moray Firth in Scotland. The contracts, which were ann
23/04/2014
Work is continuing at a new £2.7m community centre in Hillhead, Kirkintilloch. Construction work on the development commenced in January, and a scheduled completion date of August 2014 has been given. East Dunbartonshire Council has said it is working closely with a number of partners to deliver
23/04/2014
Aberdeenshire Council is to discuss options for the development of a travellers' site at Aikey Brae this week. Councillors are expected to meet on Thursday (24 April) to discuss the proposals to use the land as a stopover site for gypsy/travellers. The land at Aikey Brae, Old Deer, has been sugg
23/04/2014
A total of 12 new affordable homes are to be constructed in Arbroath, Angus, it has been announced. The development will see the current empty properties at 22-30 Millgate Loan, Arbroath, transformed into 12 flats, comprising of 11 one-bedroom flats, and one two-bedroom flat. The homes will includ
23/04/2014
Scottish Water has said it is to carry out investigative work in and around Glasgow's River Clyde. The work is part of a planned investment the utility provider is due to undertake to improve the natural environment of the river. It will involve contractors ESG carrying out detailed surveys of g
23/04/2014
A peat bog is to be restored thanks to an award from Scottish Natural Heritage. The redundant site, located in Drumclog, Lanarkshire, will see its 75-acres restored by the QTS Group, who received the £6,345 grant. It is understood the project will cost around £11,000 and work will commence later
23/04/2014
Some of Scotland's most vulnerable households will be the most affected by the UK Government's proposed changes to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). The UK Government's has already said that spending by energy companies under the ECO is due to be reduced by around £500m a year across Britain, a
23/04/2014
A project to upgrade an area of Dumfries town centre could be hit by delays. According to the BBC, Dumfries and Galloway Council are to assess whether "unforeseen additional work" will see the project miss its completion date. The work is said to be centred around a £1m upgrade around the town's
23/04/2014
Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, has officially opened the new John Muir Way. The 134-mile coast-to-coast pathway takes in some of the country's most striking scenery and landscapes, as well as wildlife sites and historic visitor attractions. First Minister Alex Salmond said: "John Muir
23/04/2014
Community groups in the Scottish Borders region are being encouraged to apply for a share of SSE's Sustainable Development Fund. The £125,000 fund will launch on 28 April and is being made available to non-profit making organisations, community groups and charities within the Scottish Borders regi
17/04/2014
Dundee Council will next week decide whether to approve plans for a new housing development in Dundee. The local authority has already approved planning permission for 30 flats to be built at Candle Lane, as well as funding of £2.8m, but it is understood Councillors are now being asked to support
17/04/2014
Emergency repair works are to be carried out on the damaged Mercat Cross in Galashiels. As a result, the Scottish Borders Council has said that a three-way traffic light system will be in place. The lights, which are temporary, will be situated at the junction between Scott Crescent, Elm Row and C
17/04/2014
An upcoming meeting of Badenoch & Strathspey, Ardersier and Nairn District Partnership, will look at the proposed new hospital for the Highlands, it is understood. The focus of the meeting will look at the redesign of Health and Social Care Services for Badenoch and Strathspey. The local authori
17/04/2014
It has been reported that developer Springfield Properties has pulled out of a housing scheme in Cairngorm. According to Scottish Housing News, Springfield Properties has withdrawn its proposals to construct a 1,500-home village near the Cairngorms mountains. It cited "business priorities" as the
17/04/2014
A public form and drop-in session has been organised by The Highland Council to allow the local community to discuss proposed road improvements for the B862 at Loch Tarff. The public session will be held at Stratherrick Hall, Gorthleck, on Wednesday 30 April from 4pm to 7pm and the findings will h
17/04/2014
Graham Construction has confirmed that it is well on track to complete its £14.5m redevelopment of Deaconess House. Upon completion, the property will become home to more than 300 students at Edinburgh University from the start of the 2014/15 academic year. As part of the work, the contractor ha
17/04/2014
Aberdeenshire Council are encouraging the local community to attend its series of public meetings being held in relation to a regeneration project of Peterhead. The events will allow residents and businesses to view and comment on the findings of a study recently carried out in the town centre. It
17/04/2014
Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Roseanna Cunningham, has said the village of Carloway is a "leading example" of how local ownership of land can transform communities. The Minister made her comments as she met with organisations who are moving forward with a community purchase of t
16/04/2014
House prices have increased for the sixth consecutive month, according to latest figures. It brings the cost of an average home to more than £160,000. The figures, released as part of LSL's House Price Index for February, found that the average house price in Scotland rose by 3.6% in the last ye
16/04/2014
Two construction firms have been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over serious safety failings. The case involved a worker who suffered from life-changing injuries after he fell almost four metres through a hole in the first floor of a hotel in Aberdeen. Scott Massie, who was 37 at
16/04/2014
A potential merger bid by Weir Group has been rejected by its rivals Metso Corporation. The Glasgow-based firm had proposed an all-share merger, where Metso shareholders would own around 37% of the combined company. However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Metso board said it had "carefully evalu
16/04/2014
A rescue package is understood to have been agreed for Byre Theatre in Fife. The move will see the historic theatre in St Andrews re-open. In 2013, the venue was forced to close after it ran into financial trouble, but last week, St Andrew's University submitted a formal proposal to the council,
16/04/2014
Work has commenced on a new housing development in Stornoway. The project will see 32 affordable homes to rent and buy delivered in the Western Isles' town. It is part of wider plans to build 61 homes across the Western Isles by summer 2015, with almost £4m support from the Scottish Government.
16/04/2014
Some 2.2km of pipes are to be improved as part of a water infrastructure upgrade in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. The improvement work will help to enhance the quality of the water delivered to customers. The project, costing £530,000, is due to commence around 1 May 2014 and continue for five we
16/04/2014
Progress is continuing on the Queensferry Crossing, it has been announced. Providing an update on the ambitious project, Transport Scotland said the 6,000-tonne steel viaduct deck of the bridge had now reached almost 200 metres since December 2013. The deck is transported to the site by road in
16/04/2014
Aberdeen Council has launched the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for domestic properties in the area. The RHI is a government initiative that rewards people for generating and using heat from renewable sources, such as air-source and ground-source heat pumps, solar (thermal) panels) generating hot
16/04/2014
More than £800,000 has been secured by Argyll and Bute Council to strengthen its cycling networks. The local authority said the £835,000 funding, from the Sustrans Community Links programme, will help to support the creation and upgrade of cycling networks. The projects set to benefit from the f
16/04/2014
A joint operation to crack down on rogue home maintenance traders has been launched by Trading Standards, Police Scotland and counter fraud officers. They will work together with East Renfrewshire Council to provide advice, check for fraud trading practices and identify benefits fraudsters, it is
15/04/2014
GGR Group, the mini crane hire and lifting solutions specialists, have been recognised at this year's Hire Awards of Excellence 2014. The ceremony was held at London's Savoy Hotel on 12 April. The Hire Awards of Excellence 2014 are run by Hire Association Europe and celebrate the success of hire
15/04/2014
Construction work has commenced at the Glasgow Fort Shopping Park as part of a major development project. The £45m investment will see a Marks & Spencer store take up residence at the southern side of the park, while four further retail units and a restaurant will also be created. Managed by Kie
15/04/2014
The preferred option for the Haudagain improvement scheme has been selected, it has been announced. The design will now form part of a public exhibition about the project, and Transport Scotland is encouraging the local community to come along and view the plans. The exhibition will be held in A
15/04/2014
East Renfrewshire Council has announced a drop-in event in relation to regeneration plans for Barrhead. The event will allow residents and businesses to meet staff involved with the initiatives and to find out more about the proposed developments. Among the projects are:
15/04/2014
The Forestry Commission has confirmed that the visitor centre at Glenmore in the Cairngorms National Park is to reopen this week. It follows a refurbishment programme on the centre. The work will now ensure tourists and visitors to the site will get the most out of their visit. The centre will o
15/04/2014
Scottish Renewables has said that thousands of housing association tenants will soon be able to benefit from affordable, green heat. The announcement comes after a number of organisations, co-ordinated by Scottish Renewables, asked the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change to allow social l
15/04/2014
A community-led action plan for the village of Fenwick, East Ayrshire, has been launched. The village is just the latest community in the area to welcome the idea of a community-led action plan. Residents of Fenwick took part in a short-term local area planning programme, which assisted in helping
15/04/2014
Dundee Council could be set to invest around £2m in its school buildings. Councillors will meet next week to discuss the proposals, which involve looking at a number of tender reports detailing improvements at both primary and secondary schools in the city. City Development Convener, Councillor
15/04/2014
Members of the Scottish Borders Council have approved revised plans for a large chicken shed to be constructed. According to the BBC, the poultry shed will house some 44,000 chickens. Last month, the local authority deferred its decision on the proposals by Glenrath Farms as they wanted to visit
15/04/2014
More than 56,000 households have been helped by the Scottish Welfare Fund during its first nine months of operation, official statistics have revealed. Between 1 April and 31 December 2013, a total of £18m was allocated and provided assistance to households in a disaster or emergency. It also help
14/04/2014
Organisers behind this year's Commonwealth Games have decided to cancel a plan to demolish the Red Road flats as part of the opening ceremony. Five of the six remaining blocks were scheduled to be razed to the ground in July. However, the proposal has been controversial with many arguing that the
14/04/2014
A total of £1m has been awarded to East Dunbartonshire Council to improve cycle facilities in the area. The money has been provided by transport charity Sustrans, under their Community Links Programme. Some £500,000 of the fund will go towards the creation of a Quality Cycle Corridor along Milng
14/04/2014
Construction work is to continue on the A82 Pulpit Rock Improvement Scheme, Transport Scotland has said. The work will include a number of overnight road closures. These have been scheduled for 28 April to 4 May, and 10 May to 16 May. As a result, the road will be closed at Pulpit Rock, south of A
14/04/2014
Work to restore a native Caledonian pine forest in Speyside has started, it is understood. According to RSPB Scotland, the work will involve planting around 100,000 trees at its Abernethy Forest nature reserve. The project aims to expand the largest single remnant of an ancient Caledonian pine f
14/04/2014
A project to transform Coates and Atholl Crescents in Edinburgh's West End has commenced, the local authority has confirmed. The work, which started today (14 April), is expected to last up to seven weeks. Under the project, new turf will be laid in the gardens of both Crescents, while the exist
14/04/2014
The first piece of turf has been cut at a site in Bearsden, marking the start of construction work on a new housing development. The development, by Bield Housing & Care and affordable housing developers Lovell, will see 20 shared ownership homes created at Bearsden, Glasgow. They will be availabl
14/04/2014
Fife Council is to hold a public drop-in session this week in relation to the Dunfermline Flood Prevention Scheme. This will be the ninth consultation session which allows residents an opportunity to discuss the plans with council officers and site staff. In addition, the Council added that it w
14/04/2014
Work is underway to create new parking facilities in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire. The local authority is carrying out the work which will provide additional on-street parking in the town. Following suggestions from local traders, 26 new permanent spaces will be provided; 17 of these will be betw
14/04/2014
Residents of Johnstone Castle, Renfrewshire, are being encouraged to have their say on housing regeneration plans for the area. Consultation events have already been held, but this one will also locals to ask questions as well as share their views on plans to demolish 288 tenement properties and r
14/04/2014
Miller Construction has been recognised at this year's Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) awards. Thirteen of the contractor's sites were recognised at the ceremonies across the country for achieving exceptional standards of consideration towards the local neighbourhoods, general public, workfo
11/04/2014
Official figures have revealed a sharp decline in construction output for the month of February. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), output fell by 2.8%, or £270m, compared to the previous month. The extreme weather conditions were said to play a role as work on building sites
11/04/2014
Four possible sites have been selected for a new hospital and resource centre in Aviemore. The proposed development would see a new hospital constructed with the closure of two small sites in Kingussie and Grantown on Spey. It would serve the town as well as the wider areas of Badenoch and Straths
11/04/2014
Minister Sturgeon has defended a decision to demolish a number of Glasgow's famous Red Road tower blocks as part of this year's opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. The plans have been surrounded in controversy since they details were released, with many arguing that the move is disrespectf
11/04/2014
St Andrew's University could be on the verge of saving Byre Theatre in Fife. The university is understood to have submitted a formal proposal to the local authority, outlining a plan of sustainable future for the venue. The theatre was forced to cease trading last year after it ran into financia
11/04/2014
West Dunbartonshire Council has unveiled plans to create a new road and footpath in Dumbarton town centre. The local authority has said the project could assist the future regeneration of the area. It is understood the Council has already secured funding for the scheme. This would see the curren
11/04/2014
An eight-screen cinema is reportedly being proposed for the city of Inverness. According to the BBC, F&C Reit are behind the plans. They are the owners of the largest shopping centre in the Highlands. It is understood the plans for the cinema, as well as some restaurants, will be an extension to
11/04/2014
A fully-equipped sensory room is to be built at a special school in Redditch. The project has been made possible after receiving a cash boost of £1,000 by Taylor Wimpey. Pitcheroak School, which caters for pupils aged four to 18 with a range of learning needs, has been trying to raise £10,000 fo
11/04/2014
A development consisting of new council homes continues to take shape at Lanrig Road, Chryston, North Lanarkshire. The scheme, valued at £2.5m, will see a total of 27 new homes constructed for older people. The development will include a mix of two-bedroom cottage flats and bungalows. The prop
11/04/2014
More than £460,000 has been awarded to two community projects in the Highlands. Of the funds, £247,436 will go towards the Plantation Community Association, which will develop a community park and multi-functional recreation area at Pinegrove, adjacent to the Plantation housing estate in Fort Will
11/04/2014
Almost 50% of council tenants in West Lothian have cleared their rent arrears since the beginning of 2014, the local authority has said. The interim figure means that rent arrears at the end of the financial year are now at their lowest since May 2013 and represents a reduction in rent arrears of
10/04/2014
A new survey has revealed that while house-building activity is increasing throughout Scotland, there is still a lack of available homes. The findings were published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in its Residential Market Survey for March. It found that demand for homes
10/04/2014
Planning permission to construct a new Boroughmuir High School has been approved. The plans, which are for a canal-side site in Edinburgh, were designed by Allan Murray Architects. The new facility will house up to 1,165 pupils who are currently at the school's Viewforth site – located less than
10/04/2014
Another key stage has been reached in the £86m flood alleviation scheme in Elgin, Moray. This stage involved one of the project's landmarks being craned into position. The 35 metre long footbridge will take pedestrian traffic over the River Lossie at Kingsmills. The local authority has said the
10/04/2014
Scottish Water has completed its improvement work on water mains in the west of Bearsden. The upgrade project will benefit almost 1,000 customers in the area with clearer, fresher drinking water, as well as an improved security of supply. The investment in the infrastructure saw the replacement
10/04/2014
A new £1.5m housing development in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, has been officially opened. Housing Minister Margaret Burgess attended the ceremony. The development, located at Chantinghall Gardens in Hamilton, contains a total of 13 properties. The homes are available for rent to older people a
10/04/2014
Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has approved its budget for the 2014/2015 period. According to reports, key elements of the budget include a commitment to invest £12.7m in capital works to the Association's existing portfolio. Some 5,100 are involved and will be brought up to the Sco
10/04/2014
Proposals to revise areas where farmers have to comply with the Nitrates Action Programme have been put to consultation. The areas most at risk of surface water and groundwater being polluted through nitrates are designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). The plans by the Scottish Government
10/04/2014
Marston's has announced it is to expand its Scottish operations, it has been reported. According to the BBC, the pub operator and independent brewer hopes to open six new pubs in Scotland next year. It also hopes to open an average of five new pubs each year after that. As part of its countrywid
09/04/2014
Barr Construction and Tesco recently joined representatives from Parliament, local government and the community to mark the start of works at the site of the new Tesco superstore in Dunfermline. The 50,000 sq ft store will see the main trading floor lead on to Carnegie Street, with car-parking for
09/04/2014
Plans to build a wind turbine near Yetholm have been rejected by the Scottish Borders Council, it has been reported. The proposal for the 40m-high structure and its subsequent access track had been met with opposition from local residents. Following a ruling earlier this week, council officials ch
09/04/2014
Plans to build the Inverness West Link has been given full planning permission, the Highland Council has confirmed. The ambitious project will involve the construction of 3.2km of new single carriageway road with five roundabouts, a swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal and a new bridge over the
09/04/2014
The new £30m Glasgow School of Art (GSA) building is set to open today. According to reports, Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane will help to open the facility. The new centre has been equipped with studios, a gallery and new visitor centre. The building has been designed by US architect Steven Ho
09/04/2014
Clackmannanshire Council Leader, Councillor Gary Womersley, has welcomed the news that the O-I plant in Alloa has opened following an upgrade. In a statement, Councillor Womersley said: "I am delighted to attend the opening of the plant following the completion of the £29m upgrade. "The Council
09/04/2014
Plans to construct a new Inverness Royal Academy have been approved by The Highland Council. In addition to the £34m school, two new artificial sports pitches will all be built on the site of the existing academy, which is west of Cuduthel Road in Inverness. The school itself will have 39 practi
09/04/2014
Scottish Borders Council has received a funding boost towards the Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme. The boost will see the £31.4m project finally start to move forward to the delivery stages. Once the scheme is completed, some 595 properties in the Bannerfield, Philiphaugh and Riverside areas wil
09/04/2014
Transport Scotland has said four companies are to be invited to tender for the A96 Inveramsey Bridge Improvement works. The four firms shortlisted for the £11m scheme are Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering, RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd, Morrison Construction and Farrans Construction. Trans
09/04/2014
A total of 35 electricity towers are to be removed from Sma' Glen, it has been announced. Transmission operator, Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission, will be responsible for the project. The £10m Amulree Rationalisation project is being undertaken as part of conditions associated with the
09/04/2014
Construction work has started on an age-friendly development in Edinburgh, Scottish Housing News has reported. It is understood that Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association has started work on the £6m development. Designed by local architects, Smith Scott Mullan, the project is part of Castle Rock
08/04/2014
Planning permission in principle has been approved for a new Madras College in Fife. The college will be located on the Pipelands site in St Andrews. Welcoming the news, Councillor Bryan Poole, Executive Spokesperson for Education, Children, Young People and Families, said: "I'm delighted with t
08/04/2014
More than £15m will be spent on carrying out improvements to the exteriors of council properties in Renfrewshire this year. The local authority has said the improvements will include upgrades to roofs, rendering, guttering, downpipes, over-cladding and door entry systems. The work is also part o
08/04/2014
Glasgow City Council has approved two measures to support affordable warmth in the city. One of the measures is an update of the local authority's Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (EELS), and the other is the development of an energy switching service for households in the city. The Council's EELS
08/04/2014
Plans to build a 228-home development in Dundee have been submitted, it is understood. According to the BBC, the application, will see land transformed at Dundee's Western Gateway. The ambitious plans have been lodged by Springfield Properties and will form the first phase of a new village at So
08/04/2014
A £2.5m project by Scottish Water is continuing in the Killearn and Fintry areas of Stirlingshire. The investment will see improvements made to more than 30 miles of water mains and will provide around 8,000 customers with clearer, fresher drinking water and a greater security of supply. The custo
08/04/2014
Proposals for new care villages in the Glenrothes and Lumphinnans areas of Fife are to go out to public consultation, the local authority has said. In Glenrothes, plans include the development of a 60-bed care home and day care centre on Napier Road which would replace the services currently provi
08/04/2014
A total of 59 community groups across Scotland are set to benefit from a share of £10m in grants from the Big Lottery Fund. The monies will be used to improve local amenities throughout the country and will support village halls, the development of unused land, as well as arts and sports projects.
08/04/2014
A US firm is to invest £25m in a whisky bottling plant in Alloa. The company, Owens-Illinois Inc, is thought to be spending £230m on the upgrading of its European operations. Some 600 jobs will be safeguarded as a result of the investment, while facilities at the Clackmannanshire site will also
08/04/2014
A number of homes in Gorebridge, Midlothian, are to be fitted with Carbon Dioxide (CO2) detectors. Some 60 homes in Newbyres Crescent will receive one of the devices, while the adjacent care home and extra care housing at Newbyres Care Village will also be fitted. The local authority has said th
08/04/2014
Orkney Housing Association Limited (OHAL) has announced its new Director of Operations. Craig Spence will now join the team. He has considerable experience in a number of executive and non-executive Directorships including NHS Orkney and the Highland and Islands Enterprise. Commenting on his new
07/04/2014
Plans to create student accommodation near the University of Aberdeen are to go out to public consultation. The proposals are by Alumno Developments and would see a retail site near the university – at Powis Place – transformed to provide accommodation for around 270 students. The building is to b
07/04/2014
A new space for open air performances and attractions is to be created at Edinburgh's West End. According to the local authority, work on the project at Rutland Place will commence today (7 April). The move follows a detailed consultation with the local community. Under the first phase of works,
07/04/2014
Thousands of people have signed an online petition in opposition to plans to demolish five tower blocks in Glasgow. Last week, it was revealed five of the final six Red Road tower blocks were to be demolished as part of the city's Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. The footage is due to be scree
07/04/2014
Aberdeenshire Council has said it is to carry out a number of surface dressing works on Buchan's roads. The programme of works will commence on Monday 5 May and will last until 11 July. The affected roads will be in the Hatton, New Deer and Peterhead areas and a series of short closures will be
07/04/2014
Ten landmarks are to battle it out to be named 'Scotland's Best Place'. The accolade is being run by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RPTI) Scotland and is in partnership with Barton Willmore and the Scottish Government. The search will look for places which have been "built, enhanced or prote
07/04/2014
A US-based firm is to build its new production facility in Livingston, it has been announced. The optical components company, Kaiam Corporation, will create 103 new jobs as part of the investment. It is understood the business, which has its headquarters in California, is to relocate its product
07/04/2014
Community groups in Scotland are to benefit from an additional £1.5m of funding to reduce the country's carbon footprint. The money will top up the Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) and will allow for more carbon-cutting projects with a local focus to be established. The additional funds takes the to
07/04/2014
The latest 3G pitches to be installed in East Lothian have been officially opened. The move marks the completion of 3G pitch provision in the area, the local authority has said, with the remaining three clusters in the county at Dunbar, North Berwick and Prestonpans. Funding for the facilities w
04/04/2014
Plans by the Conservatives to remove onshore wind turbines would result in thousands of job losses within Scotland, it has been claimed. The move would also increase energy bills, Niall Stuart, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables has said. Earlier this week, it was reported that UK Prime Mini
04/04/2014
Images for the new-look Marischal Square site have been unveiled. The site, which is the former home of Aberdeen City Council headquarters, will be transformed by Muse Developments in an ambitious £107m project. Demolition work at the site is ongoing and it is hoped that the scheme will be compl
04/04/2014
Glasgow's iconic Red Road tower blocks are to be demolished as part of the Opening Ceremony at this year's Commonwealth Games, it has been announced. The demolition, which will happen live and be viewed from around the world, will signify the city's focus on providing regeneration and a positive f
04/04/2014
Councillors in Aberdeenshire have agreed to set aside £12.7m for three council housing projects in the area. The first project, in Martin Brae, Inverurie, will see the demolition of 20 temporary accommodation units and a former Air Training Corp Hall. The plans are to construct 24 new council prop
04/04/2014
SSE Renewables has pulled out of a tidal energy project in Orkney, it has been unveiled. The lease for the project has now been transferred to Cork-based DP Energy. The transfer will see DP Energy to take on the development of the Westray South project in Orkney with the potential to install up
04/04/2014
Fife Council is inviting local businesses to a drop-in session later this month that will highlight opportunities from its 'Building Fife's Future' project. The session, organised by the local authority and BAM Construction, will showcase a number of supply chain opportunities related to the const
04/04/2014
A number of walls have been cordoned off in Edinburgh schools as a result of structural checks being carried out. The checks were undertaken after a 12-year-old girl, named as Keane Wallis-Bennett, was killed at Liberton High School in the city when a free-standing wall collapsed on her on Tuesday
04/04/2014
Scotland's marine energy sector is to benefit from £6m of funding to further develop testing of new wave and tidal energy prototypes. The announcement comes as Scottish Enterprise launched the third round of the remaining competitive funding from the initial WATERS fund, in collaboration with the
03/04/2014
Councillors in Barrhead have been given a guided tour of the new £22m Asda store in the town. The tour was organised by Barr Construction and Asda to mark the completion of the steel frame of the new building. Construction of the facility started at the end of 2013 and work on site has been progr
03/04/2014
NHS Fife has unveiled the £4.25m Glenwood Health Centre on Napier Road, Glenrothes, following the projects handover by BAM Construction and the Skene Group. Providing space for nine GPs, it is the first project to be completed under the East Central Hub framework. Commenting on the completion, Reg
03/04/2014
Full planning permission has been sought by The Highland Council for its ambitious plans regarding the Inverness West Link project. It has also applied for permission in principle for the associated projects, the BBC has reported. It is understood planning officials have recommended that the sou
03/04/2014
Castle Mills in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, is to benefit from a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The building is the former headquarters of the North British Rubber Company, where a number of products used to be produced, including the modern motor car tyre and the first traffic cone. T
03/04/2014
A preferred option for a hairpin bend at Berriedale Braes on the A9 has been selected, Transport Scotland has announced. A public exhibition, highlighting the preferred choice, was held on Wednesday (2 April) to allow locals to view the plans and share their opinions. It is understood that ground
03/04/2014
Two community projects are celebrating after being awarded a grant from the Big Lottery Fund. West Harris in the Outer Hebrides and Barmulloch in Glasgow will benefit from the lottery's Growing Community Assets programme which will allow both groups to construct some much-needed community faciliti
03/04/2014
An agreement has been reached on a site for the new Kelso High School, the Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has confirmed. According to the BBC, the deal was reached with land owners Lothin Estates earlier this week, and will see the £12.8m school constructed at Nethershot on Angraflat Road. Now t
02/04/2014
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) has awarded four contracts worth a total of £450m. The contracts will help to deliver new and upgraded power lines in the north of Scotland, it is understood, and will help support more than 600 jobs. Local economies associated with the pro
02/04/2014
Kier Construction has been appointed to deliver a new school in the Fort William area. Appointed by The Highland Council, the £14.6m project will involve the demolition of the existing Caol Primary School and Caol Community Centre building and see them replaced with two new buildings. The first
02/04/2014
The Wood Group has announced its acquisition of Canadian company Sunstone Projects. The deal is said to be worth £7.8m. In a statement, the Aberdeen-based oil services firm said Sunstone, which is based in Alberta, Canada, will be rebranded as Wood Group Mustang. Sunstone currently offers engi
02/04/2014
A further £1bn is to be provided to the Scottish Government Infrastructure Investment plan. The plan delivers housing, hospitals, schools and transport infrastructure projects throughout the country. The Government has said that every £100m of construction activity is estimated to support more t
02/04/2014
Work has commenced on a £9.5m extension at Garthdee Campus, Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen. Kier Construction has been appointed to the project which will see the firm construct a south wing extension to the main Garthdee Campus. It is understood work will focus on the Scott Sutherland
02/04/2014
A major milestone has been reached on the A77 Symington and Bogend Toll Improvements scheme, with the opening of the Bogend Toll Bridge to road users. The move follows the opening of the Symington Bridge last month. Other improvements in the £10.6m scheme include upgrades to junctions and access
02/04/2014
Preparatory works have started at a new £11.9m school in Aberdeen. The school will be situated on the site of the former Newmills School in Buckburn. The local authority has agreed to construct the new school and on Tuesday (1 April), the first turf was cut at the site. In 2013, Bucksburn Scho
02/04/2014
The deadline to apply for Masters Scholarships in energy and environment studies is this Thursday (3 April), ScottishPower has said. Open to UK students, the scholarships in the related studies are being offered through the ScottishPower Foundation. The ScottishPower Foundation, in partnership w
02/04/2014
Following discussions with community groups, Dumfries and Galloway Council has said it is to postpone the closure of Kirkcudbright Bridge. The closure of the structure has now been pushed back until the end of September 2014. Initially, it had been said that the bridge would close for 11 days, s
02/04/2014
Auchtermuchty Library in Fife has re-opened following an extensive refurbishment project. New lighting, shelving, furniture and carpeting were installed as part of the work, while a new disabled toilet and automatic doors have also been delivered. Meanwhile, the new layout will allow for more flex
01/04/2014
An agreement has been reached by Councillors in the Scottish Borders, to reject plans for a 24-turbine wind farm. The Council's decision to oppose the plans are said to be down to visual and amenity impact grounds. Those behind the wind farm, developers Muirhall Energy, have argued that the initia
01/04/2014
Barr Construction is to hold an open day later this month. The event aims to capitalise on the improving construction industry by recruiting workers from across the sector. The open day will take place on Tuesday 8 April at the Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street, Glasgow, from 12 noon to 7pm. During
01/04/2014
A total of £2.5m is to be invested in a new state-of-the-art rig repair and subsea fabrication facility at Dundee Port. The 38,750sq ft facility, located on Princess Alexandra Wharf at the Port of Dundee, is expected to accommodate up to 50 full-time personnel, with the number increasing during sp
01/04/2014
Work is due to commence on a £1.5m refurbishment project at Central Primary School, Inverness. The project will see two buildings at the school refurbished. LDN Architects has designed the plans, which will see many of the original features retained, while Morgan Sindall has been appointed to ca
01/04/2014
The newly-raised section of the A96 at Forres is to open this week – four weeks ahead of schedule. The news marks another significant milestone that has been reached as work on the River Findhorn and Pilmuir flood alleviation scheme continues. Work on the A96 commenced in March 2013 and traffic
01/04/2014
A. Proctor Group was recently selected to supply its Roofshield breather membrane for an exclusive self build project. Scotframe, in association with Hybrid Build Solutions, recently started work on a 'ground breaking' new house project at Oyne, near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. The project will in
01/04/2014
Aberdeenshire Council is to hold a drop-in session in relation to a proposed conservation area in Auchenblae. Auchenblae has been earmarked as one of the villages within Aberdeenshire to be considered for designation as a conservation area. The village is home to more than 75 listed buildings, and
01/04/2014
Plans to create a new town in South Lanarkshire are expected to be rejected by Councillors, it has been reported. The town, called Owenstown, would be based on co-operative principles. It is thought, if the £500m initiative was to go ahead, more than 3,000 homes would be constructed as well as c
01/04/2014
Works have been completed to improve wildlife and public access around the Tayport Common pond in Fife. The project has been a long-term goal for the Tayport Ferryport-on-Craig Community Council and was funded by Fife Council, Fife Environment Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage. Commenting on t
01/04/2014
A new training academy for young people has officially opened, East Renfrewshire Council has announced. The £500,000 facility – The Young Enterprise Scotland Academy – is located at Rouken Glen Park and is run by Young Enterprise Scotland on behalf of the local authority. It is understood some £
