Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for June 2014
30/06/2014
An initiative to increase the number of affordable homes made available in the Aberdeenshire area has been launched by the Empty Homes Loan Fund. The fund will aim to bring empty properties within the private sector back into use as affordable, rented accommodation. For owners of homes that have l
30/06/2014
The first turf has been cut on the site of a new joint campus for primary schools in Caol, Fort William. The ambitious project involves the demolition of the current Caol Primary School and Caol Community Centre to pave the way for a joint campus building. The new facility would accommodate a nine
30/06/2014
Edinburgh Council has confirmed it is to work with the Scottish Heritage Building Trust (SHBT) to save the historic Custom House in Leith. The property has been suggested by the 'Campaign for a Leith Museum' as the perfect venue for housing cultural exhibitions regarding the maritime heritage of t
30/06/2014
The preferred bidder to develop a masterplan and delivery programme for Aberdeen city centre has been chosen. From a shortlist of six, Aberdeen City Council has selected Building Design Partnership (BDP) as the preferred bidder. BDP will be responsible for preparing a phased transformational mas
30/06/2014
Inverclyde Council has confirmed it has served a demolition order to property owners of the Clune Park estate. For a number of years, the state of housing within Clune Park has been an issue for the Port Glasgow area, with antisocial and criminal behaviour taking place, while many of the flats in
30/06/2014
Plans to carry out significant infrastructure improvements to Campbeltown harbour have been approved by Argyll and Bute Council. Members of the committee have also agreed to provide more than £1m towards the project. The work will see improvements made to berthing on the site, as well as on-shor
30/06/2014
Giffnock Library in East Renfrewshire has officially reopened following a refurbishment project. Costing £450,000 the facility has been transformed and includes a children's area, dedicated teen section, and flexible meeting spaces for local groups. Other improvements include: • A contemporary
30/06/2014
A new community play park has opened at Ratho Station in Edinburgh. The facilities were upgraded as part of a £60,000 investment and will provide some much-needed play equipment for children in the local area. Funded by Edinburgh Council, with support from the Almond Neighbourhood Partnership an
27/06/2014
A new site could be considered for a substation in the Highlands, following a consultation between Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHE Transmission) and the local community. SHE Transmission wants to upgrade the network between Beauly and Tomatin, but local residents have suggested a new pot
27/06/2014
The Scottish Parliament has passed a controversial bill which will allow a new high school to be built in a public park. On Thursday, MSPs approved a private bill to allow Portobello High School to be situated in an area of Portobello Park. The ruling means that work on the £41m project can begi
27/06/2014
A £3.5m refurbishment of Gleneagles Station has been completed, Transport Minister Keith Brown has said. In addition, a new £3.9m link road which connects the station to the nearby A9 has been officially opened. The project to transform the railway station included installing new lifts, new waitin
27/06/2014
A total of £220m is to be invested in new schools and hospitals throughout Scotland, it has been announced. Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed the infrastructure would be delivered as part of a £1bn expansion of the Government's non-profit distributing (NPD) programme. It is understood tha
27/06/2014
Plans to improve community and sports facilities in Banff and Macduff have been approved by Aberdeenshire Council. The go ahead for the two projects will see a new sports and community centre constructed at Myrus Recreation Park in Macduff, and a new state-of-the-art complex to be built at Banff A
27/06/2014
East Dunbartonshire Council has said it is to continue with its plans to close two schools in Kirkintilloch, and establish a new school in its place. The move will see St. Agatha Primary School and St Flannan's Primary School close, with the pupils relocating to a new-build school on the existing
27/06/2014
A new care home in Tranent, East Lothian, is to officially open this September. The facility will provide 60 beds for some of the area's older population. It is understood that 40 beds will be direct re-provision of care home beds at the Fa'side Lodge and Greenfield Park care homes, while 20 beds
27/06/2014
An investigation has been launched by police in Dumfries following the theft of a JCB telehandler. According to reports, the machine, worth around £17,000, was stolen from West Galaberry in Kirkmahoe. It is thought to have happened between 9pm on Tuesday (24 June), and 7am on Wednesday (25 June).
26/06/2014
Plans to regenerate the town of Paisley have been officially launched. Renfrewshire Council has said the multi-million pound investment would see the town transformed over the next decade. Around 800 jobs could be created through the scheme, while an additional £45m could be contributed to the e
26/06/2014
Edinburgh Council has confirmed the gym hall at Liberton High School could be demolished. On 1 April, a pupil at the school, 12-year-old Keane Wallis-Bennett, was killed when a wall fell on her. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive is still continuing. It is understood that the p
26/06/2014
New figures, published today (26 June) by the Scottish Government's Department of Energy and Climate Change, has revealed record levels of renewable electricity output for the first three months of 2014. The statistics show that in the first quarter of 2014, 6,678 GWh of renewable energy was gener
26/06/2014
A new campaign has been launched to improve the long-term health and well-being of workers within Scotland's construction industry. Newly-established body, Constructing Better Health Scotland, has voiced its concern that there is a limited awareness of the impact long-term health issues can have i
26/06/2014
A completed section of Dundee's waterfront is set to open this weekend, the Council has confirmed. It is understood a section of the city's new £11m grid pattern of streets at the waterfront has been finished. It is the west part of the southern road and will open to motorists from Sunday (29 June)
26/06/2014
The Glendale Trust, a community group located on the Isle of Skye, is to purchase a former school in the area. The group will buy the former Borrodale School building as well as the adjoining grounds. Thanks to a grant of £190,000 from the Scottish Land Fund, Glendale Trust aims to develop the s
26/06/2014
Work has commenced on one of Scotland's largest housing developments. Located in the north of Edinburgh, a total of 719 high-quality homes will be constructed as part of the Muirhouse and Pennywell area master plan. More than £42m has been set aside by Edinburgh Council for the ambitious scheme,
26/06/2014
The right of council and social housing tenants to buy their homes at a discounted rate is to be scrapped, it has been confirmed. The scheme, known as Right to Buy, will be phased out over the next two years. The Scottish Parliament has said this will allow tenants enough time to consider their op
26/06/2014
A company has been fined £7,500 following an explosion at an Aberdeen hotel. Three people were seriously injured in the incident at Drumtochty Arms Hotel in Aberdeen in January 2009. The damage caused by the blast was so extensive that the building had to be demolished. Instant Catering Maintena
26/06/2014
Work has commenced on the new £53m Ayrshire College Kilmarnock Campus, after financial close of the project was reached earlier this month. First Minister Alex Salmond attended a sod-cutting ceremony at the site to mark the start of construction work. The new facility will create a stimulating l
25/06/2014
Midlothian Council has made a decision regarding the future of the former Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre. The centre has not been used since last summer when the new Lasswade Centre, worth £38m, opened in the area. The new facility boasts a library, school and swimming pool. Following the opening, and
25/06/2014
A housing improvement scheme at Broomhead Drive, Fife, is currently underway, the local authority has confirmed. The project follows a consultation period between the Council and tenants and a number of improvements were agreed to be carried out at the properties. The work includes: • New wind
25/06/2014
A new mixed-use development has been approved by South Ayrshire Council. The project, which will be constructed in Corton, Ayr, will create hundreds of new homes, businesses and jobs. The Scottish Government will need to approve the plans, but if supported, the mixed-use development will provide
25/06/2014
An energy company which supplies gas and electricity to the residential letting sector, has secured a significant investment from the Scottish Investment Bank, it has been revealed. Spark Energy, which is based in Selkirk, has been awarded £200,000 in funding to help strengthen its position as a l
25/06/2014
A new institute to support the oil and gas sector is to be launched at the University of Strathclyde. The Strathclyde Oil & Gas Institute will help companies compete internationally. It will be based at the University's £89m Technology and Innovation Centre, which is expected to be completed thi
25/06/2014
A £1.75m investment to protect the environment along a stretch of the River Clyde in Glasgow has been completed by Scottish Water. The project involved the upgrading of the sewer network at Richmond Park Gardens, as well as the south bank of the River Clyde in the Caledonian Road area of the city.
25/06/2014
Work has commenced on the £31.4m Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme, it has been announced. The project will see a total of 595 properties in the Bannerfield, Philiphaugh and Riverside areas of the Scottish town removed from the national flood risk register by protecting the homes against the effects
25/06/2014
Proposals to expand a shopping centre in the Highlands has been approved. According to reports, planning permission was sought by Intertrust Trustees Limited to extend the Eastgate Centre in Inverness. Currently, the mall covers a 320,000sq ft area, but the extension would see an eight-screen ci
24/06/2014
Investment into affordable housing in Scotland since April 2011 has surpassed the £1bn mark, First Minister Alex Salmond has confirmed. He added that the investment supports 8,000 jobs per year of the five-year parliamentary term. Minister Salmond said: "Despite challenging economic times and We
24/06/2014
Glengate Hall, a derelict 19th century building in Angus, has been transformed into new affordable homes for rent. The hall, located in Kirriemuir, lain empty and derelict for a number of years. It was also placed onto the Buildings at Risk register, but a redevelopment project was made possible d
24/06/2014
Financial close has been reached on a multi-million pound development by Balfour Beatty. The firm is understood to have reached an agreement for the proposed £46m NHS Ayrshire & Arran Acute Mental health and Community Development project. The new facility would be located on a 6.5-hectare site a
24/06/2014
More than £2m is thought to have been set aside by Argyll and Bute Council to restore an A-listed wooden pier in Dunoon. Major structural repairs and upgrade works are needed on the buildings located on the pier and following an area committee meeting earlier this month, funding was agreed for the
24/06/2014
Inverclyde Council has denied claims that it has suspended demolition notices in the Clune Park area. Clune Park is an area of traditional tenement housing in Port Glasgow, and has been for around 100 years. However, very little has been invested in communal repairs over the years. As a result, t
24/06/2014
Midlothian Council is set to decide the future of Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre. According to reports, the local authority will choose which community group will take over the former centre. Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre has not been used since last summer when the new Lasswade Centre, worth £38m, opened
24/06/2014
Communities throughout Scotland are to take action against the impact of climate change thanks to support from the Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund (CCF). Making the announcement, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, added that the latest round of CCF fundi
24/06/2014
Finance Secretary John Swinney has officially opened the new Invergowrie Primary School. The state-of-the-art facility now boasts eight classrooms that can accommodate up to 235 primary pupils as well as 40 nursery spaces. Now in one building, the nursery and Primary 1 pupils share a 'breakout spa
23/06/2014
The Scottish Government's vision for future planning in Scotland has been unveiled by Planning Minister Derek Mackay. The National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) will help to shape the long-term economic development and local planning policy in areas such as transpo
23/06/2014
Michael Matheson, Public Health Minister, has confirmed that a new chronic pain centre is to be created in Glasgow. The dedicated team will be located at the Gartnavel Hospital site and will provide residential courses for patients and carers on how to cope with the effects of chronic pain, as wel
23/06/2014
Three newly refurbished tennis courts have been officially opened at Liberton High School in Edinburgh. The facilities have been upgraded following £50,000 funding from the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, administered by sportscotland, as well as grants from Tennis Scotland, East of Scotland Tenni
23/06/2014
A derelict site in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, is to be transformed ahead of the Queen's Baton Relay which is to pass through the town later this month. The site, which belonged to the former Kirkburn Mill, is owned by supermarket chain Aldi and is currently awaiting redevelopment. For safety reason
23/06/2014
Plans to develop a 10-turbine wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway has been approved by the Scottish Government. The move comes despite objections to the scheme, according to reports. The local authority had previously refused permission for the development at Minnygap Heights, located near Moffat
23/06/2014
A new innovation centre for aquaculture has been launched. The Scottish Government has said the project will help to create jobs and support the growth, sustainability and profitability of the industry in the country. The Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) combines industry and resear
23/06/2014
The SSE Hydro, located in Glasgow, has scooped a major architectural award. The entertainment venue, which has been designed by architects Foster + Partners, received the accolade at the annual Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) dinner in the city. Commenting on the venue's des
23/06/2014
A housing development for older people has won two awards at this year's Scottish Home Awards. The state-of-the-art development, known as St Beya's Gardens, is located in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae. It was named as Rural Development of the Year, as well as Senior Living Development of the Yea
20/06/2014
The Scottish Parliament has passed a new law to allow local councils to recover debts they have incurred when taking on enforcement work on dangerous or defective buildings. By law, local councils have a statutory obligation to address any dangerous buildings, and can take action as they see fit.
20/06/2014
Maximum protection is to be given to areas of green belt land in Edinburgh, local Councillors have said. The move comes as Councillors prepare to approve the next stage of the Edinburgh Local Development Plan (LDP) project. A capital coalition motion is being considered by the Planning Committee
20/06/2014
Some £15m is to be invested by West Dunbartonshire Council to transform Clydebank's Queens Quay. The derelict site of the former John Brown Shipyard was purchased by Clydeside Regeneration in 2004 but the owners have been unable to attract investment to fund essential infrastructure works due to c
20/06/2014
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has said that grant funding for Scotland's historic environment next year should remain the same as the current level of £14.5m. The comment was made as Ms Hyslop opened the stage one debate on the Historic Environment Scotland Bill. She added that she has asked Hist
20/06/2014
Appeals against the rejection of two planned wind farms for the Scottish Borders have been rejected, it is understood. A total of 17 turbines would have been erected between the two proposed developments at Brunta Hill near Westruther and Shawpark near Stow. The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) ha
20/06/2014
A closing date has been set for the lease of Grade-A listed Westburn House, Aberdeen Council has confirmed. Westburn House was constructed in 1839 and made of stuccoed brick. It also has a fine cast iron balustrade enclosing a verandah. The property, which is of single-storey, has a sunken basemen
20/06/2014
The Scottish Government has said it is to provide the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) with £753,000 to support its work with former coalfields communities in the country. Since 2002, the CRT has used around £17m of Scottish Government funding to support more than 900 projects. The projects oper
20/06/2014
Ayrshire Housing has completed the installation of air source heat pumps into 33 properties in the village of Dailly. The project was made possible due to a £132,000 grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which covered around half of the total cost of the installations. Coolheat w
20/06/2014
An additional £200,000 is to be spent on mitigation works, where needed, for a flood prevention scheme in Edzell, Angus Council has confirmed. Welcoming the news, Councillor Jeanette Gaul, Communities Vice-Convener and Convener of the Flood Risk Management Group, said: "I am delighted the council
20/06/2014
An extension to Happyhansel Primary School in the Shetlands is to open next week (26 June). It will be formally opened by Shetland West Councillor Frank Robertson. The extension includes a new reception area, offices, a new library, social space, tutorial room and cloakroom area. The kitchen was
19/06/2014
A record number of affordable homes are being constructed in Edinburgh, it has been announced, with more quality housing available to rent or buy. In 2013/14, the City of Edinburgh Council said it delivered more than 1,200 quality, low-cost homes to live, compared to 411 in 2008/09. Over the last
19/06/2014
Plans for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR)/Balmedie-Tipperty scheme are to go on public display, Transport Scotland has confirmed. The plans will be available for road users and communities to view over a two-week period. The exhibitions will commence at the Thistle Hotel in Altens o
19/06/2014
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has launched an appeal fund in the hopes of raising money for the restoration of its Mackintosh building. Last month, a fire broke out at the famous building. Firefighters were able to save around 90% of the building and around 70% of its contents, but its library w
19/06/2014
A new cycle link path costing £390,000 has opened in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire. The project has been delivered by East Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Council, Sustrans and the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). The new 600-metre pathway is for cyclists and pedestrians and runs al
19/06/2014
Members of Argyll and Bute Council have agreed to an outline design of the proposed Rothesay Pavilion project. The design forms the basis of a business plan, as well as funding and planning applications. Following agreement from the Council, the next stage of the process will involve submitting
19/06/2014
A domestic gas engineer has been sentenced to 90 hours community payback after he was found guilty of carrying out work on commercial catering premises that he was not competent to do, the Health and Safety Executive has said. James Richard Harvey Skinner, 43 and from Aberdeenshire, was employed
19/06/2014
A project to regenerate Kirkwall town centre is set to begin after receiving a funding boost from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The scheme, which will cost £3.4m, will see Orkney Islands Council (OIC) transform the town centre. The HLF has now confirmed it will provide £1.6m towards the project
19/06/2014
More than £220,000 in improvements has been announced for the Kirkcaldy area. It is understood the projects will be funded by Fife Council's Town Centre Development Fund. One of the schemes will involve work to a level of the Esplanade multi-storey car park. £175,000 will be spent to renovate th
19/06/2014
An upgrade project has been carried out at sheltered housing in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire. The work was part of a multi-million pound investment programme by the Council. Those to benefit from the scheme included Second Avenue Sheltered Housing. The building received a new roof and new roug
19/06/2014
One of the main entrances to Stonehaven is to close next week to allow road maintenance to be carried out, Aberdeenshire Council has said. The U90K Den of Logie Road, which is the first entrance to the town from the north, is to be resurfaced and re-lined. The route brings traffic down from the A9
18/06/2014
A £1.3m project to upgrade towpaths throughout Scotland's canal network has been completed. The investment, which has been supported by Scottish Canals, Sustrans, Falkirk Council, Glasgow City Council and the West Lothian Landfill Trust, has allowed more than 10km of towpaths to be upgraded at sev
18/06/2014
Morgan Sindall has won a contract to refurbish the Central Primary School in Inverness. The contract, worth £1.2m, will see the two of the school's three buildings refurbished. Work is expected to be completed by Autumn 2014. Under the renovation, the interior works will involve changing the e
18/06/2014
Miller Homes has brought forward its plans to build a housing development at Kinglass Farm, Bo'ness. According to Scottish Housing News, the site proposed for the development is located south of the built-up edge of Bo'ness and has been identified for residential use with the proposed Falkirk Coun
18/06/2014
Midlothian Council has said 64 homes are to be demolished in Gorebridge, after elevated levels of carbon dioxide were detected in the properties. It is thought the carbon dioxide is coming from old mine-workings. A council meeting was held yesterday (17 June) where it was decided that demolition
18/06/2014
Councillors in Moray have rejected plans to construct nine new homes in the coastal village of Portgordon. Three separate applications, each for three houses, on the seaward side of existing homes in the area were refused permission. One of the applications was rejected unanimously, while the othe
18/06/2014
Argyll and Bute Council has confirmed that design proposals for a section of the Dunoon regeneration project has been approved by committee members. The plans relate to the Queens Hall element of the initiative and will be funded through the local authority's CHORD scheme. In a statement, the Co
18/06/2014
Residents in Denny, Falkirk, are to be consulted regarding the final location for the town's war memorial. The move is part of an on-going regeneration project being led by the local authority. It is understood the war memorial will be temporarily relocated to the cemetery garden, adjacent to Br
18/06/2014
The first series of public exhibitions has been held by SSE in relation to a proposed wind farm in Acharossan woodland and the Otter Estate. The development, if approved, would be located approximately 4km north west of Tighnabruaich in Argyll and Bute. Earlier this month, the energy supplier su
18/06/2014
As much as £6bn could be spent on infrastructure investment across Scotland's cities, it has been announced. The funding model is said to have been designed to stimulate growth, create jobs and support businesses in seven of Scotland's cities. They are Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverne
18/06/2014
Homelessness in Scotland is likely set to rise, according to a new report published by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA). The report adds that a combination of the 'bedroom tax', benefit sanctions and problems accessing financial assistance in times of crisis are behind the in
17/06/2014
Aberdeen Council has announced that tender submissions for the Third Don Crossing works have opened. The local authority is now inviting offers for the ambitious £15.5m project, which will see the creation of a new bridge located over the River Don, as well as a new stretch of road linking it to t
17/06/2014
A total of 12 new homes have been completed in Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire. The properties have been constructed on the site of a former garage and derelict land. Known as Fern Grove, the development of one- and two-bed houses and flats will provide a home to 12 local families. Each property
17/06/2014
US property tycoon Donald Trump has confirmed he has finalised his purchase of the Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland. As a result of the acquisition, the venue will be renamed Trump Turnberry. Mr Trump, who bought the resort from Dubai-based Leisurecorp, added that he will spend at least £100m o
17/06/2014
The official opening of the new Kirkwall Grammar School and Papdale Halls of residence has taken place, it has been announced. The school and halls of residence have been delivered as part of Orkney Islands Council's £58m Schools Investment Programme. They were officially opened by First Minister
17/06/2014
A new pier at Copland's Dock, Stromness, has been officially opened by First Minister Alex Salmond. A decision to increase the harbour's capacity was made by Orkney Islands Council (OIC) following an increase in marine traffic. Funding from the OIC (£6.25m), Scottish Government (£2.5m) and the Eur
17/06/2014
The names for two new primary schools being constructed as part of the Highland Council's modern schools building programme have been unveiled. The new Highland Council primary school, located on the Wick joint campus, will be renamed Newtown Park Primary School. The facility will replace the Pult
17/06/2014
Inspection works have been carried out at a sea wall in Cromarty View, Invergordon, after reports that there was damage to the structure emerged over the weekend. The Highland Council's Area Community Services team has now confirmed that it carried out an inspection and found a void in the wall. I
17/06/2014
Plans have been submitted to carry out replacement waterproofing and concrete repairs at a car park in Dundee city centre. The proposals, which will be discussed by the Council's City Development Committee next week, could see more than £400,000 spent on the Gellatly Street multi-storey car park.
17/06/2014
Orkney Islands Council is encouraging local residents to share their views on potential sites for a proposed replacement for St Peter's House in Stromness. The feedback that is received will then be used to prepare a case for a new-build facility, which will be considered by Councillors later this
17/06/2014
A project to transform a high rise block of flats in Paisley, Renfrewshire has been completed. The £2.2m project has allowed the building to be renovated and become more energy efficient. The property is home to 89 tenants and as part of the work, has had new double-glazed windows, a new pitched
16/06/2014
South Lanarkshire roads are to benefit from £19m of investment this year, with a specific focus on resurfacing residential areas, according to the Council. Launched in 2008, South Lanarkshire Council's £126m Roads Investment Programme set out to improve 80% of the council-controlled road network.
16/06/2014
Work has begun this week on the first phase of a project to improve Edinburgh's George Street for pedestrians and cyclists. The work will last approximately four weeks and will make way for an increase in pedestrian space on each of the street's four blocks. Changes are set to come into full effec
16/06/2014
A major £3.4m Scottish Water project to increase the capacity of Black Esk reservoir has been completed. The reservoir, which serves drinking water to communities throughout Annandale and Eskdale, has been raised by 2.5 metres. The height of the overflow weir has also been increased using the addit
16/06/2014
A Paisley high rise block of flats has been given a £2.2m facelift, according to Renfrewshire Council. Williamsburgh Court, which is home to 89 Renfrewshire Council tenants, has had new double glazed windows, a new pitched roof, a new entrance vestibule, balcony enclosures to all flats and new ther
16/06/2014
The Connect Roads consortium has been appointed preferred bidder for the £745m Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/ Balmedie-Tipperty Project The consortium, comprising Balfour Beatty, Carillion and Galliford Try, has won the design, build, finance and operate (DBFO) contract to deliver the project f
16/06/2014
Aberdeenshire Councillors are to continue to open Stonehaven’s Bervie Braes Road during the summer season, potentially extending opening if conditions allow. The local community campaigned for the reopening of the road after it was closed following major landslips in 2009. It is currently open one-
16/06/2014
An Edinburgh-based company has secured £1.85m from European investors to fund green energy projects in Scotland, according to Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. Nova Innovation and Belgian green energy company ELSA have teamed up to build the Shetland Tidal Array; five 100kW tidal turbines in the Bluemu
16/06/2014
Work has begun on the new £5.2 million Galashiels Transport Interchange, according to the Scottish Borders Council. Council Leader David Parker, Paul McGirk, Chief Executive of Hub South East Scotland, Morrison Construction’s Regional Director Eddie Robertson and Director of Rail at Transport Scotl
13/06/2014
A new "world class" facility is to be constructed in Stirling as it becomes the new home of Scottish cricket. The move, which has been agreed by Stirling Council and Cricket Scotland, would see the organisation move from the Scottish Cricket Academy at Ravelston, Edinburgh, to New Williamfield in
13/06/2014
Construction work is to start on a £5.2m transport interchange in Galashiels, it has been revealed. The work is part of the Borders to Edinburgh railway project. The scheme is being delivered by Hub South East Scotland, the Scottish Border Council's development partner, and contractor Morrison C
13/06/2014
A number of houses which have been constructed on a former coal mine in Midlothian are at risk of demolition. This is because carbon dioxide has been discovered seeping into the properties, the local authority has confirmed. As a result, officials are recommending that the 64 homes – located on th
13/06/2014
Aberdeen City Council has said the final stages in the demolition of St Nicholas House will take place next week. The building is the former headquarters of the local authority but is set to be razed to the ground. The final phase of works will start on Monday (16 June) and will involve two nibb
13/06/2014
Proposals to construct a new helicopter hangar at Aberdeen International Airport is to be discussed by Councillors in Aberdeen next week. The Bond Offshore Helicopter plan outlines building a hangar at the corner of Farburn Terrace and Cordyce View in the city and would be located next to the comp
13/06/2014
Funding of £1m has been approved by Glasgow City Council towards the new Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike and Activity Centre in Castlemilk. The project, which is community-driven, will see the former Category B-listed St Martin's Church and the adjoining site transformed into a £3.34m facility. Led
13/06/2014
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has won a ruling to overturn a decision to build three turbines. A previous council decision by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar had approved plans to allow three crofters permission to build the structures. Two of the turbines were to be built at Bornish, while the remainin
13/06/2014
Scottish Water is set to commence work on a project that will help protect the natural environment of Castle Semple Loch in Renfrewshire. Castle Semple Loch is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has facilities such as a water sports centre and an RSPB bird reserve. It is understood al
13/06/2014
A project to resurface and waterproof the A91 New Bridge in Guardbridge is to be carried out by Fife Council. The local authority said the works will commence on Saturday 2 August and should be completed by Monday 18 August. In a statement, it said the works are unavoidable, but as the road serv
13/06/2014
East Ayrshire Council has announced its support for a bid to carry out an extensive programme of regeneration and restoration in Dalmellington. Last week, the Council's Cabinet gave the green light to its Heritage Projects team to prepare an application to Historic Scotland for Conservation Area R
12/06/2014
The continued lack of properties in the Scottish housing market is causing prices to increase; that is according to a new study of surveyors. The research, carried out by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), revealed that the number of homes for sale in Scotland is falling behind n
12/06/2014
Planning permission for a new care home in Corstorphine has been approved by Edinburgh City Council. A total of £8m will be invested in the development, which will see around 100 jobs created. The two-storey, 70-bed care home will be managed by Care Concern Group and will be a state-of-the-art f
12/06/2014
Premier Oil has received approval from the UK Government to develop a major oil field in the North Sea. The oil and gas explorer will drill 22 subsea wells – 14 producers and eight water injectors – at the Catcher, Varadero and Burgman fields, which will be tied back to a leased FPSO. It is thou
12/06/2014
Work to increase the capacity of a reservoir which serves communities in Annadale and Eskdale has been completed by Scottish Water. A total of £3.4m has been spent at Black Esk Reservoir to ensure the secure supply of drinking water for the future. The project has included increasing the height of
12/06/2014
Work to construct a new housing development in Kilmarnock is progressing well, East Ayrshire Council has announced. The development, located at Rennie Street, is being built on the site of the former St Columbas Primary School in the town and is part of the local authority's plans to promote town
12/06/2014
A total of £1.7m is to be invested in homes across the Falkirk area in attempts to increase energy efficiency. The investment is a joint venture between Falkirk Council and Paragon Housing. It is understood an additional £700,000 grant from utility firms could help boost the initiative. More than
12/06/2014
Surveying works are to be carried out in the Whitesands area of Dumfries over the coming weeks, the local authority has confirmed. The works will involve the recording of underground features such as archeoogy, geology, services and utilities, as well as above ground features including buildings,
12/06/2014
The SSE Hydro has landed a second hat-trick of awards, it has been revealed. The venue, which is Scotland's newest concert and event area, was awarded the Chairman's Award for Architecture at this year's Scottish Design Awards. The venue's designers, Foster + Partners and Arup, picked up the other
11/06/2014
An objection has been raised against the proposed Strathy South wind farm in Sutherland by the Highland Council. SSE Renewables has described the decision as disappointing, but said it was looking forward to the next stage of the process where it says any "outstanding issues" can be resolved. Th
11/06/2014
The preferred bidder for the Aberdeen bypass project has been named. Initially, Scottish Ministers first approved the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) scheme in 2009, but work had been delayed due to legal action. The £745m project – which includes the bypass, plus making the Balmedie to
11/06/2014
Scotland's construction industry could face a skills crisis if it becomes too complacent; that is according to new research by sector recruitment expert Search Consultancy. The Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) Construction Skills Network has predicted an average annual growth of 4.7%
11/06/2014
An additional £6m is to be invested on the A83 in Argyll and Bute, it has been confirmed. In a statement released by Transport Scotland, the funding will be used to alleviate the effects of landslides in the area, as well as improve the performance of the route for motorists. News of the extra m
11/06/2014
A project to help protect the natural environment in the Cumnock area has been completed. The investment, valued at £4.9m, included a significant upgrade to the Underwood Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), which serves around 18,000 in the area. The project commenced in March 2011 and was carrie
11/06/2014
The Scottish Government has published its Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill. The move is the first step of a process making permanent arrangements for the £33m Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF). The SWF, which has been delivered by local authorities on a voluntary basis since April 2013, provides day-to-d
11/06/2014
A survey of landowners in the Cairngorms National Park has been published, which outlines the current activities of the estates within the National Park, as well as their future aspirations. The study, commissioned by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) in 2013, aimed to collect informat
11/06/2014
A total of £1.8m in funding has been awarded through the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities programme for new 3G pitches. CashBack works by taking money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and reinvests it back into schemes in local communities. This is the second wave o
10/06/2014
Lovell has been awarded three new contracts by West Lothian Council, totalling more than £38m, it has been announced. Under the projects, the local affordable housing developer will deliver 443 new council homes as part of the Council's new-build housing programme. A total of 195 new homes will be
10/06/2014
One of Scotland's oldest theatres is a step closer to being redeveloped after being awarded almost £5m in lottery funding. The venue, affectionately known as "Citz" and which originally opened in 1878 as a variety theatre, has been awarded a total of £4.9m by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) toward
10/06/2014
Scotland continues to remain on target to meet its climate change goals by 2020, according to new statistics published today (10 June). The country aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2020. The new figures reveal that while Scotland met its original target for 2012 with a 26.4%
10/06/2014
SHE Transmission has confirmed that residents in Keith, Moray, will soon be updated on a project to extend Blackhillock substation. The expansion will allow renewable generation produced at the site to connect to the electricity network. Work to clear the site commenced last week, and an informa
10/06/2014
A significant amount of masonry has collapsed on a building in Glasgow. According to reports, at around 1.40pm on Monday (9 June), the sandstone masonry, which formed part of the top section of the building, fell onto the street and entrance to the flats. Police attended the scene and have closed
10/06/2014
A competition has been launched by Transport Scotland at the Heriot-Watt School of Textiles and Design in Galashiels to help mark the opening of the new Borders Railway. It will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels. For the competition, st
10/06/2014
A housing development, located next to the Forth and Clyde Canal has been welcomed by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Timber Basin has been delivered by Queens Cross Housing Association with a total of 108 homes being built on the site. Of these properties, 73 will be made available for ren
10/06/2014
Tullibody in Clackmannanshire has been selected as the newest town to benefit from the Village and Small Town Centres Initiative. The local authority has said the project will see the town centre regenerated. Funding has already been approved for the scheme and it is understood preliminary devel
10/06/2014
A timber firm based in the Scottish Borders is set to expand its business further following its acquisition of sawmill firm RF Giddings. It is understood BSW Timber will formally take over RF Giddings on 1 August and the move will double capacity at the mill as well as creating 10 new jobs at its
10/06/2014
A new asbestos framework has been launched in Scotland by LHC Scotland. It will be for use by all local authorities in the country, as well as housing associations and other public sector building owners. The Asbestos Works and Services (AS1) framework provides extensive asbestos management serv
09/06/2014
Graham Construction has completed work on a new £9.5m wave and current testing facility at the University of Edinburgh. The FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility is a national facility for marine renewables and has received joint funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
09/06/2014
East Ayrshire Council has said an agreement has been reached to allow work to commence on a new campus development in Kilmarnock. It is understood financial close of the project took place last week. The new campus is set to open in early 2016 and will cater for 5,000 students each year. Welco
09/06/2014
Paul Wheelhouse, Environment and Climate Change Minister, has confirmed that the Scottish Government is to bring forward a Land Reform Bill for Scotland. The announcement follows a report published earlier this month by the Land Reform Review Group and will build on measures due to be brought forw
09/06/2014
Planning permission has been granted to construct a new grandstand and visitor centre for the Braemar Highland Games. On Friday (6 June), the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) confirmed it had approved the plans. The Braemar Royal Highland Charity is behind the proposals to demolish the
09/06/2014
Work has commenced at Rugby Park, the home of Kilmarnock Football Club, to install a new state-of-the-art 3G pitch. The project will take place over the close season, the Board of Directors confirmed this morning. Following completion of the work, Rugby Park will become a seven day per week faci
09/06/2014
The re-opening of Tullos Pool in Aberdeen has been delayed, the local authority has said. Originally, the facility was due to open today (9 June), but the Council has said additional work needs to be carried out on the facility. The pool closed on 19 May to allow remedial works to be carried out
09/06/2014
Scottish Water has said it has completed a major upgrade to its network of pipes in the Greenock and Skemorlie areas. The project, valued at £3.4m, involved improving more than 27 miles of water mains to tackle the issue of discoloured water which has affected customers in the area in the past.
09/06/2014
A new survey, published by Transform Scotland, has revealed that a majority of Scotland's population want the Government to prioritise the repair of the country's existing road network over the construction of new roads. For the study, respondents were asked, 'Do you think the Scottish Government
09/06/2014
Inverclyde Council has revealed that its new self-build plots have been oversubscribed in its first weeks of release. A total of eight plots, located in Leperstone Avenue, Kilmacolm, are thought to have received interest from more than 80 people who are looking to build their own home in the area.
09/06/2014
Two engineering firms have been fined for safety failings after a worker was injured while unloading steel beams. Kevin Bradley, who was 54 at the time of the incident in October 2010, had delivered the beams to Falburn Engineering Ltd's premises in Plean, Stirling. He was working with a Falburn f
06/06/2014
Miller Construction is to deliver the new state-of-the-art Alford Community Campus, it has been announced. The firm has been selected by Aberdeenshire Council after hub North Scotland Limited secured financial close on the facility at Greystone Road, which is valued at £31.4m. As part of the des
06/06/2014
A new wind farm, consisting of 67 turbines, has been approved by the Scottish Government, it has been announced. The development near Fort Augustus will power the equivalent of up to 114,000 homes in the area and generate up to £30m of benefits to the local community. The Stronelairg wind farm w
06/06/2014
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has said it will "bring back" its Mackintosh building after it was left badly destroyed in a fire last month. Around 200 firefighters were tackling the blaze on 23 May. They managed to save 90% of the structure of the A-listed building and save around 70% of its con
06/06/2014
A consultation to find a suitable site for a new school campus in Tain has been launched. The proposed facility, which will cater for pupils aged three to 18, will replace the existing Craighill and Knockbreck Primary Schools, St Duthus Special School and the Tain Royal Academy. Currently, there
06/06/2014
Construction work has commenced at Strathclyde Park in North Lanarkshire. The work is being carried out to allow a number of events for this year's Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to be staged at the venue. The park will host the triathlon events on 24 and 26 July. On the 24 July, athletes in
06/06/2014
National Museums Scotland has confirmed it has received a grant of £4.85m from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The money will be used to help carry out the next stage of the museum's ambitious masterplan. This latest grant will go towards a £14.1m project that will create 10 new galleries on the site a
06/06/2014
Fronius UK Welding Division has opened a new facility in East Kilbride, Scotland. This is the second site for the company, which is expanding its presence throughout the UK and which will provide a more localised service for its Scottish customers. The new facility will house offices, a service
06/06/2014
Plans for the development of Catto Park in Peterhead have been unveiled by the Aberdeenshire Council. Last year, a Stage 1 assessment study was carried out by the Buchan Area Committee and Peterhead Football Club to look at new community and sport facilities in the town. The work also looked at in
06/06/2014
The Highland Council has confirmed that a £20,000 project to improve the Raining Stairs in Inverness will commence next week. The closure, which is temporary, will be in place from Monday 9 June and will allow work to be carried out on the popular walking route. The closure of the footpath will en
06/06/2014
The newly-refurbished Cornmill Square, located in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders, is to be officially opened on Sunday (8 June). It will be opened by Braw Lads' principals Alice Mackay and Daniel Whitehead. Ms Mackay is the 2014 Braw Lass while Mr Whitehead is the 2013 Braw Lad. They will
05/06/2014
BT has agreed a £300m deal that will see the company buy enough energy to meet the needs of all its Scottish operations from a wind farm in the Borders. The firm will purchase 50% of the electricity generated by the 48-turbine Fallago Rig wind farm, which is located north of Lauder in the Scottish
05/06/2014
Some £2.2m is to be invested in cycling infrastructure and training in Glenrothes, Fife, over the next two years, the Council has confirmed. On Thursday, a report was published outlining the project for the town. It includes: • Improving existing cycle routes • Creating traffic free cycling ro
05/06/2014
A new report has found that demand remains strong within the UK housing market. The findings, published by Halifax, added that house price inflation also continues to increase. In May, the mortgage lender said prices increased by 8.7% from a year earlier, and is also a slight rise on last month'
05/06/2014
A reveal of the new world-class athletics arena, Hampden Park, has taken place in Glasgow. Shona Robison, the Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, was in attendance. The venue has undergone an ambitious transformation ahead of this year's Commonwealth Games, which are to be held i
05/06/2014
Renfrewshire Council has been fined after an elderly tenant fell through an access hole in her hallway that had been left uncovered by council workers. Margaret O'Donnell, 77 and from Paisley, fell four feet through the hole and suffered a broken arm and an undisplaced crack in her thigh bone. The
05/06/2014
An energy efficiency scheme has been completed at a housing complex in Clackmannanshire. The project has been delivered by the local authority and Scottish Hydro – part of the SSE group. The Cochrane Foundation, which is a charitable organisation providing quality affordable housing to elderly re
05/06/2014
Planning officials for the Highland Council have called for Councillors to support plans for a new wind farm – on the condition that the development is reduced in size. SSE's proposed Strathy South wind farm in Sutherland would consist of 47 turbines, but RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritag
05/06/2014
Aberdeen Council has said Virginia Street and Trinity Quay are to close to southbound traffic in order to allow resurfacing work to be carried out. The roads will be closed between Commerce Street and Market Street overnight on Thursday and Friday (5 and 6 June), from 8pm and 7pm, respectively. Th
05/06/2014
Residents of tenements in Dundee could be set to benefit from a new door entry system. Councillors will be asked to agree to the plans next week. More than £500,000 could be spent on the work which would be carried out at 80 closes across the city, including Abbotsford Street and Yarrow Terrace,
05/06/2014
A new digital procurement scheme will make it easier for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and third-sector businesses to bid for £10bn worth of public sector contracts in Scotland, it has been announced. In a statement, the Scottish Government confirmed a £360,000 funding boost to the Supplier
04/06/2014
A proposal for 400 new homes at Persley Den, on the site of the former Woodside mill, has been submitted by the Persley Den Consortium, led by GSS Developments. The development plans have been prepared by architects Halliday Fraser Munro and include "a village-style development with a clear hierar
04/06/2014
A turf cutting ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of work on a new primary school in Fort William. It marks the start of construction work on the new £10m school at Lundavra Road, which is to replace the existing Fort William and Upper Achintore Primary Schools to form an eleven class sch
04/06/2014
A 20-year plan for the improvement of Inverness has been revealed and includes better access to the city centre, developing Academy Street and redeveloping Inverness Castle to create more visitor attractions. "This is all about building on the vibrancy and vitality of our city centre," leader of t
04/06/2014
An investment of £60m is to go towards making Scottish homes more energy efficient. The investment in the Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland (HEEPS) will enable Scotland’s local authorities to install energy efficiency measures such as solid wall, cavity and loft insulation in their comm
04/06/2014
Official statistics released by Registers of Scotland (RoS) show that the property market is showing signs of consolidated growth. In the fourth quarter of 2014, there was a 22.9% increase in residential properties sold, when compared to the same period in 2013. The figures also show that in the p
04/06/2014
Midlothian Council has issued a statement in response to a report about the potential risk of ground gases, probably coming from old mine workings, entering homes in the Newbyres Crescent estate in Gorebridge. The statement read: "You may have seen a campaign in the Midlothian Advertiser around the
04/06/2014
Glasgow City Council, Renfrewshire Council and MEPC Hillington Park have prepared and released a draft Simplified Planning Zone Scheme. One of Scotland's largest business parks, Hillington Park, is south of the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Paisley. It straddles the joint administrative boundary
04/06/2014
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stopped the demolition of the former Aberdeen City Council headquarters. The remaining structure of St Nicholas House was due to be brought down this week, but has now been postponed until next week, at the earliest. It is understood that the council and S
04/06/2014
At R.C.R Safety and Training Ltd we continue to strive to deliver cost effective training and qualification’s to all our clients whether they wish to carry out bespoke training for their company or more formal training such as New Roads and Street Works Licentiate training and qualification. Forme
04/06/2014
Residents of Peebles are set to make tracks in their brand new £4.5 million sports facilities delivered by GRAHAM Construction. GRAHAM was on site for 10 months at Peebles High School creating a modern complex complete with a four-court games hall, general purpose hall, fitness suite and classroom,
03/06/2014
A contract worth almost £1m has been awarded to Raeburn Drilling & Geotechnical Ltd. Transport Scotland awarded the contract, which will allow the firm to begin ground investigation work on the 7.5km Kincraig to Dalraddy section of the A9. The work is expected to begin later this month and last for
03/06/2014
People have been invited to view and comment on the third scheme for the proposed development at Edinburgh University's Craighouse Campus on the Craighouse Road. The plans propose a change of use and conversion of existing buildings from university campus to residential, alongside the construction
03/06/2014
A roads contract worth £1.2m has been won by construction firm Balfour Beatty. The contract will see the firm upgrade the A75 Garroch roundabout, which will improve access to a new 350-bed general hospital in southern Scotland. The contract for the construction of the new hospital is to be awarded
03/06/2014
Plans for a proposed 18-turbine wind farm in Peeblesshire have been opposed by local councillors. Councillors have voted against the proposed Cloich Forest development, near Eddleston, however, the final decision on the development will lie with the Scottish government. It is understood that plann
03/06/2014
Families in Edinburgh with young children who are affected by homelessness are hoping to be helped via a new service launched by Shelter Scotland with CHILDREN 1ST, following an award of £405,576 by the Big Lottery Fund. 'Building Families' is one of six projects across Scotland providing practical
03/06/2014
Homes for Scotland is to appoint a dedicated Private Rented Sector (PRS) Champion to act on the findings of a project looking at how new sources of housing investment can be attracted to Scotland, to help expand the country’s growing rented sector. The Scottish government is supporting the appointm
03/06/2014
Stirling Council's Archives department is to loan five unique drawings by Charles Rennie Mackintosh to the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University, for an exhibition that will unite many Mackintosh works not previously seen together. The drawings, some signed by Mackintosh, are of Auchinibert House,
03/06/2014
BEAR Scotland and Amey have been selected to provide new road maintenance contracts for the north east and south east of Scotland. The tendering process will see BEAR Scotland continuing with the maintenance of trunk roads in the north east and Amey proposed to take over in the south east. BEAR Sco
02/06/2014
East Dunbartonshire Council is moving full-steam ahead with plans to build a new £11 million primary school for Bishopbriggs, as the Scottish Government signs off the Council’s decision following a three-month review. The Scottish Government had requested further information and discussion on the p
02/06/2014
Designs showing the proposed layout of West Dunbartonshire Council's new multi-million care home and day centre are to go on display to members of the public. Residents are invited to attend an Open Meeting on Thursday, 12 June at the Crosslet Centre, Crosslet Road, Dumbarton from 7pm to 9pm where
02/06/2014
The Big G... that's the name that has already been given to a spectacular new installation unveiled in Glasgow's George Square on Friday, which is at the heart of a major programme of activity to dress the city for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The gigantic, three-dimensional structure, whic
02/06/2014
A new centre designed to help people live more independent lives at home will throw open its doors to the public next week. The Hillylands Independent Living Centre is one of just a handful of such centres in Scotland, in which occupational therapy professionals, along with special equipment and fu
02/06/2014
St Nicholas House, the former headquarters of Aberdeen City Council, will be reduced to rubble in the coming days. The final phase of structural demolition works will get underway on Monday 2 June when two nibbler machines are used to remove what remains of the Broad Street and Flourmill Lane eleva
02/06/2014
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has awarded the contract for ground and structural survey works for Hawick Flood Protection Scheme to local firm Holequest. The survey is due to begin this month and the results will influence the next stages of the design process. The announcement follows the succes
02/06/2014
The new Walls Pier on the Shetland Islands has been formally opened. Councillor Frank Robertson cut the ribbon on the facility on Saturday. The new pier, along with a new waiting room, store and toilets, will service the Foula ferry, as well as the local aquaculture industry. Despite a delay in the
02/06/2014
The new Kirkmichael Primary School, built by South Ayrshire Council on the site of the old school building, has been formally opened by Councillor Margaret Toner, Lifelong Learning Portfolio Holder for the Council. Councillor Toner, said: "The official opening of the new Kirkmichael Primary School
