Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for February 2015
27/02/2015
Construction work has started on the new £15m Eastwood Health and Care Centre in East Renfrewshire. The state-of-the-art facility will serve the Eastwood area and will include GP practices, district nursing, health visitors, podiatry services, physiotherapy, social work and mental health services.
27/02/2015
Work to transform Johnstone Castle has commenced, Renfrewshire Council has confirmed. The first phase of work will see the demolition of a vacant block of flats on the site. The six flats, located at Sycamore Avenue, are the first of 48 tenement blocks that will be razed to the ground as part of t
27/02/2015
Design plans for Dalwhinnie, as part of the A9 Dualling Programme, are to go on display next month. The plans involve new road junctions for the village of Dalwhinnie which would be created under the A9 route between Perth and Inverness. Transport Minister Keith Brown has encouraged the public t
27/02/2015
Planning approval has been given for three new primary schools in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. At a meeting of the Councils' Learning and Leisure Services Committee earlier this week, it was agreed that plans for new state-of-the-art schools should go ahead. The projects would see the Dunrobin an
27/02/2015
A project to regenerate areas of Gretna Green and Springfield has commenced. In a statement Dumfries and Galloway has said the works will take around four months to complete. The improvement works will include enhancing the community seating area at Headless Cross, as well as creating new a commun
27/02/2015
Construction work on two new primary schools for Arbroath have been delayed due to a "contractual issue" with the contractor, according to Angus Council. The two schools are Timmergreens Primary School and Warddykes Primary School. Work on both schools are thought to have been delayed by around si
27/02/2015
The University of Glasgow is to take up residence in the Olympia building in the city. Fifteen staff from the university, from a range of schools and research centres, will occupy the top floor of the former theatre and cinema venue. They will share the space with 30 members of staff from the Glas
27/02/2015
Living Solutions has announced an expansion to its timber processing and product range. The forestry contractors, who are based in Fife, have added top quality eco 'wilderness' cabins from their new cross laminated timber panel range, which are made from sustainable home-grown timber. Commenting
26/02/2015
Aberdeen City Council is to hold a special meeting next month to discuss the controversial Marischal Square development. The meeting was put forward by Callum McCaig, SNP group leader, after a motion to place the project onto a full council agenda earlier this month was ruled "incompetent". It h
26/02/2015
Abellio, the new ScotRail operator, has said it will upgrade Inverness Railway Station as part of its commitment to improve services within the Highland region. A feasibility study for the project will be completed by end of March 2016, it is understood. The announcement was made at a meeting of
26/02/2015
Wave Energy Scotland has been awarded more than £14m to help accelerate wave technology development. The funding of £14.3m will be issued over the next 13 months. The development body was established last November to help speed up development in the sector and encourage private investment. It
26/02/2015
An increase in first-time buyers have helped to boost Scotland's housing market, according to a new report. The findings, published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), revealed that there was a fall in quarter-on-quarter, and year-on-year in house purchases, but in the final quarter of 2014,
26/02/2015
There have been calls for the future of Cockenzie Power Station to be clarified. In a statement, East Lothian Council said the parties involved needed to "make clear their intentions" for the future of the facility as it prepares a detailed plan for development in the region. Ms Leitch said: "No
26/02/2015
Work to restore Inverness Town House has commenced, the Highland Council has announced. The £4.2m project will be undertaken in three phases, over a three-year period, and will maintain the structure of the Grade A-listed building and ensure its public safety. The first phase has been valued at
26/02/2015
New affordable and private housing is to be constructed at Lephain, on the outskirts of Tobermory, Isle of Mull. The developments have been agreed by under a masterplan for the area, which will also include the creation of commercial properties. The local authority, Argyll and Bute Council, has
26/02/2015
KOSTER Aquatecnic Ltd has recently supplied products for a significant refurbishment project at Amsterdam Airport. The company, which is based in Dumfries, provides waterproofing systems for a range of projects. With regards to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the firm provided its KOSTER TPO Membran
25/02/2015
Construction work is finally set to commence on the V&A Museum of Design in Dundee. The news comes following the signing of a construction contract between Dundee City Council and BAM Construction Ltd. The ambitious project has been subject to controversy of late; last month it was revealed that
25/02/2015
Plans for a £390m extension of Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow have been approved by the city council. The support by the authority's Planning Applications Committee could see work start on site by summer 2015. The project will include the creation of a mixed-use development, consisting of an exte
25/02/2015
Essential repairs needed at the DG One Leisure Complex are to take around 18 months to complete. In a statement, Dumfries and Galloway said the issues are "more serious than initially thought". The facility initially opened in May 2008 following a number of delays, but has been plagued with buil
25/02/2015
Work is continuing to progress on a £13.5m restoration project at Lews Castle. In an update by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the second phase of the project includes the new Museum and Archive building at the venue, as well as the creation of a glass-roofed courtyard café area and toilet facilities.
25/02/2015
SSE has been named as one of 70 companies in the UK that failed to pay workers the minimum wage. It is thought the energy firm, based in Perth, failed to pay £2,233.95 to five of its workers. In a statement, SSE confirmed the five members of staff had been paid less than the national minimum wag
25/02/2015
Rent levels in Scotland have increased at a slower rate than England and Wales, according to a new report. Over the last four years, the survey by Your Move found property rents in Scotland had increased by 5.3% since 2011. During the same period, the rate increased by 9.6% in England and Wales.
25/02/2015
Council tax payments are to be frozen for the eight consecutive year, the Scottish Government has confirmed. All of Scotland's 32 local authority areas will benefit from the decision, it has been said. Outlining their budgets for 2015/16, the councils agreed to maintain 2014/15 tax levels, to brin
25/02/2015
Tarbert Library is to move to a more central location, Argyll and Bute Council has said. The facility will take residence on Harbour Street in the area and will provide more space and services for the local community. It will have a new layout, comfortable seating areas, new bright furnishings, ch
24/02/2015
More than 300 homes have been proposed for Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It is understood Barratt Homes has submitted plans to construct 315 new homes in the city. They would be built on the Ness Castle site and consist of two-, three- and four-bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached p
24/02/2015
A Controlled Explosive Demolition is to be carried out at Cockenzie Power Station next week, ScottishPower has confirmed. The project will see two steel towers – located at the coal handling plant adjacent to the power stations – razed to the ground by means of a controlled explosion. The struct
24/02/2015
Between April and December 2014, more than 101,000 awards were given out by local authorities under the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) scheme. The payments, which provide financial assistance towards housing costs for those claiming housing benefit, comes to a total value of more than £46m e
24/02/2015
East Dunbartonshire Council has granted planing permission for 33 flats to be built on the site of a disused petrol station. Work is already underway by developer McCarthy Stone to demolish the former petrol station on the Kirkintilloch Road in Bishopbriggs. When the building is fully razed to the
24/02/2015
The Balmoral Bridge, close to the Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire, has been reopened following a refurbishment programme. The Grade A listed structure closed in October 2014 to allow for strengthening and refurbishing works to commence. The project consisted of replacing the bridge's deck and excha
24/02/2015
Work is to begin on a £15.2m park-and-ride facility in Dyce, Aberdeen. The project will deliver up to 1,000 spaces for users and will be located on the A96 in Dyce. Waiting accommodation and cycle lockers, as well as 500 metres of new dual carriageway between the A96 and Dyce Drive, at its junct
24/02/2015
A newly-constructed supported living development has officially opened in Kilmarnock. The facility, Lilyhall Gardens, will welcome its first tenants later this week. The £1.6m development, undertaken by McTaggart Construction, is located on Witch Road in the area and offers accommodation for tho
24/02/2015
A new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) has opened at Whinhill Primary School in Inverclyde. The school is the first in the area to benefit from an upgrade to new blaes pitches. The facility will allow pupils to participate in a number of sports including basketball, football, netball and short tennis.
23/02/2015
A £100,000 project is to get underway in Fochabers, Moray, to improve bike trails in the area. The funding is for Monster mountain trails in Moray. The investment has been been principally provided by Forestry Commission Scotland, who will manage the trails, and the Commonwealth Legacy 2014 Acti
23/02/2015
Plans to enhance a section of Seaton Park in Old Aberdeen are on public display. The proposals focus on the east side of the park, where the land has become very wet in recent years. The council consequently commissioned to local firms – cbec eco engineering and Walking-the-Talk – to produce detai
23/02/2015
A consultation event is to be held in relation to the new proposed Invergarven School in Girvan, South Ayrshire. The council has said it will consult with the local community about plans to relocate the school to the grounds of Girvan Academy. There is land available within the grounds of the ac
23/02/2015
Improvement works are to begin on Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh from tomorrow (24 February), it has been announced. The project aims to improve pedestrian access around Waverley Station. As a result of the works, vehicles heading south will be diverted away from Waverley Bridge. This means traffic
23/02/2015
A fertility clinic in Glasgow has officially reopened following a series of refurbishment works. The £4m project was carried out at the Assisted Conception Unit, at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. In 2012, the clinic was closed following a severe fall in successful fertilisation rates. It is thought the
23/02/2015
A hostel in the Highlands, which was left badly damaged by a fire in April 2013 and has lain empty ever since, is to be made safe by contractors. Earlier this month, the Highland Council issued a Dangerous Building Enforcement Notice to the owners of the Eastgate Hostel in Inverness. It is under
23/02/2015
A project to illuminate the Auld Brig in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, has been completed. The lights were switched on at the Grade A listed bridge on earlier this month, to mark the completion of the initiative. The project was spearheaded by Ellon Community Council, who worked alongside Aberdeenshire
23/02/2015
Scottish Water has completed a major project at Queen Margaret Drive in Glasgow. The £150,000 investment will improve the waste water network and tackle flooding in the area. The work has reduced the risk of flooding at nine properties on Queen Margaret Drive as well as on the road carriageway.
20/02/2015
The first homes to be built at the Athletes' Village in Glasgow have opened. The Dalmarnock-based development housed around 7,000 athletes and officials during last year's Commonwealth Games in the city. Following the completion of the sporting event, the 38.5-hectare site was transformed into a
20/02/2015
The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has announced it is not continuing with its plans to build an integrated waste management facility near Galashiels. The local authority had been in discussions with New Earth Solutions since April 2011 regarding the plant, but said after a "detailed and thorough
20/02/2015
Significant improvement works are to be carried out at Wick John O'Groats Airport. The work will be undertaken at the airfield and will increase safety and allow for future growth at the airport. The investment was confirmed following a Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) board meeting earlier
20/02/2015
More work needs to be done to continue to speed up decisions on major planning applications; that's according to Communities Secretary Alex Neil. Mr Neil's comments come as the Annual Report of Planning Performance was published today (20 February), which revealed an overall reduction in planning
20/02/2015
Fifty-eight new homes are to be constructed in South Ayrshire, the local authority has confirmed. The £6m affordable housing development, located in Lochside, is being supported by funding from the Scottish Government. The homes will be modern, bright and energy efficient and built to meet the n
20/02/2015
Initial plans to convert Rowallan Old Castle have started to progress, Historic Scotland has said. Rowallan Old Castle dates from the 13th to 18th centuries and is located close to Kilmaurs in East Ayrshire, within the grounds of Rowallan Castle Golf and Country Club. Scottish Ministers are guard
20/02/2015
Designs for proposed new affordable housing in Ladybank in Fife are to go on public display. The development would be located in Commercial Crescent in the town. It would see 45 council homes constructed and consist of one-bedroom cottage flats to four-bedroom houses. It will also include a two-be
20/02/2015
A project to carry out essential roadworks in Stoneyburn have been extended for two weeks. The works to Main Street, Stoneyburn, are now expected to continue until 6 March. West Lothian Council has said weather conditions and drainage issues are to blame for the extension. A spokesperson for the
19/02/2015
Members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) group have called for a special meeting to be held regarding the Marischal Square project. The controversial project has divided the community. The developers behind the initiative, Muse, have said they will create "world class" facilities, including a
19/02/2015
The owner of Scottish Gas and British Gas has reported a large fall in profits. Centrica said the steep drop was a result of "challenging trading conditions" which included recent falls in oil and gas prices, as well as extreme weather patterns. Publishing its preliminary results for the year end
19/02/2015
Three transport improvement projects are to go ahead in Argyll and Bute after the local authority secured £425,000 of funding. The funding has been set aside by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and will see the Helensburgh, Lomond and Cardross areas benefit. The projects include:
19/02/2015
A new all-weather synthetic pitch has been installed at Dalgety Bay Sports and Leisure Centre. The pitch is suitable for a range of field sports, including football and rugby, and for all levels of ability. It will be made available for community leisure activities. Doe Sport North Ltd installed
19/02/2015
The amount of derelict and urban vacant land in Scotland has fallen by 1.2% – or 129 hectares – from the previous year, to 10,874 hectares. The figures, published by Scotland's Chief Statistician, also revealed the amount of land brought back into use was 319 hectares, more than the 180 hectares
19/02/2015
Building work to replace a memorial wall at Dunfermline Crematorium is to commence next week, Fife Council has announced. The project will see plaques removed from a wall in section A of the crematorium's Garden of Remembrance. The Council has stressed that the plaques will, however, still be on d
19/02/2015
Plans for a series of public realm enhancements for the Mill Street area of Perth are to go on display next week. The proposals have been designed to improve amenity as well as enhance the prospects for commercial development and increase pedestrian accessibility within the city. Additional space
19/02/2015
Transport Scotland is to invest £115,000 to improve a 1km section of the A835 in the Highlands area. The project will begin on Monday (23 February) and is expected to take around one week to complete. The work will involve resurfacing a section of the road, around 3km west of the Braemore Junction
19/02/2015
A new Skills Centre of Excellence has been officially opened in North Ayrshire. Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said the purpose-built facility would "herald a new chapter in local education provision". The centre is based at Irvine Royal Academy and is i
19/02/2015
A programme to repair the condition of roads throughout Dumfries and Galloway is underway by the local authority. Due to recent extreme weather, which included heavy snow, lengthy periods of prolonged rain and high winds, the council's pothole repairs programme has been affected. Attempts to repai
18/02/2015
A planning application for a proposed wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway has been rejected by Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. The Sandy Knowe Wind Farm would have consisted of 30 turbines. In his ruling, Mr Ewing said he agreed with Scottish Natural Heritage's concerns that the development would h
18/02/2015
BAM Nuttall has been confirmed as the main contractor for an £11.95m project to expand Lerwick Harbour in the Shetlands. The scheme will see the quay at Dales Voe South extended in order to support subsea developments and decommissioning. In a statement, Lerwick Port Authority said the extended
18/02/2015
A total of £500,000 is to be invested in The Real Mary King's Close in Edinburgh. The investment by tourist attraction operator Continuum Attractions has been made in agreement with Edinburgh Council. It will mark a new phase of the attraction's history, which has enjoyed a 3.6% year-on-year avera
18/02/2015
Work has started to create a safe underpass link for a new state-of-the-art health centre in Edinburgh. The path will link to the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre in the west of the city and when completed, will be used by local residents, as well as provide a direct route to the facility for p
18/02/2015
Aberdein Considine has announced it is to expand its business in Aberdeen and Glasgow. The expansion comes as the firm increases its property, legal and financial services divisions throughout Scotland. In Glasgow, the company is to open its new legal headquarters, while in Aberdeen, the partner
18/02/2015
Heriot-Watt University has said it is to set up a new Centre for Energy Economics and Policy. The institution will receive funding of £1.25m, over three years, from BP for the venture. The Centre will be primarily involved with providing detailed statistical and analytical support for BP's Statist
18/02/2015
A new £5.9m care facility is to be constructed in the Western Isles. The Ardseileach Care Development received approval from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and will meet the different care and support needs of adults with learning difficulties and complex care needs. The centre will replace the exist
18/02/2015
Midlothian Council has agreed funding for a feasibility study to be carried out in relation to Dalkeith town centre. Councillors have agreed to spend £180,500 on the study which will look at options for regenerating the town, with plans including constructing a new council headquarters, library an
18/02/2015
Work to improve the waste water network in an area of Paisley is continuing, Scottish Water has confirmed. The £750,000 project, which is focusing on the Rowan Street area of the town, has taken longer than originally planned due to the presence of hard rock. That phase of work has now been comple
18/02/2015
A Highlands-based sub-sea oil and gas engineering company has gone into administration, it has been announced. The firm, MacKellar Sub-Sea Ltd., employs 97 full-time and part-time staff. It is understood administrators feel the business remains "viable", and will continue to trade. They added th
17/02/2015
Work has commenced on the new Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty (AWPR) project. The £745m scheme will be delivered in phases and is expected to be completed in winter 2017. Around 1,500 jobs will be supported by the project, as well as more than 100 apprenticeships and graduate pl
17/02/2015
A contract notice to appoint a main contractor for the refurbishment of a building at the University of Edinburgh has opened. The £20m project would see the Old College building at the university's Law School refurbished in phases. The phased options for the works would be; • An internal refurbi
17/02/2015
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for an assessment of the country's electricity supply. The call to the UK Government comes after energy experts voiced concerns over the future of thermal generation plant in Scotland. Scotland is a substantial net exporter of power to the res
17/02/2015
A principle contractor is being sought to build a new extension at Liberton High School in Edinburgh. The project will involve delivering new physical education facilities at the school by extending the existing PE block. The planned building would be partially located on an existing carpark, part
17/02/2015
A new hydro electric scheme is to be constructed near Loch Lomond, it has been announced. The £8.5m project will be located at the River Allt Coire Chaorach, near Crianlarich. It is the first project to benefit from a wider £60m initiative of green funding from the UK Green Investment Bank. The
17/02/2015
Resurfacing works are to be undertaken at Palace Grounds Road in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. The £450,000 project will be carried out between Motherwell Road and Muir Street in the area, and will also involve resurfacing at the roundabouts at Asda supermarket and Muir Street/Mote Hill. The work
17/02/2015
A soon-to-be former school site is being considered for a new social housing development by Fife Council. It is understood the site of Tanshall Primary School in Glenrothes will no longer be required for educational purposes when it closes later this year (July). Consequently, the local authority'
17/02/2015
The Scottish Government has decided to uphold a planning refusal decision in relation to a planned wind farm in South Ayrshire. The development would have been located on Breaker Hill, south of Girvan, overlooking the Stinchar and Duisk Valleys. The area for the wind farm is popular with cyclist
17/02/2015
Aberdeenshire Council has approved a Capital Plan worth almost £1bn. The plan will allow for a number of significant build programmes such as care homes, community and leisure facilities and schools to go ahead. The Capital Plan for 2015-30 is worth almost £1bn and will support job creation, sup
17/02/2015
Another public meeting is to be held to discuss a proposed new children's home in Musselburgh, East Lothian. It follows a consultation event last week regarding the plans. The replacement building would be located at Lewisvale Park, and would consist of six bedrooms, with facilities for teenagers,
16/02/2015
Work is set to commence on a major new hospital in Edinburgh. The announcement comes after financial close was reached on the project. The £150m co-located building will combine services from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the Child and Adolescent
16/02/2015
A total of £1m has been set aside to help reduce energy bills and provide cheaper power to homes throughout Aberdeen. In a statement, the Scottish Government said the funding will enable Aberdeen Heat & Power Ltd to increase the network to non-domestic properties, with commercial heat sales revenu
16/02/2015
Work on the new Blackburn Partnership Centre could commence this spring, according to West Lothian Council. The £7.6m facility will consist of a GP practice, dentist, and community health centre. It will also host a community centre, including a sports hall and multi-purpose spaces, a library, emp
16/02/2015
Homes and businesses located close to the Glenchamber Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway are set to receive discount on their electricity bills. RES Energy confirmed that those eligible would receive an annual discount of £200 on their bills under the company's Local Electricity Discount Scheme (L
16/02/2015
A programme of works for the Selkirk Flood Protection Scheme has been confirmed by the appointed contractor. RJ McLeod has already been on site to set up the main compound and offices at the former Bridgehaugh Dyeworks on South Bridge Street. These will also be used by CH2M Hill, the designers of
16/02/2015
A new European ruling is to blame for a delay to the start of building works on the new Kelso High School, it has been claimed. The Scottish Borders Council (SBC) said the ruling has affected a number of investment projects, including the Schools for the Future initiative. Such schemes are process
16/02/2015
Work is continuing to progress on a £7.6m housing development in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire. The project, which is being managed by Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association, commenced in September 2014 and will see 62 homes built. The homes are being constructed on the site of the former Craigewan n
16/02/2015
Plans to pedestrianise a road in Alford, Aberdeenshire, under plans for a new £37m community campus in the area are to be put to public consultation. It has been said that the proposals to close the road to traffic would be in the interest of public safety. The proposals would see vehicles prohi
16/02/2015
A housing budget for the 2015/16 year has been agreed by North Lanarkshire Council. The local authority has said it will increase its rent by 2.75%, still keeping the rate at an affordable levels for tenants. It will mean the average rent will rise by £1.54 a week. The council has said the addit
16/02/2015
Two sports teams in West Dunbartonshire have benefited from recent funding. The funding has been used to improve facilities, with new changing blocks at Dumbarton Common and Singer Park. Previously, teams using the two pitches at the Common had to change at a council canteen 600m away, while the p
13/02/2015
A total of 323 new homes could be constructed on the site of a former hospital in Aberdeen. The development, proposed by Stewart Milne Homes, Barratt East Scotland and NHS Grampian, would be located on the site of the former Royal Cornhill Hospital in the city. The plans involve demolishing the
13/02/2015
The housing market in Scotland outperformed the rest of the UK last month, new figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed. An increase in buyer enquiries, a stronger price growth and higher confidence in the market has contributed to the performance. Scotland's
13/02/2015
Work has commenced on two additional 'run-of-river' hydro electric schemes in the Glenfalloch Estate, the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park LL&TTNPA) has announced. The schemes at Upper Falloch and Derrydarroch are both located on the 10,000-hectare estate and join a third project at Ben G
13/02/2015
West Dunbartonshire Council has said it is looking at options to allow a proposed new Clydebank Health Centre to go ahead. Earlier this year, it was agreed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that it would progress with work on the Greenock Health Centre. The decision came at the cost of the Clydeban
13/02/2015
BrewDog, the craft beer company, is to expand its facilities in Aberdeenshire. In order to allow the operations to increase, the local authority has said a recycling facility in the area will have to be relocated. Aberdeenshire Council's Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC), has been loca
13/02/2015
A consultation event is to be held in relation to amended plans for a housing development in Kinghorn, Fife. The affordable housing development, proposed by Campion Homes, would be located on the Caberfeidh site on Bruce Street. A planning application for the site was submitted last year, but ha
13/02/2015
A new £1.1m Skills Centre for the engineering and construction trades has opened at West Lothian College. The 325sq m extension consists of a multi-purpose workshop, as well as three remodelled teaching spaces and integrated staff workroom with an extended canopy which will allow motor vehicle stu
13/02/2015
Scottish Water has announced it is to offer a number of students paid work placements later this year. The Summer Internships programme at Scottish Water will provide undergraduates with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a range of disciplines such as construction management, engineer
12/02/2015
Track-laying has been completed on the new Borders Railway. The milestone marks the end of almost 30 miles of rail installation on the new line which runs from the Scottish Borders to Edinburgh. The project to lay the track started in October 2014, and since then more than 1,000 rails have been
12/02/2015
Enforcement action has been issued to the owners of a hotel in the Highlands. On Wednesday (11 February), a Dangerous Building Enforcement Notice was issued to the owners of the Eastgate Hostel in Inverness. The building was destroyed by a fire in April 2013 and has lain empty ever since. It is
12/02/2015
Potential redevelopment options for Hermitage Park in Argyll and Bute are to go on public display later this month. Three different options will be on display and the event will provide the local community with an opportunity to view and comment on the designs, helping to formulate a 'list of want
12/02/2015
Dundee Council has said surfacing work will take place on the new southern boulevard at the city's Central Waterfront next week. In order to allow the work to commence, a lane closure on one of the Tay Road Bridge's ramps will be in place. On Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February, the west bound off r
12/02/2015
Progress is continuing to be made on the Seven Lochs Wetland Park project. The £6.5m initiative will see a new heritage and nature park created in Glasgow. It will bring together 20 sq km of lochs, parks, nature reserves and woodland between Glasgow and Coatbridge. The proposals outline how the
12/02/2015
Recent research has revealed Scotland's construction industry is continuing to show signs of improvement and growth. From July 2013 to July 2014, Scotland secured 11% of the value of contracts awarded in Britain, to make it the third highest in the country, behind London and the South West of Engl
12/02/2015
The next phase of the Arnotts redevelopment in Renfrewshire is set to begin, marking another major milestone in the project. The work is part of a wider investment to transform the town centre. This latest stage of work, Phase 2, will see the listed former store developed into 11 luxury apartmen
12/02/2015
The Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority (SDPA), a partnership between Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, has voiced its opposition to an application from a developer to reduce their contribution to transport improvements. It is understood the developers had previously agreed to c
11/02/2015
Taylor Wimpey has received planning permission to construct 612 homes in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire. The properties will be delivered as part of the company's masterplan vision for Newton Farm in the town, it has said. The development will comprise of five phases, offering two-, three- and fo
11/02/2015
Approval has been given for a new hospital serving the Skye, Lochlash and South West Ross areas in the Scottish Highlands. On Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Shona Robison, approved the proposals. It means construction work can now progress on the project. A new hospital or 'hub' will be
11/02/2015
Work on the next stage of the Leith Programme is to begin next week, Edinburgh Council has confirmed. This phase of works will upgrade the junction at the Foot of the Walk in the city. The project, which commences on 16 February, will be carried out by contractors MacLay Civil Engineering Ltd on b
11/02/2015
The Highland Council has unveiled the updated costs of the planned West Link road programme for Inverness. The amount has rise from £34.3m to £36.6m. The local authority has said the increase has taken into account the inflation on the cost over the scheme's construction period, which is expected
11/02/2015
A £30m contract for the first section of the A96 dualling programme has been awarded by Transport Scotland. The design contract, for the Inverness to Nairn – including Nairn Bypass – section of the route, has been awarded to Jacobs UK Ltd. Commenting on the appointment, which is subject to the m
11/02/2015
A new replacement for Elgin High School in Moray has been approved by councillors, the BBC has reported. The consent means that construction work can now commence on the £26m facility. The school will be delivered close to the existing building, which will then be demolished once the new school is
11/02/2015
A consultation is to be held by Forestry Commission Scotland next week outlining the future of Ittingstone and Culdrain. The event will take place on Wednesday 18 February at Stewarts Hall in Huntly, from 9am to 6pm. The drop-in session will allow for the local community to view and comment on dra
11/02/2015
A new road, which will lead to the new Lairdsland Primary School in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, is to be constructed. Work has already commenced on the infrastructure project, and is due to be completed in the spring. The road will take around five weeks to complete and will run from the
10/02/2015
Three towns in Scotland are to set to benefit from a share of £5.68m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The funding will be used to help transform the economic fortunes of the towns by restoring historic buildings and streets in the area. The towns awarded the monies, underneath the HLF's Tow
10/02/2015
Plans to construct a new replacement school for Abington Primary in South Lanarkshire, have been approved. Work on the £3.6m tandem build project will commence in the spring. Pupils at the school will be able to remain in their current building while the new facility is being constructed on Carlis
10/02/2015
Aberdeenshire Council has carried out inspection works at Deveron Bridge. It is understood that repair works will need to be carried out to the structure. On Sunday (8 February), a car collided with the side of the bridge, and following a site visit by structural engineers it will now be decided
10/02/2015
Plans for the Findhorn Village Conservation Company to progress with a community buyout of part of the Novar Estate Holdings, have been boosted with financial assistance from the Scottish Land Fund. Some £520,000 has been set aside which will help the community move one step close to owning the ho
10/02/2015
West Dunbartonshire Council has confirmed it is to consult with the local community regarding the planned regeneration of Clydebank East. The plans would involve community consultation on proposals ranging from a full demolition to a partial demolition and refurbishment of 336 properties in the ar
10/02/2015
A consultation is to be held regarding plans to build a new school and nursery in the Dalmarnock area of Glasgow. The need for school places, Glasgow City Council has said, is a direct result of the release of homes from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village, as well as planned hou
10/02/2015
The Highland Council has capped its rent increases at 1% for 2015/16. The average weekly rent will now increase by £0.71, from £70.26 to £70.97. In a statement, the local authority confirmed the increase will also apply to hostel rents, gypsy/traveller site pitches, garage and garage site rental
10/02/2015
SSE, in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands, is to launch a new engineering degree later this year. The two organisations came together in 2012 to respond to the growing need for more engineers in the energy sector. The result of the partnership is the new BEng Power Engin
10/02/2015
Some 2.1 miles of water mains are to be replaced in Inchinnan, it has been announced. The work, being carried out by contractors Caledonian Water Alliance (CWA) on behalf of Scottish Water, will commence on 23 February. It is expected to take around seven weeks to complete. During this time, roa
10/02/2015
Almost £100,000 has been set aside by Argyll and Bute Council to develop a full business case for the first project under the Lorn Arc programme. The funds will allow for an access improvement scheme at Oban Airport to progress, with work expected to commence in September. The council has alread
09/02/2015
An appeal against plans to construct a 103-turbine wind farm development in Shetland has been rejected by the Supreme Court. The project by Viking Energy has been hit with a series of delays ever since Energy Minister Fergus Ewing granted consent in 2012. The 370MW wind farm would power more than
09/02/2015
Proposed changes as to how property is managed in the Govanhill area of Glasgow has been approved by the local authority. Under the plans, costing £9.3m, four blocks of privately-owned tenements flats would be brought into the social housing sector. The initiative aims to address issues including
09/02/2015
A consultation period is to commence in relation to a proposed new school in Aberdeen. The plans could see a new school building created for Stoneywood School in the city. If approved, it is anticipated the new facility will be operational for the commencement of the 2017/18 academic year. As part
09/02/2015
Work is set to begin on a major refurbishment of Russell Institute in Paisley. The project will get underway after it was announced that Renfrewshire Council had officially taken ownership of the A-listed building and secured a long-term tenant. It was previously agreed that the local authority wo
09/02/2015
A number of conservation groups have written an open letter to the Scottish Government highlighting their concerns over how planning applications for major wind farm developments are assessed. The letter, which has been signed by leaders from the National Trust for Scotland, the Mountaineering Cou
09/02/2015
Stewart Milne Group has confirmed it plans to create more than 250 new jobs. The roles will be filled over the next 12 months. In a statement, the housebuilder said the jobs would support the growth in its homes and timber systems divisions. The positions will be for cost estimators, skilled tra
09/02/2015
Work to improve the water mains infrastructure in Falkirk and Grangemouth has been completed, Scottish Water has said. Around 50 miles of water mains were upgraded as part of a £3.8m project. The work, undertaken by contractors Farrans on behalf of Scottish Water, commenced in February 2013. It
09/02/2015
Eco Insulate Ltd has secured insulation work at two schools in Orkney. The work follows on from a successful pilot project completed for Orkney Islands Council (OIC) three years ago. Following a formal tender process, the latest work will see Eco Insulate carry out spray foam insulation work at
06/02/2015
Newly-released figures by Registers of Scotland (RoS) reveal house sales in Scotland have reached a six-year high. In 2014, a total of 93,875 sales took place – the highest annual figure since 2008, and an increase of 11.6% compared to the previous year. The price of the sales exceeded £15.3bn,
06/02/2015
Construction work on a replacement building for Newbattle Community High School has been delayed. In a statement, Midlothian Council said the decision was due to factors beyond their control. It added that proposals for new schools at Roslin and Paradykes are also affected by the same issue, but s
06/02/2015
Moray Council has outlined a new timeframe for the resubmission of the revised Elgin western link road planning application. It is thought the new plans could be lodged this summer. Earlier plans for the scheme were rejected by councillors in Moray last November. The council's economic develop
06/02/2015
The CEO of property firm Miller Group has announced he is to step down later this year. Following more than 20 years as Chief Executive of the Edinburgh-based company, Keith Miller CBE has said he will leave the role at the end of March. In a statement, he said the "time was right" to step aside
06/02/2015
A series of refurbishment works are to get underway at VisitScotland's Information Centre on Union Street, Aberdeen. To enable the works to be carried out, the organisation will temporarily relocate to a new premises, Marischal College, in the city. The Information Centre on Union Street will be
06/02/2015
The Scottish Government has said an additional £20m is to be set aside to reduce fuel poverty, and improve the energy efficiency of homes throughout Scotland. From the investment, £6m will be used for energy efficiency programmes to support projects such as solid wall, cavity or loft insulation. T
06/02/2015
Plans to transform the Tom Johnston House site in East Dunbartonshire has been discussed by local councillors. It has been decided that a Planning Hearing should now be held to allow the applicant, Sim Property (Whitegates Ltd), and those who are either in support or opposition of the development,
06/02/2015
SHE Transmission is seeking feedback in relation to the Stronelairg Wind Farm grid connection proposals. Plans for the project have already been amended following a series of consultations, but further opinions are being sought on the scheme. An event will be held next week (12 February) to allo
05/02/2015
A new skate park has been approved for Inverclyde. The facility will be located at Battery Park and will be a replacement for the existing park. The project will cost £174,000 and will see the current facilities replaced with new features including ramps, quarter pipes, banks, rails, kickers, ke
05/02/2015
East Dunbartonshire Council has confirmed financial close has been reached for a new Community Hub in Lennoxtown. The deal, between the local authority, development partner hub West Scotland and contractor Morgan Sindall, will now allow work on the £5.2m project to go ahead. In December 2014, de
05/02/2015
Planning approval has been provided for a new hospital in the Highlands. The facility will service the communities in Badenoch and Strathspey. The hospital and resource centre will be constructed in Aviemore, and will replace Ian Charles Hospital in Grantown-on-Spey and St Vincent's Hospital in
05/02/2015
A former high school in Eyemouth is to be demolished, it has been announced. Work to demolish the former Eyemouth High School, located in the Scottish Borders, will commence later this month and are expected to last until the end of June. Dalton Demolition will be responsible for the project.
05/02/2015
A tender for the development of Whitfield Green has been awarded. It is understood that Fife-based T&N Gilmartin has secured the contract. The company specialises in landscaping, civil engineering, grounds maintenance, street lighting and surfacing. The project will see a derelict area of land a
05/02/2015
Perth and Kinross Council has said it will continue with a number of road improvements in Crieff, despite confirmation from Tesco that it will no longer be constructing a new store in the area. The retailer had previously committed to the works before it pulled out of opening the new store. The
04/02/2015
A new report has claimed wind power output in Scotland for 2015 is off to a "flying start". The findings by WWF Scotland, using data provided by WeatherEnergy, found that for the month of January, wind turbines provided around 1,307,629MWh of electricity to the National Grid, which is enough to me
04/02/2015
A new visitor centre, to be built next to the Kelpies in Falkirk, is to open later than expected, it has been announced. Last year, it was said that the building would open in August 2015, but this date has now been pushed back later in the year, around October. Falkirk Council has revealed that
04/02/2015
Work is continuing to progress on a project to restore an historic wooden pier in Dunoon. Last year, Argyll and Bute Council agreed to invest some £2.5m in the scheme. Now, the local authority has confirmed it has issued a contract notice for Phase 1A of the works. These will involve repairing the
04/02/2015
More than £800,000 is to be invested at Agnew Park in Stranraer, the local authority has confirmed. The money will go towards transforming the park, with new play equipment, lighting and environmental improvements, as well as a new café. The project has been made possible via funding from Dumfri
04/02/2015
There just a few days left for the public to comment on a consultation on the future of land reform in Scotland. The reform outlines a number of proposals to establish a Land Reform Commission, to seek opinions on how the Common Good should be managed, used and transferred. It would also improve t
04/02/2015
A series of road safety improvements works are to be carried out at Findhorn Bridge, south of Tomatin. The stretch of the A9 dual carriageway, will see £460,000 spent on improving the road. Work will commence on site from Monday 9 February and are expected to last for four weeks. The project will
04/02/2015
A public consultation is to be held in relation to a proposed community sports hub in Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire. The event will provide the local community with an opportunity to view and comment on the designs, and share their thoughts on how the future hub should be shaped. The project, in p
04/02/2015
Eight new properties have been completed by Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) in Oakfield, Tarbert. The development is a mix of one- and two-bedroom homes. M&K MacLeod was the appointed contractor for the scheme, which took more than a year to complete, at a value of just over £1m. Fin
03/02/2015
Ski centres throughout Scotland are to be upgraded following an investment of £5.5m. The funding has been made available via the Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Enterprise. The organisations are providing 75% of the funding, with the remaining amount coming from the ski centres.
03/02/2015
House prices in Scotland continued to increase in the third quarter of 2014/15, a new survey has revealed. The report, published by Registers of Scotland (RoS), found that the average house price in Scotland for Q3 was £165,197, a rise of 3.4% when compared to the same period in 2013. From Octob
03/02/2015
Work to restore Rothesay Pavilion is to go ahead after a funding target for the project was reached. On Monday (2 February), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) confirmed it was providing £3.3m to the project, taking the overall funding to £8m. The monies will help to transform the Grade-A historic
03/02/2015
Transport Minister Derek Mackay has visited the site of a proposed upgraded harbour at Brodick in Arran. A total of £18m is said to have been set aside for the project, which includes the construction of a new pier, a new terminal building, improved passenger access and a deeper berth to allow mor
03/02/2015
Twenty-five properties in Mull are to benefit from energy efficiency measures, it has been announced. Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) has said it will invest £700,000 in the homes, with A C Whyte undertaking the work on the organisation's behalf. The project will begin this month and a
03/02/2015
A demonstration has been held in Strathy in relation to a proposed wind farm for the area. The demonstration by some of those from the local community, was held in support of the plans by SSE for the 47-turbine Strathy South development. People gathered at a meeting, held by the Scottish Governm
03/02/2015
Renfrewshire Council has unveiled its strategy to transform social rented housing in the area. By 2020, it aims to have built 1,000 new affordable homes. The local authority will work on the initiative alongside housing associations. Already, regeneration work has been carried out at sites in Ga
03/02/2015
A new construction skills academy has opened in North Lanarkshire. The facility, NL Construction Craft Skills Academy, will provide apprentices with the opportunity to learn from leading experts within the construction industry. The academy, based on the Bellshill Academy campus, is aimed at crea
02/02/2015
Potential designs for the new Mortonhall memorials have been unveiled by Edinburgh Council. Following consultations with parents, it has been decided that two memorials will be proposed, with one located at Mortonhall Crematorium, while the other location is yet to be decided. The designs, which
02/02/2015
Barr Construction has confirmed its next series of free business seminars are to take place later this week. The Paisley-based firm, which is behind the current redevelopment of Glasgow's historic Kelvin Hall, is offering SMEs and SEs the chance to learn industry secrets at a series of specialist
02/02/2015
The Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock, Inverclyde, has been saved from administration. The announcement comes after the local authority, alongside the Scottish Government, agreed to a funding package for the venue. It is understood the council has approved a capital funding package – totalling £1.2m
02/02/2015
Additional funding has been made available for a proposed new leisure and community facility in Girvan, South Ayrshire. A total of £100,000 has been awarded by Hadyard Hill Community Benefit Fund to South Carrick Community Leisure. The funding follows on from grants awarded to the development in 2
02/02/2015
Barrhead Foundry has opened following an extensive refurbishment project. The new multi-million pound facility in East Renfrewshire will provide the local community with a new library, digital hub, enhanced sports facilities, business centre and café. It also offers a members-only area for local b
02/02/2015
Building work is to commence on the fourth phase of the Bishopbriggs Relief Road project. Design work has been completed on the scheme and allows for enabling works to start on the latest section this spring, with bridge and carriageway construction following in the autumn. This phase of works w
02/02/2015
Plans to construct a wind farm in the Scottish Borders have been revealed. It would be the third such development in the area. According to reports, Livos Energy has submitted plans to the local authority to erect eight turbines on an area of land at Howpark Farm, close to the village of Grantsh
02/02/2015
AJ Engineering has secured a contract to carry out work at the Forsinand Flows Reserve in Caithness. The firm successfully bid to work as a sub-contractor to work on the project for Thurso-based O'Brien Construction Ltd. The project will see AJ Engineering responsible for fabricating and installin
