Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Scotland Construction News Archive for April 2017
28/04/2017
Work is to begin on a recycling centre upgrade project in Angus. The 12-week programme at Arbroath Recycling Centre will start on Monday, 01 May. The project forms part of a scheme to redesign Angus' recycling centre services and will see around £250,000 achieved in savings. The council added due
28/04/2017
New figures from the National House-Building Council (NHBC) have revealed a rise in the number of new home registrations in Scotland. Local authorities across the country recorded 3,292 new home registrations in the first three months of 2017, up from 3,021 in the same period last year. Overall, a
28/04/2017
Work on a 22 turbine wind farm near Edinburgh is complete. The 52MW Harburnhead Windfarm was delivered by Farrans in partnership with FIM Services Limited. The contractor encountered many obstacles on the project, working on difficult terrain as the site contained historical mine workings and over
28/04/2017
The Scottish Government has announced that all 32 local authorities are to be re-appointed as building standards verifiers. Welcoming the announcement, Aberdeenshire Council has re-appointed its Building Standards team for a maximum term of six years. Aberdeenshire's re-appointment provides contin
28/04/2017
Energy Action Scotland has awarded Hillcrest Housing Association £10,000 to help people who are in fuel poverty. The Hillcrest Energy Advice Team (HEAT) will use the funds to supply targeted relief to 300 households across Dundee and the other areas Hillcrest operates in. Hillcrest energy advice o
28/04/2017
Primary school pupils in Linlithgow have been finding out more information about the £742 million Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP). Engineers involved in the scheme recently visited Linlithgow Bridge Primary School to raise awareness about career opportunities in civil engineering. A
27/04/2017
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has published three new papers on how to transform Scotland's planning system. Each publication focuses on a specific proposals outlined in the organisation's response to the Government's 'Places, People and Planning' consultation paper, which set out 20 pro
27/04/2017
Work has started on a new £4.9 million housing development in Helensburgh. Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) is working in partnership with developer Callum Williamson Ltd to deliver 38 new flats and houses at Jutland Court. The scheme, which involves demolishing derelict flatted blocks
27/04/2017
A new high voltage direct current (HVDC) Centre has been opened in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire. The facility, which is owned by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), is the first of its kind in the UK. It provides an industry-wide collaborative testing facility for electricity tran
27/04/2017
Two new primary schools have been opened in East Dunbartonshire. Children from the former Auchinairn and Woodhill Primaries have now moved into the new £12.4 million Thomas Muir Primary in Bishopbriggs, with pre-schoolers moving into the adjoining Cleddens Early Learning & Childcare Centre (CEL&CC)
27/04/2017
Plans have been submitted to develop a new school in Fife. A Proposal of Application Notice has been lodged to deliver a £50 million replacement building for Madras College at Langlands. Earlier this year, Fife Council's Executive Committee conditionally approved the Langlands site as the preferre
27/04/2017
EDF Energy Renewables (EDF ER) has unveiled three new wind farms which can produce enough electricity to power nearly 60,000 homes. Two of the sites are located in Scotland, with the other in England - Pearie Law in West Lothian, Corriemoillie in the Highlands and Beck Burn near Carlisle, Cumbria.
26/04/2017
Around £6.4 billion of Scottish construction projects are either being delivered or due to start construction in 2017, it has been revealed. The Scottish Government's Infrastructure Investment Plan states almost £2.8bn of schemes are set to either set to be completed or become operational this year
26/04/2017
Robertson Group has been selected to deliver a new £4.95 million community facility in Auchinairn. The development will be built on the site of the old Auchinairn Primary School and construction is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 02 May. Designed by Holmes Miller, the facility will provide a range
26/04/2017
Clark Contracts has secured five new maintenance deals worth over £2 million across Scotland. The contractor has been selected by Mydentist to carry out planned and reactive maintenance at 42 of its branches, while JD Sports has also reappointed the contractor to deliver planned and reactive mainte
26/04/2017
East Dunbartonshire Council has unveiled its new five-year Local Housing Strategy (LHS). The document sets out how investment will be made in housing and developing housing services across the region up until 2022. Its five strategic priorities include; • Enable a suitable, efficient and affordab
26/04/2017
Union Unite has confirmed it will ballot North Sea offshore workers on taking official industrial action. The union has been locked in a long-running dispute with the Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) over workers' pay and conditions. In a statement, the OCA said it "remains willing" to imple
26/04/2017
A 3D scanning project is to begin of the First Churchill Barrier in the Orkney Islands. The scheme is being carried out after recent inspections showed the road surface had deteriorated across parts of the causeway. The works have previously been delayed due to adverse weather conditions. However,
26/04/2017
Fundraising efforts are ongoing to raise cash for the £30 million redevelopment of Aberdeen Art Gallery. Renowned Scottish artist John Byrne has unveiled a new limited edition print to support the campaign, with all proceeds going towards raising £10m for the project. The Heritage Lottery Fund (H
26/04/2017
A design engineer working for the Highland Council has been nominated for a national award. Beatriz Fraga De Cal has been shortlisted in Scottish Renewables' Young Professionals Green Energy Awards, which recognise any individual who contributes to the renewable energy sector in Scotland and has wo
26/04/2017
Work is continuing on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project. The contractor, Connect Roads, is due to begin installing edging along the top of the deck on the A90 at Charleston as part of the £745 million scheme. The edging will provide support for the safety
26/04/2017
Scottish Water has started work to repair a road in Aberdeenshire. A section of Westhill Drive, between Kinmundy Drive and Hillside Drive, was damaged earlier this month due a burst water main. The road has now been closed for resurfacing work, which is expected to take up to two weeks to complete
25/04/2017
Conservation charity John Muir Trust is to give evidence at a public local inquiry (PLI) into a proposed new wind farm development in the Highlands. Developer RES is proposing to build 13 turbines inside Wild Land Area 19 (Braeroy-Glen Shirra – Creag Meagaidh). However, a PLI was triggered after th
25/04/2017
Residents are being invited to find out more information about two major infrastructure projects spanning Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow. A series of engagement events will take place over four days in Renfrew, Paisley, Clydebank and Yoker. Feedback during the exhibitions will be use
25/04/2017
New figures have revealed the amount of derelict and urban vacant land in Scotland decreased by 2% in 2016. The total amount of land has fallen by 253 hectares, from 12,688 hectares in 2015 to 12,435 hectares in 2016. The most common new use of derelict and urban vacant land was residential, with
25/04/2017
A new £9 million waste depot has been opened in Edinburgh. The site at Seafield will increase efficiency by providing a single base for waste collection and street cleansing staff in the east of the city. The facility has been upgraded as part of a £30m review of the local authorities depots estat
25/04/2017
A total of seven 3G pitches are to be upgraded across Argyll and Bute. Currently, the council maintains a several pitches across the region. However, the six concerned are not currently covered by the existing maintenance and management arrangements, and are in need of repair and refurbishment. Co
25/04/2017
The Scottish Government has approved Aberdeenshire Council's new Local Development Plan (LDP), clearing the way for the document to be adopted. The adoption of the LDP marks the end of a four-year process which has included two major consultation exercises, attracting more than 2,000 detailed respo
25/04/2017
Residents are being invited to find out more information about planned environmental improvements in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross. A public exhibition is taking place for local community and businesses to view proposals for Aberfeldy Square. The scheme is aimed at creating a focal point for the tow
25/04/2017
The Scottish Government has awarded over £948,000 towards developing better crofter housing across rural and remote communities. A total of 29 crofters will share the funding, which will help towards building or improving homes, helping to retain/attract people to rural communities. Since 2007, ov
25/04/2017
A major milestone has been reached on a £17 million environmental project in Paisley. A Microtunnel Boring Machine (MTBM) has started work to build a one mile-long waste water tunnel/sewer as part of the scheme, which will improve the water quality and natural environment in two local rivers. Cont
25/04/2017
Work on a new £12 million Leisure Quarter at Glasgow Fort is now complete. The development, which features four restaurants and a 600-space multi-storey car park, follows the opening of a £35.5 million retail extension in 2015, and a £9m leisure extension in 2013. The unique CorTen rusted steel de
24/04/2017
Link Group has unveiled plans to build 3,200 new 'affordable' homes in Scotland. The company is doubling its development programme expenditure to £401 million in response to the Scottish Government's call for 50,000 new affordable homes by 2020. Between 2016/17, the Group completed 332 new homes,
24/04/2017
Cruden Building and Renewals has built 48 new homes in Arden, Glasgow. The scheme, which was officially opened by Housing Minister Kevin Stewart last week, has provided a £6.4 million housing boost to the area. The homes were built for Glen Oaks Housing Association on the site of the former St Lou
24/04/2017
Plans have been submitted to build over 100 new homes in Glasgow. City Legacy are planning to deliver a further 125 two- and three-bedroom terraced houses at the Athlete's Village site in Dalmarnock. The developers have already sold all 300 private homes during the first sales release at the site.
24/04/2017
New figures have revealed a 24% increase in evictions across the social housing sector in Scotland. In its 'Evictions by Social Landlords in Scotland 2012 – 2016' report, housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland said evictions where families are involved "should ring alarm bells" about cou
24/04/2017
Glasgow City Council has approved funding to help deliver the next stage of a major road regeneration project. A total of £250,000 will be used to carry out design, environmental impact and contract preparation for the final part of the East End Regeneration Route (EERR). The works, which will com
24/04/2017
A new wind farm extension has been opened at Black Law Windfarm in North Lanarkshire. The 34-turbine scheme was unveiled by ScottishPower Renewables following 18 months of construction. The project forms part of a two-year £650 million investment plan by the developer to build eight new onshore wi
24/04/2017
Work is to begin to deliver bridge beams on the £745 million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project. A total of 12 beams and 44 bridge parapet units are being delivered in order to build two new bridge on the A90 near Blackdog. Six of the beams are 46 metres in l
24/04/2017
New figures have revealed Scottish construction SME workloads rose for the fifth consecutive quarter in Q1 2017. In its latest State of Trade Survey, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) revealed workloads increased faster than any time since the 2007 financial crisis. Gordon Nelson, Director o
24/04/2017
Mackenzie Construction is to begin work on a water mains improvement project in Kilmarnock. The contractor will start upgrading pipes in the Dean Road area from 08 May until 15 May. The scheme will require the temporary closure of a short stretch of Dean Road, from near its junction with Turner Pl
24/04/2017
Scotland TranServ is to start work on a £160,000 road surface improvement project in South Lanarkshire. The company is carrying out a programme to repair potholes and superficial cracks on the main westbound carriageway between the Douglas Street off and on slip roads. Work is taking place each ni
21/04/2017
New figures have revealed more than 150,000 manufacturing and construction jobs are supported by Scotland's trade with the rest of the UK. Research from the Fraser of Allander Institute show that overall, half a million Scottish jobs depend on the UK domestic market. In addition, over 175,000 jobs
21/04/2017
McTaggart Construction has started work to build 96 new council homes in West Lothian. The contractor has started developing 41 houses in Winchburgh, while enabling works are underway to build 54 new homes at Deans South, Livingston. The scheme in Winchburgh forms part of the new Winchburgh Core D
21/04/2017
The new Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries has won an accolade at the 2017 Edinburgh Architectural Association (EAA) Awards. The building, designed by Richard Murphy Architects, secured the 'Building of the Year' award at the event in the Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation on Wednesday, 1
21/04/2017
Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA) is to start the next phase of a £5 million water mains upgrade project in Dundee. The works will begin in the Clepington Road from Monday, 24 April. This initial phase will take place on Arklay Place and Arklay Terrace, with no road closure on this stretch of work. F
21/04/2017
Inverclyde Council has launched a public consultation over its draft Local Development Plan. The document sets out how future development will take place in the area up to 2024 and beyond. It sets out the local authority's strategy, policies and proposals for the use of its land and buildings, as
21/04/2017
New figures have revealed an 8% rise in the number of approved residential units in Scotland. In its new report, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) revealed planning permission was granted for 293,127 new homes across Great Britain. In Scotland, the number of approved residential units increased f
21/04/2017
Police have launched an investigation after a 45-year-old man died at a building site in High Blantyre, South Lanarkshire. Emergency services were called to reports of a seriously injured man at the Avant Homes site on Hamilton Road at around 9.45am on Wednesday, 19 April. The victim was pronounced
21/04/2017
Funding support has been secured towards the restoration of the Bridge of Dun railway station in Angus. The LEADER programme has awarded £31,800 towards Caledonian Railway (Brechin)'s project to build a replacement station at the Bridge of Dun terminus. Plans include developing a bigger station th
20/04/2017
CCG has started work to create 52 new flats in Glasgow. The scheme involves restoring the traditional façade of the Bell Street Stables, a category B listed building in the Merchant City area. As well as creating modern, energy efficient accommodation, original fitments will also be reused to main
20/04/2017
Kingdom Housing Association (HA) has submitted plans to build 16 new 'affordable' homes in Inverkeithing. The organisation plans to build the new housing at Manse Road in a largely residential area to the west of the town centre. The 16 homes will be centred around an enhanced new 'community green'
20/04/2017
A public consultation is to be held over plans to build 150 new homes in Paisley. Renfrewshire Council has agreed to hold a consultation over the draft Paisley West End Regeneration 'Masterplan' this June. The project covers an area comprising Well Street, Underwood Lane, Clavering Street East, Su
20/04/2017
The UK Government has confirmed the sale of the UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) to Macquarie Group. Under the deal, the GIB will become the primary vehicle for Macquarie's renewable energy investment in the UK and Europe. The Group has committed to target £3 billion of new green infrastructure inve
20/04/2017
Perth & Kinross Council has welcomed plans by Expresso Property to redevelop a major gap site in Perth. The developers have previously submitted a Proposal of Application Notice to create a £30 million residential, retail and leisure provision at the Thimblerow site. Plans for 'The Mill Quarter' i
20/04/2017
A railway bridge replacement project has been completed in Falkirk. The structure above Glasgow Road in Carmuirs was upgraded to prepare the bridge for future schemes to upgrade track and electrify the line. Works involved clearing the old tracks from the bridge before lifting the old deck clear.
20/04/2017
The Scottish Conservatives have pledged to build 100,000 new homes and bring 30,000 empty properties back into use in Scotland. In publishing its manifesto ahead of the 2017 local government election, the party also said a "faster and more responsive planning system" is needed if housing supply is
20/04/2017
Traditional building owners across the Scottish Borders are being invited to attend a workshop event in Selkirk. The session is being run in association with the Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), which is focused on a range of heritage and conservation-based regeneration activit
19/04/2017
Plans have been unveiled for a major conversion project at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA). The former Stow College building is to be redesigned to offer fully flexible studio space, as well as an area for exhibitions and events. Designed by BDP architects, features include refurbishing five floor
19/04/2017
A new ocean current energy conversion system has started producing power off the coast of Orkney. Aberdeen-based company EC-OG switched on the Subsea Power Hub for the first time on Thursday, 13 April. The unit, which is being tested at EMEC's Shapinsay sound test site, is "performing in line with
19/04/2017
McLaughlin and Harvey (McL&H) has reached a milestone on a major flood prevention project in Edinburgh. The contractor has completed work on the Water of Leith Walkway (Pansy Walk), a section of works on the Water of Leith Flood Prevention Scheme. The walkway, which has now been opened six months
19/04/2017
Plans have been revealed for the £3.2 million Broad Street transformation project in Aberdeen. The eight-phase programme will be carried out by CHAP Construction and aims to improve the streetscape, turning it into an area capable of staging events throughout the year. The work phases are as follo
19/04/2017
A number of proposals have been unveiled to redevelop the former Ellon Academy Site and Annexe in Aberdeenshire. The council will meet next week to discuss a range of plans which were drawn up following discussions with partner organisations. Potential ideas include developing; • A new health and
19/04/2017
Mears has signed a new deal with the Highland Council which will see millions of pounds saved over the lifetime of the Private Public Partnership (PPP) Highland Schools Project. The company entered into a 30-year contract with Alpha Schools (Highlands) and the council to carry out Total Facilities
19/04/2017
A joint venture (JV) between Morrison Utility Services and AECOM is to begin work to replace water mains in Ayr. The Caledonia Water Alliance (CWA) will start replacing pipes in parts of the town on Monday, 24 April. The eight-month scheme will require road traffic management at various stages in
19/04/2017
Work on a £45,000 monument restoration project is now complete in Moray. Local contractor Darroch and Allan has finished cleaning the stonework of the iconic Muckle Cross structure in Elgin. Funding for the project was provided by the council, the Elgin Common Good Fund and the Elgin Conservation
19/04/2017
Aberdeen-based Wood Group has strengthened its senior team by appointing Grant Angus as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for its Specialist Technical Solutions business. With over 20 years of industry experience, Mr Angus previously joined the energy services company as group head of internal audit in
19/04/2017
Work is to start on a bridge maintenance scheme later this summer in Angus. The council will begin carrying out essential repair and maintenance work to Gannochy Bridge (B966) near Edzell from the start of July. The five-week scheme will include bridge pointing, remedial works to the existing para
13/04/2017
A BBC investigation has discovered over 70 Scottish schools have had construction defects similar to those found in Edinburgh schools last year. The wall of Oxgangs Primary School collapsed in April last year, prompting the closure of 17 schools across the city to carry out repair works. An indepe
13/04/2017
Union Unite has raised concerns over plans to cut around 200 jobs at the Dounreay nuclear site in Caithness. In a letter to stakeholders, Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) Managing Director Phil Craig said workforce numbers will start to be reduced over the next year as a number of decommiss
13/04/2017
Renfrewshire Council is to discuss plans to build 150 new homes in the West End of Paisley. The draft Paisley West End Regeneration 'Masterplan' will go before council members on Thursday, 20 April. The scheme, which aims to integrate the West End further in the regeneration of Paisley Town Centre
13/04/2017
Realm Construction is to begin bridge strengthening works in Fife. The contractor will start refurbishing the A917 Kilrenny Bridge between Anstruther and Crail in May. Completion is scheduled for August. The works, which are part of the Fife Bridge Works Programme, will include; • installing a st
13/04/2017
Two managers working for CCG have each been named a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The two successful staff members are Gary Weir, CCG Technical Manager, and John Baggley, CCG Contracts Manager. The grade is only available to CIOB members who have at least five years of seni
13/04/2017
Aberdeen-based Wood Group has won a new $8 million (£6.4m) contract to help support TPC Group's manufacturing facilities in Texas and Louisiana. The three-year deal will see the company serve as TPC's main automation contractor providing automation, technical, systems, process, software, fabricatio
13/04/2017
Residents are being invited to submit their views on how to address fuel poverty on the Orkney Islands. A consultation is underway on Orkney's Fuel Poverty Strategy 2017 to 2022, which has been developed in tandem with the Sustainable Energy Strategy also recently published for consultation. Featu
13/04/2017
A new slip road is to open on the £745 million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project. The new route is being made available to road users this weekend, under traffic management (temporary traffic signals, while the demolition/reconstruction of the existing A90 ro
13/04/2017
Scotland TranServ is to begin a £240,000 resurfacing project on the westbound M8 Junction 30. The company will repair a 1km section of the motorway, tackling potholes and structural cracks on this stretch of the route. Work will take place between 8pm – 6am from Tuesday, 18 April to Friday, 21 Apr
13/04/2017
Scottish Water is to begin work on a waste water network repair project in Glasgow. Contractors will require the middle lanes of Titwood Road in both directions, from Dumbreck Road to Herries Road, to be closed from 24 April. The scheme will take four months to complete. Elsewhere, another contrac
12/04/2017
The new M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh is to open later this month, Economy Secretary Keith Brown has announced. The so-called 'missing link' has been built as part of the £500 million M8/M73/M74 Motorway Improvements Project. A diversion of the A8/M8 was implemented in mid-February to
12/04/2017
The Scottish Green Party has called for new affordable housing to be prioritised ahead of local authority elections in May. In launching its new election manifesto, the Party has set out a number of commitments towards housing; • Help people who rent to create a stable home • Continue to campaign
12/04/2017
Partick Thistle Football Club (FC) has unveiled plans to create a new £4 million training ground. A location for the new facility is yet to be decided. However, the Club has entered into an agreement with Three Black Cats, a company set up by the Weir family for long term investments, to build the
12/04/2017
Household numbers are expected to rise in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow over the next 25 years, according to new figures. By 2039, the National Records of Scotland (NRS) is predicting household numbers will rise 12% in Glasgow & Clyde Valley and 24% in Aberdeen City & Shire. In addition,
12/04/2017
A 'masterplan' has been approved to carry out improvements to visitor facilities at CairnGorm Mountain. A £4 million loan will be provided from the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to mountain operator Natural Retreats, which will be used to create a host of new facilities. Subject to full p
12/04/2017
Plans have been revealed to invest nearly £2 million to develop conference facilities at an activity centre in Dumfries and Galloway. Laggan Outdoor in Gatehouse of Fleet will soon start refurbishing and extending an existing farm steading, with completion expected later this year. The scheme will
12/04/2017
BAM Nuttall is to begin a railway upgrade project in Moray. The contractor will start installing services in connection with new signalling at the Wards Road level crossing in Elgin. As part of the project, the road will be closed between 8am and 8pm on 29 – 30 April. Diversions will be in operati
12/04/2017
A company director has been disqualified after not paying over £55,000 in taxes. Graeme Rogerson, who was sole director of GKTD Limited, an Aberdeen-based oil consultancy business, has been banned from being a director for five years. The disqualification order was made after Mr Rogerson failed to
12/04/2017
Union Unite has called for "full transparency and consultation" from Wood Group following its £2.2 billion takeover of Amec Foster Wheeler. The Aberdeen-based oil services firm announced in March it was buying out the company and last week, the company said it has been able to increase levels of co
12/04/2017
MacKenzie Construction has started work to install a new sewer in South Lanarkshire. The project is taking place on the B7086 road near Auchenheath. The new sewer is being laid adjacent to the old one, which was damaged following a recent blockage. As part of the scheme, a stretch of the B7086 wil
11/04/2017
Work on a new high school in Edinburgh has been hit by fresh delays. Contractors O'Hare & McGovern, who are building the new Boroughmuir High School, have advised the council that they will be unable to achieve a scheduled handover date of 16 June. The company is now proposing a new date of 11 Aug
11/04/2017
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has called for meetings between various groups interested in operating on the A82 trunk road in the Scottish Highlands. The discussion in June will focus on potential actions that can be taken forward for the route, which links the central belt with the North West an
11/04/2017
A new research programme is underway to examine the UK's housing system and explore potential future housing policies. The new UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) is being led by the University of Glasgow. It features a consortium of nine universities and four non-academic profess
11/04/2017
Property consultancy Hardies has completed its merger with Shepherd Chartered Surveyors. Having made the move in December, Hardies' head of south division Murray Warner has described business so far as 'buoyant'. Under the agreed terms of the merger, both practices will retain their own branding a
11/04/2017
Plans have been revealed to expand facilities at Dunbar Station in East Lothian. The scheme involves developing a new platform to provide additional capacity, as well as building a new footbridge with lifts. As part of the project, a number of community drop-in events will be held later this month
11/04/2017
Work to repair a railway line near Glasgow is now complete. The Glasgow-Anniesland, via Maryhill, line has reopened today, 11 April, following works to repair damage caused by a landslip. Tonnes of masonry and material was washed onto the track near Erradale Street in Lambhill last week, weakening
11/04/2017
Hub North Scotland has appointed Michael Padzinski as the company's new Chief Executive. With over 25 years' experience working in senior roles for consultancy and construction companies, Mr Padzinski has led major development projects in both the private and public sectors. Hub North Chairman, An
11/04/2017
Private landlords and agents are being invited to attend a free Open Day event next month in Stirling. The Private Rented Sector (PRS) Open Day and Conference is an opportunity for landlords and agents to meet key figures in the region's PRS, as well as to gather information and seek advice. Atten
11/04/2017
North Lanarkshire Council are warning residents to be on their guard for an increase in bogus callers this Spring. In the last year, 709 bogus caller reports were received from residents across Lanarkshire. Common scams include workmen offering to initially replace a tile or slate on the roof, the
11/04/2017
Work is to begin on a bridge refurbishment project in Glasgow. Scottish Canals will renovate the old Bowling Railway Bridge over the 12 - 13 April. The scheme, which is possible due to Sustrans Scotland funding, involves the removal of the existing paintwork, structural repairs and repainting. Tr
10/04/2017
Morrison Construction has been appointed to deliver a new £63.5 million education campus in East Ayrshire. The company will build the Knockroon Learning and Enterprise Campus in Cumnock on behalf of the council. Work is to begin this year, with completion scheduled for 2019. The development involv
10/04/2017
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse has called on the UK Government to recognise the importance of islands renewables to the UK energy market. Speaking ahead of a meeting with UK Energy Secretary Greg Clark later today, 10 April, Mr Wheelhouse said major projects on the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetla
10/04/2017
Work is underway on a £28 million maintenance project at EDF Energy's Torness power station in East Lothian. The scheme, known as a 'statutory outage', is carried out on each of the facility's reactors every three years. The period allows workers to carry out inspections and pieces of work which w
10/04/2017
Union Unite has branded Ineos as "reckless and destabilising" after the energy firm gave notice it wants to scrap legal bargaining agreements with the organisation. Recently, workers at the Grangemouth chemicals facility rejected a pay offer from the company following a three-year pay freeze. Unit
10/04/2017
Environmental Reclamation Services (ERS) has won a £213,000 contract to carry out ground investigations as part of the A90/A96 Haudagain Improvement scheme. The seven-week project will get underway early next month. As some of the works will be taking place near the carriageway, traffic management
10/04/2017
Jacobs UK has been chosen to carry out a study examining how to improve transport in the south of Scotland. Subject to completion of the mandatory standstill period, the engineering consultancy will begin the seven-month scheme later this month. Features include exploring the potential to expand t
10/04/2017
Kingdom Housing Association is to develop 98 new homes across Fife. The organisation has secured a £5 million bond issued as a loan by social investment charity Allia, which will enable the new housing to be developed at Inverkeithing, Torryburn, Bonnybank and Crosshill. The bond was issued as par
10/04/2017
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has approved the new 2017 – 2022 National Park Partnership Plan (NPPP). The new plans sets out a range of aims to be delivered, including increasing woodland expansion, restoring peatlands and investing in the Deeside and Speyside Way extensions as well
10/04/2017
The National Farmers' Union (NFU) of Scotland has called on the Government to create a new planning system that works for modern agriculture. In its submission to the Government's planning review, the organisation outlined key issues identified by its membership that needs to be tackled. Proposals
10/04/2017
Contractors are being urged to bid for work on the £3 billion A9 Dualling Programme. Addressing delegates at an Industry Day event in Perth today, 10 April, Economy Secretary Keith Brown said a "considerable amount of work is already underway" on the scheme, from advance works to ground investigati
07/04/2017
New figures have revealed Scotland's low carbon and renewables sector generated £10.5 billion of turnover for 2015. The Office of National Statistics report states employment in the sector also increased by 15,000, from 43,500 employed in 2014 to 58,500 in 2015. Key highlights include: • Scotland
07/04/2017
Trade body Homes for Scotland (HfS) has said it is "extremely disappointed" with proposals set out in a consultation on Scotland's planning system. The 'Places, People and Planning: A consultation of the future of the Scottish Planning System' discussions came to a close on Tuesday, 04 April. It s
07/04/2017
Feasibility studies are to begin exploring the possibility of redeveloping former wartime oil tanks into a new fuel base in Lyness. Scapa Flow Asset Management Limited (SFAML) and Orkney Islands Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to examine how the Wee Fea underground storage tanks c
07/04/2017
Aberdeen-based Wood Group has won a contract to support the development of the offshore Echidna field development in Brazil. The company will provide owner's engineering services for Karoon Petróleo & Gás, focusing on the technical requirements of a floating production unit (FPU) and subsea structu
07/04/2017
Work is underway on a railway line repair project in Glasgow. The Glasgow-Anniesland via Maryhill line was badly damaged after tonnes of mud/stone washed onto the track near Lambhill on Tuesday, 04 April. Engineers are currently working to stabilise the slope and assess damage to the footbridge, w
07/04/2017
A 3D survey is to be carried out on the first Churchill Barrier causeway in the Orkney Islands. The survey will generate a clearer picture of the current condition of the surface of the road on the First Barrier. Once completed, options will be drawn up on how to address the deterioration the insp
07/04/2017
Work on a new residential development in Falkirk is now complete. CCG has built 18 new flats for social rent on the site of the former Larbert Police Station, and the Council's Registry Office, at Main Street in Stenhousemuir. 'The Old Police Station' extends to three-storeys and each flat has bee
07/04/2017
Landscaping company Brandon Landscape Ltd is set to begin major remedial works in Inverness. The contractor will carry out works involving trees, paths, bridges, and banks at the Ness Islands, with work to start next week. The overall eight-month project will start with tree works, which will take
07/04/2017
Work is continuing on a multi-million pound programme to build new schools across the Scottish Borders. Contractors are building three primary schools and one secondary school across the region on behalf of the council. The new £10 million Langlee Primary School is being delivered by McLaughlin an
07/04/2017
A consultation has been launched on proposals to improve energy efficiency for privately rented homes in Scotland. Around 28% of PRS properties have the lowest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of E, F and G, compared with the owner occupied sector (22%) and the social housing sector (10
06/04/2017
The majority of Scottish housing associations believe Brexit will have a detrimental impact on the construction industry's workforce, according to the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA). In its new report, 'The Potential Impact of Brexit on Housing Assocations in Scotland', nearly 7
06/04/2017
Work is continuing on a new £22.5 million high school in the Scottish Borders. The new Kelso High School is being built by Morrison Construction in partnership with Hub South East. Completion is scheduled for this autumn. The video shows key areas of the school internally and externally, from the
06/04/2017
A new £4 million car rental centre has been opened at Glasgow Airport. The facility was built by CCG (Scotland) and offers a one-stop-shop car hire facility for passengers. The centre includes increased floor and office space, as well as being equipped with the latest technology to ensure the hiri
06/04/2017
Angus residents are being warned to keep their guard up after reports of cold callers working in the area. In March, bogus workmen called to the door of an elderly couple and claimed they noticed loose slate on their roof. After convincing their way inside, they persuaded the couple repair works w
06/04/2017
The John Muir Trust has called for greater recognition for the environment in Scotland's planning system. A public consultation on the system, 'Places, People and Planning: A consultation of the future of the Scottish Planning System', came to an end on Tuesday, 04 April. A total of 20 proposals w
06/04/2017
A new competition has been launched to develop advanced control systems for wave energy generation technology. Wave Energy Scotland (WES) has issued its fourth funding call for the Control Systems programme, with up to £47,000 available for organisations to produce feasibility study proposals. Up
06/04/2017
A total of 35 finalists have been shortlisted for the 2017 Young Professionals Green Energy Awards. The awards recognise the work of individuals in the wind, wave, bioenergy, tidal, solar and hydrogen power sector, as well as renewable and low-carbon heat and the emerging field of energy storage.
06/04/2017
A major milestone has been reached on the decommissioning of the Dounreay nuclear power complex site in Caithness. A robot has demolished the final internal structure of the Dounreay Materials Test Reactor (DMTR) support building complex. The work means the building can now be levelled. Project Ma
06/04/2017
Plans have been approved to develop an area of land for allotments in Elgin. The site is located near playing fields at Pinefield. Proposals include creating a total of 22 allotments, each with an area of at least 250 square metres and each featuring a shed and polytunnel. In addition, car parking
06/04/2017
Work is to begin later this month on two road improvement schemes in Peebles. Resurfacing will start on High Street from Monday, 17 April until Friday, 21 April. Further works will take place in Eastgate from Sunday, 23 April to Thursday, 27 April. In addition, a bus build-out area will be introdu
05/04/2017
More than £266,000 has been confiscated from two company co-directors after they were found guilty of bribing Edinburgh City Council officials. Kevin Thomas William Balmer, 54, and Brendan Cantwell, 46 were made subject of confiscation orders totalling £95,000 and £171,223.92 respectively, having e
05/04/2017
Robertson has secured a place on Scape Group's £7 billion National Construction framework. The company has been appointed to the Scottish lot of the programme, with a total value of £750 million. Other successful contractors include Willmott Dixon (Lots 1 and 2), Wates (Lot 4) and Lendlease (Lot 5
05/04/2017
Wheatley Group has teamed with up City Building (Glasgow) to deliver its annual repairs programme in the city. The 50/50 joint venture (JV) will be responsible for Wheatley's housing repairs budget of £33 million and annual investment budget of £27m, as well as carrying out £30m of repairs annually
05/04/2017
Work is to begin on a £350,000 resurfacing scheme in Dumfries and Galloway. Contractor DG First and specialist sub-contractor Webfell will begin repairing the A75 eastbound Collin Bypass on Friday, 07 April. A 610-metre stretch of trunk road will be improved, with work being carried out to address
05/04/2017
New figures have revealed property supply in the UK has risen for the third month in a row. According to the latest Property Supply Index from HouseSimple.com, property listings across the country were up 3.7% in March compared with February. Property listings surged by more than three quarters (7
05/04/2017
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has signed Scotland's first Sustainable Growth Agreement at a launch event with Stirling-based manufacturer, Superglass Insulation Limited. The agreement (SGA), signed by SEPA Chief Executive Terry A'Hearn and Superglass CEO Ken Munro on Monday, 20
04/04/2017
Four industry firms are in the running to be awarded a £50 million contract on the A96 Dualling Programme. The consultancies or joint ventures (JV) have been invited to bid for work over a 26-mile stretch of the A96 from east of Huntly to Aberdeen. The four firms are: • AECOM Limited • Amey Arup
04/04/2017
Plans have been approved to build a new film and TV studio complex near Edinburgh. The Pentland Studios development is set to be built on a 106-acre site at Straiton, Midlothian. In 2015, the local authority rejected plans for the project as planning officers were concerned the site was partially
04/04/2017
German company TÜV SÜD AG has unveiled plans to establish a new £16 million Centre of Excellence (CoE) for subsea development in East Kilbride. The investment at its TÜV SÜD Limited (NEL) site in the Scottish Enterprise Technology Park will help cement Scotland's position as a global leader in the
04/04/2017
Graham Construction is to begin work on a new community facility project in Dumfries and Galloway. 'The Bridge' development is being built on the disused former bowling green at the King George V site in Dumfries. As a community facility, it will deliver lifelong learning needs for learners across
04/04/2017
Kier Construction is to start work on a sewer repairs project in Fife. The project is being carried out on behalf of Scottish Water on Main Street in Leuchars. The one-week scheme will get underway on Monday, 10 April. Road closures and local diversions will be in place. Scottish Water said it wo
04/04/2017
Work has started on a new housing development in West Lothian. CCG is building 12 new 'affordable' cottage flats for West Lothian Development Alliance (WLDA) in Stoneyburn. The flats are designed to suit people with a range of needs and two are being built to full wheelchair standard. In addition,
03/04/2017
Concerns have been raised by union Unite over the safety of windfarms after two workers were killed last month in Scotland. The first victim, 37-year-old Antonio Linares, was killed when he fell at Scottish Power's Kilgallioch Windfarm site in South Ayrshire on 15 March. Mr Linares was working for
03/04/2017
Oil giant BP has sold its Forties Pipeline System (FPS) to Ineos for $250 million (£199m). The pipeline, located in the North Sea, links 85 North Sea oil and gas fields to the UK mainland, as well as to the Ineos site in Grangemouth, Falkirk. The FPS employs around 300 staff at Kinneil, Falkirk, D
03/04/2017
Plans have been revealed for a new road junction to be developed near Edinburgh. A new flyover will be built on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass as part of the Sheriffhall improvement scheme. In addition, traffic using local roads will be served by a new larger roundabout. Transport Minister Humza
03/04/2017
Plans have been approved to build a new £2.5 million waterfront pathway in West Dunbartonshire. The 1,140 metre route will link Dumbarton Town Centre to Dumbarton Rock, with completion scheduled for December 2019. Features of the wide walkway/cycle path includes fitting guard rails, wave walls and
03/04/2017
The Scottish Government has announced £30 million is available to improve energy efficiency in homes. Householders can apply for a loan of up to £15,000 from the Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland (HEEPS) to install a variety of energy efficient measures. Features could include solid wall i
03/04/2017
Approval has been granted to begin redeveloping Queen Street Station in Glasgow. Scottish Ministers have given formal approval to Network Rail to start the redevelopment scheme, which aims to enable the station to accommodate longer trains and future growth in passenger numbers. The Transport and
03/04/2017
AECOM has been appointed to carry out comprehensive flood protection studies for two coastal towns in the Highlands. The contract will see the engineering design firm produce detailed hydraulic models to better understand the combination of tidal and river levels during storm events and how these r
03/04/2017
Local Government and Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart MSP, has re-appointed Angus Council's building standards team as the building standards verifier for the geographical area. The division will carry out the verifier role over the next six years from 01 May. The verifier's role is to grant buildi
03/04/2017
Bowmer & Kirkland (B&K) is continuing work to build a new 228-room hotel in Edinburgh. The contractor is developing the Hampton by Hilton hotel in the city's Fountainbridge area. As part of the project, B&K teamed up with first-year graphic design students from Edinburgh Napier University to produ
03/04/2017
Scotland TranServ is to begin a road improvement project in Inverclyde. The £51,000 scheme involves overnight resurfacing and line markings on the A8 in Port Glasgow. The project will help address issues with potholes and superficial cracks in the carriageways approaching the waterfront roundabouts
