Scotland round-up: Budget details; Aberdeen FC scheme D-day delayed

Autumn Budget 2017: City deal progress including cross-border initiative in Scotland

The UK Government used this week’s Budget (22 November) to signal that it has begun negotiations on a growth deal for the Borderlands, a cross-border initiative involving joint proposals put forward by Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Scottish Borders Council, together with Northumberland and Cumbria County Councils and Carlisle City Council.

The Planner

Brexit loses UK right to host European capital of culture 

The UK will not be allowed to host the European Capital of Culture as scheduled in 2023 as a result of it pursuing a hard Brexit.

The Planner

Local context critical to planning enforcement, national conference hears

Planning enforcement officers must have a strong understanding of the local context they are working in to be effective, a national conference has heard.

RTPI

Planning ‘front and centre’ at Westminster reception

The government must provide resources and trust local authorities to build the houses this country needs, a Government MP told a Westminster reception last night.

RTPI

Aberdeen FC scheme D-day delayed

The date for a further pre-determination hearing of Aberdeen Football Club’s controversial plans for a new stadium and training facilities at Kingsford has been provisionally set for 17 January next year, which means a decision on the scheme can’t now take place by the end of 2017.

BBC News

Cairngorms LDP

Consultation on the Main Issues report for the next local development plan for the Cairngorms National Park has begun.

Cairngorms National Park Authority

Tram inquiry costs escalate

The cost of Edinburgh’s controversial tram inquiry is rising at a rate of around £100,000 a month, according to the latest figures, which reveal that the overall cost of the exercise has now reached £7.2 million.

Edinburgh Evening News

Skye Viking site designated as historic monument

Historic Environment Scotland has officially designated a mysterious stone-lined canal on Skye’s Rubh’ an Dùnain peninsula as an historic monument.

Glasgow Herald

Glasgow theatre refurb

The Citizens Theatre Company is to move out of its historic home in Glasgow’s Gorbals next summer for two years while the Victorian theatre undergoes a £19.4 million refurbishment.

Scottish Construction Now

Students Union modernisation plan revisited

Controversial plans to modernise the world’s oldest purpose-built student union building in Edinburgh have been dramatically scaled back following an outcry – just months after they were revealed.

The Scotsman

Stirling plans 700 affordable homes

Stirling Council has announced it will work with partners to build more than 700 new affordable homes over the next five years.

Scottish Housing News

John O’Groats makes waves

Agents have been appointed to attract new investors and developers to realise masterplan proposals for expansion at the iconic location of John O’Groats.

Scottish Construction Now

Govanhills baths restoration

Glasgow City Council has agreed £500,000 funding to support plans to restore and bring back swimming to the former Govanhill Baths.

Scottish Construction Now

Electric bikes figure in capital scheme

Electric bikes to help riders up Edinburgh’s hills are to feature in the capital’s long-awaited cycle hire scheme to be launched next summer.

The Scotsman

RIAS resignation

It has emerged that the secretary of Scotland’s leading architects body resigned a week after a deep schism was revealed in the profession north of the border.

Glasgow Herald

Revised power lines proposal

Consultation on revised plans for a major upgrade of power lines in Dumfries and Galloway has started.

BBC News

700 homes mooted for historic docks complex

More than 700 homes could be built at the grade A-listed Govan Graving Docks, according to the latest proposals unveiled by developers New City Vision.

The Scotsman

East Renfrewshire proposes 693 affordable homes

East Renfrewshire Council has signed off a strategy to deliver 693 affordable homes over the next five years.

Scottish Construction Now