Scotland round-up: Masterplan approved for major expansion of St Andrews; Major waste-handling projects advance in Fife and North Lanarkshire

Masterplan approved for major expansion of St Andrews

Fife Council has ratified the masterplan for a significant expansion of the historic university town of St Andrews with hundreds of new homes, land for university and employment use, a care home, a secondary school, a hotel and a local centre with shops.

The Planner

Major waste-handling projects advance in Fife and North Lanarkshire 

Two major energy-from-waste (EfW) projects made progress this week with proposals for one submitted to North Lanarkshire Council while a slightly smaller scheme obtained detailed planning permission from Fife Council.

The Planner

Framework published to guide cities

The Urban Technology Framework has identified 12 current trends that will shape hubs and help developers and architects to deliver future cities.

The Planner

Work begins on making the most of offshore wind

A major programme of work has begun to make sure the UK’s low-carbon energy system optimises the electricity generated from renewable sources such as offshore wind.

The Planner

Government amendments tabled for planning bill

The government has lodged most of its amendments for the final stage of the Planning (Scotland) Bill’s parliamentary passage while planning minister Kevin Stewart has blogged about the rationale for the proposed changes.

Scottish Government and Scottish Construction Now

More Aberdeen homes backed

Proposals for 219 flats and houses, part of a wider housing development on the western outskirts of Countesswells in Aberdeen, have been recommended for approval.

Scottish Housing News

Glasgow mosque makeover

Plans have been approved by the city council for the renovation of Glasgow’s oldest mosque with a scheme involving a 1,309 square metre extension. It will provide a new entrance and prayer hall as well as private garden courtyard space.

Scottish Construction Now

Kirkaldy factory flats conversion

Proposals to transform a historic former factory building in Kirkcaldy into 32 flats and one semi-detached house have been lodged with Fife Council.

The Scotsman

Green light for Cairngorm restaurant and lodges

The planned revamp of the Ptarmigan, the UK's highest restaurant, which is located 1,097metres up the Cairn Gorm mountain near Aviemore, has been approved by the Cairngorm National Park Authority. The authority has also approved a scheme involving 12 contemporary holiday cabins near Corgarff on the eastern edge of the park.

BBC News and Scottish Construction Now

Leith art deco cinema in line for flat conversion

An amended plan to transform a B-listed former art deco cinema in Leith into 37 flats has been backed by planners.

Glasgow Herald

Appeal over Hawick low-carbon homes refusal

A developer refused planning consent from Scottish Borders Council for four low-carbon homes in Hawick has appealed against the rejection.

The Scotsman

Local Hero village mast rejected

Proposals for a controversial mobile phone mast in Pennan, the Banffshire village made famous in the film Local Hero, have been refused by Aberdeenshire Council.

BBC News

Edinburgh flats development

Plans have been lodged with Edinburgh City Council to turn former council offices in the west wing of the City Chambers into 24 serviced holiday flats.

The Scotsman

Lerwick funding boost for fish market

Lerwick, Shetland’s biggest commercial port, has received a seven-figure funding boost to support the £7.6 million redevelopment of its fish market.

The Scotsman

Gretna’s Star of Caledonia to shine again?

Resubmitted proposals for a £5 million landmark sculpture – known as the Star of Caledonia – at Gretna near the Scotland-England border, which could benefit from the Borderlands Growth Deal, have been recommended for approval by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

BBC News

Housing blog from RTPT’s Scotland director

RTPI Scotland director Craig McLaren has blogged on the need for a much more collaborative, collegiate and front-loaded approach to decision-making on the numbers and location of new homes, and in the delivery models that could move local development plan allocations through planning permissions to development on the ground.

Scottish Housing News

Scottish sea eagles to fly south?

An innovative conservation project supported by Scottish Natural Heritage is hoping to re-establish a breeding population of White-tailed eagles on the Isle of Wight, England, using young sea eagles from Scotland, where the raptors were successfully reintroduced back in the 1970s and 1980s.

Scottish Natural Heritage

Clyde Waterfront development funding

Glasgow City Council has approved up to £1 million of Glasgow City Region City Deal funding to the University of Glasgow for the development of the proposed Clyde Waterfront Innovation Campus.

Glasgow City Council

Orkney salmon farm approved

Scottish Sea Farms has been given approval for a new Orkney salmon farm off the small island of Hunda within Scapa Flow.

The Scotsman