The number of new homes built in Scotland has risen by nine per cent in the last year.

Latest housing statistics show the number of new homes completed across the private and social sector rose nine per cent to 16,281 between April 2014 and March 2015, compared to the same period in 2013-14.

In addition, the overall supply of housing, which covers new builds, refurbishments and conversions, increased six per cent to 17,149 in 2014-15 compared to the previous year.

The Scottish Government is also well on track to exceed its five-year target to deliver 30,000 affordable homes by March 2016, as part of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme.

Figures to the end of June 2015, show that a total of 28,048 affordable homes have now been delivered –93 per cent of the 30,000 target – including 19,205 homes for social rent.

This is 96 per cent of the 20,000 social rent target, and within that 4,956 council homes – 99 per cent of the council homes target.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: “Making sure everyone in Scotland has access to good-quality, affordable housing is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s ambitions to create a fairer and more prosperous country. These figures support this commitment and show we are on track to exceed our five year target of delivering 30,000 new homes by 2016.

“We will continue to work closely with the housing sector to support the construction of new homes across all tenures, supporting jobs in the construction industry and wider economy, and helping to strengthen communities, promote social justice and tackle inequality.”

Wates Living Space has announced a new national scheme to support ambitious growth plans over the next four years that will create new jobs.

The structure sees the creation of two separate divisions under the Living Space brand; a Maintenance division and a Homes division.

Each is supported by a dedicated management team focused on securing further growth opportunities within these two different sectors.

The Homes division of Wates Living Space will be led by Managing Director, Jo Jamieson who will be accountable for the division’s new build and partnership housing activities across all regions and will report to Wates Living Space Managing Director, Andy Hobart.

This announcement reaffirms Wates Living Space’s long-term commitment to deliver more and better homes across the UK, helping to tackle the nation’s urgent need for housing.

In support of this aim, the business plans to grow both divisions to create a sustainable £500 million Maintenance division and a £250 million Homes division.

The two divisions will offer Wates Living Space’s housing association and local authority clients a full range of services; Maintenance will offer planned and responsive maintenance programmes, void and energy services while Homes will provide contracting and development services.

Wates Living Space’s sustainable growth strategy enabled the business to report a turnover of £391m in 2014 and has been further supported by a number of strategic acquisitions in recent years.

This includes the integration of Linbrook Services into South Maintenance in 2011 and the more recent acquisition of G Purchase in 2014, expanding Wates Living Space’s national offer to customers and growing its responsive maintenance capability in the Midlands and North.

Morgan Sindall has been appointed to a £1.4 million contract to update 425 student bedrooms for the University of East Anglia (UEA).

The project is already underway, and will comprise the modernisation of bedrooms and some kitchen areas in four accommodation blocks across the University campus.

Rooms in Paston House, Orwell Close and Wolfson Close halls will be updated with new carpets and redecoration, while in The Village 26 of the 101 kitchens will be rejuvenated, refreshing the accommodation on offer to students.

Linda Shepherd, deputy dean of students at UEA, said: “The University is committed to a programme of continual improvement and updating of its student accommodation. Working with Morgan Sindall to deliver the latest stage of our refurbishment plans has been a very positive experience.”

Gavin Napper, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: “The project at UEA will give a new lease of life to the accommodation available for students as they complete their degrees at the University of East Anglia.”

The refurbishment of the student accommodation follows the completion of the Enterprise Centre on the university campus. The £11.6 million project at the Enterprise Centre is the UK’s greenest commercial building, and achieved both Passivhaus and a BREEAM Outstanding rating.

Willmott Dixon is set to build a £12 million care apartments scheme in Brighton for people over 55.

Brighton and Hove City Council selected Willmott Dixon as a prefered bidder for the multi-million contract that will see the building of 45 extra care homes.

The company was chosen through Scape Group’s Major Works framework to deliver the Brooke Mead Extra Care Housing development in Albion Street, Brighton.

The scheme is on the site of a former council owned sheltered housing scheme which will be demolished to make way for apartments primarily targeted at people with low to moderate dementia.

The investment in Brooke Mead is part of Brighton and Hove City Council’s commitment to developing housing solutions for those in housing need, including vulnerable older people.

The Brooke Mead scheme will provide independence and dignity by enabling people to live in their own home for longer in a supported environment.

Willmott Dixon’s managing director for residential construction in the Southern Counties David Issott : “We already have a presence in Brighton where our interiors company is delivering a £20 million upgrade to the university’s Cockcroft building.

“We are delighted to add to this with our residential capabilities to create new modern homes for local people who want to live independently while also having access to facilities for care and assistance when needed.

“This will be a high quality extra care scheme that offers older people a dignified environment which enhances their quality of life when complete in 2017.”

A landmark £250 million regeneration scheme for Maidenhead town centre was given the go ahead last night in a unanimous Council vote.

The decision paves the way for over 600,000 sq ft of new offices, retail and homes to be delivered in the Thames Valley town in time for the arrival of Crossrail services in 2019.

‘The Landing‘ was approved by councillors at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in a major step forward for a development just 100m from the future Crossrail station.

The regeneration of the 3.3 acre ‘Broadway’ site in Maidenhead town centre is being brought forward by Ryger Maidenhead Ltd, through London & Aberdeen Group.

Designed by Studio Egret West and Allies & Morrison, The Landing aims to deliver a new gateway for the town, providing 260,000 sq ft (net) of Grade A office accommodation and setting a new high standard for major HQ office buildings in Maidenhead.

The scheme also provides up to 225 new residential units of one, two and three bedrooms and 48,000 sq ft (net) of retail, set around an expansive central plaza.

Doug Higgins, Managing Director at London & Aberdeen Group, said: “This is a major step forward for Maidenhead and our vision will help reinvigorate the town centre and capitalise on Maidenhead’s status as a future Crossrail destination.

“The Landing will occupy a prime site between the station and high street and set a new standard for urban design in the Thames Valley, providing office accommodation suitable for major HQs, as well as homes and high-quality shops and restaurants.

“Local representatives have been at the heart of the design process for The Landing. The scheme has a clear role to play in helping Maidenhead maintain its place as a preeminent destination in the Thames Valley, creating a spectacular meeting place, new jobs, economic activity and a hub linking all parts of the town centre together.”

A landmark £250 million regeneration scheme for Maidenhead town centre was given the go ahead last night in a unanimous Council vote.

The decision paves the way for over 600,000 sq ft of new offices, retail and homes to be delivered in the Thames Valley town in time for the arrival of Crossrail services in 2019.

‘The Landing‘ was approved by councillors at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in a major step forward for a development just 100m from the future Crossrail station.

The regeneration of the 3.3 acre ‘Broadway’ site in Maidenhead town centre is being brought forward by Ryger Maidenhead Ltd, through London & Aberdeen Group.

Designed by Studio Egret West and Allies & Morrison, The Landing aims to deliver a new gateway for the town, providing 260,000 sq ft (net) of Grade A office accommodation and setting a new high standard for major HQ office buildings in Maidenhead.

The scheme also provides up to 225 new residential units of one, two and three bedrooms and 48,000 sq ft (net) of retail, set around an expansive central plaza.

Doug Higgins, Managing Director at London & Aberdeen Group, said: “This is a major step forward for Maidenhead and our vision will help reinvigorate the town centre and capitalise on Maidenhead’s status as a future Crossrail destination.

“The Landing will occupy a prime site between the station and high street and set a new standard for urban design in the Thames Valley, providing office accommodation suitable for major HQs, as well as homes and high-quality shops and restaurants.

“Local representatives have been at the heart of the design process for The Landing. The scheme has a clear role to play in helping Maidenhead maintain its place as a preeminent destination in the Thames Valley, creating a spectacular meeting place, new jobs, economic activity and a hub linking all parts of the town centre together.”

Muse Developments has been given the go-ahead for its ‘Your New Town Hall’ project in Lambeth that will see the building of 194 new homes.

It is expected that work can commence later this year, following the completion of the relevant legal agreements with Lambeth Council.

The project will provide around 600 construction jobs including 35 apprenticeships and work placements.

The ‘Your New Town Hall’ project will also preserve the historic town hall while reducing the council’s core office buildings from 14 to 2, saving at least £4.5 million a year.

Thomasin Renshaw, development director at Muse Developments, said: “We are delighted that the planning committee has resolved to grant planning permission for the ‘Your New Town Hall’ project.

“These plans will deliver a modern, energy-efficient civic office for Lambeth, and regenerate the current town hall and surrounding properties for new civic and community spaces.

“As well as saving the Council at least £4.5 million in running costs by consolidating scattered services into of the heart of Brixton, the project will also deliver 194 new homes, of which 40% will be affordable. We are looking forward to making a start on site in the coming months.”

The approved redevelopment proposals, which cover the Town Hall Parade, Hambrook House and Olive Morris House along with the refurbishment of Ivor House and the Town Hall, will deliver:

• A preserved and enhanced Grade II listed Town Hall, more open and accessible to residents
• Quality office/ meeting spaces for local enterprise, start-ups and the community – twice the size of the Impact Hub project that is already based in the Town Hall – to encourage innovation and entrepreneurial spirit
• A new, 120,000 sq ft, energy efficient civic building with much improved customer centre and council offices
• 194 new homes including 40% affordable housing
• A car-free development (where parking permits will not be allowed) except for basement parking for wheelchair residents within the Olive Morris House development
• New landscaped public areas
• A new cycle hub with changing/ shower facilities and a cafe

Willmott Dixon will see the expantion of University of Warwick through its new £20 million contract which was secured through Scape Group’s National Major Works framework.

The job is one of six schemes offered by Scape, the new Teaching and Learning Building is the start of a comprehensive redevelopment of the university’s central campus and is being delivered to mark its 50th anniversary this year.

It’s the latest major project for Willmott Dixon in the higher education sector, following similar facilities for universities that include Kent, Cambridge, Bournemouth, Birmingham City, West London and Brighton with a combined value of over £250 million.

The Teaching and Learning Building will see Willmott Dixon provide the University of Warwick with a facility that has 250 and 500 seat lecture theatres (see below) alongside new teaching and seminar space plus social and network areas – all accessible by faculties across the university.

Peter Owen, managing director at Willmott Dixon in the Midlands, said: “Our recent experience in higher education includes the new Curzon Building at Birmingham City University and we’ll be using our experience of working in live environments to ensure we create a centrepiece for Warwick that will provide an excellent learning environment for many generations to come.”

Willmott Dixon is working with Berman Guedes Stretton, architect, and Pick Everard, as project manager. Duncan Green, managing partner at Pick Everard, said: “Under the Scape framework, we will deliver project management, quantity surveying and CDM co-ordination services for what is going to be a hugely important addition to the University of Warwick Campus”

The Scottish Government will invest £195 million over the next three years on a new shared equity scheme that will see the building of thousands of new homes.

The successor to the existing Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme will focus on affordable homes, with eligible buyers receiving an equity loan towards the purchase price of a new-build home.

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said: “This considerable investment means that through Help to Buy and its successor, the Scottish Government will have invested around half a billion pounds over six years, providing the private sector and construction industry with a huge boost.”

The Scottish Government will work with the house-building industry and lenders to agree on how the new scheme will operate. Further details will be announced following the UK Government’s spending review in November.

Regeneration firm Urban Union Ltd, a joint venture between construction firms McTaggart Construction and Robertson Group (Holdings), has been appointed by the City of Edinburgh Council to build more than 700 affordable and private homes in Pennywell.

Graeme Nicol, Managing Director, Urban Union Ltd said: “We welcome the news that Help to Buy is continuing through a new shared equity scheme.

“Help to Buy has been incredibly popular – the majority of buyers at our developments at Pennywell in Edinburgh and Laurieston in Glasgow received funding through this scheme.

“Urban Union is committed to delivering affordable homes and the continuation of support, focusing on the affordable housing market, is a much needed and welcome boost for people who need it most.”

City of Edinburgh Council Housing Leader, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “I welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to help more people buy affordable, energy efficient homes.

“Increasing housing costs in Edinburgh have priced many people out of the private ownership market, making it impossible for them to get on the property ladder.

“I hope that today’s announcement means more people in Edinburgh will benefit from the Help to Buy scheme and also means that we will be able to take forward more projects like Pennywell, which has played a vital role in regeneration of the local area.”

More than £150 million will be invested in building new facilities at NHS Grampian’s Foresterhill Campus in Aberdeen over the next 5 years.

The health board took the first step in the formal process towards creating at least 10 new facilities on the site by lodging a pre-application notification with Aberdeen City Council on Wednesday.

The plans include a state of the art Baird Family Hospital, the ANCHOR Centre, a patient hotel, a multi-storey car park and a new life sciences centre which will shared with Aberdeen University.

The plans are an overall vision for Foresterhill over the next 5 years and also include the creation of a new Foresterhill Health Centre and a replacement for the existing mortuary.

A ‘Green Exercise’ area and extensive landscaping work on the site come in addition to ongoing work to create a therapeutic roof garden at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The latest announcement is in addition to other ongoing development work being carried out to modernise and enhance existing buildings on the site which has already resulted in a new £13.6 million Radiotherapy Department opening its doors this year.

Malcolm Wright, Chief Executive at NHS Grampian, said: “We’ve been delivering excellent care to the north east at Foresterhill since the early part of the 20th century and, while it has served us well, it is important that we keep looking forward. These new facilities will help us provide modern, specialist care right in the heart of the North East for years to come.

“We have worked closely with patients, the public and staff on the redevelopment plans and they have been very clear about what they want to see. We’ve listened to that feedback and today’s announcement will be welcome news.”