FALKIRK COUNCIL

BRIEFING NOTE

Subject:          Denny Town Centre Regeneration – update

Date                7 September 2015

1.0       Introduction  

1.1         The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the status of the Denny Town Centre Regeneration Project

2.0       Phase 1

2.1       Work is underway on the first phase of the new town centre.  Clark Contracts Ltd are the Phase 1 main contractor and has confirmed that works are proceeding to programme (see photo below)

Denny Phase 1 – works to date (photo taken 22 Sept 2015)

The works carried out to date include:

            Phase 1 Building

·      Drainage diversion works complete

·      Building footprint excavations to formation level complete

·      Foundations being prepared including steel reinforcement and concrete blinding layer

·         Concrete foundation pads and strip foundation setting out complete

·         Foundations and retaining wall erection completed

·         Steel Frame upper floor slab erection commenced and will continue through October 2015

Davies Row Car Park

·      Existing tarmac surfacing removed from site

·      Existing retaining walls reduced to grounds

·      Excavations to reduced levels ongoing

·      Davies Row car park drainage ongoing

3.0       Phase 2 Development

3.1       The Phase 2 site was remarketed by SGM, commercial agents.  A report was submitted to the Council’s Executive on the 9 June on the results of the marketing exercise.  One offer was received, from County Properties (Northern) Limited, a privately owned investment and development company with a large, mixed portfolio throughout the UK. 

3.2       The Executive agreed that the Council should approach County Properties requesting that they review their submission for the scheme to better fit the requirements of the brief.  Discussions with County Properties are continuing, seeking these revisions and will be presented back to the Executive once finalised by the developer.

4.0       Phase 3 Development  

4.1     A report on the conclusions from the recent ‘Charrette’ consultation was presented by  Icecream Architecture to the community on the 21 August in the Denny Community Education Centre.  A Denny Charrette Fund of £10,000 has been set up and to date 7 applications have been received conveying project ideas.  These ideas are currently with Icecream Architecture who will assess the submissions and make recommendations to the community panel for funding approval.  Further details on this process are available from Jacquie McArthur at the Denny Project Office.

From: Hunter Erin <Erin.Hunter@falckgroup.eu>
Date: 08 September 2015 at 16:53
Subject: Earlsburn North Wind Farm

Work on the wind farm is progressing well and deliveries of the turbine components are due to start next week. 

For two weeks from Monday 14^th September there will be three to five loads of turbine blades and nacelles travelling from Grangemouth to Denny each day by motorway and then on the B818 up to the wind farm site.  There will be no deliveries at the weekend. 

After the initial two weeks until 5^th November the tower sections will be delivered.  These will come in loads of up to three a day but will not be delivered every day.  We will know more about exact delivery days nearer the time and will update you as soon as we have the information.

All loads will be accompanied by a police escort and the transport haulier will be liaising closely with Police Scotland to minimise any disruption.  Loads will be travelling very early in the morning from Grangemouth and we will be avoiding peak times as far as possible.

From: alex@falkirkdelivers.com
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2015 08:44:50 +0000
Subject: RE: Falkirk Through the Lens Photography Competition

Hi Andrew,

This exhibition is specifically Falkirk to coincide with the start of work on the Townscape Heritage Initiative in the town.

My colleague, Mary-Jane is looking into a similar (perhaps old & new) photo exhibition for Denny town centre.

These types of event are always popular with local people when it’s their town specifically.

We will, of course, keep you posted.

Regards,

Alex.

Alex. Fleming

BID Manager

Falkirk Delivers

01324 611293

www.falkirkdelivers.com

From: Frame, Colin
Sent: 24 April 2015 14:38
Subject: RE: Denny town centre

Andrew,

Clark Contracts have just recently been appointed and are going through a mobilisation process which includes agreeing site perimeter, seeking any road diversion requirements including planning/roads consents and the preparation of there development programme. The preparatory work does take time however I understand the perimeter fencing will start to be erected next week. It is the Council’s intention to prepare a news bulletin that will incorporate all detail with regard to the site development, disturbance issues and contractor programme, once available, and this will be issued to all Denny households. The information will also be displayed on the Council’s web site, local display screens and within the Regeneration office which, as you know, is attended on a Tuesday morning.

Please do not hesitate to give me a call if you require any further information

Kind Regards

Colin Frame MRICS
Principal Surveyor (Investment), Growth & Investment Unit
Development Services, Falkirk Council
The Falkirk Stadium, Suite 2A
4 Stadium Way, Falkirk
FK2 9EE
01324 590972
Mob: 07803 898140

From: jacquie.mcarthur@falkirk.gov.uk
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 11:34:17 +0100
Subject: Denny Town Centre, Stirling Street

Morning Andrew

Apologies for the delay in responding to you I was off on annual leave.

Whilst there is no requirement to have shutters, many owner/occupiers adopt them to address possible vandalism and security problems and to lower their insurance premiums.  I understand that local retailers will be meeting in the near future and I will forward your email and suggest this as a discussion topic.

You will be pleased to know that we are currently looking at floral enhancements for the town centre and are looking at locations, consents and maintenance
issues -  I will of course keep you informed of progress on this.

Kind regards

Jacqueline McArthur
Economic Development Officer
Falkirk Council
The Falkirk Stadium
Suite 2A, 4 Stadium Way
Falkirk
FK2 9EE
Tel:  01324 590973

From: Mandy Paterson (333) [mailto:Mandy.Paterson@scotland.pnn.police.uk]
Sent: 03 April 2015 19:25
Subject: Denny Robberies [NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED]

NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED

Just to keep you updated with local developments,

I am aware of the high community impact caused by the two robberies which occurred in Denny last October and January this year. The enquiry has been overseen by DI Graeme Hendry, and as a result of protracted enquiry by a dedicated team of officers, a 23 year old man was detained in Cumbernauld this morning in relation to both robberies. He has since been arrested and will be appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court tomorrow (4.4.15) with a remand being sought given the nature of the incidents. We have prepared a media release so information should be out there for the community.

Thank you all for your continued support and community reassurance in the interim period.

John Kellet

Forth Valley Police Division

Arrest following Denny robberies
Two robberies were reported in the Denny area in October 2014 and January 2015, both of these incidents having a high impact on the local community at the time and since.

As a result of protracted enquiry by a dedicated team led by DI Graeme Hendry, a 23 year old man was detained in the Cumbernauld area this morning and has now been arrested for both robberies. He is expected to appear at Falkirk Sheriff Court tomorrow (Saturday 4th April 2015).

Detective Inspector Graeme Hendry says "I am pleased to bring this enquiry to a positive conclusion and would like to thank the many members of the public who provided information which was invaluable in reaching this outcome."