News

South Lanarkshire Council has announced it is upgrading the Planning and Building Standards Service. New software is being installed to deliver a better and more efficient service, including a new portal for viewing planning and building standards applications online.

A new statutory Code of Practice for letting agents, which aims to improve standards and empower tenants, has come into force. Letting agents are required to join a register of letting agents, and key individuals in agencies must meet a minimum level of training. Should they fail to meet the standar

Scotland’s social landlords continue to show a strong commitment to accurate performance reporting, according to a new report published by the Scottish Housing Regulator. The Regulator’s Performance Matters data accuracy report summarises the findings of its work to assess the accuracy of the pe

Stirling Council has refused two applications from Persimmon Homes to develop land to the east of Plean around Cushenquarter Farm. Persimmon Homes was seeking permission to build 500 residential units, an access off the A9 Main Street and the erection of a primary school. Its application sought plan

The homes are planned for a site within the boundary of the Culloden (Battlefield) Conservation Area The Highland Council has deferred a decision on a planning application for 16 new homes at the site of Viewhill in Inverness to allow the developer to ensure the house designs “better reflect the H

Plans to replace the Gables Care Home in Forfar with a modern purpose-built supported housing complex for adults with learning disabilities have taken a significant step forward. Angus Council’s policy and resources committee yesterday approved a two-year project for the replacement of the old car

The UK’s financial watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reached out to people with interest-only mortgages to urge them to contact their lender after discovering that many have still not sought guidance on their repayment options. Nearly one in five mortgage customers have an interes

Peebles householders, businesses and community groups can benefit from a new energy cost reduction project that has been launched in the town. Change Works in Peebles aims to reduce gas and electricity usage and energy bills, improve warmth in local homes and trial new approaches to improve energy e

A free online resource giving tenants and landlords a comprehensive guide to private renting in Scotland was officially relaunched yesterday following a total overhaul. RentingScotland.org has been redeveloped and launched by Shelter Scotland following a funding award of £43,500 from SafeDeposits S

Isobel and Davina French at the book launch A Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) sheltered housing tenant has shared memories of her father working as a whaler in a book about this long-lost industry.

Irvine High Street A Scottish Government assessment of North Ayrshire Council’s planning team has concluded that it provides the best service of any in Scotland.

Jeane Freeman The Scottish Government has extended its flexible Universal Credit options to all recipients in full service areas to help more people manage their money.

Low income families have received awards of more than £148 million since the creation of the Scottish Welfare Fund in April 2013. The Scottish Welfare Fund comprises community care grants and crisis grants.

More than 80 people took part in a very successful seminar in Edinburgh on Monday on the subject of ‘New rights for communities to buy land and acquire public assets’. The seminar was organised by Public Policy Events with support from Scottish Legal News, Scottish Construction Now and Scottish

Heat winners MacTaggart & Mickel Business Fives’ winter season continued with the Glasgow construction, housing and property heat on Tuesday where 12 companies across the sector met in the city.