Could have been us.....Byres Road in Glasgow Closed due to Dangerous Chimney

Byres Road in Glasgow was recently closed due to a dangerous chimney.  The photos look frighteningly familiar and reaffirm why we were right to take action and get ours repaired. 


http://glasgow.stv.tv/articles/306784-byres-road-in-glasgow-west-end-closed-due-to-dangerous-chimney/

Replacement revealed for Edinburgh Statutory Repairs Service

Thanks for alerting us to this latest development,  Gavin. At least we are ahead of the game and saved ourselves 26%!

http://m.stv.tv/news/east-central/300464-replacement-for-edinburghs-scandal-hit-statutory-repairs-service

Elliott House Development

You may well have noticed that Elliott House on the corner of Brunswick Street and Hillside Crescent has recently had all its windows removed.  This is at least an improvement on the boarded up look after they were all smashed in some months ago. 

You might be interested in this artist's impression of how it is supposed to look by September next year. 

The property was bought by McLaren Group earlier this year, and the conversion would seem to be following this planning application from 2006. 





If we hear anything more, we'll share it here.

Next Meeting Sunday 26 Oct 2014 at 5pm

Although the scheduled maintenance work identified in the survey conducted by DM Hall almost 3 years ago (Nov 2011) has now been completed, there are still some administrative aspects to be cleared up, as well as agreeing how we plan forwards.  The forecasted high winds this week suggest that not least might be agreeing a programme of maintenance to protect that investment, such as regular rhone cleaning etc.

Please join us to discuss this and any other matters at 5pm on Sunday 26 October. RSVP to bsora@ hotmail.co.uk for venue.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Catriona
For
BSORA Committee

Update as at 14 September 2014 - and notice of next meeting on 28 September 2014

Well, it hasn't quite sunk in just yet but somehow (and against a fair few odds) we have done it: we have achieved our roofing and building maintenance project! 

It's taken a long time and a lot of effort from a lot of people, but we have successfully managed to repair the glass cupola, and some bits of ironwork; we've replaced some significant bits of degraded stonework, and most noticeably we've completely rebuilt the two chimneys mutual to Montgomery Street, whilst upgrading almost all of the roof leadwork. Please see here for some more final before and after photos.

Chimneys G&H rebuilt

Given that it was built in 1888, making the building over 125 years old, and so far as we can tell it hasn't had much attention lavished on it in that time, that's not really bad going. 

As a part of concluding this particular project, DM Hall will conduct another full survey in a year's time (i.e. July/August 2015).  This will be to check how everything has settled and enable us to identify any other potential issues, which we can then plan to deal with before they become any more significant.

Prevention is certainly better than cure, so to discuss and agree some routine maintenance bits (such as regular rhone and stair cleaning etc), please join us for our next meeting at 5pm on Sunday 28th September when we might just pause to celebrate a bit! Please RSVP to bsora@hotmail.co.uk for venue .

Thanks, 

Catriona
for
BSORA

Notice of Application for a House of Multiple Occupancy Licence for 3F3

For the benefit primarily of those owners not resident in the building, this is to let you know that: 

An application has been made to the City of Edinburgh Council for a licence permitting flat 3F3 (subject of the attic conversion in 2012) to become a House in Multiple Occupancy. (See photo below for details).

This notice must be posted for a minimum of 21 days, to allow time for any representations (objections) to be lodged. 

Any objections must be lodged in writing by 25 August 2014.

Notice advising of HMO Application Licence for Flat 3F3 posted on main door 29 July 2014.   

The following links may be helpful.

• Scottish Government - Houses in Multiple Occupation

• Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities  (note section 2.2.12) 

• City of Edinburgh Council - Houses in Multiple Occupation 

• CEC: Objecting to a licence application

• Landlord Registration Scotland 

If anyone does have any comments, questions or concerns, please contact bsora@hotmail.co.uk . 

Scaffolding Removal update as at 30 July 2014

Dear all,

As noted in the minutes of our meeting held on Sunday 28, it was agreed that had the remaining scaffold not been removed by Tuesday 29 July 2014, Breck's would be contacted to find out what was going on. 

I received this reply today (Wednesday 30 July 2014) from Peter McKeowan of Breck's:

"The remaining scaffolding was off hired on 22^nd following the last fireplace visit.

Just been in contact this morning with scaffolders, they are on site today to dismantle the remaining scaffolding front and rear. The rear scaffold will be stacked in the rear garden and carried out to the front  tomorrow.

One of the guys on site mentioned a number of buggies in the basement stairwell, if possible can you ask anyone to remove any items from the basement to avoid damage.

I will put a notice up today in the stairwell".

Apart from the fact that we have no families with small children, and therefore no buggies, please ensure that any property stored in the basement, the passage way to the common garden, and on the stair down to the basement is cleared for tomorrow (Thursday 31 July 2014). 

In a subsequent email, Peter confirmed that unlike the mess caused in April when the scaffold was erected, any mud and dirt trailed through the stairwell as a result would be cleared by them.

Regards, 

BSORA