Elected Member Briefing - New contractor for Double Dykes chalet replacement and site improvement project

About this Briefing Note

Report by: Elaine Ritchie, Strategic Lead, Housing and Communities

EMBN Number: 104-24

Date: 20th November 2024

Subject: New contractor for Double Dykes chalet replacement and site improvement project

Responsible Officer: Nicola Lennon, Service Manager, Property, Housing - Capital Projects and New Builds

Details

Purpose

This briefing provides an update on the project to replace the chalets at Double Dykes Gypsy/Traveller site near Perth, and upgrade landscaping and facilities at the site.

Briefing Information 

Background

We issued you with an update on this project in September to advise you that the preferred contractor for the ground works aspect of this project, Hadden Construction, would not be able to carry out the work. Since this news, the project team has been working to appoint a new contractor to take forward this important improvement scheme.

To recap, the £6.5m project will replace all of the chalets at the Double Dykes site at Ruthvenfield. The project will see the installation of brand-new energy-efficient accommodation for residents. Major additional improvement works will also be carried out across the site. The Council successfully bid for £3,906,000 from the Scottish Government's Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund to help pay for the works. The award represents 60% of the total cost, with the Council contributing the rest.

New contractor

After a short tendering process, Ogilvie Construction Ltd has been named as the preferred contractor. Ogilvie Construction, based in Stirling, is one of Scotland's largest construction companies.

There will be a visit to Double Dykes by representatives of Ogilvie Construction over the next few days, and work is planned to begin on-site on Monday 25 November 2024.

Tenants whose chalets are being replaced in Phase One of the project have been decanted, or are in the process of being moved, to alternative accommodation of their choice. 

Tenant communication

Housing and Property colleagues have already been on-site to update tenants about the new contractor and the timeline for work beginning. An updated newsletter has also been circulated to tenants. We will continue to work very closely with residents to make sure the project can move forward as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

The manufacture of the new chalets by a different contractor has continued. Visits for residents to the factory where the chalets are being made are being organised for the week commencing Monday 9th December, and further information will follow.