Topic Commercial, Net Zero, Sustainability
Date 28 Sep 2023
Morrison Construction’s Building North East business has begun work at a new civic hub for Aberdeenshire Council in the town of Ellon.
The £8m scheme will see the creation of a new two-storey development including council offices, and a new public library and family resource centre, as well as a new registry office and ceremony space, all on the former site of the Ellon Academy.
The facilities are designed to be Net Zero in operation, being built to Passivhaus standards and will feature renewable energy systems like photovoltaic panels, heat pumps and heat recovery ventilation.
Considerable attention has been paid to the ecology of the site, with the design incorporating the preservation of a walnut tree, believed to be 130 years old, and a landscaping scheme that includes planting to support pollinating insects, with the construction of the building to include ‘swift bricks’ and ‘bat bricks’ to allow for roosting.
Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte, who said: “The project will bring together a number of services together in one location, with a real focus on community use. By encouraging greater footfall in the area I hope the new facility will also bring benefits to the wider town centre.”
Cllr Iain Taylor, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine Area Committee, said: “It’s very pleasing to see work starting on what is a very well-known town centre site and that represents a substantial investment in our town.
“As well as creating a civic hub, the new building will bring a number of council teams together on one site, freeing up other sites in the town for other uses, including retail.”
Mike Bruce, Managing Director for Morrison North East, said: “We are delighted to be working once again with our partners at Aberdeenshire Council to provide these much-needed facilities for the local community in Ellon.
“We look forward to collaborating with all the stakeholders involved to create a sustainable new building, helping the council achieve their net zero targets and providing an exemplar project for this kind of public facility going forward.”