The Scottish Property Market has long been a dynamic and evolving landscape and 2024 has certainly been no exception. This year has experienced unprecedented economic factors which have drastically impacted the market, most notably the cost of living crisis, stabilisation of interest rates and the costs of doing business. The political landscape has also changed…
Following the adoption of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) in February 2023, new development has required to consider how it promotes Local Living, and specifically the 20-Minute Neighbourhood concept, by Policy 15 of the NPF4. Given Scotland’s diverse urban form, community structure, and patterns of living and working, it has not initially been clear…
Who will drive the evolution of the Scottish town centre? Graham + Sibbald Partner, Keith Watters, highlights the key players. When you look across Scotland it is clear that the future of the town centre is up for grabs. The challenge of online shopping and the pandemic means that retail is no longer the…
How do you get the life back into Scotland’s high streets? Graham + Sibbald Associate, Peter Fleming, talks revitilisation. It’s a sad truth that for the last 20 years the Scottish high street has been in decline as a place to live, shop and work. This has happened in tandem with the development of…
What role will planning have in driving the recovery of Scottish town centres? Kerri McGuire, Head of Planning at Graham + Sibbald, looks at the crucial role that planners will play in the process. Planning could help unlock a vibrant and sustainable future for Scottish town centres, if a flexible planning policy approach is…
Climate change is coming to a town centre near you. Graham + Sibbald’s Director of Building Surveying, Daniel Little, looks at the impact it will have. Tackling climate change is a global challenge that might seem far removed from the average Scottish high street. However, this is far from the truth. It is already…
Can ‘thinking local’ help save Scotland’s rural and island town centres? Graham + Sibbald’s Senior Surveyor, Kenny McKenzie, thinks it might. Although it is difficult to put a definitive figure on it, the Coronavirus pandemic has had a significant effect across the Highlands and Islands. The government has tried its best to provide support,…
What shape will Scotland’s town centres take in the future? Head of Architectural Services, Andrew Daly looks in his crystal ball. The current challenge facing the Scottish town centre provides a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into some of the country’s most forgotten but historically important spaces. This is a chance to rebalance…
Are high rates killing the Scottish town centres? Rating Consultant, Tim Bunker argues for a balanced approach. There is a lot of talk about how excessive business rates are causing the ‘death’ of Scotland’s town and city centres. However this ignores the fact that rates are only one of a number of challenges that…
