SCOTTISH Power has submitted plans for new depot buildings in south-west Edinburgh, which will include a redesigned office.
This comes as existing facilities have been deemed “past their life expectancy” and do not meet current or future needs.
The new depot buildings are intended to create “modern and secure workplaces” for both administrative and engineering staff.
Plans state that the existing site on Riccarton Mains Road is to be demolished, and a two storey unit will be built in its place.
The site at Currie is Scottish Power’s regional depot – with a transmission site on the edge of the village.
The existing office buildings offer around 350sqm of single storey office space for administrative staff, in addition to a storage building and garage – all of which are at the end of their usable lives.
Threesixty Architecture, who are working with the energy company on this project, have stated: “They do not provide adequate accommodation for Scottish Power’s staff or operational functions.
“They also do not meet the stringent NIS (Network and Information Systems) security requirements that Scottish Power must adhere to.”
These regulatory standards include significant fencing around the yard, as well as high security rated walls, doors, shutters, and windows – with full site CCTV required.
There must also be a backup generator available to provide ongoing electrical power in the event of an outage.
A new building will be built on the same plot, as well as a car park with accessible spaces and electric vehicle charging ports.
As the current infrastructure is live and must remain operational at all times, the new property will be built on a different section which is surplus to requirement right now.
The design of the new office is intended to express the “classic elegance of the industrial building” and to strike “a balance between functionality and design” in order to create a “welcoming, inspiring workplace”.
An open-plan office will be created using timber elements and a focus on natural sunlight.
Supporting documents are available on the City of Edinburgh Council website, with the last date for comments on 4 August.
