Latest news with #KimCessford
The Courier
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Prom photos: St John's RC High School Class of 2025
St John's RC High School S6 dance was the end of an era for the Class of 2025. Seniors leaving the Dundee school dressed up to the nines to celebrate the end of exams and the start of the next chapter of their lives. Our photographer Kim Cessford joined them at the Invercarse Hotel to capture the moment on Friday evening. St John's RC High School S6 dance launches our Class of '25 photo gallery series. Look out for more throughout June from secondary school leavers' proms and dances across Tayside and Fife.
The Courier
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
First look at 2025 art degree show as Dundee students display their talent
Hundreds of Dundee students are showcasing their artistic talents at the annual Duncan of Jordanstone degree show. The 2025 edition of the popular exhibition will see work from over 450 graduating students go on display at the art and design college. The exhibition includes work from students studying Animation, Architecture, Art & Philosophy, Digital Interaction Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior & Environmental Design, Jewellery & Metal Design, Product Design, Textile Design, Urban Planning and Environmental Sustainability. The show is free to attend and will be open to the public from Saturday 24 May and will run until Sunday 1 June. And The Courier has been given a sneak peak of the degree show before the doors open at the weekend. Take a look at Courier photographer Kim Cessford's highlights below:
The Courier
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
42 best pictures as Run the Runway takes place in Dundee
Hundreds took part in Run the Runway at Dundee Airport on Saturday night. The inclusive sponsored event saw participants walk, run or skate the runway at Dundee Airport, raising funds and awareness for Maggie's. Maggie's is a charity that provides free support to anyone impacted by cancer. All participants received a Maggie's T-shirt, finisher medal and a goody bag. Our photographer Kim Cessford was there to capture the action.
The Courier
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Perthshire planning: 52 homes slammed & £1m eggs scheme
Residents have raised objections to the proposed expansion of New Alyth by 52 homes. A planning application has been submitted to build on 2.9 acres of farmland, immediately west of the village, abutting the A926. Perth developer A & J Stephen has earmarked the land for 39 private and 13 affordable properties. The latter would be owned by registered social landlords. They would range from two-bedroom bungalows to four-bedroom detached houses. The land – 120 metres west of Cairns Park – was allocated for housing in Perth and Kinross Council's local development plan in 2019. But neighbours insist the scheme should be refused. There have so far been three objections. Christine Dutton wrote: 'As residents of the existing hamlet of 10 homes, we have serious concerns that the proposed development will seriously impact the lives and mental wellbeing of the existing householders. 'The use of the existing access road is totally inadequate and is unsafe.' The local primary school is already running at capacity, residents say. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson Ross Sutherland added: 'The local primary school is already running at capacity, and an increase of school-age children will put additional strain on resources.' Shehzad Afzal wrote: 'The increased traffic volume (potentially 100+ vehicles, plus construction traffic) will pose severe road safety risks.' The developer says that if the development is allowed it would improve an existing children's playpark that borders the land. A tree belt to the north would also be enhanced to increase the screening of the new houses. Consultation on the application ends on May 20. 'Prehistoric remains' on site of £1m Kinross-shire eggs proposal The owner of a farm near Kinross may have to safeguard prehistoric remains if his £1m egg production plan is to get the go-ahead. Richard Black has applied to erect an agricultural building for free-range egg production and a separate manure store building near Cleish. He also wants to create a farm manager's temporary living accommodation on the site, 300 metres north of Mawmill Farm Bungalow off the B9097. Mawmill Farm, off the B9097 near Cleish. Image: Google Street View Consultee Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust wrote: 'The proposed development site is located close to a prehistoric find spot (MPK5583) in an area relatively blank from any archaeological survey or recent interventions. 'The record was due to the discovery of a potential cinerary urn, which was an enlarged food vessel type, with applied knobs, found during gravel digging at Mawmill in the 1960s. 'There is potential for unknown buried remains on the development site. 'Therefore, it is recommended that a programme of archaeological works should take place to assess the presence/absence, character and significance of archaeological deposits on the site.' Mr Black's planning statement said: 'Mawmill Farm is an existing arable farm that is looking to part diversify into free-range egg production. 'This agricultural diversification project will have many benefits to the farm, through increased profitability, improved yields and lower purchased inputs.' Kinross nursery conversion approved A proposal to turn 55 High Street, Kinross, into a six-bedroom house has been approved. The ground floor was occupied by Avant Garde, a popular cafe and gift shop, until recently. But it closed and the unit is now filled by the Celebrations gift shop. Rosemount Nursery occupies the top floor of the building. Image: Google Street View Meanwhile, the top floor has been occupied by Rosemount Nursery for the past 17 years. The plan, submitted by landlord Ambercroft Properties, has been approved with conditions. These include removing external signage and submitting a detailed landscaping and planting scheme. Additionally, the developer must provide two bat boxes and two bird boxes on external walls or on trees within the site. It is understood the existing businesses have a lease until June 2026. Council protects Blairgowrie open land A proposal to build two houses on open land in Blairgowrie has been refused. The planning application, for land next to Woodlands Road, received two objections. The homes would have been built on open space off Woodlands Road. Image: Google Street View Neighbours raised concerns about the impact on the local environment and safety, and the potential for more traffic. Perth and Kinross Council's decision notice said the scheme would have a 'detrimental impact on the open space area designation, set an undesirable precedent and threaten the integrity of the wider open space designation.' Abernethy substation may expand A proposal to increase battery storage capacity at the Abernethy electricity substation has been submitted. The existing facility went live in 2024 and holds up to 49MW of energy through Tesla Megapack lithium-ion batteries on the 3.85-acre site 60 metres north Of Abernethy Cemetery on Newburgh Road. The new storage system would take this total to more than 50MW, which is why the application has been submitted to Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit, who will determine the scheme. Here are the links to the planning/appeal papers for the Perth and Kinross applications New Alyth expansion Kinross-shire eggs Kinross nursery Blairgowrie open land Abernethy substation
The Courier
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
£500k Dundee Raac pilot scheme set to begin next month
A pilot project aimed at addressing the problem of Raac in Dundee properties is expected to begin next month. The scheme – which is estimated to cost £500,000 – will see remedial works carried out on Raac roofs in five void council properties in the city. This will involve installing a new roof structure directly below the Raac, ensuring the concrete is fully supported and made structurally redundant. In addition to the pilot project, the Raac within communal areas in five properties in Menzieshill will have their redundant roof-mounted water tanks decommissioned. These have been chosen as they are currently in a 'poor condition' according to a council paper. The Courier is campaigning alongside hundreds of Dundee homeowners impacted by the crisis. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson. Dundee City Council hopes to test the roof supporting decks to see if they can be rolled out en masse. Councillors on the local authority's housing committee will be asked to approve the tender when they meet on Monday. Dundee-based Morrison Construction have been selected as the preferred bidder due to their 'experience in delivering RAAC projects for private and public sector clients'. If the contract is agreed, the work will begin in June and run until August. The total cost to the council, including fees and contingencies, is expected to be £500k. This money will be taken from Dundee City Council's 2025-2030 capital plan. Scheme labelled 'waste of money' Dundee Raac campaigners have previously criticised the proposed pilot scheme, labelling the plans a 'waste of money'. In emails seen by The Courier, chairman of the Dundee Raac Campaign Group Wayne Hoskins outlined his concerns that the project was not a viable long-term solution. Wayne Hoskins outside his flat on Southampton Place. Image: Kim Cessford/DC Thomson. Writing to Ray Low, housing asset service manager at DCC, he said: 'If a deck is installed, then homes will still be unsellable to potential buyers looking to obtain a mortgage. 'There is then the final point that if the Raac is still not removed in its entirety properties will not return to their full market value.' The Courier has launched our Trapped by Raac campaign to help those affected by the burgeoning crisis and have the issue debated by government. We're asking readers to sign this petition to give campaigners a voice at parliament.
