A national building standards hub, which will provide a range of building standards system services to all local authorities in Scotland and stakeholders in the construction sector, is to open in Fife.
The move follows a pilot programme which was launched in May 2022, with its success leading to the Scottish Government approving a permanent hub as an ‘integral’ part of the building standards system moving forward.
Funded by building warrant fees, the hub will aim to support transformation and quality in building standards services across Scotland. This will be achieved by providing a range of building standards system services, supporting hubs of expertise and operational partnerships, and by supporting learning and development in the sector.
The facility will also operate, manage, and support specific hubs of expertise and provide specialist advice in areas including fire engineering, structural engineering, environmental, and energy.
Fife Council said that the hubs will facilitate and pull together panels of expertise from both industry and the public sector to look at matters of national interest with a view to establishing consistent positions.
David Ross, Fife Council leader and chair of the cabinet committee councillor, said, “A national hub such as this will be a fundamental part of improving building standards for the benefit of communities across Scotland.
“It also presents Fife Council with the opportunity to support innovation by hosting a national centre for expertise and resilience. I look forward to watching it deliver on its ambitious vision.”
