Hjaltland Housing Association Commences Staneyhill Project with £20 Million Funding from the Scottish Government

This significant financial support will enable the Association to start the project this year, contributing to the Scottish Government's Housing to 2040 Strategy and ultimately delivering 300 new affordable homes in Lerwick,

The success of the bid to the Housing Infrastructure Fund marks a milestone for Hjaltland Housing Association, which has been working in collaboration with the Scottish Government and Shetland Islands Council for several years to bring the Staneyhill project to fruition. With the funding secured, Garriock Bros Ltd has been appointed to carry out the installation of the main spine roads and essential services, paving the way for subsequent housing contracts.

Bryan Leask, Chief Executive of Hjaltland Housing Association, expressed the strategic significance of the Staneyhill site for the local housing strategy and long-term housing investment plan for the islands over the next decade. He also conveyed the Association's gratitude for the vital support from the Scottish Government, stating: "Accessing the Housing Infrastructure Fund was essential due to the constraints on the site, and we greatly appreciate the commitment from the Scottish Government in supporting us with this funding.

“This project supplements the existing housing schemes we are currently developing through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme at Scalloway, Aith, Brae and Walls and reaffirms both ours and the Scottish Governments commitment to the communities of Shetland”.

The Scottish Governments Minister for Housing, Mr McLennan said: “This is a significant investment in affordable housing supply in Lerwick. It will make a huge contribution to the housing challenges being felt by Shetland, with particular pressures on Lerwick itself.

“Recognising the challenges and barriers facing our rural communities we will continue to support these areas and face those challenges head on. High-quality, highly energy efficient and affordable housing is a key pillar of tackling these issues and this project will be a big step in working towards removing those barriers locally.

“Our rural and island communities play an essential role in our economy, and we will continue to support the delivery of more affordable housing to keep people in these areas and attract others to live there.”

Paul Leask, Head of Investment at Hjaltland Housing Association, expressed his delight at reaching this pivotal stage, acknowledging the substantial effort that went into making it happen. "This has been a long journey to get here so I am absolutely delighted we’re finally going to start the construction phase. “I’d like to acknowledge the huge amount of work completed to get us to this point by the design team and other consultants working on the project.

“We have completed extensive design work with significant input from the public and other stakeholders and I’m really looking forward to seeing those designs come to fruition”.

The Association recently appointed Garriock Brothers Ltd for the infrastructure works. Arthur Robertson, Director, and Contracts Manager at Garriock Brothers Ltd expressed their enthusiasm for being part of such an essential project for the future housing provision in Lerwick. He stated:

"Garriock Bros. Ltd are pleased to have been awarded the Staneyhill Development Infrastructure contract and look forward to delivering the project for Hjaltland Housing Association, providing much needed sites for future housing in Lerwick.

“This work will help to ensure security of employment for the current workforce and provide opportunities for new personnel to learn and gain experience in the construction industry”.

Background Information

The Staneyhill project is within the town of Lerwick where the demand for housing remains very high with approximately 60% of all housing applications for this area. Due to the existing topography and settlement pattern of Lerwick this site is considered the main location within the town that presents an opportunity to meet that demand.

Following consideration of the initial feasibility study a full masterplan was commissioned that included extensive public and stakeholder consultations using the Scottish Governments Place Standard Tool with the assistance of Architecture & Design Scotland. This ensured the surrounding communities and stakeholders could influence the design and help address the constraints that existed on the site.

The resulting masterplan produced a framework of documents relating to the site which have been formally adopted by the Shetland Islands Council as supplementary guidance to the Local Development Plan.

North Staneyhill Masterplan: Executive Summary

North Staneyhill Masterplan: Book 1 – Evolution of Masterplan

North Staneyhill Masterplan: Book 2 – Masterplan Framework

North Staneyhill Masterplan: Book 3 – Detailed Design Guidance

During the master planning process, it became apparent the site would be developed in distinct areas: The Bowl, The Plateau, The Escarpment, and The Terrace. The Staneyhill project is therefore a series of development sites which will be opened up following the construction of the main spine road and service infrastructure.

Full planning permission (2020/125/PPF) was granted for the first phase of housing, spine road and service infrastructure in 2021.

The design team is made up of Mott MacDonald providing civil and structural engineering services, PJP Architects LLP providing architectural and landscape design services and Hardies property and construction consultants providing quantity surveying services.

The lead consultant on the masterplan was Malcolmson Architects.