Plans approved

Sumburgh lighthouse
 
THE PLANNED re-development of Sumburgh lighthouse, in Shetland, has leaped another hurdle with planning permission granted on Wednesday morning.
 
Last month the ambitious £5 million project to convert the A listed Stevenson lighthouse into a visitor attraction secured a vital piece in the funding jigsaw.
 
On Wednesday, councillors on the planning board were full of praise for the project. Board member Jim Budge said: “It is absolutely splendid that this work is being done”.
 
There were no objections, but the planning application had to be dealt with by councillors rather than officials because the local authority is part funding the project.
 
Brough Lodge
 
Restoration work on another A listed building also got planning permission at Wednesday’s planning board meeting.
 
The trust behind plans to refurbish Brough Lodge, on the island of Fetlar, got permission to remove timbers and a roof section, and to re-instate some of its original profile.
 
The work, described as the first phase, aims to consolidate and protect the historic laird’s home for its future re-use.
 
Total car park
 
Wednesday’s planning board meeting also ratified decisions by its officers to grant permission to oil and gas company Total to form a car park and park and ride facility at the Sella Ness industrial estate to use for its major gas plant development nearby.