News / Glasshouse study launched
MOVES to revive the dormant glasshouse at Tingwall have moved a step forwards with the appointment of a consultant to carry out a feasibility study into reopening them.
Local group Transition Shetland have appointed Scalloway consultants AB Associates to lead a study of how to bring the 2,500 square metre space back into use.
ABA have put together a team of experts to examine the state of the building, including Richard Gibson Architects, RG Jamieson structural engineers, David Adamson Chartered Surveyor, Ness Engineering and GB Design Services.
They have also produced a questionnaire to gauge public interest in bringing the glasshouse back to life as a community growing centre.
Public meetings will be held in September to build support for the venture.
Transition Shetland chairman Pete Bevington urged people to fill out the questionnaire before the 2 September deadline.
“Lots of people have told us they want to see the glasshouse back in use, so now we hope that they will come forward over the next few months and get involved in making this dream a reality,” he said.
Andrew Blackadder, of AB Associates, described it as “a very interesting and challenging project”.
He said: “This will not be straightforward so we have assembled a highly qualified team of experts in their field and look forward to tackling the large number of challenges that lie ahead.”
The questionnaires can be found at www transitionshetland.org.uk and at www.abassociates.com.
The feasibility study is being paid for by a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery’s Awards for All scheme and a grant of almost £9,000 from the LEADER fund. Transition Shetland contributed £1,000 towards the study.
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