Landing pad worries

RESIDENTS at South Lochside in Lerwick gathered on the Clickimin playing fields on Friday morning to object to plans to move the town’s emergency helicopter landing pad.

A new site had to be found because the existing helipad would be too close to where the new Anderson High School is due to be built, adjacent to Clickimin Leisure Complex.

The plan is for the new helipad to be built between two football pitches to the south of the leisure centre. As well as residents, figures within Shetland’s footballing community object because matches would have to be halted as and when the helicopter required to land.

Residents argue that there are other suitable sites within one mile of the nearby Gilbert Bain Hospital and are concerned about the level of noise if the helicopter begins landing closer to their homes.

Speaking to BBC Radio Shetland, resident Gail Macmillan said the proposal was “absolutely ridiculous” and “seems really quite stupid” when there is “very little green belt left in Lerwick”.