Second Viewforth planning bid
LOGISTICS company Shetland FM has lodged a second planning application to change the use of the former Viewforth dementia unit to a “management accommodation facility” for construction workers.
The move comes after the Shetland Islands Council’s planning department refused the company’s retrospective application in February on grounds of traffic management and public safety.
The planning department felt that Shetland FM had not done enough to alleviate the department’s traffic management concerns.
In May last year the council leased the former care home on Lerwick’s Burgh Road to Shetland FM as part of the authority’s asset management strategy.
A planning application for change of use of the building was only handed in in two months later after workers had moved in.
The issue triggered councillor Billy Fox’s resignation as deputy leader after repeatedly voicing concern as to why the council was not following proper planning procedures.
Planners said it was up to the lessee to ensure the right planning consent was in place, but Fox said the council should have ensured that the building would not be used before consent was in place.
In its second application, Shetland FM says the building was leased from the council with an agreed entry date of 15 May 2015 subject to the retrospective submission and approval of change of use.
The application, which was received on 11 March but not validated until two weeks later, includes a proposed parking area for 20 spaces.
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