New houses for Hoswick

THE SMALL village of Hoswick is set to experience something of a housing boon after a development of eight new houses was given the go-ahead by Shetland Islands Council’s planning department.

Work is expected to start on six two-bedroom properties and two three-bedroom houses in the next few months once a workshop and an outbuilding on the site in the middle of the village have been demolished.

Sandwick Community Council initially raised concerns over the scale of the development, which is a private venture by landowners Irvine Contractors.

However, the company said the only way to make the development financially viable was to build the full complement of eight houses.

There were also worries from locals about noise levels when the plans proposed eight outdoor heat-source air pumps.

The developers eventually decided to move six indoors, with two kept outside.

A total of 17 parking bays are mooted for the site, with each house enjoying its own garden space.

Irvine Contractors director Leslie Irvine said the properties, which are spread across four blocks, should be completed within one year of construction commencing.

“We thought it was a nice spot, and the development would tidy up a brown field site in the centre of the village,” he said.

“It will fill in that blank piece in the middle of the village.”

The development has been designed by local architect Alan McKay, with the team eager for the houses to complement the surrounding properties.

“I feel Alan has designed quite contemporary development for us that will fit in well with the village,” Irvine said.