Council / Councillors to receive update on Knab progress
WORK is progressing on the redevelopment of the old Anderson High School site, with preparations made for demolition work.
It is expected that the work will take place in two phases from 2020 as the site is prepared for redevelopment.
The first phase will focus on the removal of links and connections installed in the 1970s between the listed Anderson Educational Institute, Bruce Hostel and Janet Courtney Hostel, which will all be retained.
A high level link to the science block will be removed, although the building itself will be kept.
An update on the project will be delivered to members of Shetland Islands Council’s development committee next week.
Councillors agreed in June to spend £1 million on the demolition ahead of the site making way for housing and other facilities, while they also approved a masterplan for the area.
The demolition is expected to result in annual revenue savings of £260,000.
The update report confirms that a project board is in place to oversee the implementation of the site masterplan.
Assets, commissioning and procurement manager Robert Sinclair wrote: “At this stage it is not possible to determine the level of resources required to deliver the entire project but this will be kept under close review.”
Since the council’s decision in June, a consultation has been held with Historic Environment Scotland regarding the listed buildings, while preparations have taken place into the demolition licence, building warrant and planning consent.
The first phase of demolition is anticipated to take place in the first half of 2020, with the second phase running from the second half through to 2021.
Housing work could take place in phases from 2022 through to 2028.
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