Saturday 14 December 2024
 3.6°C   WNW Light Breeze
SCT - 2025/26 Small Grant SchemeSCT - 2025/26 Small Grant Scheme
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Council / Plans for housing near Clickimin Broch turned down

The old building to the left of the broch, near the loch, would be demolished and a new house built in the area behind it. Photo: The Shetland Flyer/Rory Gillies

PLANNING permission in principle has been refused for proposals to build new houses near the Clickimin Broch in Lerwick.

The five houses would create a “significant adverse” impact on the setting of the broch and the archaeology of the site, according to Shetland Islands Council planners.

The decision is set to be appealed by the applicant.

Two proposals were submitted by the same applicant, with one focusing on building four detached 1.5 storey homes just off Westerloch Drive in a corner of the grassland in front of the Clickimin Broch.

The three and four bedroom houses would have been located 130m southwest of the broch with the access to the development via Westerloch Drive.

The other application was for permission in principle to demolish an existing derelict agricultural building 25m southeast of the broch and build a new home in its place.

The applications – both submitted by Raymond Slater – received objections from Historic Environment Scotland, which maintains the broch, as well as the local archaeology service.

Concern was also voiced from Shetland Amenity Trust’s natural heritage project officer Paul Harvey, who said the condition of Clickimin Loch had deteriorated in recent years and that the “last thing” the water needed was additional developments nearby.

Both applications have now been turned down by Shetland Islands Council’s planning service.

Planning officers said the plans for four houses would create a “barrier to the open views” across the field to Clickimin Loch and the broch, “which is not in keeping with the surrounding landscape and settlement pattern”.

In relation to the application for a single house, planners said that any solution to overcome its risk of flooding would not be in keeping with the landscape and setting of the broch.

The effect both developments would have on the broch area, and the local nature conservation site, was also raised.

Become a member of Shetland News

 

The applicant’s agent Farningham Planning Ltd had previously said that that the edge of the loch had already been the subject of “significant change” in recent decades without detriment to its setting through the building of the Clickimin Leisure Centre and the new Anderson High School.

The company had said that the housing developments would not adversely affect the broch or the “integrity of its setting”.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.