Community / Planning round-up: Havly flats, battery storage and more…
PLANS have been lodged to turn the former Havly Cafe in Lerwick into three flats.
The cafe, on Charlotte Street, has been shut for a number of years and the building subsequently went on the market.
The new plans include three self-contained flats, with an existing garage at the back of the building earmarked for a laundry and store for the properties.
It is the latest proposal to turn commercial premises into residential units, with plans lodged to turn part of the upper section of Harry’s Department Store into flats.
A PLANNING application has now been submitted for a 50MW battery storage system in Lerwick which would ensure continuity of electricity supply in the years ahead.
The Greener Grid Park project is being proposed by Statkraft opposite the Lerwick Power Station.
It has been shortlisted as an option for ensuring Shetland’s power supply remains on when the subsea transmission link between the isles and the Scottish mainland, which is due to go live in 2024, is not running.
If the subsea cable is in maintenance or if it trips, the diesel-powered Lerwick Power Station – which is going into standby mode in 2024 – will be used to supply Shetland.
But Statkraft says this would take “some time” to start up, with the greener grid project designed to step in to cover Shetland’s needs until the power station is online.
The applicant says the proposed development is consistent with “important safety regulations”.
Last year plans emerged from another company – Zenobe – for a battery storage system in the same area as part of the same procurement process.
BT is proposing to install new microwave radio dish equipment on the roof of one of the telephone exchange buildings in Lerwick.
The equipment, which will be around 3.3 metres high, would be located on top of 12a Commercial Street.
The applicant said the proposed equipment is “necessary to ensure continuity of the radio communications link between the BT exchange site in Lerwick and the mast on Bressay”.
Previous plans to relocate existing equipment on the site to a new 14 metre lattice tower nearby have been dropped following structural repairs to the building.
This link relies on a line of sight between the two antennae at either end and as such the equipment needs to be elevated.
Microwave radio systems continued to be used for emergency services as well as mobile and broadband.
A ‘WELCOME to Whalsay’ sign could be erected at the Symbister ferry terminal if plans get approval.
The application has been submitted by Whalsay Community Council.
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