Community / Sandness group secures funding to explore development ideas
THE SANDNESS community in Shetland’s Westside has secured funding to explore development opportunities in the area.
One key aim is keeping the Melby pier in the community after Shetland Islands Council decided to sell.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is providing nearly £65,000 to Sandness Community Development Ltd over the next three years to employ a part-time development worker.
The hope is that the funding will also allow the group to “realise the opportunities” identified in its community development plan.
Sandness, at the end of an eight-mile single track road, is home to around 160 folk, along with the locally owned and run Jamieson’s spinning mill and Transition Turriefield.
Jo Barrett started as development worker in June and is working with residents to pull together ways to build a “safe, strong, sustainable and self-reliant community”.
HIE’s head of enterprise Fiona Stirling said: “Ensuring the sustainability of remote and rural communities such as Sandness is important to HIE and we look forward to working with Jo and Sandness Community Development as they drive forward community developments in the area.”
SCD chair Brian Ashley said local people are “coming up with all sorts of ideas” for possible development.
“As well as Melby pier, there’s tree planting, renewables, housing, children’s play facilities, and we’re ready to work with anyone who wants the best for Sandness,” he said.
Sandness Community Development will be holding its first AGM on 11 September at 7pm at Sandness Hall, and everyone with an interest is welcome.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.