Artificial pitch project to move to tendering stage after receiving planning consent

SHETLAND Islands Council has received planning permission for a new 3G artificial pitch in Lerwick – paving the way for the project to go out to tender.

The council’s sport and leisure manager Neil Watt said the tendering stage will “establish the actual costs and timescale for the project”.

One requirement of funding already pledged from outside sources is for work to be completed before June 2025.

The new 3G pitch would replace the grass rugby pitch at the north end of the Clickimin site, and previous estimates suggested it could cost around £1.2 million.

It would support year-round activity in sports like football and rugby and it is said that it would boost the development of sports in Shetland given that grass pitches are often affected by the elements.

The pitch it would replace is regularly waterlogged, leading to cancelled fixtures.

A significant chunk of the cost would be met by external funding – more than half – with the Scottish Football Association for instance offering £500,000 and sportscotland ready to put £150,000 towards the project.

The plans include a 113-seat spectator stand and six floodlight masts.

The planning application also confirmed that an “organic performance infill material” is the preferred option for the pitch’s surface, rather than rubber.

Councillors have previously approved a business justification case for the project, but a final decision on proceeding with the new pitch is still to take place.