Step forward for Staney Hill development as contractor sought for first house build contract
THE FIRST house build contract has gone out to tender for Hjaltland Housing Association’s large Staney Hill development in Lerwick.
The contract, valued at £9.8 million excluding VAT, is for 60 properties at North Loch Drive.
The properties will be a mixture of blocks of flats and houses, and the work includes all associated external jobs including paving, fencing and landscaping.
Director of assets for Hjaltland Housing Association Paul Leask said: “This is a significant milestone for the design team on this project and I’m delighted we are now tendering for the first of the houses on the site.
“The current infrastructure contract is progressing well with the main spine road and utility services still on programme for full completion at the end of next year.
“These 60 houses are going to be built within the terrace area of the site, which will be handed over by the infrastructure contractor in the next few months, enabling us to start construction in the summer of this year.”
The Staney Hill development will take place over phases, with more than 300 homes set be built.
Preparatory infrastructure work has been ongoing at the site for a number of months.
This was supported by £19 million of grant funding from the Scottish Government.
Tender documentation notes that any contract award for the house build job is “strictly subject” to Hjaltland Housing Association receiving formal grant approval from the Scottish Government and the securing of private finance against the project.
Hjaltland previously said the majority of the new homes at Staney Hill will be rental accommodation, but the site will also provide opportunities for those who wish to move into low cost home ownership via shared equity housing and rent-to-buy properties.
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The association’s website said plots may also be made available for sale to private individuals able to self-build or commission works without grant assistance.
Staney Hill is not the only large housing development planned for Lerwick over the coming years.
The Shetland Islands Council-led Knab redevelopment, which will transform the former Anderson High School site, is expected to start infrastructure work soon.
An update released by the council last year highlighted that a total of 145 housing units are ultimately planned for the site.
The hope is that both developments will help to reduce the waiting list for social housing in Shetland.
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