Dust suppression efforts to be enhanced at Staney Hill amid residents’ concern
HJALTLAND Housing Association says dust suppression efforts at the Staney Hill development in Lerwick will be “stepped up” after concerns from local residents.
A meeting of Lerwick Community Council heard from member Robert Leask on Monday night that some residents are “not very happy” about an issue with fine dust landing on their property.
Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Gary Robinson, who lives nearby, suggested a crushing plant currently located at the back of Norstane has been exacerbating the issue.
He added that some cars and house windows had been covered “in a fine layer of dust”.
The ongoing infrastructure work at the Staney Hill site has involved rock breaking.
Lerwick Community Council agreed to write to Hjaltland Housing Association about the issue.
However in response to a media request Hjaltland Housing Association said during the week that it was aware there have been some issues with dust recently when the weather has been particularly dry and windy.
A spokesperson added: “The contractor on the site has been utilising various methods of dust suppression to control this and has informed us that taking consideration of the recent concerns they are in the process of stepping up their efforts with new spraying mechanisms, increased treatments and dampening of plant and surfaces.”
Garriock Bros has been undertaking infrastructure work on the Staney Hill development since late 2023, preparing the site for house builds.
Work on a main spine road and utility services still on programme for full completion at the end of next year.
In total around 300 homes are in line to be built in phases over coming years.
The first house build contract, for a total of 60 homes, was recently put out to tender by Hjaltland Housing Association.
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