Community / Feasibility study underway on potential redevelopment of Voe’s Sail Loft
A VOE community group has received funding to undertake a feasibility study on the prospect of taking on the Sail Loft böd.
The Voe Community Development Association will also use the funding to develop a business plan.
It has received more than £13,000 from the Scottish Land Fund and up to £10,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund.
The historic Sail Loft building is owned by Shetland Amenity Trust, and more recently it has been used for basic böd accommodation. It has not been open since 2019, however.
The B-listed building in Lower Voe dates back to the mid 19th/early 20th Century, and it was originally used for fish curing.
It was then used a sail loft, a knitwear factory and then backpacker accommodation.
Until the late 20th Century it was part of the Adie family business.
With the building not being used as a böd anymore, Voe Community Development Association is now exploring the possibility of taking on its ownership.
It is also keen to explore different options for the building’s re-use.
Potential uses which have been discussed include a heritage centre, an exhibition space and a workshop for local artists and craft workers.
The reinstatement of backpacker accommodation in part of the building has also been floated.
Voe Community Development Association co-secretary Peter Johnson said the funding was “great news” as it means the cost of the feasibility study is covered in full.
“It’s really to explore the potential for redevelopment and to see if it would be a viable project,” he added.
Work on the feasibility study, which is being carried out by PJP Architects following a tendering process, is underway and it could be completed in September.
Another strand of the project is improving the building’s energy efficiency.
Johnson said there is set to be more community consultation on the project in the near future.
Regarding the idea of a heritage centre, he said it would be “something that could celebrate the local history, because there’s not really anything like that in Delting”.
But added that a redeveloped Sail Loft would have to be “sustainable”, however.
With the building having a poor EPC [energy performance certificate] rating at the moment, Johnson conceded there would be a “substantial redevelopment cost” and said receiving extra funding would be essential.
That would come on top of the money need to buy the building too.
He added Shetland Amenity Trust has been keen to work with a community group on the Sail Loft rather than place it on the open market.
The amenity trust used to operate a number of böds available for basic self-catering accommodation, from Yell to the South Mainland.
However, the charity has reviewed its böd network, including exploring whether they could be taken on by communities.
The camping böd website says no bookings are being taken for 2025, although the one in Fetlar is now being run by the island’s community association.
The amenity trust’s website still also lists former camping böd Voe House in Walls for sale.
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