Community / Development group’s bid for Bressay Lighthouse unsuccessful
Bressay Development Ltd was keen to revamp the historic property into a multi-use facility, which would have included affordable housing
A COMMUNITY group has been unsuccessful in a bid to buy the Bressay Lighthouse and redevelop the historic property to include affordable housing.
Bressay Development Ltd (BDL) submitted an offer for the lighthouse, which was built in 1858 by David and Thomas Stevenson, in December but was later told the bid was not selected.
Director and vice-chair Malcolm Innes said the group is continuing to explore other options to improve the access to affordable housing in Bressay, including the option of ‘community right to buy’ where appropriate.
The B-listed lighthouse was put up for sale by owner Shetland Amenity Trust last year, with offers over £350,000 invited.
The not for profit community development group said it had submitted its bid at the asking price, conditional on surveys and funding.
BDL said it had worked closely with Orkney-based housing consultants Luke Fraser and Davie Campbell on its project, in an attempt to bring affordable housing to Bressay that would have been economically sustainable.
The pair are said to have described the project as a “no-brainer and easily funded”.
With the amenity trust deciding to go with another offer, Innes said the development group has “no information about that proposal or how it may benefit the Bressay community”.
BDL said the lighthouse has potential to provide three, three-bedroom affordable homes.
Parts of the building deemed not suitable for housing could have been converted for the “educational and working holiday” market, which could have included “bunkhouse” style accommodation.
“This would build on Shetland’s reputation for creative tourism and provides a year-round income stream rather than seasonal tourism for holiday lets,” a proposal document said.
BDL said the ‘bunkhouse’ accommodation could also have been used as “overflow” accommodation during peak periods such as Up Helly Aa and Shetland Wool Week.
It said that additional buildings and structures on the site were identified as potentially useable for “micro business”.
The community group added the project would have protected the “iconic Stevenson family lighthouse for future generations”.
BDL had pinpointed a number of possible funding sources, including the Scottish Land Fund, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Scottish Government’s Rural and Island Housing Fund, and suggested the potential funding package needed would have amounted to more than £1.2 million.
The group had said that the “current funding landscape is very favourable to the type of development we are proposing”.
It added that consultation evidence showed “very clear community backing for BDL’s purchase and redevelopment of the lighthouse, provided it delivers a balanced, year‑round use that delivers clear benefit for the Bressay community and maintains the Lighthouse site as a publicly accessible heritage asset”.
Innes said a “lot of effort” went into creating a community bid for the lighthouse.
“We were working with two Orkney based expert consultants with an unbroken track record of successfully funded community housing projects across the isles and mainland Scotland,” he told Shetland News.
The lighthouse site features several buildings – the original lighthouse tower, two former keepers’ cottages, a former engine room and an artist’s residence and studio.
The amenity trust has owned the lighthouse complex since 1995, after it was fully automated by the Northern Lighthouse Board in the 1980s.
In April 2022, the trust invited expressions of interest from community groups and private individuals, exploring a range of potential uses through both purchase and lease. While several ideas emerged, including from BDL, no final agreement was reached.
However BDL said the asking price back in 2022 was £650,000, with the upfront capital investment deemed not financially prudent.
The amenity trust said its priority has been to secure a sustainable future for the site, whether through community-led initiatives or private ownership.
Estate agent Savills currently lists the property as under offer, following a closing date in mid-December. Shetland Amenity Trust said it was unable to comment on the prospective buyer at this time as the property is under offer.
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