SIC goes out to tender on Janet Courtney design work for second time

SHETLAND Islands Council (SIC) has gone back out to tender again on design work for plans to revamp the former Janet Courtney hostel in Lerwick into flats.

A previous exercise did not proceed due to the “demands of other work” at the time.

The latest exercise opened on 31 March, with a deadline set for 5 May.

A council spokesperson said the latest contract is the first of three tenders for the Janet Courtney. The combined value of the three contracts will be around £500,000.

It comes after a similar tendering exercise for the design work was discontinued.

A spokesperson for the SIC said: “The previous exercise did not proceed to tender due to other demands of other work at the time.

“This fresh exercise will tie in with the completion of the infrastructure works – groundworks and services connections – currently progressing on site.”

The contract is for the provision of architectural services for the refurbishment of the B-listed Janet Courtney hostel at the former Anderson High School site in Lerwick.

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The building, one of a few leftover from the demolition of the old school, could be turned into 19 flats.

It is the first housing project at the former school site, with more new builds planned in phases as well.

“Other tenders will follow soon for structural engineering services, and mechanical and electrical engineering services,” a council spokesperson said.

“The council is committed to progressing the redevelopment of the Knab site to provide more affordable housing.”

Last year the Scottish Government awarded a grant of £350,000 for the Janet Courtney project as part of its islands programme.

Student accommodation was factored into an initial masterplan for the Knab project, and it was suggested the Janet Courtney could have been used for this purpose.

But while options for student accommodation at the site was explored, UHI Shetland ultimately decided against pursuing it any further.

The wider Knab redevelopment project will also be supported with investment of up to £9.6 million from the Scottish Government as part of the islands growth deal.