Contractor sought for Pitt Lane flats demolition
THE DEMOLITION of council flats in the lanes area of Lerwick is edging closer after a contract went to tender for the work.
The contract is for the demolition of two blocks of flats at Pitt Lane, along with land reinstatement and the replacement of an existing retaining wall.
It adds that the two-storey buildings – which have been used in the past for temporary accommodation – are made up of “rendered cavity concrete blockwork external walls with a timber truss roof construction finished with asbestos cement slates”.
In the consented planning application for the demolition Shetland Islands Council (SIC) said that given the current condition of the buildings, the flats are “beyond economic or practical refurbishment”.
“Removing these deteriorating structures not only addresses safety concerns but also supports the long-term regeneration strategy of the area,” it added.
Initial proposals for this regeneration have already gone in front of councillors as part of a Lerwick Lanes project, but no final decisions have yet been made.
The demolition work was previously estimated to cost £400,000. The contract tender says it is expected the work will take around two months.
The eight units are located on Pitt Lane in two blocks which are thought to have been built in 1979 with ‘Sullom blocks’ that deteriorate over time.
Other flats on Pitt Lane and Park Lane were taken down between 2012 and 2015.
Meanwhile Hamilton based Kilbryde Consulting Engineers has been awarded a contract for mechanical and electrical engineering services for the SIC’s planned refurbishment of the Janet Courtney hostel at the old Anderson High School into flats.
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