Hjaltland plans 38 new homes to alleviate shortage in Tingwall

A major new development providing 38 homes for Tingwall will help stem the critical housing shortage and create a greater community feel for the area, according to Shetland’s housing association.

Hjaltland Housing Association have lodged an application for the Veensgarth project with the council’s planning department.

It is hoped the new rented houses will create more of a community spirit and help provide a roof for people who currently have to leave the area if they want affordable housing.

The houses have been designed by Scalloway-based architectural firm Redman and Sutherland. The development will be a mixture of 14 four-person properties, 16 three-person houses and eight two-person homes.

Hjaltland’s senior technical officer, Paul Leask, said there had been “excellent feedback” to initial designs from Redman and Sutherland.

“The community council are very encouraged by the design and layout and location, and how it all fits in with the existing community,” he said.

“There are three reasonably sized housing schemes there at the moment that are rather fragmented, and this will use pathways to pull the whole area together.”

Shetland’s housing shortage has been well documented, but the shortage in Tingwall, Weisdale and Whiteness is having a significant impact on the area.

Mr Leask said an SIC “Sustainable Shetland” document had shown people in the area currently have a one per cent chance of getting affordable housing there.

“Only six per cent of the houses are affordable in terms of rented accommodation. This development will go some way to address the needs of the area,” he said.

The new houses will help address the issue, but Mr Leask said it would be a number of years before the houses are completed.