News / Deluge of demand for Quoys
HJALTLAND Housing Association has handed over the first set of keys for the final phase of its Quoys housing development in the south of Lerwick after a deluge of demand for the new properties.
More than 230 people applied for the first 20 homes, which were completed this week. A further 15 properties are due for completion by next May, bringing the entire development to a conclusion.
The latest phase marks an investment of more than £5.2 million, with £3.1 million coming from the Scottish government, bringing the ttal number of homes to 118.
Property services manager Bryan Leask said this was “a unique development” for Shetland, but warned that more houses were desperately needed in the isles.
“While it is fantastic to be able to offer those people on the waiting list and those registered as homeless an opportunity of a new home it is obvious that there is still a large unmet demand that must be tackled.
“When we advertised these 20 homes two weeks ago, over 230 applicants put their names forward for consideration. With only 15 houses still to be completed there is clearly still a huge level of demand for new affordable homes in Shetland and Lerwick in particular.”
The scheme was designed by local architectural firm Richard Gibson Architects with principal architect Adrian Wishart.
“It is exciting to now have people move into this ‘Home Zone’ based development, designed to provide a safe and pleasant place for families to live and where the pedestrian has priority over the car,” Mr Wishart said.
“To help create a sense of community as well as sheltered spaces, the houses were positioned close to the street and each other. The colours and gavel frontage of the houses make for a lively street-scape, with blue and red colours providing a cheerfulness during the darker winter months, balanced by use of the grey and deep purple. We look forward to seeing the fully completed scheme next year.”
As with the previous phases of the Quoys development the works were carried out on site by E&H Building Contractors Ltd. The design team also included Mott MacDonald (Engineers), John Duguid Partnership (Quantity Surveyors) and Michael Thomson, who provided the CDM Coordination services on site.
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