Business / Ex-care home could be transformed into flats
A FORMER care home in Lerwick could be set for a new lease of life as 13 flats.
Planning permission is being sought for development at Viewforth House, which has been vacant for a few years.
It was last used as hostel by Shetland FM to house workers building the new Anderson High School.
The building – which was sold off by the council – originally consisted of a stone built house from the late 1800s. A major extension was built in the 1960s before a smaller addition was created at a later date.
Under the new plans, from Cecil Eunson, the ground floor would feature four two-bedroom flats and a single one-bedroom flat.
On the first floor there would be five two-bedroom flats.
In the second floor there would be a two-bedroom flat as well as three one-bedrooms.
In addition there is a request for a car park with 13 spaces.
Eunson said the building is still in very good condition and suitable for conversion to flats.
“As we are all aware housing is a major issue in Shetland, especially in Lerwick, and we have already had some initial enquiries,” he said.
He would be looking to start work late spring or early summer next year – depending on the timescale for obtaining planning permission.
“Parking, or the lack of, is always an issue for any development in Lerwick,” Eunson added.
“Viewforth has considerable grounds, and we are proposing a new carpark within the site to provide one parking space per flat.”
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