Council / Masterplan to take a fresh look at possible development of site within Lerwick Lanes area
A MASTERPLAN could be created to explore options for the potential future development of part of the Lerwick Lanes area.
The area in question includes part-vacant areas around Park and Pitt Lane, as well as the old swimming pool car park.
An invitation from Shetland Islands Council for tenders for masterplan consultancy services had its deadline on Wednesday.
The tender details said proposals for the area “should be sympathetic to the surrounding established character of the area, providing innovative and inspired solutions which balances occupancy and space”.
It reiterates that there would be community input, and “consultation will be an integral part” of the process.
The masterplan would include options and recommendations for potential housing provision in what is a conservation area with historic buildings nearby, like Lerwick Town Hall.
Shetland Islands Council’s housing manager Anita Jamieson noted that it is early days in the process.
“It’s just a really good opportunity to look at the whole area, and to get some fresh ideas,” she said.
Jamieson said the council’s roads and planning services would be involved in the process.
But there is no indication as to what the end result of the masterplanning process could be.
“It might be that it there’s some creative thinking about whether there’s a commercial use that would be appropriate in the area, or what kind of tenure of housing might be appropriate,” Jamieson added.
When it comes to the large car park where the old swimming pool used to stand, Jamieson suggested the masterplan process was an opportunity to cast a fresh pair of eyes over the site.
But she highlighted there would be a chance for people to input their thoughts into the whole masterplan process.
Jamieson said the area in question includes the flats on the Pitt Lane side of the car park which are used by the council for temporary accommodation. However, these are effectively earmarked for future development.
The site also includes the area which is currently the Park Lane community garden, which used to house flats before they were taken down.
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