Business / Fence plans for builders’ merchant site withdrawn
PLANS to fence off a builders’ merchant site in Lerwick have been withdrawn.
The application from Huws Gray drew concern from a range of organisations, including the local outdoor access officer and the town’s community council.
An agent for Huws Gray confirmed to the planning service on Monday (2 December) that the application was being withdrawn.
They added they appreciated an offer from a planning representative and the local access officer to “continue discussions and review any revised proposals for the security of the site”.
The company had wanted to install 2.4 metre fencing around its site in Lerwick, while re-routing a core path – which currently runs through the area – to the quayside.
It also applied to ‘stop up’ Freefield Road, which connects the site to the junction next to the Lerwick Legion.
The company had lodged the plans to tackle what it said is a health and safety issue at its base in Lerwick with pedestrians walking through its site.
It had said in its planning documents: “In recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of cruise ships coming into Lerwick and as a result Huws Gray Ltd has seen a significant increase in pedestrians walking through the operational site.
“The increase in cruise ships has been a significant change in local circumstances and has resulted in an increased health and safety risk at the site.
“Huws Gray Ltd, as a responsible business operator, have assessed the risk and are taking proactive action through the submission of this application to install necessary site security measures.”
Shetland Amenity Trust – which runs the nearby museum – had expressed concern it would lose access to the building through Freefield Road, which it said is important for maintenance purposes as well as for transporting large items like boats.
Huws Gray later changed its plans to include an access gate on the side of the fence nearest to the Shetland Museum and Archives.
Lerwick Community Council objected over a loss of access and the design of fencing, and if unresolved this would have meant the case would have gone to the SIC’s planning committee for decision.
Shetland Islands Council’s outdoor access officer also raised concern over plans to change the core path, and objected to the proposals.
They said “losing the current core path will restrict the options of access takers, especially during bad weather and potential flooding which could pose a significant risk”, and suggested there could be danger of moving along a working quayside.
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