History / Concerns over mobile operator’s plans to demolish crofthouse ruins
IT IS certainly a juxtaposition of new and old – a mobile mast, located next to the remains of a historic crofthouse.
But the remains of the stone crofthouse in Heylor could be demolished – with mobile network operator EE judging it to be a possible health and safety risk.
This has provoked concern from some in the local community over the loss of history – with questions over why EE is only wanting to demolish the house, called Houllanstourie, now.
The mobile mast, located near to the end of the road in Heylor, has been installed in recent years, as well as a tracks and a laydown area.
The mast was said to be required for the UK Government’s emergency services network project, which is replacing airwave blue-light communications with a 4G system.
The crofthouse building sits in the middle of it all – and planning permission has been sought for its demolition.
But Roy Mullay, who grew up in Heylor and his family links to the building, said he felt demolishing the house would be an “affront” to the preservation of the history of the area.
Meanwhile Northmaven Community Council has questioned why the house needs to be demolished since the mast has already been constructed.
Members also said if the building is to be demolished then a full record of the site should be made and donated to local museums.
A planning representative for EE said the demolition is required for safety reasons as the land is “unlikely to be able to support the building for long” following engineering works at the site for an access road to the mast.
They said these works were more extensive than originally envisaged and have had a “negative impact on the integrity of the land on which the ruin sits”.
No demolition works have taken place on the building, and none will without the required permissions in place.
A covering letter sent to the SIC’s planning service said the “demolition of the remains of the cottage has already been agreed with both the owners of the land, Shetland Council, and the tenant”.
Mullay, who wished to be quoted in Shaetlan, said he understood that the house dates back to at least the 1860s, when 14 families were cleared from Tingon – the peninsula north of Heylor.
He said the house had been occupied until the 1980s.
Mullay said EE erected the mast behind the house after “anidder alternate site fir da mast at da tap o da Scord in Heylor wis turned doon”.
“Bit da wark fir da Houllanstourie site feenished up laekly aboot three year ago, an fae dan da mast is been runnin splendid, giein Heylor residents 4G signal ivver fae syne,” he said.
“Wir consairn is at da history o dis prominent, weel-biggit, boannie hoose wi closs faimily ties tae wis could faess bein lost if dis wark is alloeed tae ging aheid.
“Heylor is lost dat muckle ower jüst da last hunder year – if you tak an look at aald photoos o Heylor dey wir dat mony buildeens, atween herreen stations, whaleen stations, shops, kirks, an aa da idder infrastructure required fir da approx. 1,000 fokk at wrocht in Rønies Voe at it’s heicht.”
He also highlighted a local planning supplementary called the Ronas Hill Local Landscape Area, which says development should “carefully consider the siting and design of any proposed development along the south shore of Ronas Voe”.
“I ken at da hoose is in a poor staet o repair – hit’s twartree year noo fae da rüf fell in – but nondaless da Shetland wye is ey been at you dunna demolish aald croft hooses aless de’r good raison tae,” Mullay added.
“Idderwise dey sud be left whaar dey ir so at da history o dem can be preserved.”
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -
- Remove non-local ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
