News / Plans to demolish shed near Knab and build family home submitted
PLANS have been submitted for a new two-storey house at a “unique and beautiful site” near the Knab in Lerwick.
The plans for land at the Waarie Geo would see the shed there – previously used as a changing room for young people who learned to swim in the sea there in decades gone by – demolished.
The condition of the shed is said to have “deteriorated significantly”, according to a planning statement.
The site was sold by Shetland Islands Council to local company Renewable Kinetics Ltd in 2023 for £48,000.
The plans focus on a “low-slung eco-house to harmonise and visually integrate with the natural environment of this unique and beautiful site”.
Applicants Glen and Leah Henderson hope to build a new family home on the site.
The use of the shed is said to have “declined sharply” over the years, having been “sporadically” used as an Up Helly Aa meeting place and a storage shed.
It is said to have become “unused and unmaintained”.
Architect Alan McKay, writing on behalf of the applicants, said the “sensitively designed house” would “blend in with the natural environment” at the site near the Knab.
The area would be “improved and kept well maintained”, and would be made to be as “unobtrusive as possible” with the local area.
To keep the overall height of the home to a minimum, “grass/sedum very gently sloping roofs” are proposed over the ground floor.
A lower level will be “largely invisible to the inhabitants of houses in the area plus road users and pedestrians”.
“To avoid any overlooking issues, the accommodation is arranged to be largely single aspect with all habitable rooms facing the beautiful views out to sea.
“This arrangement also suits the sun-path to maximise useful solar gain throughout the day.”
The house would also be designed to be “as sustainable and energy efficient as possible”, McKay wrote in his submission to planners, which was a “priority” for the project.
“Sustainable ‘green’ materials will be specified as far as possible,” he said.
“Non-toxic hydroscopic insulation materials, e.g. sheep’s wool insulation or hemp are to be specified for the heated envelope.
“All timber will be sourced from managed forests.”
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