Public consultation on Lerwick’s Staney Hill housing development will get under way this weekend with two exhibitions.
Hjaltland Housing Association is planning to build up to 400 houses on the exposed site overlooking Lerwick to help meet the demand for housing in the town.
The housing association has commissioned a project team, led by local firm Redman Sutherland Architects to draw up a masterplan between now and the end of the year.
Exhibitions will be held at Clickimin as well as the Toll Clock Shopping Centre.
Project team leader Iain Malcolmson said building on the Staney Hill site presents many challenges.
“Parts of it are very steep and elsewhere it is boggy. It’s very exposed, too.
“Views from the Broch of Clickimin are to be protected, so there is to be no development on the skyline when seen from that direction.
“Our job is to work out how the area can be transformed into a place that offers a really attractive environment, with good provision of all the essentials for modern living.”
The team has drawn up a consultation plan that would involve the public at all stages from initial ideas to considering the final masterplan.
This kicks off with illustrative exhibitions this weekend and will be followed by a drop-in session at the Staney Hill hall on May 25 between 1pm and 6.30pm and a workshop afterwards between 7.30pm and 9pm.
In addition, questionnaires will be sent to every household near the site, but people can also comment online via the www.shapingstaneyhill.com website.
Malcolmson said: “We want to see a development of high quality on the site.
“We also hope that there might be some benefits for those living near it, for example through more convenient footpath links to the new Anderson High School or more tree planting.
“We’d encourage anyone with an interest in the area to take part in the consultation events.”
The second phase of consultation is likely to take place after the school summer holidays and the last will be towards the end of the year.