Designed by Mott MacDonald and PJP Architects, the infrastructure includes a new spine road and services to enable the future construction of 300 new homes. Garriock Bros. Ltd have been appointed as main contractor to complete the project which has a three-year contract duration.

Hjaltland Housing Association chief executive Bryan Leask said: “I am absolutely delighted to finally see work start on site. The Scottish Government has provided over £19m in grant funding through the Infrastructure Fund for this project as part of the Strategic Housing Investment Plan for affordable housing in Shetland.”

Colin Nicholson, chair of the Hjaltland Housing Association Committee, said: “It is great to see work starting on Staneyhill. The new infrastructure will not only enable the construction of 300 new homes but also connect areas of Lerwick from North Loch Drive to Staneyhill Road and Wista.”

Emma MacDonald, leader of the Shetland Islands Council, said: “I am really pleased to see this work on the Staneyhill finally getting underway, after the earlier work done on the
strategic plans for the site. It is vital we increase the number of modern, affordable homes in Shetland and this development will substantially help that. Supporting the growth of our local communities and our future economic activity.”

Arthur Robertson, Garriock Bros. Ltd contracts director, added: “We are pleased to be undertaking this project for Hjaltland Housing Association, providing much needed sites for future housing in Lerwick. This scheme has its own set of challenges which we will endeavour to meet using our skilled workforce and experience gained over the previous 40+ years of working in the Shetland construction industry.”

It is anticipated construction on the first phase of housing will commence 18 months into the infrastructure contract. A total of 66 new homes will be built along North Loch Drive and will be a variety of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom properties.