The contract to rebuild the eight properties began in March 2023 and tenants are expected to move into the new properties in the coming weeks.

The new houses have been designed with a contemporary theme, retaining some of the form of the original scheme to sit comfortably beside existing properties. The houses feature colourful external cladding, using low maintenance materials, adding colour along the South Road. Larger windows maximise natural light and take advantage of the views to the north over Clickimin Loch.

The properties have been constructed using a ‘fabric first’ approach, with high levels of insulation and a design which limits air leakage, reducing both heat loss and heating demand. The addition of whole house mechanical ventilation and heat recovery ensures good air quality throughout the dwellings and further reduces heat loss. High heat retention storage heaters provide a controllable, user friendly and economic heating system and the properties are supplemented by photovoltaic solar panels on the roof.

The systems all work together to create a healthy internal environment, further enhanced by the well-constructed, insulated and sealed building envelopes.

The lead contractor for the project was local construction firm DITT Ltd supported by local subcontractors. The contract was supervised by architects PJP Architects, engineering consultants Mott Macdonald, quantity surveyor Jim Nisbet, and the clerk of works role was undertaken by CASE Shetland.

The overall project cost of around £2.5 million has attracted £700k of funding from the Scottish Government’s ‘More Homes’ fund.

In addition to the new build project, a programme of planned maintenance upgrades has seen approximately 160 council properties in Sandveien have new kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems installed.

That work is also now nearing completion and brings the council’s total investment in the Sandveien scheme to £4.3m.

Dennis Leask, chair of the Development Committee and one of the councillors for Lerwick South ward, said: “I’m really pleased to see these eight properties now nearly complete. They are modern, energy efficient, attractive homes for our tenants and I’d like to thank those who are moving back in for their patience while this work has been done.

“All of the work has been carried out to an excellent standard by local contractors and consultants. Despite the many pressures on the public sector, our plans to upgrade and improve council housing stock throughout Shetland continue.”