Plans to demolish 19th-century house and build flats on isle site

More than 30 flats and houses could be built on the site of a 19th-century house in Shetland.

Breiwick Bay Properties has put its previous plans to build a hotel on the back burner because of a downturn in the oil industry and the subsequent drop in demand for temporary shelter in Shetland.

Instead, the company is looking for permission to demolish Brevik House, which was built in 1886, and build 24 social and affordable flats, which would be sold or put up for rent, and up to nine private properties which are proposed to be for sale.

Discussions have taken place between Breiwick Bay Properties, which has ownership of the site, and Hjaltland Housing Association with regards to affordable housing.

In recent years Brevik House, which was used by the NHS, has been utilised by Shetland Solidarity with Refugees for collecting aid donations.

The group said it acknowledged that it always had a temporary arrangement with the building and said it was “truly thankful of having the use of the Brevik all this time”.

Breiwick Bay Properties, which is part of Aberdeenbased property developers Ardent Group and features former isles man Martin Watt as a director, has lodged an initial application with Shetland Islands Council’s planning service for the housing development.

The blocks of flats would face South Road, while the houses would be located closer to the sea-facing part of the site.

The area would also have around 50 parking spaces and a roundabout-style turning area.