Post by maree on Nov 28, 2009 23:22:50 GMT 1
'Under plans drawn up by housing boss Chris Medley, 138 of the 172 new units would be built in Lerwick, at Hoofields and Staney Hill, although 30 of these houses would replace older ones.
Other new houses are planned for Brae (10), Bressay (6), Burra (2), Sandwick (2), Virkie (4) plus and additional 10 with a location still to be confirmed'.
The above text is part of an article on the Shetland News website about new housing due to be built in Shetland. The article also points out concerns from some of our local councillors that the siting of the proposed homes does not do much to deter the ever-increasing centralistion of people in Shetland.
This is a sentiment I completely agree with. How are our rural areas supposed to survive if new, affordable social housing isn't being provided? As was hightlighted in the NCDC housing needs survey a while back, folk want to remain/move into areas such as Northmavine but we only have a limited amount of social housing available for rent and because of this, folk are forced to move out of the area or are unable to move in.
The number of houses available has also deceased over the last 20 years with the 'right to buy' policy. Added to that, many of the SIC and Hjaltland houses in the area are rented to long-term tenants. Whilst this is a good thing, it also means we do not have a huge turn-over of available properties. If our council is serious about keeping rural areas of Shetland alive, it needs to help provide homes.
Here endeth me rant
Does anyone else have feelings on this?
Other new houses are planned for Brae (10), Bressay (6), Burra (2), Sandwick (2), Virkie (4) plus and additional 10 with a location still to be confirmed'.
The above text is part of an article on the Shetland News website about new housing due to be built in Shetland. The article also points out concerns from some of our local councillors that the siting of the proposed homes does not do much to deter the ever-increasing centralistion of people in Shetland.
This is a sentiment I completely agree with. How are our rural areas supposed to survive if new, affordable social housing isn't being provided? As was hightlighted in the NCDC housing needs survey a while back, folk want to remain/move into areas such as Northmavine but we only have a limited amount of social housing available for rent and because of this, folk are forced to move out of the area or are unable to move in.
The number of houses available has also deceased over the last 20 years with the 'right to buy' policy. Added to that, many of the SIC and Hjaltland houses in the area are rented to long-term tenants. Whilst this is a good thing, it also means we do not have a huge turn-over of available properties. If our council is serious about keeping rural areas of Shetland alive, it needs to help provide homes.
Here endeth me rant
Does anyone else have feelings on this?