Sumburgh Head scheme lodged with authority
Proposals aimed at making Sumburgh Head Lighthouse a major tourist attraction have been lodged with the council’s planning department.
Shetland Amenity Trust hopes to demolish redundant outbuildings and extensions to the building’s pavilions before building a new extension and information kiosk.
The trust also wants to spruce up the building to help reinstate some of the original features.
Under the plans the car park will also be improved, while the road leading to it will be realigned to improve access.
The ambitious project was unveiled last year by the amenity trust’s general manager Jimmy Moncrieff, who said the trust expected to see an influx of visitors over the next five years.
Currently around 20,000 visitors attend the lighthouse every year.
Mr Moncrieff said that figure should rise to as much as 30,000 if the plans are given the go-ahead.
Meanwhile, real ale producers Valhalla Brewery in Unst has lodged an application with the council which will help the business expand if it is given the go ahead.
Owner Sonny Priest wants to change part of the former military transport building at Saxa Vord into a brewery to help the company meet with growing demand. The company announced its plans last year after celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Its beers have been growing in popularity, and the business has long-since outgrown its current site in Baltasound, where it has operated since 1997.
