Councillors agree on ‘compromise’ lanes plan which keeps community garden

A “compromise” preferred option for the Lerwick Lanes has been selected by councillors.

The proposal will see the community garden saved – but its size reduced.

And 21 parking spaces will be lost from the site.

Depute leader Gary Robinson described the approach as a “compromise”, that could add up to 15 homes to the Lerwick Lanes.

But councillors Liz Peterson and Ryan Thomson pointed to a community consultation showing the majority of people wanted parking to remain the same at the site.

And Mr Thomson said he found it “difficult to comprehend” that the project was a priority for the SIC.

He said the ferry service to the North Isles, which has experienced significant difficulties in recent weeks, should come before this.

The North Isles councillor said he felt the views of the public were “being ignored”.

However Mr Robinson and Stephen Leask said they felt this was the best of three options being presented to the development committee today (Wednesday).

Mr Leask said he felt that doing nothing at the site – as suggested by Ms Peterson – would be “letting down the community of Lerwick”.

Both cited the need for more housing in the town.

The development committee agreed to pursue option two, which will see a swap of housing land to create housing at Hillhead and Gladstone Terrace.

The community garden will reduce in size from 504m2 to 326m2, and parking reduced from 144 spaces to 123.

A further report about the preferred option will come before councillors later in the financial year, with funding also being sought.

The estimated cost of the work is around £2.5 million.

COMMENTS(2)

Add Your Comment
  • Karen Arellano

    • May 29th, 2024 12:50

    Losing 21 car parking spaces is an absolute disgrace. There is no compromise here. The majority of people and all businesses wanted to keep the car parking. Those voting for this shambles are voting for the death of our high street.

    REPLY
    • Bruce Strachan

      • June 30th, 2024 18:00

      It’s the same across the country ,so many councillors seem to have their own agenda and disregard the wishes of the business folk and the general public.
      You’ve got to get together , complain, demonstrate, until they see sense.
      Normally there’s a secret individual in the background who has some counsellors in their pocket.

      REPLY

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