Work on a new £1.8 million housing development in Lerwick is now complete.

A total of 11 new homes have been built at Hill Grind by DITT Construction on behalf of Hjaltland Housing Association (HA).

Head of Investment for Hjaltland, Paul Leask, said: "This £1.8 million pound project was completed on time, to a very high standard, and within budget. The properties were designed by Ian Irvine from local architectural firm PJP Architects with engineering design from Mott MacDonald.

"The site was provided by the Shetland Islands Council as part of the successful partnership we have with them in providing new homes and bringing new investment into the islands. This project is the Associations second phase on this site and supplements the 26 homes completed in 2015."

With tenants now beginning to move into their new homes, Hjaltland HA is continuing its investment in new housing by awarding build contracts for the construction of 24 units in Tingwall and 27 in Lerwick.

The £4m project to build 24 homes at Gaet-A-Gott, Tingwall has been awarded to E&H Building Contractors, while DITT Construction have secured the tender to build 27 flats on a site opposite Islesburgh Community Centre on King Harald Street, Lerwick.

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The commitment to these projects results in a total investment of £10.4m in the local economy with £6.8m in grant provided by the Scottish Government and £3.6m of private finance.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: "I am delighted to see these high quality, affordable new homes, supported with over £6.5 million Scottish Government funding. It highlights the importance of partnership working between the Housing Association, Shetland Islands Council and the Scottish Government to ensure we deliver the right homes, in the right places, for both individuals and communities.

"Scotland's islands make a huge contribution to Scottish life but we know people living there can face challenges when it comes to accessing the home they want. That is why we have introduced dedicated £5 million Islands Housing Fund, to supplement the £25 million Rural Housing Fund, which will increase the supply of good quality affordable housing and help to attract and retain people in our islands.

"We are committed to delivering at least 50,000 affordable homes across Scotland over the course of this Parliament.  By providing higher than average grant rates to these developments, along with our dedicated support for Islands housing, we are demonstrating our commitment to delivering the right type of affordable housing in locations where it is most needed."

Hjaltland Chief Executive Bryan Leask said: "These three projects are part of the Associations ongoing drive to help meet the housing needs of Shetlands communities. They will also provide a welcome economic boost to local contractors and the wider supply chain.

"We do however understand that there is still more to do and were delighted when our masterplan for Staneyhill was recently adopted as council policy. It is early on in the design process for our Staneyhill project but it shows the long term commitment we have to helping house the people of Shetland."

(LM/MH)