UHI Shetland Shifts Focus from Knab Student Accommodation Plans

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) Shetland has decided to abandon plans for student accommodation at the Knab development site in Lerwick due to concerns over the project’s viability. Instead, the college will redirect its efforts towards reinstating the upper floor of Port Arthur House in Scalloway for student housing.

UHI Shetland Principal and CEO Professor Jane Lewis confirmed the shift in strategy on Tuesday, stating that the board concluded pursuing accommodation at the Knab site was no longer feasible. “We’re still keen to develop student accommodation, but we will not be doing that at the Knab,” she said. The decision follows an assessment that included options for combining student accommodation with a proposed creative hub on the site of the former Anderson High School, which has now been ruled out as well.

Concerns regarding the financial sustainability of the Knab project have been echoed by Stephen Leask, chair of the UHI Shetland board. He described the student accommodation initiative as “unfundable” and questioned the project’s long-term viability. “We could try and scratch around for funding to get it off the ground, but would we be able to sustain it?” Leask noted.

The Knab redevelopment is part of a broader plan by the Shetland Islands Council (SIC) to transform the former school site into a community hub with housing as its focal point. Initial plans had included the potential use of the Janet Courtney Hostel for student accommodation; however, the SIC has now indicated the building will be converted into flats.

Future Plans for Accommodation

In light of the decision regarding the Knab site, UHI Shetland is focusing on refurbishing Port Arthur House, located opposite the Scalloway campus. Professor Lewis mentioned that a business case is currently being developed to reinstate student accommodation on the upper floor, which is presently unused. The goal is to upgrade the building to meet net zero standards, with previous structural assessments indicating potential issues.

Port Arthur House, built in 2000, historically accommodated nearly 30 students but was closed in 2018 for structural repairs. Plans to convert the upper floor into office space were previously halted due to objections from the SIC’s roads department, leading to the proposal’s withdrawal.

In recent years, alternative proposals for student accommodation, including a project on Lerwick’s Commercial Road, failed to materialize.

The Knab redevelopment is set to receive a significant investment of up to £9.6 million from the Scottish Government as part of the islands growth deal, with £3 million allocated for a creative hub and £500,000 earmarked specifically for student accommodation. The primary focus of these funds will be on residential housing.

A Shetland Islands Council spokesperson previously stated that they have been “exploring all options” with UHI Shetland and Shetland Arts regarding the redevelopment. The envisioned creative hub could include facilities such as artists’ studios, galleries, and darkrooms.

Progress on Knab Development

A recent report to the SIC’s audit committee revealed that 145 housing units are planned for the former Anderson High School site, with development occurring in phases. Local contractor Tulloch Developments Limited was awarded the contract for core infrastructure works earlier this year, with construction already underway.

Timelines for the project were adjusted following advice to align housing plans with reduced government funding. The renovation of the Janet Courtney Hostel is expected to commence first, as funding allocations for affordable housing in Shetland saw an increase following a recent policy reversal by the Scottish Government.

Additionally, it was announced that local firm Ocean Kinetics successfully bid to repurpose the Bruce Hostel, another historic building on the site, into flats. As the Knab project progresses, UHI Shetland remains committed to providing viable accommodation options for students, albeit in a different location than initially planned.