Proposals to build a new housing development at Sandwick some two miles outside of
Stornoway have been formally lodged by Hebridean Housing Partnership (HHP).
Some 160 semi-detached homes are earmarked in total on a farmland site of nearly
25 acres beside the Mackenzie Park estate.
The proposed development is termed Melbost West by HHP - a reference to its location
on Melbost Farm. However, the area has never been called this by local residents.
Frontage of the new estate will face Parkend Industrial Estate while the houses would
be erected in four phases over a number of years running in a northerly direction
across two fields from the main road.
Thirty eight properties are planned for the first stage with 35 in the second. Tranches
of 44 and 43 units respectively would be erected in the final two sections.
Affordable housing is proposed for the site and could be a combination of both social
rent and shared equity (affordable home ownership) properties.
A mix of one- and two-storey semi-detached dwellings in the design and style typically
built by HHP are proposed.
Most would accommodate families of two to four people while some larger properties
cater to households between five and seven.
Of the 160 dwellings, 26 are designed to be wheelchair-friendly.
Each house will have its own private parking space, as well as private front and
rear gardens. House frontages will generally be open, with front fencing used only
where necessary to deter pedestrians from taking shortcuts. Rylock fencing will be
used in back gardens.
A public open space has been designed with loop paths for short walks and a standard
wheeled bin for dog waste will be provided.
“Informal intergenerational play” proposals have been included using logs, and tunnels
to promote “grounds for learning.”
The site layout plan includes pavements and pathways, connecting various areas of
the development and inking sections with the adjacent Mackenzie development and connecting
to Parkend.
The existing gravel pathway to the football pitch in the west will be upgraded for
pedestrian access, with dropped kerbs created between the industrial estate junction
and the new roundabout for a direct walking route to the town.
A new roundabout is proposed at a new junction with the main road. This aims to tackle
visibility problems and improve enhance traffic flow in and out of the site, as well
as for drivers continuing on the Sandwick - Point road. Bollards will close off the
present route for vehicles by Mackenzie Crescent.
The existing bus layby and shelter at the front of Mackenzie Crescent will be relocated
to the layby area adjacent to the playpark. Additionally, a bus turning area would
be provided at the far end of the scheme which the comhairle could take into consideration
when drawing up future bus timetables.
A serviced plot reserved for retail or commercial use is designated at the southeast
corner of the site, next to the proposed roundabout, and will be left grassed until
the space is taken up. .
HHP submits planning application to build 160 new homes near Stornoway
11 June 2025
New housing site location plan
