MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands’ capital expands south anticipating housing demand from oil developers

Stanley now accounts for 75% of the Falklands population with 2.121 residents according to the latest census

Anticipating a greater demand for housing from oil developers and support activities the Falkland Islands government is advancing plans to further expand Stanley. Additional funding to take in phase two of the Sapper Hill housing development to the south of Stanley has been approved by the Standing Finance Committee totalling £1.3 million for a further 27 housing plots.

It was previously envisaged that phase two would be progressed in 2013/14 but it had been indicated by the oil developers that housing will be needed at an early stage for staff, Director of Public Works Manfred Keenleyside informed the Falklands’ Executive Council in a paper.

“It also appears likely there will be other demands for accommodation for local support activities and there is a need to provide for that potential early demand,” he said.
The layout and outline design have been completed for the overall project and planning permission obtained, with detailed design having been completed for the first two phases.

The first phase of 37 plots is currently being progressed. Plot size was typically about 800m2, but ranges from about 680m2 to 1600m2 which provides variety to meet differing needs, Mr Keenleyside explained, adding that plot frontage was typically 20 metres, but this again varied so as to permit semidetached or terraced units to be located on some sites.

There would be no recurrent costs initially but these would increase steadily as electricity was used by street lighting and Biodisc, and maintenance and cleaning would be needed on roads and other services.

First year of costs is projected to be 2016/17 when Biodisc and street lighting would need to be brought into use once the first house was occupied. Costs might be expected to steadily rise to perhaps £5- £10,000 per annum for routine maintenance, he said.

Meanwhile Morrison Falklands Ltd last July started to work on the first phase of the Sapper Hill housing development.

Morrison’s Regional Manager Mike Butler confirmed that the work is progressing in line with the construction program, with the first phase consisting of 41 housing plots due to be complete by mid-April next year.

The initial excavation and sub base construction to the road and footpaths is now 95% complete, explained Mr Butler, adding that the next phase of works will be the installation of the Biodisc sewage treatment plant followed by the surface and foul water drainage systems.

A massive 23.000 tons of peat and clay has been excavated from the site with more than 10.000 tons of primary sub-base delivered from the Pony Pass quarry to date. (Penguin News).-