Westland

Key details

Overview

Surrounded by mature trees and shrubs and including a 9m x 4m polycrub, 'Westland' is a distinctive, four bedroom, 'Scandinavian' style detached house enjoying fine open views over the surrounding countryside.

Conveniently situated midway between Lerwick, just 13 miles to the north, and Sumburgh, the property is situated in an area enjoying a wide range of amenities including a shop & post office, Junior High School and even a public swimming pool, all within reasonable walking distance.

Arranged over two floors and benefitting from central heating provided by an air source heat pump, and triple glazed windows, the accommodation comprises a 25' living / dining room with south-west facing verandah, a kitchen / diner, family bathroom and two bedrooms on the ground floor, plus two large double bedrooms and a shower room upstairs, the main bedroom having a covered balcony.

The owners have carried out a number of energy efficiency improvements including installation of solar panels, resulting in an economical band B energy rating and reduced costs. There is also an electric car charger.

General Information

A wide range of amenities has made Sandwick a popular location particularly with families, the village which is spread out over a fairly wide area also being conveniently situated mid-way between Lerwick, 13 miles to the north, and the airport at Sumburgh, 13 miles to the south, both being within easy reach either by car or by bus as Lerwick - Sumburgh buses run through the village.

In addition to the local shop, post office & bakery at Stove there is a Junior High School with nursery, primary and secondary schooling (to year 4), and unusually for a village of only around 950 people, also a public swimming pool, all within reasonable walking distance.

Other amenities include a youth and community centre, social club plus a visitor's centre / tearoom at Hoswick, whilst slightly further afield, Sandsayre pier at Leebitton is the departure point for boat trips to the island of Mousa and its famous broch.

'Westland' is situated in a small private estate of eight detached houses on the south-west side of Sandwick, the property lying on the west of the estate just above the Burn of Hoswick which runs along the bottom of the garden. The house’s position allows it to enjoy fine views to the south and west over the surrounding countryside to the sea and across to Levenwick in the far distance. The area along the burn has been extensively planted by a local community group (Gaets Garden and Ecology Trail) creating an unusually wooded area (for Shetland) with a path leading to the small hamlet of Hoswick and the coast.

The house was built in the mid-1990's of 'Scandinavian' style timber frame / timber clad construction. Windows in the house were already triple glazed, and the current owners have since their purchase a couple of years ago made extensive energy efficiency improvements which have drastically reduced the energy consumption, these improvements including a new wet radiator central heating system supplied by a Mitsubishi Ecodan air source heat pump which also supplies the mains pressure hot water cylinder, installation of 14 roof-mounted solar PV panels with 10kw/hr batteries to store surplus electricity, an EDDI current diverter which re-directs any surplus electricity from the PV panels that the batteries cannot hold to the hot water system, replacement of the heat recovery ventilation system, and additional loft insulation. The property has also been re-plumbed and a 7kw electric car charger fed by the PV panels when sufficient surplus electricity is available has been fitted. A Morso solid-fuel stove in the living / dining room provides a cosy alternative heat source to the centra heating.

All carpets and other fixed floor coverings, the curtains and blinds will be included in the sale.

Accommodation

Entry to the property is via a covered porch area to the south-east side of the house, the front door opening to a carpeted hall attractively finished like the rest of the house with pine paneled internal doors, skirtings and door surrounds. On the left is the utility room which leads through to the kitchen, and the varnished pine staircase to the first floor, the large built-in cupboard below providing space for coats etc. and general storage. Ahead a glazed door leads to the living / dining room whilst to the right are two ground floor bedrooms and a family bathroom.

The living / dining room is a generously proportioned room with two large windows and a glazed door to the south-west looking out over the garden, the door opening up to a partly covered verandah with access to the garden. Two further windows to the living area provide additional natural light. There is ample space for living and dining areas, and wood laminate flooring is laid throughout. A solid-fuel 'Morso' cast iron stove set on a tiled hearth with a decorative tiling behind provides a cosy heat source but there are also two central heating radiators. Two chandelier style pendant lights provide artificial light.

An archway from the dining area leads through to the kitchen / diner which benefits from a dual aspect with windows to the south-east and south-west. There is space for a table & chairs and the pine doored fitted units include an inset 1½ bowl ceramic sink and cooker hood. Again the flooring is wood laminate. The freestanding cooker will be included in the sale although no warranties will be given. Off the kitchen is the utility room which leads back through to the hall, this room having a fitted worktop with space below for a washing machine and tumble dryer (tumble dryer included although no warranties will be given), a built-in shelved cupboard, and further space for coats etc.

Back off the hall are the two carpeted bedrooms, a north-west-facing double room presently used as an office, and a north-east-facing single room accessed by a sliding pocket door, and a large family bathroom with white three piece suite, ladder style heated towel rail / radiator, and vinyl flooring.

The stair to the first floor which is lit by a Velux window over, leads up to a carpeted landing with two built-in cupboards providing additional storage / wardrobe space. On the left is the main bedroom, a spacious room with two windows and a glazed door to a covered balcony which provides a great place to enjoy the fine open views to the south. Wood laminate flooring.

Next to the main bedroom is a shower room which was re-fitted in 2022 and now comprises a large walk-in shower accessed via a glazed door, with ‘rainfall’ shower head and separate hand-held fitting, plus a white WC and wash hand basin set on a fitted vanity / cupboard unit that provides handy storage space for toiletries etc. Again there is a ladder style heated towel rail / radiator and vinyl flooring. Finally the second upstairs bedroom, another large double, has two windows to the gable wall facing north-east plus a further Velux, and a fitted carpet.

Rooms Sizes (All approximate)

On the Ground Floor:-

Living / Dining Room

7.75m x 4.3m (25'6" x 14'2")

Kitchen / Diner

Generally 3.9m x 3.55m at widest points (12'10" x 11'7")

Bedroom 1

3.45m x 2.9m (11'3" x 9'6")

Bedroom 2

2.55m x 2.15m (8'6" x 7'1")

Bathroom

2.4m x 2.2m (7'10" x 6'10")

Utility Room

2.5m x 2.05m at widest point (8'3" x 6'8")

On the First Floor:-

Bedroom 3

4.9m x 2.65m + 4.2m x 2.2m (floor area) (16'2" x 8'9" + 13'10" x 7'3")

Shower Room

Overall 2.5m x 1.55m (floor area) (8'3" x 5'2")

Bedroom 4

4.75m x 3.8m (floor area) (15'8" x 12'6")

External

The property sits in a good-sized, very well-established site with an abundance of mature trees, shrubs and planting which makes it a particularly secluded space especially in the summer months. A large, graveled area provides parking outside of the front door and the integral external store (approx. 2.4m x 2.2m (7'10" x 7'3")) which has power & lighting and provides useful storage as well as housing the various energy efficiency appliances and controls. Two sheds, the larger shed / workshop having a lean-to potting shed to one side and power, provide space for garden tools and a mower.

The graveled area extends along the front of the house where there is a drying area, to the rear where there is a very secluded seating area enclosed by a low stone dyke below the deck to the living / dining room. Beyond the seating area is a 9m x 4m polytunnel with productive raised beds to either side and down the centre complete with an automatic watering system and cabling for an electrical supply although this is not connected yet.

Council Tax

Understood to currently be Band D. Prospective purchasers should however contact Shetland Islands Council directly for confirmation. Council Tax Bands may be reassessed by the Joint Valuation Board when a property is sold. Details of Council Tax rates can be found on Shetland Island Council’s website at:

http://www.shetland.gov.uk/counciltax/charges.asp

Property location

To reach the property take the southernmost turning to Sandwick from the main Lerwick - Sumburgh road and follow signs for Hoswick (do not turn left to Sandwick). Follow the road down the hill and around the sharp turn to the left. Drive to the first main group of houses on the right, pass the junction for Swinister and Cameron Way, and turn first right into a small cul-de-sac with well-established trees enclosing the garden on the left-hand corner. Follow the road to the end passing the first turning on the left, and continue around to the left to two houses, 'Westland' being the first one on the right.