A major £851,000 redevelopment will also see the construction of a serviced industrial site, a marina, access road and car park.  The funding package has been put together by a partnership comprising Shetland Islands Council, Shetland Enterprise, Highland and Islands Enterprise, the European Regional Development Fund and the Voe Pier Trust.

Set amid some of Shetland's most dramatic scenery 18 miles north-west of the islands' capital Lerwick, the pier is a B-listed building and, following consultation with Historic Scotland, will be rebuilt to look as similar to the existing structure as possible.

The new pier will be large enough for four boats to draw alongside, doubling its current capacity. Pontoons at the new marina will be able to accommodate 23 boats of various sizes.

The industrial serviced sites and associated parking and storage area will provide opportunities for local businesses to expand and diversify as well as attracting inward investment. A similar development of five serviced sites at Cullivoe in Yell was fully occupied within a year of its completion in 2001.

The existing pier was sold to the Shetland Fishermen's association in the 1950's, when some repairs were carried out. Ownership later transferred to Delting Community Council and three years ago it was taken over by Voe Pier Trust.

Over the years the pier has fallen into such a poor state of repair that it is now unsuitable for community use and beyond economical repair. It is currently used by two local aquaculture businesses Andersons Shellfish and Olnafirth Seafarms. Both firms have donated land to the pier trust as an indication of their support for the project.

The redevelopment project will be managed on behalf of the community by Voe Pier Trust, which is chaired by local resident Peter Johnson.

Shetland Enterprise development manager David Watson said the redevelopment of the pier would provide a major boost for the community in Voe at a time when oil related activities at nearby Sullom Voe were contracting.

He added: "The new pier and associated facilities will be owned by the community and all income received through it will be re-invested in the development and the community for the benefit of everyone in the surrounding area.

"The development will reflect the visual amenity of the previous pier and enhance the overall appearance of one of the most scenic areas in Shetland.

"It will benefit the local community by increasing its capacity for involvement in the tourism, aquaculture and inshore fisheries industries. It will also create potential for inwards investment which would bring additional economic benefits to the area."

Peter Johnson, chairman of Voe Pier Trust said: "We are delighted that this project is going ahead. Historically the pier has been the focal point of economic activity in the community of Voe. This development will help it regain that position and ensure it retains it in the future"

Alastair Cooper, head of development resources in the economic development unit of Shetland Islands Council said the project was a good example of partnership working between the funding agencies and the community, which would herald a new era for Voe.

Mr Cooper, who is also chairman of Delting Community Council, added: "As well as restoring the pier, it recognises community need by making safe provision for leisure activity in the same project.
 
"In its heyday the old pier was a hive of fishing activity. The new pier, the adjoining storage and industrial site will generate increased use by the aquaculture, shellfish and fishing industry. I am confident the combined facilities will increase community confidence, create a number of new jobs and restore Lower Voe as the working hub of the village."