Bids from legal entities for plots in Skarðshlíð, Phase 2, were opened this morning.

This morning at ten o'clock, tenders were opened from legal entities for 26 semi-detached house plots and 12 terraced house plots in Skarðshlíð, Phase 2, which were advertised this summer. In total, bids were received from 10 legal entities, which were read aloud this morning in the presence of representatives of several bidders.

At the same time, the deadline for individuals to submit bids for detached and semi-detached house plots expired, and just over 80 applications were received for the 31 plots advertised for allocation.

Hafnarfjörður is now reviewing the bids and evaluating them.

Demand for residential property in Hafnarfjörður has grown in recent quarters and has now reached a population of just over 29,000. Changes to planning in Hafnarfjörður and the development of infrastructure have aimed to meet this increased demand for housing.

Phase two of a new housing development in Skarðshlíð has undergone considerable planning changes in recent months. The plots are expected to be ready for allocation and construction in late autumn 2017. The number of detached house plots in the development was reduced, with more semi-detached, terraced and block-built homes added instead. The number of dwellings was thus increased from 133 to 154 to meet the growing demand in the market.

Alleys have been converted into green streets, which means that careful consideration is given to the use of street space and its appearance, and that wheelie bins are replaced by large, underground containers at each property. Eco-streets also have the property of improving acoustics and are designed to foster a sense of community or social cohesion in neighbourhoods by creating a space for residents that encourages social interaction. Certain plots of land in the neighbourhood have already been set aside for a new resident-run letting company in Hafnarfjörður, which aims to lower rents, reduce overheads, and increase the involvement and participation of the residents themselves. The motivation behind the project is to address the need for safe, affordable rental housing.