Guernsey Property & Construction / Issue 1

Summer 2019

Issue 1

GUE R N SE Y

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION History and Heritage Discover how the renovation of Fermain Tower turned a dilapidated landmark into destination accommodation

Industry News From what’s happening to who’s moving where, read all the local industry updates

A Place to Play Find out how the new playbarn at Oatlands took shape, and how Joey got back in the air

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE GUERNSEY PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION AWARDS

EXTENSIONS • RENOVATIONS • UPGRADES

Built for life.

For over 60 years RG Falla has been associated with quality workmanship and project management across the Island. Our small works team combines big project quality, efficiency and management with the care and courtesy needed for smaller builds and family homes. Personal, capable, on time and on budget. RG Falla, small works.

SMALLWORKS@RGFALLA.GG

+44 (0) 1481 256585

RGFALLA.GG

INTRODUCTION

EDITOR Tamara Timothy

EDITOR’S LETTER

editor@collaborateci.com

SALES Nicky Bellis nicky@collaborateci.com

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Anthony Barbapiccola design@collaborateci.com www.collaborateci.com www.guernseyconstructionawards.com

Guernsey Property and Construction is produced twice a year by Collaborate CI Ltd. To receive the magazine call Nicky Bellis on 01481 715222 or email sales@collaborateci.com Guernsey Property and Construction is published by Collaborate CI Ltd. Copyright 2019.

All rights reserved. Any reproduction without permission is prohibited. Guernsey Property and Construction contains editorial content from external contributors which does not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers and the factual accuracy of which cannot be guaranteed by the publishers. Guernsey Property and Construction does not accept or respond to unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. The publishers do not accept responsibility for errors in advertisements or third party offers.

Cover photo by Chris George

W

elcome to the first edition of the Guernsey Property and Construction magazine.

Living on an island of just 24 square miles, you might think the choice of subject matter might be limited. But as these pages prove, the reality is an island filled with fascinating projects in an industry that is constantly evolving.

Our cover star, Fermain Tower, has stood tall at one of the island’s most idyllic bays since the late 1700s. Now revamped by the National Trust to become boutique accommodation, on page 4 we find out all about the challenges of turning the dilapidated building into living space fit for today’s holidaymakers.

While we look back at the island’s history with the tower, we are also looking forward with a project designed for future generations. The regeneration of Oatlands, and the building of the new Oaty and Joey’s playbarn, has seen the attraction become a popular destination for islanders of all ages. We investigate the construction process on page 14, including the feat of getting Joey back in the air.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

While many of the island’s finest projects are new builds, an equal number are those that take an older building and re-imagine it for the demands of today. Havelet Waters is one such project, where the developers have taken a Guernsey landmark and turned it from an abandoned brewery into luxurious accommodation. You can read about the ups and downs of that journey on page 32.

This magazine is produced in association with the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards. Nominations are now open for the 2019 awards and you can find out all about the categories and criteria for submissions on page 10.

In this issue, we also look back at last year’s awards ceremony and speak to some of the 2018 winners, including aspiring star Miles Pengelley. Read his interview on page 28 to find out what winning the award meant to him, and his ambitions for the future.

I hope you enjoy the magazine, and that its pages help you discover and appreciate more of this lovely island we call home.

Tamara Timothy Editor

Guernsey Property and Construction

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Local Knowledge Multi Sector Expertise World Class Advice Now more than ever our advice matters.

“We would like to congratulate all of the organisations who have been nominated for an award” Savills Guernsey and Jersey.

We are one of the UK’s leading multi-sector global property advisors.

We take an innovative approach to real estate, with a strong client focus, commitment to our people, and unrivalled market insight and expertise. Commercial, Residential or Rural, local, national or global, we have more than 150 years of history to help with your future.

Tony Rowbotham Director +44 1481 742288 tony.rowbotham@savills.gg

CONTENTS

ISSUE 1 04 Fermain Tower

32

With the restoration of this National Trust property complete, the team involved reflects on the challenges of the project

10 Property And Construction Awards Nominations are open so find out about this year’s ceremony and look back at the 2018 award winners

14 Oatlands As young islanders enjoy the new playbarn, we discover what it took to put Joey back in the air

20 Industry News All the property and construction industry news from around the island including appointments, expansions and awards

28 Aspiring Star Winner at the 2018 Property and Construction awards, Miles Pengelley, tells us how he felt about his triumph and his hopes for the future

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14

30 Industry Profile Meet building control surveyor, Angelique McConnell, as she explains her career path and her enjoyment of her role

32 Havelet Waters From landmark brewery to luxury accommodation, we go behind the scenes of the development of Havelet Waters

40 At Home With …

Discover the inspiration for Guernsey designer Nadia Newton’s family home and how she achieved the look

50 Guernsey Market Buildings From art installations to a new way of shopping, the revamped Guernsey Market Buildings are aiming to attract islanders inside

56 Mansions, Manor and Merchant Houses

04

Author Trevor Cooper shares the process of writing his book that showcases the island’s outstanding historical homes

60 Finishing Touches Make a house a home with these ideas for home décor, inspired by our island environment

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ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

FERMAIN T O W E R The loophole tower at Fermain Bay was built to guard the island against invaders in the late 18th century. Now it’s hoped the local landmark will welcome visitors rather than repel them.

The National Trust property has been restored and refurbished to become unique visitor accommodation in an idyllic island spot. But while the location inspires guests to relax, we discovered that the project itself caused plenty of sleepless nights for those involved.

FEATURE

T

he Fermain Tower was gifted to the National Trust of Guernsey in 2002. Almost two decades later, it has opened its doors to the public, following a major project to regenerate the dilapidated old building into stylish self-catering accommodation.

The president of the National Trust, Tony Spruce, explained why the organisation was keen to pursue the renovation: “When I became president in 2016, my vision was that the Trust would become a more public-facing organisation. I wanted to do something which would allow the public to actually use one of our properties.”

Fermain Tower seemed the perfect project. Many heritage buildings in the UK have become Landmark Trust properties, offering unusual visitor accommodation. Local architectural and interior design practice, CCD was asked to take on the challenge of doing something similar with the tower.

Design director and architect, Oliver Westgarth explained their approach: “There is a general notion in architecture that it is important in conservation terms to give heritage buildings new life. With Fermain Tower, we thought that it should be done in a high quality way that ensured it was a luxury to stay in it, rather than just a novelty, tying in with the National Trust’s aim of engaging younger islanders with the organisation.”

With the decision made, the National Trust had to finance the restoration.

A public fundraising appeal was launched, and Tony said they were delighted with the result: “Around 50% of the project costs came from public donations, which we are so grateful for as couldn’t have pursued this project without the support of our members and those individuals who donated.

The remainder of the renovation costs came from our funds.”

Those funds were needed for a considerable amount of work. The tower first had to be stripped out and made safe. F Watson & Son came in and took away all the rotten materials from inside the building, removed the

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render and tanking, repointed the outside of the tower and added a canopy to protect the roof from further water ingress. Once that work was complete, the building was left to dry out for around 18 months.

Oliver explained why it took such a long time: “The walls of the tower are over a metre wide and they were completely saturated with water. The whole atmosphere was very salty and humid and so it needed a very long period to dry out. We set up low level heaters and used very powerful fans to circulate warm dry air and draw off the moisture.

We hugely reduced the dampness in the walls, which will now self-manage their condition as they were designed to do. A structure like this is completely different to a modern cavity building – it is a living, breathing beast which you have to work with and accept that it will change slowly over time.”

While the tower dried out, plans progressed. Fundraising continued, the design was finalised and work was done with the authorities to ensure the correct permissions were in place. The tower is defined as a protected monument rather than a listed building, which, as Oliver explained, meant a little more flexibility in terms of the statutory permissions: “There were strict restrictions in terms of conservation and planning, but when it came to building control there were fairly unique opportunities.

The work didn’t technically require a building licence, for example. However, we developed the technical design with building control as advisors and worked with them to ensure the building is safe. The end product allows strikingly innovative solutions, which enable the tiny spaces to work as they do.”

With plans in place for a basement wetroom, a ground floor kitchen and a first floor bedroom with ladder access to the roof deck, the work could start.

A tender process saw R G Phillips appointed as contractors for the build.

When they started on site early in 2018, their first job was to excavate the basement to form the wetroom.

RESTORATION VS CONSERVATION

Conservation: “the preservation and repair of archaeological, historical and cultural sites” Restoration: “the action of returning something to a former condition” The project at Fermain has been focused on conserving the existing fabric of the building and adding to it with striking, contemporary interventions. However, there were a few aspects of the building which needed recreating to reflect their appearance at a previous time in the tower’s history, but even these were carefully crafted.

A chimney was required, and it has been carefully rebuilt in accordance with photographs taken of the tower in the 19th century. A new front door was also a necessity, so when the builders found an armoured front door among the debris in the basement, it provided the inspiration for the replica which is now in place.

Additionally, windows have been installed with slimline brass frames to minimise their impact on the appearance of the structure – the tower would originally have had gaps rather than windows.

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

THE CONTRACTORS • R G Phillips & Son • DLA Consulting Engineers • CCD Architects & Interior Designers • F Watson & Son • Devil’s End Joinery • Fusion Engineering • Mega Electrical Services • Guernsey Sheet Metal • Stainless Steel Fabrications • Swan Joinery • L G Tiling • Lucy Brouard Design and Soft Furnishings • Bonsai Group • Norman Piette

Contract manager, Steve Bromley, said it was a challenging project from the start: “It was such a labour intensive job, especially at the beginning. The tower might look big from the outside but when you consider how thick the walls are, it’s a lot smaller inside that you might imagine. We couldn’t get any machinery in for digging so everything had to be done by hand and then taken out in buckets. Materials, and even tools, had to be downsized to get them through the door and able to work within the tower.”

R G Phillips were surprised to discover that, instead of the thick walls and low ground levels keeping water at bay, running water was jetting into the recently excavated areas of the building.

Although there were many challenges of this kind, the biggest challenge was simply the minute scale of the interior of the tower and the logistical challenges that this presented daily. “We all described it as trying to build a whole house in a bathroom,” said Steve.

“Usually when a job has been hit with delays, you can put more people on site. But in the tower you simply couldn’t have very many people in there working at the same time. Once a couple of people were in with their toolboxes and equipment, there was no room for anybody or anything else.”

Oliver agreed that it was a real challenge of the project: “Logistically it was very difficult. It was the first time any of us had been involved in something on such a uniquely minute scale. Whilst the individuals faced daily challenges, they all persevered because ultimately everyone believed passionately in the project. The individual craftsmen and tradesmen appreciated being involved in such a special build and it means a lot to all of us. There was a real camaraderie on site.”

With the basement complete, work started on creating the kitchen, living

“We had to change the whole design and put in higher specification tanking and drainage plans. We also realised that we would need specialist pumps to access the cesspit. These delays set us back months right at the start but it was hugely important to get the tanking right,” said Oliver.

Once summer arrived, the neighbouring café’s opening hours meant any noisy work had to be completed before 10am, and it was important to the Trust to work sympathetically to the peaceful setting.

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FEATURE

and bedroom space. In such a small area, every detail had been carefully and skilfully considered by Oliver and his team, from the bespoke hatch and ship’s style staircase going down to the wetroom to the ladder leading up to the very top of the building.

through a glass rooflight, which added its own challenges. “It’s one of the most complicated things in the building, as it’s a very intricate piece of machinery which can be walked on, opens electrically and is elegant as a product,” said Oliver.

“I think people staying there should think of it a little like staying on a boat, and not just because of the size. You have to work with the building and be happy to open hatches and latches. It has been designed to be an interactive experience full of magic and intrigue,” said Oliver.

With the tower now a couple of months into its use by the public, the team is enjoying looking back at the finished product and hearing users’ feedback. For Steve, it was a job they are proud to have been involved with: “It’s such a unique offering and we feel privileged to have worked on it.

When we first went in and saw how damp and dark it was, it was hard to imagine what we were going to create. But as we progressed and saw Oliver’s vision take shape it was very satisfying.”

While the work inside was a priority, those involved were very aware that it was the outside surroundings that many visitors would be looking to enjoy. The terrace can be accessed

While Tony says the delays were frustrating, he is also delighted with the finished result. “As the National Trust we wanted to do it in the right way, this wasn’t supposed to be a cheap and cheerful job. It’s turned out beautifully and we think it’s going to be a very special experience for people to stay there.”

‘Unique’ is a description that comes up time and time again when speaking to those involved with the Fermain Tower project. But while it was a one-off, there is the hope that other towers around the island’s coastline could be converted in a similar way, so the skills and lessons learned here could be put to good use again in the future.

THE TALE OF THE TOWER The Fermain Loophole Tower is one of 15 pre-Martello towers built in Guernsey between August 1778 and March 1779.

The British Government authorised the construction of the towers as part of the wider defence of the island against France, after they became an ally of the Americans during the American War of Independence.

The towers were numbered anticlockwise from St Peter Port and this is therefore tower no. 15, known locally as

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Fermain Tower. Many, although not all, of the other 14 towers remain standing around the perimeter of the island.

The Ferguson family lived in the structure in the 1860s and Charles William Ferguson was born in the tower in 1869. In the late 1880s the Mallett family conducted a catering business from the tower.

For much of the 20th century, a ferry service run by the Ferguson family

brought boatloads of visitors from Town to Fermain Bay, making it one of the most popular bathing spots in the island until the service stopped in the 1990s.

The tower was bequeathed to the National Trust of Guernsey in 2002 by Percy Ferguson.

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN The limited space within the tower meant that every part of the interior design had to be carefully considered to maximise its use. The solution – a single piece of furniture that would combine staircase and storage, while being a feature in its own right. Local craftsman Jez Le Tissier of Devil’s End Joinery was responsible for the copious amounts of joinery at Ferman Tower.

The list of Jez Le Tissier’s responsibilities at Ferman Tower is a long one. He manufactured the staircase, kitchen and the upper balustrade. The ladder down to the wetroom. The hatches and bespoke tables, to CCD’s detailed designs. Altogether, he calculates he spent 1,229 hours of his life working on the project. But Jez said that despite the commitment, it was a hugely rewarding project.

Oliver described his vision for the furniture: “From the start of the project, this was never going to be just a spiral staircase. The intention was always that it would be one piece of furniture that would provide access throughout the building. The modern contemporary construction would contrast the fabric of the old building. That juxtaposition of old and new is a standard approach in architecture, and we felt it was one that suited this building well.”

“It was a complex job, and at the start I perhaps didn’t appreciate quite how complicated it would be. It was such a unique job, which created more challenging situations than I’d ever come across before. But it was very appealing as a professional challenge.

When I saw the plans for the tower they really inspired me and I knew it was a project I wanted to be involved with.”

Creating one piece of furniture to fit the small space was undoubtedly going to be a challenge. For Jez, the first thing he did was recreate the floor space of the tower in his workshop. Once he had the plans laid out in full size on the floor, he could begin to craft the furniture, while always considering the necessity to get the units into the small building.

While very little about working in the tower was easy, the most complicated part from a joinery aspect was the staircase that leads from the entry level up to bedroom.

progressed. But while the methods were classic, we also took a modern approach as the fine joinery was done using cost-effective materials such as birch plywood.”

Jez admits that although he had carefully measured and planned the furniture, when it came to actually fitting it in the tower, he had a few moments of concern. “The section sizes that I’d made the staircase in were crucial and I knew we should get it in, but I couldn’t help holding my breath a few times. It was very tight, and obviously you can’t just take a window out if it ends up being too much of a squeeze.”

Despite those worries, the team did manage to get all the pieces into the structure, leaving Jez’s craftsmanship to be used and appreciated by the visitors coming to enjoy the tower.

Oliver believes there were real advantages to this approach: “Because it was made the oldfashioned way by a skilled craftsman, Jez was able to work with the quirks of the building and make any appropriate changes as the project

STAY AT THE TOWER The Fermain Tower can be booked for short stays through Guernsey Self Catering at a cost of £180 per night. Weekend stays are for a minimum of three nights, while two nights’ accommodation can be reserved during the week. A permit parking space is available next to the tower for guests.

The accommodation is only suitable for able-bodied, safety-conscious adults and there is a minimum age of 25 for anyone staying in the tower.

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.gg or www.selfcatering.gg

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FEATURE

H

ave you got a project you want to shout about? A property colleague you think is simply the best? Or perhaps you’ve seen someone raise the bar within the industry?

The categories are:

Nominations are now open for the Guernsey Property & Construction Awards 2019.

INDUSTRY SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

ASPIRING STAR HEALTH & SAFETY ENGINEERING PROJECT OF THE YEAR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR INNOVATION

To nominate a person or company in any one of the nine categories, just head to guernseyconstructionawards.com to place your vote quickly and easily.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENCY OF THE YEAR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AGENCY OF THE YEAR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

THE GALA EVENING

ONCE THE WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN, THEY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH THEIR AWARDS AT THE GALA EVENING ON 14 NOVEMBER IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE OF THEIR PEERS.

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This year’s event will take place on Thursday 14 November at St Pierre Park. It promises to be a fun-filled celebration of the island’s property and construction sectors and their successes over the past year.

The gala evening will be hosted by well-known local presenter Jim Delbridge, and guests will be able to enjoy a delicious three-course meal, drinks and entertainment as well as the awards ceremony.

Tickets are now available, priced at £75 per head. Due to demand in previous years, table sizes have increased to 12 people per table.

To reserve individual tickets or to book a table, get in touch by email or via Eventbrite.

Email: julie@collaborateci.com adam@collaborateci.com Telephone: 01481 715222 Website: guernseyconstructionawards.com

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

WITH THANKS The organisers of the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards are grateful for the generous sponsorship of the following companies, who enable this celebration of the industry to take place.

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

AND THE WINNERS WERE… Last year’s awards ceremony, which took place at Beau Sejour, was hosted by father and son race driver stars Andy and Seb Priaulx.

The event included a charity auction raising money for the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation as well as entertainment and, of course, the all-important awards presentations.

2018 WINNERS: Aspiring star: Miles Pengelley, JG Architecture Engineering project of the year: The hanging of Joey at Oatlands Construction professional of the year: Steve Williams, Guernsey Housing Association Property agent of the year: Rock Commercial Innovation: Use of helicopter for new chiller plant – Savills/AFM

DRINKS SPONSOR

Industry supplier of the year: DHS

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FEATURE

WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN Nominations for the 2019 Property and Construction awards are open until the end of June. In early July, all nominees will be asked for a formal submission of entry before judging takes place in September. This is what the judges are looking for.

INNOVATION INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANISATION Sponsored by Guernsey Gas This award category acknowledges the innovation of the industry across all areas. This can be a people award, a system award, or process that has provided innovation to your business or project. To establish boundaries under which innovation can be marked is a paradox, and the panel of judges will score each submission on its own merits, but will be looking for the effect the solution has on the delivery of the project and the benefits it brings to the industry, clients and community.

CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR - INDIVIDUAL Sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Building One could describe this award as the ultimate accolade for a person who has committed themselves fully to their chosen career, constantly demonstrating their professional and dynamic approach to what they do. They will be a good example to others around them both in terms of their attitude and commitment to developing themselves and the people around them.

ENGINEERING PROJECT OF THE YEAR MAY INCLUDE MULTIPLE ORGANISATIONS Sponsored by DHS This award is all about the challenges of engineering. The project need not be the biggest but will clearly demonstrate how in working as a team an engineering challenge was overcome. Relevant projects are likely to include multiple companies, methods and difficulties.

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HEALTH & SAFETY - INDIVIDUAL Sponsored by Edmundson Electrical Construction work gives rise to many health and safety challenges, requiring a constant commitment to training, provision and audit of safety practices that can only be led from the front.

The nominee need not be a senior manager given that often the attitude and insight of the workforce can be the driving force for change and innovation in safe working practices.

ASPIRING STAR - INDIVIDUAL Sponsored by Savills The future of the property and construction industry in Guernsey is dependent on the development and commitment of new and talented individuals. We are seeking to highlight and recognise those whose efforts and abilities exceed expectations and are clearly ambassadors for the industry, encouraging them to go on to even greater achievements in their careers.

INDUSTRY SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR - ORGANISATION

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AGENT OF THE YEAR - ORGANISATION Sponsored by Channel Island Ceramics When it comes to being involved in the domestic property market the knowledge, commitment and service provided by an agency can often make or break a deal. This award will go to an individual or a team that consistently goes the extra mile to ensure everything is done to ease what can be a stressful process.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENT OF THE YEAR - ORGANISATION Sponsored by HVC Commercial property transactions often take months or even years to complete and require input from many parties. At the heart of such transactions is commonly a team with great knowledge and commitment, who must strive to overcome hurdles, mediate and manage expectations and provide expert knowledge and support.

Sponsored by the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD INDIVIDUAL

The property and construction industries in Guernsey rely on both local and non-local suppliers to provide the products and services necessary to allow the industry to be both productive and innovative.

We are seeking to recognise those supply companies that consistently demonstrate their commitment and professionalism.

This category is to recognise a lifetime achievement. This may not be an industry heavyweight, but someone who has made a significant contribution to the local property or construction industry at any level over a significant period.

For more information regarding the award nomination and judging process, visit www.guernseyconstructionawards.com and download the criteria pack.

FEATURE

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

Building Support For Island Families The 2018 Property & Construction Awards were a family affair for the Priaulx clan with father and son, Andy and Seb, hosting and mum Jo helping to present the awards. But their family’s involvement on the night should help many more island families in the future, as the event raised more than £8,000 for their namesake charity.

T

he Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation (PPBF) was set up in 2003 by Andy Priaulx MBE and his wife Jo, following the premature births of both of their children. Andy and Jo were inspired by the support they received during and after their children’s births, and wanted to provide that experience for other island families.

Since the charity was founded 16 years ago, it has helped hundreds of Guernsey families. Both on-island through the neonatal equipment it has funded at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital and its bespoke baby boxes for the parents of premature babies, and off-island through the accommodation it provides for families attending Southampton Hospital.

That accommodation has been a key focus for the charity in recent years. In 2015 they launched a threeyear campaign to ‘Build a Burrow’ in Southampton by purchasing a

property that families could stay in while their child received vital medical care. That campaign was so successful, the PPBF now has two furnished flats near Southampton General Hospital – Aggie’s Burrow and Isaac’s Pad. But while the flats are now complete and available for island families, there is still plenty of fundraising that the PPBF needs to undertake. That was why the £8,248 raised through the 2018 Property & Construction Awards was given to the charity.

THEBURROWMETER Choose one target or aim for them all

yes ! YOU DID IT!

£1000 + £500

Liability Tax, Insurance +

spectacular ! now the place is safe & secure

£150

“We have to cover the ongoing upkeep and maintenance costs for both flats, which is a significant outlay of around £30,000 per year.

The money raised from the awards evening will pay for over four months’

brilliant ! everything's clean & tidy

£42

WiFi/Telephone

£40

Electricity

Cool! we can watch paw patrol

“This is an amazing contribution to the charity. Just because the flats are up and running doesn’t mean that our fundraising has stopped,” said Jo.

£250

Maintenance & Property Management

Cleaning Services

mind-blowing ! we've got the internet

Top stuff! all the legal bits are sorted

nice! now all the plugs will work

£14

TV licence

£4

2 packs (9pk) of toilet rolls

You're on your way

above is the monthly cost for one flat We wish to thank everyone who makes a donation, big or small, as every penny helps local families in need.

running costs for both the flats, which makes a huge difference. Thank you so much to the organisers and to everybody who donated on the night.”

Andy added: “Seb and I had a great night hosting the awards, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing so many companies and individuals be recognised for their work in the industry. Having them raise money for a charity so close to our hearts really did make the evening even more special for us though, and we’re very grateful.”

Anybody looking to support the PPBF, or who would like further information about the charity, can contact Sammy at sammy.meerveld@ppbf.org.gg or call (01481) 727014. A Burrowmeter to monitor fundraising can be downloaded from the website at www.ppbf.org.gg

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FEATURE

OATLANDS When the Oatlands Village complex moved into new ownership in 2015, it was well past its prime. But property and business investor, Chris Coles, had a vision of what it could become.

In a joint venture with Ravenscroft-managed Bailiwick Investments Limited, he tackled the challenge. Since then the site has had a major facelift, with extensive repairs and improvements.

We found out about the latest significant addition, Oaty & Joey’s Playbarn.

“I was lucky enough to be approached

by Gareth Griffin, who many years previously had been a director of Oatlands. Gareth became a director and shareholder, and we looked at the possibilities for the site together,” said Chris.

Heading up the construction work on site was project director, Tim Guilbert. When it came to pulling a team together to build the new playbarn, he decided to take a different approach: “Companies routinely choose a main contractor for a project, but we decided to instead create a design team made up of local contractors. This was an unusual project for the island and it meant that the contractors were part of the design and development process. As the project progressed and the base design needed to change, we had a team of people ready to do that.”

“The old Jungle House was there, but it was fairly clear to both of us that what was really needed was a state of the art family entertainment centre and so the plans evolved from there.”

Although the team was aware from the start that the playbarn would be an expensive project, Tim wanted to ensure as much value for money as possible from the contractors.

From the start, Chris and his team believed that Oatlands needed to be a destination that had something for all the family to enjoy. Making it a more attractive site was first on the list. The old buildings were repaired and improved, including re-thatching and the restoration of the brick kilns.

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“The building’s planned use was very clear, so we worked collectively to apply our individual knowledge to the specific design. It meant we could come up with more cost effective solutions, which led to some significant savings. For example, the building doesn’t have any reinforcing mesh in the floor, but has metal filings in the concrete mix which mean it is capable of taking the necessary weight.”

Gareth spearheaded the planning of the play equipment itself, liaising with UK specialist company Tigerplay.

But despite their expertise, getting the equipment installed was always going to be a challenge.

“It’s one of the biggest playframes in Europe, so it was guaranteed to have some issues. When the

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

THE FUTURE OF OATLANDS designers produced their plans, we needed to understand the logistics of what they wanted including preparing for things such as the electrics needed to power the sensory equipment. In addition, a four-lane bowling alley was planned to go under the playframe, which meant that we needed to do very specific weight calculations.

We also had to significantly upgrade the steel used in the bowling alley to take the weight above. Those were the times when we needed the team to come up with solutions, and they certainly did,” said Tim. The very nature of the facility resulted in plenty of unusual obstacles. There is comprehensive legislation around its use to protect the many young visitors.

There was a requirement for specific first aid rooms as well as family friendly toilet facilities and, of course, disabled access.

While the precise parameters of the project changed during the build, the dedication to providing a high quality facility did not.

It’s something Chris acknowledges came at a price, but he believes it was worth it.

“It was a huge investment compared with just building a large shed and putting some soft play in it. But we didn’t want it to feel like an industrial unit, we wanted to do a really high quality job. We added costs as went along through things such as the timber cladding on the outside of the building, which might not have been a necessity but has definitely helped the building blend in to its semi-rural location.

And despite the challenges and the financial cost, we’re very satisfied with the result.”

For Tim, heading up the build of the largest tourist attraction for the island in many years has also been a rewarding time: “I feel very proud of what we’ve ended up creating, especially when I hear the positive comments from islanders. I think Oatlands is good for Guernsey and a feature that can help sell the island to potential visitors. It was a superb project and it’s certainly contributed something important to the community.”

With two restaurants on the site and a host of new retailers, the offering at Oatlands is stronger than ever. Popular local florist Tussie Mussie is based at the complex, as is new toyshop Cadeaux Toys and uniform stockist Game Changers. But there is still space for further expansion, and the directors say they have plans for further improvements to the area.

“We have the old Jungle House building which we would like to renovate and open as a small farmshop incorporating cookware and home and lifestyle products. We’d be delighted to hear from any experienced retailers who might be interested in being involved,” said Chris.

As well as the proposed changes to the Jungle House, the site also has planning permission to extend the current premises at The Kiln with an oak and glass framed construction. So while the playbarn project might have finished, it’s likely there will be construction work happening on site again in the near future.

THE CONTRACTORS • Geomarine

• RH Gaudion

• Channel Welders

• Border Oak

• AFM

• Guernsey Ducting

• Norman Piette

• Watchman Security

• CDS

• Sarnian Roofing

• A&T

• Bailiwick Windows

• Paulo’s Gardening Works

• Borley Brothers

• Paul Rouget Plant Hire

• Anglian

• LEADA

• Bob Froome and Sons • Ronez • Guernsey Building Supplies

Guernsey Property and Construction

15

FEATURE

JOEY TAKES TO THE AIR Guernsey’s favourite Trislander is now flying high as the star attraction at the newly constructed playbarn. But getting Joey in the air took a team of experts and a lot of hard work. That effort was recognised when they won the award for engineering project of the year at the 2018 Property and Construction Awards.

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Guernsey Property and Construction

When Aurigny took its Trislander fleet out of service, the fate of its little red-nosed plane was unclear.

Joey took its last flight in 2015 and was then stored in the local airline’s hangar. Plans were put in place to display it in a UK museum and it looked like Joey would be leaving the island. But Chris had a better idea.

“I called Aurigny’s CEO Mark Darby and said we could find Joey a home at Oatlands, and then it progressed from there. I originally thought we could have the plane standing at the entrance to the attraction, but was told the airframe would deteriorate too much if it was left outside.

Then we considered having Joey in its own building as a separate attraction, before we eventually decided that it would be more exciting to have Joey flying again.”

With the goal in place of suspending Joey from the ceiling of the new playbarn, the challenges of achieving that quickly became clear. Tim said their initial starting point was to call Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum and ask for some advice: “They put me in touch with the person responsible for hanging some of their planes and he came over to the island to visit. I took him up to the Aurigny hangar to see Joey and he then came up with some proposals of how we could look to hang the plane in the playbarn.”

It took a team of three experts to precisely plan the installation of Joey. They needed to consider everything from the fuselage itself and its suitability for hanging, to the cables that would hold it and the lifting process to get the plane up in the air. The plan to hang

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

JOEY FACTFILE REGISTRATION: G-JOEY

TYPE: Britten-Norman Trislander

MANUFACTURED: Isle of Wight

AURIGNY SERVICE: 34 years

CAPACITY: 16 passengers

RETIRED: 2015

Joey also meant redesigning the steelworks within the playbarn to accommodate the load of the plane.

“Joey weighs around two and a half tonnes so there is a huge amount of technical research that went into hanging it,” said Tim. “The people involved had to refer to the original manufacturer of the plane, research its service history with Aurigny and be clear on all the maintenance that had been done during its lifespan. It meant that by the time they got to the end of the process, they had the proof of every aspect of the hanging design.

Every facet of the engineering calculations has a paper trail and is fully certifiable. Obviously when you hang a plane in a play area it has to be safe, and a lot of work went into ensuring that was the case.”

Once the calculations were complete and the team knew how they would hang the plane, they moved on to the when. Joey moved to its new home in April 2018 while the work on the playbarn was ongoing. The plane was dismantled and brought to Oatlands by road in two separate pieces before being assembled again by the Aurigny engineering crew.

Tim explained how it happened: “The actual lifting of the plane happened in two days with a team which included three engineers. It wasn’t just a matter of winching the plane up; it had to stay well-balanced while it was being lifted so that there wasn’t too much stress on a single cable. But so much work had been done in advance that what was done on the actual day was simply the result of all that coming together.”

JOEY WEIGHS AROUND TWO AND A HALF TONNES SO THERE IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF TECHNICAL RESEARCH THAT WENT INTO HANGING IT

Despite the undoubted challenges, and expense, of getting Joey in the air, Chris has no doubt it was the right thing to do: “I’m very glad we did it, and I have no regrets at all.

It was what people in the island wanted and there’s a lot of affection for Joey so it was certainly worth it.”

With the plane in the air, Chris had the idea of putting a sky mural behind it to add to the experience.

With that in place, and LEDs installed so that Joey’s headlights and navigation lights could be illuminated, the little plane was ready for more generations of children to enjoy.

Guernsey Property and Construction

17

FEATURE

PUB DESIGN AWARD FOR SLAUGHTERHOUSE The renovation of Guernsey’s former slaughterhouse to a bar and restaurant has been recognised by the Campaign for Real Ale in its annual design awards. R.W. Randall’s Slaughterhouse has been named as the joint winner of this year’s CAMRA’s Pub Design Award for Conversion to Pub Use.

O

riginally built in 1887, the Slaughterhouse is a protected building occupying a prominent position on the town seafront. It served Guernsey for over 125 years as a slaughterhouse until 2013 when it was bought by R.W. Randall Ltd. Now the project to turn the former abattoir into a high-quality harbourside pub has been celebrated for its tasteful conversion to pub use in CAMRA’s Pub Design Award.

The chair of CAMRA’s judging panel, Andrew Davison, said they believed the project was a worthy winner. “The Slaughterhouse’s unique and distinctive design has made it an iconic landmark. Right by the harbour in St Peter’s Port, customers can gaze out to sea from

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Guernsey Property and Construction

the gallery and the raised outdoor area. It is clear that quality materials and finishes have been used throughout, bringing new life and purpose to a landmark historic building. It is a worthy winner of CAMRA’s Pub Design Award.”

The Slaughterhouse reopened in mid-2017 with the help of local architects Tyrrell Dowinton Associates. The finished design artfully retains the historic features of the Victorian slaughterhouse and visitors can even see the yard where the animals were tethered.

Within the main building, a gallery allows customers to view at close quarters the dramatic roof structure built by town shipwrights while also looking down on the serving areas.

IT IS CLEAR THAT QUALITY MATERIALS AND FINISHES HAVE BEEN USED THROUGHOUT, BRINGING NEW LIFE AND PURPOSE TO A LANDMARK HISTORIC BUILDING. IT IS A WORTHY WINNER OF CAMRA’S PUB DESIGN AWARD.

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

Managing director of R.W. Randall, Ian Rogers, said: “The Slaughterhouse is a historically important and iconic building located on the St Peter Port harbourside. We are so pleased that we have won this prestigious CAMRA pub design award that recognises our conversion of this spectacular semi-circular Victorian building with a vaulted ceiling into a magnificent public house and eatery.”

This is not the first design accolade for the Slaughterhouse. The project was also recognised in the 2018 Guernsey Design Awards when it received the Heritage Award.

THE PUB DESIGN AWARDS The awards are run in conjunction with Historic England to recognise the very best in British pub architecture and design.

Alongside Guernsey’s Slaughterhouse, this year’s winners included: • The Pilot Boat in Lyme Regis • The Royal Pavilion in Ramsgate • The Coopers Tavern in Burton-on-Trent • The Cardigan Arms in Leeds

Guernsey Property and Construction

19

INDUSTRY NEWS

Major improvements proposed for La Vallette Not-for-profit group ‘Vive La Vallette’ has been confirmed as the preferred bidder for the two sites in the area.

A redeveloped kiosk, regeneration of the Bathing Pools and a mixed use performance space are all being proposed for La Vallette, as part of the States of Guernsey’s Seafront Enhancement Area Programme.

will be something not for an exclusive group, it’s for the whole community,” said Dave Warr.

The group includes several islanders who are well-known locally for their community work, including Dave Warr, former vicechair of the Guernsey Community Foundation, former Guernsey football manager Steve Sharman, and David De La Mare of DLM Architects.

The group is now being given a four month exclusivity period by the States to further develop and confirm their proposal, a process which will include further engagement with the public. The commercial terms are to be agreed and will be the subject of negotiation during the exclusivity period.

“We are really excited about the potential for La Vallette and our ideas for the area will take in the arts, the natural environment and physical and mental health and wellbeing. This

The two sites at La Vallette are the first of the six along the seafront to reach this key stage, but further announcements for the other sites are expected in the coming months.

Approved Development Framework for Bougourd Ford The Development Framework provides planning guidance on how the site might be developed by setting out how relevant policies in the IDP will be applied.

A Draft Development Framework for the site was the subject of a four week public consultation period, during which responses were received from members of the public, States’ committees and agencies.

A Development Framework has been approved by the Development & Planning Authority (D&PA) for the site at Bougourd Ford, Grange Road, St Peter Port. The site is designated as a housing allocation site in the Island Development Plan (IDP) and is currently occupied by a car dealership and offices.

NP Group expands CI Portfolio

The issues raised through the consultation included landscaping and biodiversity, access for pedestrians and emergency services, contaminated land, residential amenity and relationship of development with neighbouring properties.

The Guernsey-based NP Group is an established timber and builders’ merchant.

This acquisition further expands its Channel Islands portfolio of businesses and is its second in Jersey, having founded Jeco Homes seven years ago.

“We are delighted with the acquisition of this well-established business, which gives us the chance to develop our group. NP will be looking to invest in the company and build on the excellent foundations achieved by Scott and Alison,” said Adrian Norman of the NP Group.

The NP Group has purchased Quantum Building Supplies in Jersey from Scott and Alison Donaldson.

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Guernsey Property and Construction

Quantum Building Supplies was founded in 1994. Under careful management, and with the support of loyal employees and

All of the matters raised were fully considered by the Authority and several amendments were made to the draft in response to the comments received before the final Framework was approved.

The main amendments related to avoiding excessive use of hard or artificial landscaping; consideration of possible contamination of land; the requirement to consider additional improvements to pedestrian access and security; and the consideration of access for emergency services to the rear of Grange Lodge Hotel.

customers, the business has expanded to achieve a significant turnover.

“Alison and I are pleased to be handing over Quantum to another family-run company with similar business ethics to further grow and expand the business. We want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years and are excited about the future of our business within the NP Group,” added Scott Donaldson.

Paul Rogers, CEO of the NP Group, said: “This is an excellent expansion for us. The first-class reputation Quantum enjoys, along with the strong relationship with its customer base, gives us a solid foundation on which to develop in Jersey.”

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

Jersey Construction Awards underway Nominations have closed for the 2019 Jersey Construction Awards. This year’s gala dinner will take place on Saturday 19 October at the Royal Jersey Showground, Trinity. The new venue for 2019 will enable more people to attend the popular event, which is now in its 15th year.

This year’s awards will include nominations in a variety of categories including small businesses, individual achievements, innovative processes and projects ranging from anything under £1m to larger projects of over £5m.

With a significant amount of construction currently taking place within the island, the JeCC is also be looking to recognise a business which has embraced sustainability and innovative processes either on a project or within their own workplace.

“The current economic climate sees the industry confident in the short-term future.

However, this resilience does not come without some challenges. We geared up to deliver a new hospital, only to be stood down at the 11th hour and as yet, have no insight as to what will happen next,” said Daren Malorey, chairman of the 2019 awards sub-committee.

“New legislation, like the proposed parental leave law, is going to be a challenge for our industry. Despite this, there are many positives and these awards are an opportunity to showcase the excellence of the industry over the past 12 months.”

This year’s judging panel will include Graeme Smith, CEO of Jersey Business, who will continue as chairman. He will be supported by Professor Ed Sallis OBE, Mike Liston OBE, Sarah Gordon, senior building control surveyor, and Tammy Fage, director HSI inspectorate.

SERVING THE ISLANDS’ COMMUNITIES WITH CARE AND PROFESSIONALISM

Tel 01481 244676 www.lightningenterprisesci.co.uk

All information about the awards can be found on the JeCC website, www.jerseyconstruction.org

INDUSTRY NEWS

Busy year expected for property market Activity at the start of this year was markedly higher than at the start of 2018. 177 transactions took place in the first quarter of the year compared to 140 in 2018, with the largest number taking place in the £400k£499 price bracket. This was the busiest first quarter of any year since 2007.

“The start of the year is traditionally a slower time for property completions. These results reflect a continued growth which is both solid and sustainable for the market and which we believe could be evidence of the start of one of our strongest years for quite some time,” said Jim Coupe, managing director of Skipton International.

Skipton International is preparing itself for one of the busiest years for the local property market since the financial crisis, with positive results from the first quarter of the year and a continued demand for its mortgages.

The latest Residential Property Bulletin from the States of Guernsey revealed a 4.4% growth in average house prices for the quarter ending 31 March, compared with the same period in 2018. The average home in Guernsey now costs £425,394, a drop of 2.9% from the previous quarter.

The time taken between the advertisement of a property and its sale continues to fall, a trend which started at the beginning of 2018.

Increased demand from buyers has also led to a tightening between the advertised property price and that at which they are sold, with a difference of between 5-7% for the first quarter of this year.

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ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

£60 million sale at Admiral Park

A fund advised by Brockton Capital has completed the sale of the freehold investment of Martello Court and Dorey Court in Guernsey to an overseas investor for £60.65 million, reflecting a net initial yield of 6.40%. Savills, JLL and Mourant Ozannes jointly represented Brockton Capital, while the purchaser was advised by Carey Olsen.

Located within Admiral Park, Martello Court and Dorey Court are two of the premier office buildings in the Channel Islands, prominently located in St Peter Port and providing 89,100 sq ft of Grade A office.

The freehold assets are multi-let with tenants including ABN AMRO, Aon Insurance, Investec Asset Management and Royal Bank of Canada.

“Having sold these buildings in 2015 to a fund advised by Brockton Capital, we are delighted to have worked with them on an asset management strategy over the past four years,” said Tony Rowbotham, Channel Islands commercial director for Savills.

“During that time we have advised on the refurbishment of Dorey Court and let space to Aon Insurance, JTC and Royal Bank of Canada.

Investors in the fund have received substantial annual returns and we have delivered a 22% uplift in the buildings’ capital value over the four year time frame. The sale demonstrates that the Channel Islands continue to be a location of choice for the savvy investor.”

Open Market focus for new Livingroom appointment With more than a decade of experience in international marketing, events and communications roles in both Australia and Guernsey, Emy brings a wealth of knowledge to the team and is tasked with identifying new opportunities for the business.

Livingroom Estate Agents has appointed experienced brand and communications professional, Emy De La Mare.

The newly created role will see Emy working closely with Livingroom founder, CEO Simon Torode, and the agency’s dedicated in-house creative and PR teams to ensure its properties are marketed effectively in Guernsey, Jersey and further afield.

Emy joins the award-winning Channel Islands’ company to manage its brand and business development with particular focus on the Open Market in Guernsey.

“We’ve always taken pride in doing things differently and Emy’s appointment is the latest signal of our innovative approach and the importance of bespoke marketing when

selling and letting property in the Channel Islands,” said Simon Torode.

“Proudly independent, we are a Channel Islands-born agency rather than a UK agency trying to understand local markets – there is a vital difference. Emy’s experience will further add to our bespoke and tailored offering rather than generic corporate formulation, demonstrating to our clients that we are always looking for new and interesting ways to promote property and our services.

Emy is a welcome addition to the agency and we look forward to showcasing more exciting plans shortly.”

D2 Real Estate expands Guernsey team

D2 Real Estate, a manager of commercial property in the Channel Islands, has expanded its Guernsey team with the appointment of Jo Wyatt as commercial property agent.

The firm opened its Guernsey office in January 2018 and is the only commercial property adviser with full-time qualified surveyors based in both Guernsey and Jersey.

community of Guernsey, including work within the property sector. Jo’s role within D2 will be to deliver a first class service to clients, taking on projects in their infancy and identifying opportunities for growth.

The past 12 months have been a period of growth for the company resulting in D2 being involved in many of the high-profile transactions throughout the Channel Islands.

“We are delighted to welcome Jo to D2 Real Estate. Her enthusiasm and wealth of experience within the business community will be a real asset to our expanding business,” said director Matt Birch.

Jo is a well-known face in Guernsey and has spent a large part of her career working in a client relationship capacity and building relationships within the business sector and Guernsey Property and Construction

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INDUSTRY NEWS

New associate directors for Savills Guernsey Savills estate agent in Guernsey has added to its senior team with the appointment of two new associate directors.

Nick Paluch joins the company with many years of experience in the property sector and a specialist knowledge of the local market. He started his career in estate agency over seven years ago and was previously a residential sales manager at one of the island’s largest firms.

“I’m delighted to have joined Savills. The Guernsey office has some exciting plans and I’m looking forward to being able to play a part in that – supporting the existing team and helping to drive future growth,” Nick said.

“The market in Guernsey has strengthened despite wider political and economic concerns across the UK proving that there

has never been a better time to buy or sell your dream home. The market is surprisingly robust and we continue to see a strong level of interest with an extensive portfolio of properties for buyers.”

Richard Fox, head of office and residential at Savills Guernsey, added: “It’s great to have Nick on board. He brings a great deal of experience, not just in terms of selling houses but also in presentation and digital

marketing. He has an excellent reputation within the industry for his friendly manner and customer centric approach, consistently delivering exceptional results for his clients.”

Savills has also announced a promotion within its Guernsey office, which has seen Stuart Leslie move into the position of associate director alongside Nick.

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ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

Guernsey Electricity and GOSHA aim to improve safety Guernsey Electricity and the Guernsey Occupational Safety & Health Association (GOSHA) are reminding islanders, and especially those in the building industry, to seek professional advice before engaging in any groundworks or building demolition via a free service.

‘ClickB4Udig’ is a free online and telephone facility and enables on-island contractors to check for electricity cables and supplies at no charge and request that services are made safe prior to starting work.

“At best, cutting through or crushing a live electric cable can be inconvenient and costly. At its worst, a damaged cable can result in serious injury or even death, so this free service is designed to provide the best

possible advice to anyone before they engage in any groundwork or demolition,” said Andrew Mills, chairman of GOSHA. “The number of incidents involving cable strikes has been increasing, so the need for contractors to check before initiating works is very important. In 2017, 13 cable strikes were reported to Guernsey Electricity for investigation and this number rose to 23 last year, so the need for vigilance and preplanning is becoming all the more important.”

The free service can provide support for works involving demolition of properties, sinking of boreholes, installing fence posts, stump grinding, excavations on public roads or pathways and digging on private properties.

Contact JG Architecture for your FREE initial on-site consultation or visit www.jga.gg for further information.

E: info@jga.gg T: 01481 245767

INDUSTRY NEWS

New managing director at G4S “G4S is a people-led business and we are proud to employ more than 600 staff in the Channel Islands. I am delighted that Simon, a committed and passionate member of the team, has been appointed to this pivotal role. Simon is the right person for the job with the focus and commitment needed to achieve our ambitious growth plans and continue to provide safe and productive working environments for local businesses of all sizes,” said chairman John Henwood.

G4S Channel Islands has announced the internal promotion of Simon Haywood to managing director. Simon has been with G4S for 10 years, most recently as Channel Islands operations director.

Simon started his career in the Royal Air Force and moved to Jersey to take up the post of technical support engineer for Flagship Technology. Following 13 years as general manager at Jersey Post, Simon joined G4S.

Commenting on his appointment, Simon said: “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to lead this fantastic, unique and diverse business in the Channel Islands. G4S C.I. has ambitious plans to grow and diversify but this will only be possible if we secure, train and retain the best talent. This is probably the single biggest challenge we, and other organisations in the Channel Islands, face.

“My aim is for G4S to become Employer of Choice, and our staff return home each day safe and proud to be part of the G4S team. I will also make it a priority to review all service lines and identify how we embrace technology to supplement our teams and deliver services in new and more efficient ways.”

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

CLOTHING BY COLOUR MONSTER Established more than a decade ago, Colour Monster is now a well-known name in Guernsey.

But while many local businesses may have used them during that time for their paper printing needs, the company can now help with work wear as well.

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olour Monster is used by a range of island clients for items such as leaflets, corporate stationery, brochures and flyers. Now they have expanded their business with state-of-the-art machinery and the purchase of ‘Industrial & Leisure’, a work wear print business.

All print and embroidery is done in-house and popular items for the construction industry, such as hi-visibility work wear, fire-retardant clothing, sweatshirts, fleeces and jackets can all be supplied.

The importance of branding, even for the smallest of companies, is well known and Colour Monster works with many in the construction trade locally to supply polo shirts and other attire displaying their logo.

“Embroidered and print designed clothing for work wear can be effectively utilised to define and develop a business’s corporate identity and image. It can help differentiate your brand in the minds of your consumers, competitors and stakeholders. By differentiating your brand from competitors with branded work wear clothing, it can attract customers to your business more effectively,” said director Matthew Stephen.

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Guernsey Property and Construction

Damian Lacey, managing director, added: “Colour Monster decided to buy Industrial & Leisure purely as a natural expansion to our existing print service offering, along with our school wear shop, Game Changers.

“With the Industrial & Leisure machinery that we acquired it has enabled us to produce all school and work wear in-house at our premises on the Braye Road industrial estate. We are proud that all works are carried out onisland, providing quality merchandise for Guernsey.”

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INTERVIEW

Onze Onze: a standout project for Miles (photo credit JG Architecture Ltd)

Was architecture an industry you were always interested in?

It was actually my year eight art teacher, Mr Harrison, at La Mare de Carteret secondary school who gave me the idea of working in architecture.

Through work experience at school, I was given a taste of what architecture in Guernsey could be like. That inspired me to make my own arrangements during school holidays for work experience and I was then clear in my mind that, once I’d completed my A Levels, I wanted to pursue the apprenticeship route in to architecture.

BUILDING A CAREER Miles Pengelley, senior architectural technologist at JG Architecture Ltd (JGA), won the aspiring star trophy at the 2018 Guernsey Property and Construction Awards. He told us about his achievements so far, and his hopes for his career in the industry.

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Guernsey Property and Construction

How did you gain your qualifications?

On completion of my A Levels at Grammar Sixth Form Centre, I began an apprenticeship with the Guernsey College of Further Education in “Construction and the Built Environment” whilst in employment with a local architectural practice as a trainee architectural technician.

The grades I achieved while completing the five year

apprenticeship then allowed me the opportunity to enrol on a degree course in architectural technology with London Southbank University.

Having graduated that degree with first class honours, I am now recognised as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technology (ACIAT).

What is appealing about architecture as a career?

It is such a varied job. Not just with the types of projects you find yourself involved with, but the different processes that you work through to realise your clients’ objectives.

I enjoy the fact that it’s not just an office job as there are always opportunities to get out on site to meet the clients and also liaise with suppliers and builders.

For me, as a very sociable person, I was wary at first of working in a small office, but any concerns I had were soon put to rest because of all the people outside my workplace that I communicate with regularly.

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

You won the aspiring star award last year, how did you feel about that?

The Property and Construction Awards is a fantastic event that allows the industry to reflect on the year’s successes. To even be shortlisted for the aspiring star award was a very humbling experience.

I am a person who strives to be the best in all that I do, so for others to recognise those aspirations shows that I’m doing something right.

Being in the environment that I am at JGA has definitely provided me with the platform to display those traits so a big thank you has to go to its founding director, James Gavey, for providing me with the opportunity.

Tell us about some of the projects you’ve been involved with?

Every project I have worked on has been different in its own way, providing satisfaction at different stages.

Some provide more design opportunity, some require more technical detailing and others require heavier client and contractor liaison. The one project that involved all three of these elements was a project called Onze Onze (www.jga/gg/onzeonze).

The reason this project stands out for me is that it was one of my first at JGA but also one that I got to see from inception all the way through to completion, allowing me to maintain control of the design.

Do you have a particular type of project you enjoy?

Residential projects are those we see the most of at JGA but I have recently enjoyed producing a planning application for a sports and fitness facility. Sport makes up a big part in my life so it was great to support a client with a project that I could relate so closely to.

Typically though, the extension and new build residential

projects are the most enjoyable, particularly when the client gives you free rein to produce designs from a blank canvas.

Projects such as these allow me to use both my creative and technical skills, which is always very satisfying.

What gives you job satisfaction in your role?

Meeting and exceeding, where we can, the clients’ expectations is truly satisfying. Client feedback is always beneficial but naturally, when it’s positive, you get a bigger buzz from it.

Of course, receiving planning and building control approvals through the post also provides a feel-good factor, particularly when it comes to the more challenging projects.

What are the challenges of your job?

Problem solving and technical detailing are a large part of my job description. As an architectural technologist, overcoming intricate and unforeseen construction details can be a challenge. But it is one that I’m always willing to take on.

I AM A PERSON WHO STRIVES TO BE THE BEST IN ALL THAT I DO, SO FOR OTHERS TO RECOGNISE THOSE ASPIRATIONS SHOWS THAT I’M DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

I don’t have a role model as such.

But I do try to keep an eye on the more dominant architectural practices in Guernsey to pick up on the little things that they do which might benefit the way JGA operates.

A role model can be important but personally, I see competition as sufficient motivation to achieve bigger and better things.

What advice would you give to other young people wanting to follow in your footsteps?

My main piece of advice would be to try and secure an apprenticeship as I cannot recommend this route to qualification highly enough.

I found the opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ invaluable.

JGA is currently supporting a trainee technician through the States of Guernsey apprenticeships scheme. It is a route that both James and I followed so it is nice to give something back to the next generation of architectural technologists.

What are your aspirations for the future?

Having joined JGA in 2016 as James’ first employee, I have seen the company grow significantly. I hope to be a major part of helping us become one of the leading architectural practices in Guernsey.

From a personal point of view I hope to upgrade my membership with CIAT to become a professional member of the Institute.

Have you had a role model or mentor in your career so far?

As a trainee architectural technician I learned my trade under the guidance of Michael Nicolle and Paul Vaudin. I owe them a lot for the knowledge they passed on during my time with them.

Miles receiving his trophy at the 2018 Property and Construction Awards ceremony

Guernsey Property and Construction

29

INTERVIEW

INDUSTRY PROFILE:

BUILDING CONTROL SURVEYOR

ANGELIQUE MCCONNELL Angelique McConnell moved to Guernsey 15 years ago, planning to stay for a few months.

A decade and a half later, she is a well-respected building control surveyor for the States of Guernsey. She shared with us her career path and her enjoyment of her current role.

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ngelique McConnell knew that she wanted to work in the construction industry while she was still at school. At that time, she thought she was interested in a career in building design. But a university degree course later, with an important placement year under her belt, and she was clearer as to exactly what she wanted to do.

“I completed a two year HND BTEC in construction which covered everything from construction management to health and safety and building control. It was a good overview of surveying and

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the industry in general. That HND led me into doing a degree in Environment and Development, which included a year out in a placement with Derbyshire County Council as a building surveyor.

“This was in 2000 when the government had a real focus on making sure that public buildings were accessible to everyone. My role therefore included a lot of access auditing, including putting costings together, getting contractors on site and ensuring that the construction works still allowed the buildings to function for the public.”

That placement not only gave Angelique the inspiration for the direction she’d like to take with her career, but a good grounding in the attributes needed for her current job. Once she’d finished university she was given a place on Dew Construction’s graduate training scheme, rotating through departments and involving such diverse projects as motorways, industrial units and the refurbishment of multi-storey council flats.

It was that job with Dew Construction which led to her move in Guernsey. At the time, the firm

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was involved in a number of major projects in the island including the redevelopment of Beau Sejour, the Channel Islands Co-operative Society’s Grand Marché store in St Martin’s and Le Rondin School.

When she arrived in the island in January 2004 as part of Le Rondin’s site management team, she planned to stay until the end of that summer.

But like many good plans, hers took a bit of a detour when she met her now-husband in the June of that year.

Angelique decided she wanted to stay on the island and moved to a job with Trant Engineering Ltd. At the time, a major project for them was the main drain connections in the island, and especially around the Route Militaire area. With the States of Guernsey as the client, she was responsible for liaising with everyone from States engineers and surveyors to the contract managers, site supervisors and operatives. That involvement with the States inspired Angelique to return to her initial interest in a surveyor role.

“I knew I had really enjoyed my time at Derbyshire County Council and I decided that type of work was where I wanted my career to go. I was successful in gaining a position as a trainee building control surveyor requiring me to go back to university. It was a three-year distance learning course where I went to the University of Westminster one day a week and then worked in the island for the other four days.

“It was really hard work, but I think that you can always find the time when you are determined to do it. With building regulations there is so much statutory legislation around fire safety and engineering etc, and it definitely gave me a better insight into those areas.”

Now Angelique has moved from being the person being inspected to being the inspector, she appreciates the variety of her job.

“I really enjoy the 50/50 split of my role. I generally spend half of the working day in the office doing administration such as checking that plans comply with regulations and speaking to agents and clients;

and the other half out on site, driving around the island to undertake statutory visits at different projects.”

Building Control Surveyor

FACTFILE

The range of projects Angelique deals with means that she is constantly handling different challenges, and she says that means her job is always interesting.

THE JOB To ensure that regulations are followed during the planning and construction phases of building projects. Building regulations cover areas such as structural stability, fire safety, public health, energy conservation and accessibility.

“Due to the infrastructure of the island, Guernsey is quite a unique place to work as a building control surveyor.

Despite its small size, the island has a very diverse range of construction projects. There are not many places where you deal with everything from harbour works, a new airport or a school build to large scale high quality housing or small domestic extensions.

THE SKILLS Good knowledge of construction techniques, problem-solving skills and excellent communication skills to explain technical terms and regulations clearly.

Time management skills to handle a number of different projects are also important.

“From receiving the plans at the start of the project, I see it right through to completion. It means clients have continuity and I am involved at all stages of construction. I have to be on site for statutory visits at various points, but I’m also always available to ensure that the job is done safely.

I understand that constructions projects can move fast, and I’m happy for builders to contact me to discuss any problems. If there are issues, it’s much better that I get out on site and talk them through it so we can find appropriate solutions.”

THE QUALIFICATIONS Most building control surveyors are qualified to a degree level in building surveying, or an equivalent qualification in building studies or a related subject such as surveyor, architect or structural engineer. Some move into the role from another job in building and construction. It is also a requirement for progression to be working towards a full Chartered Status with either RICS or CABE.

That communication is a key part of Angelique’s role and it’s something she clearly enjoys. She acknowledges that building control surveyors need to be as comfortable chatting to tradesmen on a building site as the architects and engineers behind a project.

Alongside those communication skills, she says organisational and time management skills are vital for her role. Managing the workload of a number of different projects at varying stages of completion means that she always needs to be in the right place at the right time.

“I can have anywhere between four and nine site visits a day with driving time in between, and I obviously have to spend a certain amount of time on each site. At the same time, I need to be in the office for a certain amount of the day to check plans and deal with the admin side of the role. Technology

has definitely helped manage my workload – I often work remotely, and being able to access plans and information on my laptop or mobile device has made a real difference.”

But despite the challenges, Angelique says she gets a huge amount of job satisfaction from her role.

FROM RECEIVING THE PLANS AT THE START OF THE PROJECT, I SEE IT RIGHT THROUGH TO COMPLETION. IT MEANS CLIENTS HAVE CONTINUITY AND I AM INVOLVED AT ALL STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION.

“Seeing the progress of a build and knowing I played a part in the final product is very rewarding.

Whether it is practical buildings that improve Guernsey’s infrastructure or some of the stunning architectural properties that add to the look of the island, I feel lucky that my job helps them take shape.”

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FEATURE

HAVELET WATERS Transforming a dilapidated brewery into luxury living accommodation requires vision.

Add to the mix a prominent location, busy public thoroughfares, extremely rigid planning regulations, and the fact you’re dealing with a local landmark, and what you have is a design and construction project fraught with complex challenges. We look at how the team behind Havelet Waters overcame the obstacles.

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t took four years of meticulous design and planning negotiation, nearly two years of demolition, and a further two for construction, but with these challenges successfully overcome, Havelet Waters was completed in November 2018, offering luxury living in, arguably, one of the finest locations in Guernsey.

Gone is the old brewery and in its place stands a lovingly built replica, retaining some of the old features with reused original building materials. The surrounding buildings have also been replaced with structures that blend traditional and modern façade techniques. In total, the new development, which is spread across four distinct blocks, offers 26 one and two-bedroom local market apartments, plus eight open market properties.

These new luxury homes are the latest development boost to this part of Town, where both a commercial and voluntary effort to uplift the area in recent years has resulted in new restaurants and the restoration of the Victorian promenade and Guernsey’s bathing pools. Town’s southern edge, where St Peter Port’s urban landscape gives way to the rising green backdrop of Les Val des Terres, is enjoying a major rejuvenation, and Havelet Waters has made a vital contribution to that.

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FEATURE “We do believe that we have achieved our goal, with the completed buildings making a positive contribution to the end of the South Esplanade.

The development also brings vitality back to this part of St Peter Port, which is further enhanced by the Octopus and Slaughter House developments,” said Steve Marie, managing director of Comprop, the developers behind the new site.

“We hope that we have proved that it is possible to recreate an 18th century building, which sits comfortably with a contemporary designed building alongside.”

GIVEN HAVELET WATERS’ SPECIAL SITUATION ON THE ISLAND, IT HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO RETAIN THE EXISTING BREWERY BUILDING’S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, WHILST MAXIMISING ITS ENVIABLE LOCATION AND VIEWS TO CREATE SOMETHING SPECIAL WHICH CAN BOTH REPRESENT THE ISLAND’S HISTORY AND TRADITION, AND REFLECT CONTEMPORARY HOUSING NEEDS.

Havelet Waters is bounded by South Esplanade to the east, Havelet to the south and The Strand to the west.

When Comprop acquired the site in 2007, the area included the building on the corner of Havelet, which was formerly used as a brewery storage building and manager’s flat, and a second site comprising of residential accommodation and garden. The first big challenge facing the developer was deciding what exactly to do with it.

“Both sites contained dilapidated buildings that were in a very poor state of repair. Time was spent evaluating various options that could

THE CONTRACTORS R G FALLA

J B HOPKINS

LOVELL OZANNE

SARNIA ROOFING

GEOMARINE

PRISM ARCHITECTURAL

UNITED FORMWORK CONTRACTORS (UFC)

GFF FLOORING

GRANITE LE PELLEY OTIS WOHR GUERNSEY ELECTRICS

SCAFFOLD SERVICES STAINLESS STEEL FABRICATIONS CHANNEL WELDERS P3 PROJECTIONS OUNSWORTH DALES LG TILING

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incorporate and make the best use of both sites. Discussions focused on office, hotel and residential developments,” said Steve.

“The key considerations were the location, extensive views from the main site, the topography and general layout of both sites and the replication of the old brew house. It was difficult to find an acceptable solution for the site. However, we eventually settled on a residential development being the most suitable way forward.”

Discussions were entered into with States’ Development & Planning Authority as early as 2007 and in 2010, the department drew up a development brief establishing the parameters for the projects.

This became the blueprint for the finished construction, laying down in detail every element the design must incorporate in order to retain the character of Town’s seafront. Importantly, it was agreed that the old brew house building must be replicated, so a full photographic survey was undertaken prior to demolition to ensure it could be re-built accurately.

“The large bottling plant and loading dock constructed to the north after the Occupation were considered to be of less historical interest,” said Andrew, and therefore a completely new and contemporary design was drawn up to complement the brewery house and the traditional neighbouring properties. The design includes the vertical emphasis of windows and the warehouse style roof line that’s common elsewhere along the seafront.

With initial plans approved in 2012 (a revised plan was again approved in 2015), building firm RG Falla began demolition and site clearance in 2013, ensuring the safe removal of asbestos and other contaminates - all while keeping disruption to road access and surrounding businesses and residents to the lowest possible level.

“As with any reasonably sized project, there will no doubt be disruption to neighbours and, in this case, probably the most difficult time was during the demolition phase of the ex-brewery building as due to its previous use as a brewery, it was constructed out of reinforced concrete,” said Steve.

“Given Havelet Waters’ special situation on the island, it has been important to retain the existing brewery building’s historical significance, whilst maximising its enviable location and views to create something special which can both represent the island’s history and tradition, and reflect contemporary housing needs. There is no doubt that this has been a complex project which has had to overcome a very particular set of site conditions,” said architect Andrew Male of Lovell Ozanne, the lead architectural firm on the development.

The cornerstone of Lovell Ozanne’s design was rebuilding the frontage of the old brewery house, replicating its Georgian-style façade and arched entrance with re-used granite and head stones, and including railings to the front of the site. The brewery walls along The Strand were also refurbished and the Development & Planning Authority was consulted on all materials used on the project.

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“RG Falla did liaise with the neighbours during the works and also produced an Environment Management Plan (CEMP), which was submitted and agreed with Planning. However, we and our contractor do appreciate that there was disruption caused to the neighbours at times during the contract. On the plus side, and now that the dust has settled, hopefully they will agree the new building is a huge improvement on the dilapidated building it replaced, which had no further economic use.”

Before demolition, every granite stone from the original brewery building had to be painstakingly numbered and set aside, in order to be put into the new build in the correct order. Major engineering was also required to keep up The Strand road and its foundation and drainage.

“One of the most challenging parts of the job was the engineering and retaining of The Strand. Geomarine found poor ground which required a change of method, which didn’t really help us. We had to pile along the Strand and anchor it all back before we could start excavation, which took a lot of time,” said RG Falla commercial director Mike Wagstaff.

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The site’s particular contours and location on a rock face also posed huge construction challenges when work began in 2016.

but we were really proud of what we achieved in a relatively short period, considering the size and complexity of the building.”

“Logistically, it was a difficult job because we couldn’t load any of our materials there. The whole footprint of the site was taken up by the building so we had to bring materials in every day,” said Mike.

With construction finished on time, Havelet Waters’ properties were put on the market last year, offering buyers high-spec homes in a prime location.

Cooper Brouard and Livingroom are joint sole agents.

“Having to recreate the old building to modern standards and building regulations, and to comply with strict planning conditions, led to unique challenges as there was little repetition, with everything on the job being different. If you have 250 windows in a building, but 200 of them are different, it makes it very difficult for the builders. Every floor was different, in terms of ceiling heights, due to replicating the external windows on elevation for planning, and numerous different materials were used on the façade to denote the old and new buildings, which stepped in and out along the elevations. The roof tops were challenging with numerous techniques utilised.

“Havelet Waters echoes an international trend of urban redevelopment, where people are seeing the advantages of living with restaurants, shops and amenities within immediate, and level, walking distance. Great care has been taken by a team of architects, interior designers and contractors to offer homes that reflect their prime seafront location,” said Simon Torode, CEO of Livingroom, which was instructed to list the development in April 2019.

“We had a big team on it and it certainly tested us. It was a tough job

“This entirely new-build collection of 34 units is a progressive offering for the Guernsey property market, with a high level of specification to meet the needs of todays’ discerning buyers.”

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SITE… The old Guernsey Brewery building was a familiar St Peter Port landmark, and one that the Havelet Waters development has carefully tried to recreate. The site has a rich history, having been used as a brewery since 1845, when it was bought by merchant John Le Patourel.

When purchased, the site was no more than pair of dwelling houses and gardens, little of which survived later development.

Mr Le Patourel carried out extensive alterations to the houses, combining them into one house, adding an extra floor and constructing the attached brewery buildings to the side and rear. A new yard was created within the site and accessed from two substantial new arched vehicular gateways in the east and south faces of the buildings.

The brewery changed hands multiple times before becoming the home of the Guernsey Brewery Co. Limited in 1920. Following the Occupation, a large bottling plant and loading dock were added to the site, and the construction of the keg storage and filling facility to the west of The Strand was complete in 1972. The company was acquired

by Bucktrout & Co. Ltd in 1977 and no further developments were made to the building, which fell into disrepair after final closure in 2002.

HAVELET WATERS AT A GLANCE Built on the site of the old Guernsey Brewery, this luxury multi-million pound development was completed in November 2018. The site has been split into four blocks, each with their own distinct character and they’re named after knots as a nod to the island’s nautical heritage.

The development includes 26 local market and eight open market properties and 49 parking spaces. Property prices start from £385,000, with the most expensive, the threebedroom penthouse No1 Carrick House, costing £3,500,000 on the Open Market.

Reef House, on the corner, was built reusing many of the same Georgian features and materials from the original Guernsey Brewery building. Next to it, along the seafront, is Carrick House, which mixes modern design with pitched roofs, a design feature that blends in with the existing Town skyline.

Situated at the rear of the site, adjacent to The Strand, Bowline House offers contemporary loft style living, and Halyard House, nestled between the traditional cottages of The Strand and Carrick House, offers rooftop views across Castle Cornet.

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

A MODERN WAY OF LIVING On the most southern tip of Guernsey’s west coast, the island’s diverse property portfolio has a new addition. An iconic new build called Seascape, the local development had global inspiration. Channel Island Ceramics was one of the main project suppliers. They explained how they helped make this very modern building work.

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ormerly an 800 square foot Guernsey cottage in need of redevelopment, the property had been in local ownership by the same family since the 1800s. Now the site has become a much-loved dream home for another Guernsey family.

The site has fantastic sea views over the Hanois lighthouse, Lihou Island and Fort Grey, and the design was inspired by these views, alongside the aim of creating an open plan living space to enjoy them from.

Queensland in Australia provided inspiration for the design. Houses can be found there which maximise the living area whilst maintaining the maximum view of the surrounding areas. The climates may be worlds apart, but with views of equal beauty, this Guernsey build was looking to take full advantage of them.

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The brief included a mix of styles contemporary home with a twist of traditional. This ended up including timber clad vaulted ceilings and oak floors with a touch of sophisticated casual and a beachy, coastal feel.

John Litchfield, founder of Channel Island Ceramics, said: “We work on projects that are in varying stages of completion. We can work with architects’ drawings and from complete designs to working with a client’s inspiration and ideas to create their dream home and, of course, in some cases replace what is existing and make better.

“In this case the owners had a clear vision and design style for Seascape, and we lent our technical expertise to making their ideas work. Often Pinterest and Houzz are great platforms for starting projects and sharing

ideas. This is the third project we have completed for this client and knowing your client has many advantages to a smooth running contract.”

OUR AIM IS TO MAKE EVERY PROJECT WE WORK ON, WHATEVER THE SIZE, BE THE BEST IS CAN BE AND LEND OUR EXPERTISE WHERE WE CAN TO MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY ROOM IN TERMS OF SPACE AND AESTHETICS. John Litchfield

With the interior of the property being so open plan, the challenge was to make everything feel seamless with a natural flow. Large frameless pocket windows in the kitchen and dining space gave the opportunity to open the inside living space to the outside terrace and pool living areas.

Large format Villeroy & Boch ceramic concrete floor tiles helped the areas flow and were continued outside by the pool, spa and firepit to create a seamless finish.

Colour is also a dominant feature in this project and has been used to really enhance the spaces. The bootroom is painted in Farrow and Ball Stiffley

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Blue, which is offset by Buster and Punch brass handles. The room is in the basement with no windows so the use of such a dominant colour was a brave choice. However, it was a risk which paid off, as paired with Farrow and Ball Strong White walls and Encaustic floors tiles it has brought a real uniqueness to the room.

Seascape’s boot room and kitchen are by Edwin Loxley, which is sold exclusively by Channel Island Ceramics locally. The company combines highly skilled craftsman using a variety of beautiful timbers to form beautiful bespoke designs.

Each piece is made to the project’s unique specifications meaning no two pieces are the same. Contemporary design and traditional tradesmanship make for the exceptional finish.

“It’s wonderful to now go back to Seascape and see the house finished, as it makes for a wonderful home.

Our aim is to make every project we work on, whatever the size, be the best is can be and lend our expertise where we can to making the most of every room in terms of space and aesthetics,” said Mr Lichfield The owners say one of the most challenging aspects of the design was making the interiors feel as seamless as possible as you move around the interior space. Without walls to provide natural divides, it was important to create different areas whilst still making them seem connected to the previous one in some way.

When we look at favourite features of the house, the owners say for them, the large frameless glass window looking out onto Fort Grey from the kitchen and living areas and the cloakroom with its crystal chandeliers and matching taps, are their picks.

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INTERVIEW

AT HOME WITH... NADIA NEWTON Local designer and founder of Penelope Hope, Nadia Newton is well-known for her love of colour and pattern.

She describes her designs as bright, playful and fun – and it is an ethos reflected in much of her personal living space. She shared with us the inspiration for the interior design of her family home, Whitehaven.

BEDROOM For the master bedroom I wanted to create a calm haven for us to escape to in a boudoir style design with a touch of hotel room luxury.

The bedroom was wallpapered in a soft pearlescent champagne coloured paper and carpeted in a luxurious cream synthetic pile. Detailed French style furniture in ivory provides ample storage, including two beautiful armoires.

An ornate super king size bed with metallic upholstered headboard became the focal point of the bedroom, dressed with a Wallace & Cotton dark floral duvet cover set. Ivory and gold hand screenprinted metallic fabric from Penelope Hope is used for the blinds, bedside lampshades and scatter cushions to add some luxe and subtle shimmer.

KITCHEN We wanted to update our kitchen with a more timeless design that would be both classic and modern and provide the perfect space for entertaining.

We picked a bespoke hand painted Charles Yorke kitchen fitted by Platinum Interiors with a large island unit which could double up as the cooking zone and breakfast bar seating. Two colours were chosen to create a bit of drama.

The majority of the kitchen has been painted in Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball and offset by the large island unit and one wall of the kitchen in Railings, an almost black/blue colour.

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The worktops are in a white and grey marble effect quartz which is heat resistant and very easy to clean. Brass knobs and handles add a touch of warmth and glamour and compliment the polished brass stools from Bloomingville (locally sourced from Evie & Me).

The kitchen is finished off with a bold roman blind from Penelope Hope in Mono Marble, which certainly adds some drama to the space.

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FAMILY ROOM The brief I set myself for this room was to create a family space that is luxurious yet cosy, vibrant without being too garish, edgy to reflect my personality and comfortable for the whole family.

To achieve the look we painted the back wall in Farrow & Ball Railings to add depth and balance out all the white. We invested in two velvet threeseater sofas from Loaf in grey and teal, which luckily are wipeable velvet so child-friendly. We added a velvet upholstered foot stool from Sofa.com in a bright canary yellow as a colour accent against the predominately blue and grey colour palette.

Penelope Hope cushions in Mesmerise print and metallic ivory and gold added colour and a touch of luxe. By adding this gorgeous wool rug by Claire Gaudion (another Guernsey designer) it helped to soften and add warmth to the space as well as tying the colour palette together.

To add some colour accents we picked a stunning abstract piece of art we found on Etsy by a German artist and a silk Penelope Hope Pina Colada drum lampshade was teamed with a brass pineapple base from Graham & Green.

Finally I added accessories, ornaments, plants and trinkets. For me, this is the fun bit of completing a project where I tie it all together. This is where I added some family photos, a large blue butterfly wall print (I have a thing for butterflies) and a ‘Rules to live by’ quote poster.

We were delighted with the completion of both the kitchen and family room. The areas flow really well together and have given us a great space for entertaining. We love the new colour palette and were pleased we were brave with the almost black painted wall. It works really well and offsets the artwork perfectly.

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Opening New Doors It’s been a busy year for Guernsey estate agency, Shields & Rutland. New ownership, updated branding, and even a refurbished office space. For managing director, Tim Roberts, it’s been an eventful but rewarding time.

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ollowing more than a decade with the company, Tim Roberts took over the reins at Shields & Rutland one year ago. Since then, he says his passion for the business has grown and grown.

But while his enthusiasm has increased, he is not in a rush to build the largest estate agency in the island. For him, their value is in the personal service they can offer.

WHETHER IT’S CUSTOMERS I’VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR A DECADE OR NEW BUYERS WHO ARE EXCITED TO GET ON THE PROPERTY LADDER, IT’S WONDERFUL TO HELP THEM ON THEIR WAY. IT’S RATHER SPECIAL BEING INVOLVED IN THESE LIFECHANGING MOMENTS FOR PEOPLE.

“I am confident the company will grow organically.

We are noticing the upturn in the market and this year is already a huge success. Therefore we will have no choice but to recruit in the near future so we can maintain the same level of service. But I don’t plan on building such a large organisation that it prevents me from being involved at every level. I take great pleasure in all aspects of the business, but especially going out on viewings, talking with clients about valuations and liaising with advocates to help solve problems.”

For Tim, that genuine enjoyment means he has no issue mixing his professional life with his personal.

“People are often surprised by how much I love my job. But it doesn’t feel like a job to me. I never really switch off because I enjoy work so much. I consider myself very lucky to do something I am so passionate about.

“Meeting clients is always the highlight though.

Whether it’s customers I’ve been dealing with for a decade or new buyers who are excited to get on the property ladder, it’s wonderful to help them on their way. It’s rather special being involved in these life-changing moments for people. I’ve worked with couples who weren’t engaged when I first met them and now, years later and after a couple of house moves, they are married with children.”

When dealing with clients at all stages, Tim says excellent customer service is crucial. The team prides themselves on always being available.

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“Our mobile phones are always switched on and I have put my personal number on my business card. The property process can be stressful and our job is to remove as much of that stress as possible. We understand everybody has busy lives. So if you need to talk to us in the evening or weekend, you will always get one of our agents, not an answer machine.”

Along with the new management, Shields & Rutland has had a digital and physical makeover. A major rebrand has seen the company’s logo refreshed and modernised with a sleek, stylish design. A new tagline, ‘Opening doors since 1993’, references the firm’s substantial history in the island while positioning it as a solid market player in the future.

“The line actually came from something I’ve said lots of times. I often joke that my job consists of chatting to people and that I open doors for a living. So when it came to deciding on a slogan for the company we realised it was a good way to promote new opportunities while acknowledging our longevity in the market.”

While Tim has been a part of Shields for over a decade, he’s not the only staff member to have committed a considerable amount of time to the firm. The three staff members who comprise the Rutland side of the agency are also long-term employees. The newest staff member joined seven years ago.

Tim acknowledges that relationships are crucial in the industry, whether that’s between staff members, clients or with other agencies.

“I appreciate the fact that we now have a much better relationship with other agents. It’s important for the industry that we work well together as we are often representing our clients as part of chains. It matters to me to keep those relationships as friendly and professional as possible.”

Tim is therefore adamant that for Shields & Rutland, relationships will be key to their success.

FEATURE

Considerate Constructors Scheme The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a non-profit-making, independent organisation founded in 1997 by the construction industry to improve its image. It has received support from a number of local companies, who believe it benefits them and their clients.

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onstruction sites, companies and suppliers voluntarily register with the scheme and agree to abide by the Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

The Code commits those sites, companies and suppliers registered with the scheme to care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety and value their workforce.

Since inception, the scheme has registered and monitored over 100,000 sites across the British Isles and has been instrumental in many improvements.

The scheme is concerned with any area of construction activity that may have a direct or indirect impact on the image of the industry as a whole. The main areas of concern fall into three categories: the general public, the workforce and the environment. The aim is for construction sites and companies to present an image of competent management, efficiency, awareness of environmental issues and neighbourliness, so that they become a positive advertisement for themselves and for the industry as a whole.

SINCE INCEPTION, THE SCHEME HAS REGISTERED AND MONITORED OVER 100,000 SITES ACROSS THE BRITISH ISLES AND HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN MANY IMPROVEMENTS

In Guernsey, Lightning Enterprises CI Ltd and HVC Ltd have both signed up to the scheme. Lightning Enterprises CI Ltd supplies lightning protection systems, specialist earthing solutions and associated products, while construction specialist, HVC, has been undertaking major building projects in the Channel Islands for many years.

The scheme offers local companies such as Lightning Enterprises and HVC the opportunity to learn from, and be compared with, construction sites throughout the UK with an independent off-island assessor visiting local sites.

Construction sites, companies and suppliers of all types and size can take part, for every type of construction activity. Many construction companies and clients automatically register all their work as company policy.

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When a construction project is registered with the scheme, posters will be displayed around the site promoting registration. If passers-by wish to comment, the name and telephone number of the site manager or company contact is clearly displayed, alongside that of the scheme’s administration office.

Sites should be registered before any construction activity commences, including initial demolition work. Construction companies, including main and trade contractors, can register at any time, as can construction suppliers.

To find out more about the scheme, including how your company can register, visit www.ccscheme.org.uk. The website also hosts a search tool which enables users to look for member companies and construction sites by geographical location.

THE CODE OF CONSIDERATE PRACTICE Care about appearance Constructors should ensure sites appear professional and well managed.

Respect the community Constructors should give utmost consideration to their impact on neighbours and the public.

Protect the environment Constructors should protect and enhance the environment.

Secure everyone’s safety Constructors should attain the highest levels of safety performance.

Value their workforce Constructors should provide a supportive and caring working environment.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

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Small Projects, Big Results It’s a firm well-known for its involvement in major building projects, but RG Falla believes that its Small Works team has more to offer than many realise.

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or more than 60 years, RG Falla has been involved in some of the most significant and complex residential, commercial and civic developments Guernsey has ever seen.

Its work on Trafalgar Court, Credit Suisse, Marina View and, most recently, Havelet Waters, has transformed the island’s seafront, while its construction of St Sampson’s and Les Beaucamps high schools and the Royal Court have helped change the very infrastructure of island life.

Throughout its history, however, RG Falla has also been transforming people’s homes, working on small-scale projects that have made a huge impact on clients.

There’s more to the company than show-stopper developments, and RG Falla Small Works might just be its best kept secret.

Bringing the company’s enormous experience and multidisciplinary skill set to scaled-down projects, the Small Works department has a dedicated, 25 person team specialising in renovations, small builds and refurbishments.

“People see the RG Falla name attached to big projects and think that’s all we do. They don’t necessarily know that a lot of our work is smaller in scope,” said RG Falla managing director Mark Palfrey.

“Smaller builds and family homes require a personal approach, and our team has an excellent reputation

for delivering the care and courtesy needed for this kind of work.”

and without project delays,” said the client on one recent home renovation and extension project.

Small Works’ highly skilled tradesmen include carpenters, decorators, tilers, stonemasons and drainage experts, and they are led by manager JP Fallaize. The department also has its own joinery workshop.

“We have an incredibly skilled and experienced team but we also have the know-how of the wider RG Falla staff to draw on. When you employ a one-man band, you’ve got to rely on what that one person knows.

We have a collection of knowledge that we can bring to even the smallest of builds,” said Mark.

“We’re a Chartered Building Company, so we have that level of professionalism, and we’re fully insured.”

Some of the work undertaken by RG Falla Small Works includes office upgrades, shop outfitting, insurance company instructed repairs and home makeovers. Communicating with clients from a project’s inception through to its completion is integral to the team’s approach.

“From start to finish, JP and his team were enthusiastic and genuinely interested in the build. They viewed every matter from our perspective filling us with confidence that they were on our side and would make any decisions in our best interest. We were impressed that they anticipated issues or potential problems promptly so that we had time to discuss and consider them and so achieve the best outcome expediently

“They were intent on delivering from the project exactly what we wanted. JP’s team management skills were evident: clear communication, delegation and ultimate management of tasks, knowledge of progress of work and a good relationship with and respect from the numerous tradesmen on site. RG Falla were a pleasure to work with, their experience and knowledge of the construction business is immense and their absolute professionalism is without doubt.”

COMMUNICATING WITH CLIENTS FROM A PROJECT’S INCEPTION THROUGH TO ITS COMPLETION IS INTEGRAL TO THE TEAM’S APPROACH.

For homemakers or business owners looking to make changes to their property, knowing where to begin and who to contact first can be a daunting first step, which is where Small Works can step in to help.

“If you decide you want a home renovation, from top to bottom, who do you turn to? Many people don’t realise that they can come directly to us and we’ll work closely with clients to find bespoke solutions,” said Mark.

“No project is too small. People can come to us with an idea and we’ll find a way to make it happen for them.”

To find out how RG Falla Small Works can help with your small build, home makeover, office or shop fit-out, call 01481 256585 or email smallworks@rgfalla.gg

Guernsey Property and Construction

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GU E RNS E Y

PROPER T Y AND CONSTRUCTION Tell us about YOUR next project Next edition: AUTUMN/WINTER

FOR EDITORIAL OPPORTUNITIES Contact Tamara Timothy on 07911 732398 or email: editor@collaborateci.com

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Contact Nicky Bellis on 07781 107789 or email: nicky@collaborateci.com www.guernseyconstructionawards.com

COMMENT

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

TIME TO CHANGE Tim Guilbert is the head of the construction sector at the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce. He says the island’s building industry is taking steps towards improving its environmental impact and it’s an issue that should be given a louder voice.

L

ooking back at Guernsey’s history, there is no doubt that we have been very good at adapting and accepting change. Sometimes it has been change that has been thrust upon us, and sometimes it has been that of our own making.

There are many examples from further back in time, but the one that many people will remember was the speedy demise of the island’s growing industry. When the Dutch offered fuel subsidies to their domestic growers, it had the unplanned effect of ruling Guernsey’s fruit out as too expensive in the marketplace.

Our growers at the time had a choice – to either get out of growing completely or diversify. Some did the latter with varying levels of success while some left the industry for the world of finance and never looked back.

Either outcome shows our versatility as an island community in the past.

WE ALSO NEED TO BE CONSTANTLY EVALUATING WHAT WE ARE DOING AGAINST BOTH MORAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES SO THAT WE THINK THROUGH THE SHORT AND LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS.

Today the challenges are different, but even more important both for the current and future generations. The world has finally woken up to the changes in our climate and the damage we have been repeatedly doing to the environment. Plastic and its uses are a very hot topic internationally, and the same should be the case domestically in Guernsey. This issue belongs right up there amongst our main priorities as an island where almost everything is imported and almost everything is either wrapped in or produced with plastic.

The challenge, of course, is whether we can adapt to life without plastic? We’ve all seen a speedy and major shift in the attitude of shoppers, who have now been encouraged to choose bags for life rather than throw away ones. This has led to the current situation where increasingly you see the majority of people carrying their own bags to the shops. This is not something new, I well remember going shopping with my mother in the late 1960s and the tool of choice was always the shopping bag! Perhaps the generations of the past did know a thing or two, but this change should certainly be applauded whether it a new way of thinking or not.

The point here is a simple one, we need to be receptive to change and innovation as both have a critical part to play in the future of the island. We also need to be constantly evaluating what we are doing against both moral and environmental values so that we think through the short and long term implications, whether inert waste, the length of the airport runway, power importation or just the use of vehicles. All things should be considered with their long term implications in mind and sometimes painful decisions will need to be made.

The building industry, I believe, has been taking most of these matters seriously for a long time now. The drive for ever more efficient homes, lower carbon footprint inducing manufacture and even off site methods to lessen ecological impact are all good steps forward that no doubt will continue. Guernsey’s industry has adopted some of this, yet the average man in the street may be forgiven for not having a clue what has changed except the shape of the many square boxes we now see on our coastline!

So I leave you with a question. Should we not be as an industry be speaking with one voice and informing Guernsey’s public of what is changing and in so doing create a “move” of our own rather like the plastic bag revolution?

Guernsey Property and Construction

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EXCITING EXPANSION AT JG ARCHITECTURE Now in its seventh year of business, JG Architecture LTD is taking exciting steps forward in its development in the construction industry.

JGA has recently added a fourth member to its highly skilled team with the appointment of Architectural Technician, Josh Matthews. He joins a young, creative practice with a wealth of technical knowledge and enthusiasm towards his work.

Josh brings great experience having worked on a wide range of projects locally, from small domestic extensions to large residential developments and commercial schemes.

continue to offer a high level of service throughout our design processes and look forward to introducing him to our range of exciting projects for 2019.” says James Gavey, Director/ Chartered Architectural Technologist.

Founded in 2013 by James Gavey, JGA started operating from home and the practice has now developed considerably from its early years. It now employs talented individuals, is registered as a chartered practice under the governing body ‘Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists’ (CIAT) and is planning a significant office move in the near future. This is an example of how JGA wish to contribute to Guernsey’s local architecture and construction industry and continue to progress its services.

Offering complete planning and building solutions for extensions, conversions and new build projects, the friendly and focused team continue to exceed client expectations.

Josh Matthews Architectural Technician

“We are delighted to welcome Josh to the team. His ability as an Architectural Technician is exciting and he will no doubt be a great asset for JGA. This also boosts our capacity to ensure we

“Over the past few years we have attracted several private new build projects which have had successful Planning processes.

Although we enjoy working on larger scale designs, we very much continue to grow our involvement in small extension works, offering an effective process. We work collaboratively with a team of specialists which allows us to form clear workable solutions, introducing modern materials where possible and fabrication methods which meet today’s requirements and future needs. This has led to future projects by way of personal recommendations.”

Looking to extend, convert or create a new home? We’d love to hear about it. Contact us today for your FREE initial onsite consultation or visit www.jga.gg for further information.

Contact JG Architecture for your FREE initial on-site consultation or visit www.jga.gg for further information.

E: info@jga.gg | T: 01481 245767

FEATURE

GUERNSEY MARKET BUILDINGS The area around Guernsey’s Market Buildings has been busy with construction projects recently, both inside and outside of the iconic local building. A million-pound investment by the shareholders of McAulay Ltd aims to encourage more islanders to come and enjoy the space. We found out about the challenges of making heritage structures suitable for 21st century customers.

I

t’s now 13 years since the redeveloped Market Buildings opened in St Peter Port in late 2006, but it doesn’t seem to be unlucky number for those involved with the area. Rather, 2019 has seen a myriad of improvements made to the building in the hope of encouraging more islanders and visitors to enjoy this historic part of the capital.

New food outlets, new retail space and even a new art gallery are just some of the recent changes. Sonia Taylor is a director at Bailiwick Estates, which manages the Market Buildings.

She said that they approached the project with a clear idea of what they wanted to achieve.

“We did a lot of research which indicated a need to offer more than just retail within the town centre, and particularly highlighted the importance of mixing retail with cultural experiences. Following the success of the art exhibitions that we’ve held in the Inner Street over the past five years, we felt it was important to create a flexible exhibition space, leisure space and a face to face shopping environment.”

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Guernsey Property and Construction

With that brief, architect Paul Dowinton of Tyrrell Dowinton Associates began to look at the space. The age and protected status of the Market Buildings sets certain limits on the scope of work, but can also inspire creativity in those dealing with it.

“The vision was for the additional level to appear not as a new floor, but more of a lightweight structure within the existing building. Due to the planning restrictions, the mezzanine level is not supported from the walls of the building but from the floor below. It is therefore lightweight with minor connections to the existing fabric of the building. The main challenge here is obviously the engineering side of the project and we worked closely with CBL Consulting Ltd on this design.”

“It is a protected building so everything that is done to it has to be conducted sensitively and with the greatest respect for the fabric of the existing structure. We worked very closely with the planning department and the conservation and design officers to ensure that we created something suitable for the 21st century that also acknowledged the importance of the building’s history. They have been very helpful and I feel the changes we have made sit well within the context of the original building.”

MEZZANINE ART GALLERY Creating an art exhibition space was important for the developers, as they had seen the success of previous art installations in the Inner Street. Their idea was to take that gallery space up to a new mezzanine level. Paul explained how they approached it.

The design itself flowed from work that Tyrrell Dowinton had already undertaken outside with the recent creation of a new kiosk space.

IT IS A PROTECTED BUILDING SO EVERYTHING THAT IS DONE TO IT HAS TO BE CONDUCTED SENSITIVELY AND WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT FOR THE FABRIC OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE.

“We took a similar approach to the design of the mezzanine as we had with the new external pavilion fronting Market Terrace. The verandah on the Market Square side of the building has some beautiful decorative ironwork which is not always appreciated.

We used that styling on the coffee shop fascias and then continued the ornate decoration through into the Inner Street. It’s had the benefit of not only looking very attractive, but creating connection with the two areas,” added Paul.

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

CATERING While the kiosk has provided a new food and drink outlet in Market Square, the developers were keen to have a catering outlet inside the building as well. The aim of the revamped Inner Street is to encourage visitors to spend more leisure time in the area, and they believed a café and bar would support that.

Sonia explained how the projects tied in to each other: “We knew if we were having an art gallery space that would be hosting opening nights and drinks receptions etc, we would need a catering outlet to provide those services. A bar space could be used for events but also be open to the public to attract people into the Inner Street.”

The new catering and bar outlet will be located in the middle of the Inner Street with tables and chairs set out to entice customers to stay and enjoy the area.

The food offering itself will be purely vegetarian and vegan with a focus on fresh juices and healthy options.

RETAIL SPACE That environmentally-friendly ethos ties in with the approach taken by the new retail space opening in the Inner Street. The Guernsey Weigh has been designed to recognise the best of the past while protecting the environment’s future. It will offer package free and plastic free shopping, with customers bringing their own containers and filling them from the shop’s large dispensers.

For Sonia, it was an exciting way of bringing a market feel back to the area, in a way that suits modern shoppers.

“We knew that many islanders were keen to see a market return to the building, but there are a lot of challenges associated with that.

This idea was then brought to our attention just as the island’s new waste strategy came in, and we thought it was ideal for this space. It maintains that old market feeling as customers have to weigh their own produce and help serve themselves, but at the same time it suits our modern awareness of reducing waste.

It will take customers back to how

we used to shop, while providing the products they want to buy.

“People are so much more conscious now of how much waste is being produced and how much plastic is going into the ocean, so if we can reduce both of those it is a win win situation. We hope this will be a real success for shoppers and for the island.”

WE KNEW THAT MANY ISLANDERS WERE KEEN TO SEE A MARKET RETURN TO THE BUILDING, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF CHALLENGES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

THE CONTRACTORS • McAulay (Market Buildings) Ltd • Bailiwick Estates Ltd • Tyrrell Dowinton Associates • CBL Consulting • JW Rihoy

There are still another three units available for rent in the Inner Street, which Sonia said they are now hoping to fill with a florist, a pop up shop and a retailer selling fresh produce.

FACILITIES The loss of the old lavatories beneath Market Square has been long lamented by many islanders, and this project gave the developers the opportunity to put toilets back in the area.

Those facilities will now be available to support the food and drink outlets as well as being available for use by members of the public visiting the art exhibitions or local shops.

Men’s and women’s toilets are open to the public during trading hours, as well as baby change facilities.

Disabled toilets are available across the street in the French Halles.

THE FUTURE With the mezzanine area now complete, the art space will host

• C8

revolving exhibitions including a short film about Guernsey this summer. Opera afternoons are also planned to use the raised space for live performances, giving this quintessentially Guernsey area a Covent Garden feel.

Sonia said there are even plans in place to celebrate the changes: “We are planning a street party this summer to mark the improvements to the area.

This whole area of Town will benefit from the recent changes and it will be lovely to get everyone together to enjoy the improved spaces.”

For Paul, the project is also a success from an architecture perspective: “We’re delighted with it. It’s been a really exciting and challenging project to be involved with and I think the additional elements have brought the whole building together to make it visually more attractive. This should breathe new life into the Inner Street and the Market Buildings as a whole.”

THE ROAD MORE TRAVELLED Alongside the work inside Market Buildings, the surrounding area has also seen some substantial changes. The traffic arrangements for Market Street have been amended to encourage pedestrian use of the area as a priority over vehicles.

The ageing asphalt surface has been replaced with single level granite paving, designed to be accessible for all. Market Street should now be safer for pedestrians and those with disabilities, pushchairs and even high heels.

“The new paving looks amazing and has really improved the area for everyone using it.

Visitors such as cruise ship passengers now don’t just stop at the end of the Market Square cobbles, they continue along the road. That’s great news for the Old Quarter and this whole part of Town,” said Sonia.

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

ADDED EXPERTISE FOR HVC The signs marking HVC’s involvement on a construction site are often spotted on some of the island’s major projects, but the company has a wider focus than might first be obvious.

Alongside the large commercial developments, its specialist team is developing high quality residential projects on the island.

B

uilding and civil engineering contractors, HVC, have been undertaking major building projects in the island for more than 15 years. During that time, they have been involved in developments such as the extension of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (Clinical Block and Mental Health Centre), the Guernsey College of Further Education’s Performing Arts Centre, and the new headquarters for Guernsey Water.

Recently, HVC has completed works for the States of Guernsey at La Mare de Carteret School, Edward T Wheadon House and at the island’s prison. But with these projects complete, the team is looking to expand into other areas.

Now, alongside its public sector works, HVC is focusing on its own residential developments. This allows the firm to offer employees more varied and interesting work on an ongoing basis, thereby providing continuity rather than being dependent on the intermittent nature of major projects in the public sector.

For HVC, the move into residential developments was an obvious way to take advantage of their strong team of construction professionals and operatives. Skillsets that have been polished and enhanced in public sector projects can be easily transferred to the residential sector.

While the firm remains committed to the larger projects, it believes that running smaller developments at the same time will provide a more rounded portfolio of work, which will be of benefit to both staff and clients.

HVC’s own residential developments to date have included properties in Collings Road in St Peter Port and Brock Road in St Sampson’s. But with three more exciting sites purchased in Guernsey recently, further homes will be available on the market soon.

Innovation. Tradition. Performance.

HVC offer a complete range of services to support Construction Projects in Guernsey and the Channel Islands.

1 PIER STEPS, ST PETER PORT, GUERNSEY GY1 2LF HAVARD HOUSE, 5 - 7 GREAT UNION ROAD, ST HELIER, JERSEY JE2 3YA T: 01481 700275 E: info@hvc.gg

WWW.HVC.GG

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

SAFETY ON TAP When we turn on the tap at work or at home, we expect our water to be clean and safe.

Without efficient water management, however, there is no guarantee. That’s why water safety has become an important focus for G4S in Guernsey.

O

ne of the potential dangers of a poorly maintained water system is legionella, a naturally occurring bacteria which can multiply to dangerous levels under certain conditions, with potentially fatal consequences.

G4S Secure Solutions Limited is the first company in Guernsey to be registered by the Legionella Control Association (LCA) for commercial service delivery. This means its legionella risk assessment team has to comply to the strictest of standards and qualification.

“The LCA is the biggest governing body for water management in the UK and it’s taken 18 months to qualify for membership. They’re really stringent and we’ve been on quite a journey to get to this point,” explained CI commercial business FM manager Sophie Boxall.

“What membership means is that we can provide LCA approved risk assessment services, cleaning and disinfection services, hot and cold water system monitoring services and sampling. Yes, we’re a commercial entity but we’re also able to offer advice and support. We want to educate people and increase their understanding of the risks.”

According to contract operator Kyle Lorimer, there isn’t enough general awareness about the risk posed by legionella and the measures that can be taken to reduce that risk, especially in the rental sector, in which many landlords might not know they could be held accountable in the event of an outbreak.

“Many people have heard the word legionella bandied about but they haven’t really thought about whether they could be at risk, and wouldn’t know what to do about it. That’s where we come in. We can offer advice and make sure that water systems are compliant,” he said.

“Many cases of Legionnaire’s Disease, which is caused by this bacteria, go undiagnosed. The chances are that if you’re healthy, you might shrug it off as a case of the flu and won’t even associate it with your water management system. But for the young and the elderly, the risks are massively increased.”

To find out more about legionella risk assessment contact G4S on 01481 247447 or email servicedesk@gg.g4s.com.

G4S’s LCA certificate of membership can be found at www.legionellacontrol.org.uk

Commercial… heritage… residential… leisure… no matter its purpose, we know that every build comes with its challenges.

That’s why we want to hear how you made it work.

From digging the foundations to the finishing touches, we can follow the property process every step of the way.

If you have a project you would like to feature in the Guernsey Property and Construction magazine, contact Tamara Timothy at editor@collaborateci.com

GUE R N S E Y

PROPERT Y A ND CONSTRUCTION

COMMENT

Planning News: Certificates Of Lawful Use Martyn Baudains, partner at Ogier, considers the impact of a recent change to Guernsey’s planning laws.

T

hose taking a close interest in property and construction in the island will not have missed the States’ agreement to introduce so-called “Certificates of Lawful Use”.

The word “use” in this context refers to how a property is used under the Use Classes provisions of our planning law.

The catalyst for this change was the use of the Stan Brouard Group site at Landes du Marche for retail purposes. The Group wanted to open a café at its premises but because the use of the site for retail was unlawful, and because of existing policies, there was no ‘gateway’ to allow the planners to approve that development.

THE DPA REPORTED BACK BY WAY OF A POLICY LETTER IN JUNE 2017. THAT MADE IT CLEAR THE USE OF THE SITE WAS UNLAWFUL, BUT BECAUSE OF THE TIME THAT HAD PASSED (AND PARTLY BECAUSE OF A CHANGE IN LAW) THE DEPARTMENT WAS POWERLESS TO ACT.

Where a site is approved for a particular use, a part of that property can, in some circumstances, have another use provided that is only “ancillary” or “ordinarily incidental” to the use of its main part. In this case, because the use of the property for retail use was not lawful, the use of part of it as a café could not be said to be ancillary to its main use. The owner of the site submitted a planning application for a café which was refused, with a subsequent appeal dismissed.

The fact a site could be used unlawfully with no way of regularising the situation was noted by the inspectors at the Planning Inquiry for the Island Development Plan (IDP) in 2015. They said the “existing situation … brings no credit to the business, which has made the change of use without the necessary planning permission and has not applied for retrospective planning permission [nor to] the former Island Development Committee which failed or was unable to take enforcement action at the appropriate time, nor to the Island planning system…”. These were harsh words and the States asked the Development & Planning Authority (DPA) to consider the issue.

The DPA reported back by way of a policy letter in June 2017. That made it clear the use of the site was unlawful, but because of the time that had

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Guernsey Property and Construction

passed (and partly because of a change in law) the Department was powerless to act. The DPA considered two options. The first was to change planning policy, but that would require changes to the Strategic Land Use Policy (SLUP) and the IDP and the time and cost involved made that idea unattractive. The second idea was to use a provision in The Land Planning & Development (Guernsey) Law 2005 which could allow the DPA to issue Certificates of Lawful Use. The States would have to pass an Ordinance to allow this, but that was far simpler than reviewing the SLUP and IDP. A Certificate of Lawful Use would have the effect of making the use of the Stan Brouard premises lawful, which would be the “gateway” needed for use of a part of the site as a café.

The policy letter asked the States to approve this change. It was not extensively debated, though there were comments that it could be exploited by land owners who could “flout the planning law” and “if they can get away with it long enough” apply for a Certificate of Lawful Use and make an unlawful development lawful. Reassurances were given that changes brought about by the 2005 law make it highly unlikely that a similar situation could arise again – though there was knowledge of one other case which might benefit.

The States decided to approve the change in the law and The Land Planning and Development (Certificates of Lawful Use) Ordinance, 2019 came into force on 6 May. There will not be many who will benefit. To apply for a Certificate of Lawful Use it must be shown that, albeit the use of the property was unlawful, it is deemed to be lawful because, in brief, no enforcement proceedings can be issued due to passage of time (either four years from the date the planning department first knew about the breach or 10 years from the date of a breach when the department did not know about it), or where the change of use occurred before 6 April 2009.

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INTERVIEW

Sausmarez Manor

Rozel

Glebe House

THE STORIES THESE WALLS CAN TELL… When Trevor Cooper stepped back from Cooper Brouard estate agents after a career working in Guernsey’s property market, his focus stayed very much on local houses.

His book, ‘Mansion, Manor & Merchant Houses’, is the result. Covering social history as much as architecture, it’s a fascinating read for anyone with even a passing interest in the island’s heritage.

A

ONCE I STARTED DOING MORE RESEARCH I REALISED THAT THERE WERE INCREDIBLE STORIES BEHIND ALL OF THESE PROPERTIES.

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sk any number of islanders to name Guernsey’s most distinctive houses and there are a few you can guarantee will crop up again and again.

Government House … Castle Carey … Havilland Hall. But a quick flick through ‘Mansion, Manor & Merchant Houses’ shows just how much richer the island’s architectural heritage is than might immediately be apparent.

architecture ranging from once fortified medieval buildings and expansive farming estates to the elegance of Georgian, Regency and Victorian period houses. I started to plan the book by looking at these architectural forms.”

For Trevor, it was something that had become clear to him through decades of working in local property, initially as a conveyancing clerk and then as an estate agent and auctioneer.

“Once I started researching the houses I realised there were incredible stories within their walls.

Having discovered that, the book changed direction almost of its own accord. It ended up being as much about the people who built and lived in these houses as the bricks and mortar.”

“For an island the size of Guernsey, it has a remarkably varied type of

Guernsey Property and Construction

But while the book started in that vein, it soon evolved to cover social heritage as much as architecture.

The book profiles 52 island properties, all with fascinating stories behind them. From tales of a teenage girl wanting to build a church and others enjoying their first taste of high society to stories of war heroes, prosperity and intrigue, the history of the houses offers a fascinating insight into the lives of islanders through the centuries.

All of the houses featured are still single household family homes, as they were when first built. Other notable houses that have since been converted into offices, hotels, apartments or suchlike were excluded.

Having decided on the theme, there were plenty of houses

ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2019

to choose from and the venture began in earnest.

“People have been so hospitable and helpful with this project, especially the owners who typically see themselves as custodians of Guernsey’s heritage. Spending time with them often unearthed invaluable nuggets that only somebody living in the house would know.”

Despite this help, there was still plenty of research for Trevor to undertake.

The process of compiling and writing the book was supported by searches and study in Guernsey’s GuilleAllès Library and Priaulx Library.

“I spent many happy hours going through old books as there is simply so much information to look at. There is a house called Woodlands, for example, where the owner kept a diary. I went into the Priaulx Library and asked to see Mr Mollet’s diary. I expected them to come back with a notebook – instead they gave me an archive box full of leatherbound ledgers. It took longer than expected, but it was a fascinating experience. The Island Archives and Guernsey Museums are also rich sources of information as are the Greffe, La Société Guernesiaise and The Guernsey Society.”

Such was the research required for the book that Trevor had to condense a mass of information in order to provide the concise entries for each property in the publication.

“I wanted it to be an accessible read that anybody could pick up and flick through and almost at random find something to pique their interest.”

Trevor describes his book not as a detailed architectural guide, but more a general interest publication concentrating on the age, construction and above all appearance of the featured houses. Nevertheless, it also has a wealth of detail that would satisfy those with more an expert interest, and an insightful foreword by architect, Andrew Dyke, paves the way ahead for the reader.

Like many of the Guernsey houses it profiles, the book also has a couple of interesting little quirks such as a comprehensive glossary right in the centre of the publication.

“I wanted to ensure the glossary was not overlooked. There is a lot of important information to get across covering intrinsic Guernsey expressions. People will have come across terms such as fief,

Government House

THE OWNERS REALLY DO SEE THEMSELVES AS CUSTODIANS OF GUERNSEY’S HERITAGE. SPENDING TIME WITH THEM OFTEN UNEARTHED INVALUABLE NUGGETS WHICH I WOULD NEVER HAVE FOUND THROUGH STANDARD RESEARCH.

rente and congé, but perhaps not fully understood them. This way as they go through the book and see the local references, they can easily find an explanation.”

Trevor admits the book’s publication saw him feel a mixture of elation and relief, having taken more than three years to write and compile.

Now it is in the public domain, the net sale proceeds will be donated to local charities and principally the Guernsey Cheshire Home. He thought it appropriate that such a richly deserving home-from-home of such benefit and standing in the island should profit from his book about illustrious houses that have been home to many generations of islanders over many centuries.

BUY THE BOOK

La Colombelle

‘Mansion, Manor & Merchant Houses’ is available at The Lexicon bookshop and other retail outlets including Guernsey Museums and Gallery at Candie Gardens. It can also be ordered directly from the publisher at .blueormer.co.uk, priced at £30.

Guernsey Property and Construction

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chris@canddcarpenters.co.uk www.canddcarpenters.co.uk Christopher Pinsard & Dennis Le Sauvage 01481 235397

ALL ASPECTS

Style Plumbing and Heating

Plumbing & Heating Specialists

Reliable professional service

Architectural Services

Renewable Energy Installations

Peter Sheppard

For all your architectural aspirations & requirements

Boiler Replacements & System Upgrades

PAUL VAUDIN & ASSOCIATES

Telephone : 01481 254936 Mobile : 07781 141122 Email : paul@pvaltd.gg Seefeld Rue de la Mare, Castel, Guernsey GY5 7AT pvaltd.gg

Large and Small Contracts Journeyman Service

Under Flooring Heating Specialists

07781 133433 info@allaspects.gg

Tel: 01481 740450 Mobile: 07781 165220 Email: styleph@suremail.gg Web: www.styleplumbing.co.uk

Paul Langmead Window Services Suppliers, Fitting, Glazier & Repairs of UPVC/Aluminium, Windows, Doors & Conservatories The Swallows, Candle Road, St Andrews, Guernsey, Channel Islands GY6 8UP

Tel/Fax: 01481 238138 Mobile: 07911 716747 Email: p.langmead@live.com

Tel: 07781 192846

Tel: 01481 244389 Email: guernseytradewindows@gmail.com Web: www.guernseytradewindows.com

The Haven Grandes Maison Road St Sampson Guernsey GY2 4JR

Guernsey Property and Construction

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FEATURE

FINISHING TOUCHES Once the building work is complete, making a house a home is all in the detail.

Living on an island, there is plenty of coastal inspiration for home décor.

Here is our pick of the best products for an island lifestyle.

Farrow & Ball chromatic stripe wallpaper Ray Lowe Décor £54.17 PER ROLL Whale fabric cushion Oopsy Crafty £22 Mesmerise deckchair Penelope Hope £144 Blue Mist tray Acorn Lifestyle £105 Dulux Easycare bathroom paint in marine splash B&Q £20 Reactive melamine salad bowl Marks & Spencer £16 Vazon rug Claire Gaudion FROM £449 PER SQUARE METRE

Mikado round coffee table Acorn Lifestyle £590

SMELLS LIKE THE SEA Neom organic reed diffuser in Feel Refreshed Plaisirs £38

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Guernsey Property and Construction

Molton Brown candle in Coco & Sandalwood All Beauty £45.40

Crabtree & Evelyn lifestyle mist in Seaside Vibes Feel Unique £13.35

Neptune. Inspiration for your whole home.

VAT FREE PRICES

If you care about quality and want simple style and colours that never go out of date, you’ll love the collection by Neptune.

Using natural materials and respecting traditional craftmenship Neptune’s products feature beautiful furniture, kitchens, upholstery and all the little things that help to give your home real soul.

Kitchens | Bathrooms | Bedrooms | Tiles Visit our showroom, call 234000 or visit cic.gg/furniture-accessories

We make commercial deals happen Responsive, constructive and commercially aware property law advice in Guernsey.

We have an enviable reputation for handling transactional, leasing and finance matters, with a noted focus on the retail industry and additional expertise in construction law. With a client roster that includes banks, retail groups and professional services companies, we have significant experience in commercial property in Guernsey. Our services include: • Commercial, residential and mixed use developments • Sales and purchases of commercial property • Hotel developments, sales and acquisitions • Corporate re-location projects • Advising funders on real estate and security issues • Joint ventures • Advising landlords or tenants on commercial leases

Our promise to you We make it happen We will give you quality service We will give you value for money

ogierproperty.com Redwood House, St Julian’s Avenue, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 1WA Telephone: +44 1481 721672 See ogier.com for more information about Ogier’s legal services.

Martyn Baudains

Partner 01481 752217 martyn.baudains@ogier.com

“Great commitment to getting property transactions over the line.”

Chambers UK 2019, Property