Guernsey Property & Construction / Issue 4 by Rock and Small

Autumn / Winter 2020

Issue 4

GUE R N SE Y

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION Pont Colliche With the Guernsey Housing Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest project complete, we find out about the build and what else is on the agenda

Forest Farm This rural hideaway has been transformed from a rundown barn into an impressive family home

Gardens & landscaping We look outside this autumn to find out what to do in your garden, whether you want it to be pretty or productive

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE GUERNSEY PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION AWARDS

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INTRODUCTION

EDITOR Tamara Timothy

EDITOR’S LETTER

editor@collaborateci.com

SALES Julie Todd hello@collaborateci.com

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

Guernsey Property and Construction is produced by Collaborate CI Ltd. To receive the magazine call 01481 715222 or email hello@collaborateci.com Guernsey Property and Construction is published by Collaborate CI Ltd. Copyright 2020. 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 Pierre Bisson

PUBLISHED BY

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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

Since our previous issue in the spring, it has certainly been an eventful period for the industry, and for the island. Covid-19 came as an unexpected shock; its effects are still being felt throughout the economy, and the property and construction industries are no different. But while the pandemic feels neverending, there are certainly positives to be seen in the island. The housing market has been notably buoyant since lockdown restrictions were lifted, and many development projects are back on track following the delays earlier in the year. Among those projects that have overcome the challenges of lockdown is the Guernsey Housing Association’s latest development, Pont Colliche in St Sampson’s. Read about the benefits the 20 new homes will bring to islanders on p.10, along with the GHA’s plans for the year ahead. Local design firm, JGA, also faced some delays when moving into its new office space. But having made the move, founder James Gavey says the team is delighted with their new home. On p.34 you can see how they’ve transformed an old industrial storage space into a modern, stylish office to benefit them and their clients.

Design was also key for this issue’s cover star, an old barn that has been converted to an impressive family home in the Forest. Architect Paul Langlois worked with his interior designer wife, Anne, to create something very special. Take a look at Forest Farm on p.4. While these are success stories, there have been casualties of Covid-19, including this year’s Guernsey Property and Construction Awards. In the circumstances, the organisers have taken the decision to cancel this year’s awards but say they’ll be back bigger and better next year. Keep an eye out for the next issue of this magazine where we will have more details about the awards in 2021. Looking back to last year’s awards, we have an interview with the winner of the commercial property agent of the year award, Joanna Watts of Watts Property Consultants. Her firm celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, so we spoke to her about her career and achievements on p.30. I hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine. As always, if you have any feedback or would like to get in touch with the team, we would be delighted to hear from you. Tamara Timothy Editor

Guernsey Property and Construction

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 4 04 Forest Farm Architect Paul Langlois and his interior designer wife, Anne, show us round their latest joint project, Forest Farm

12 Pont Colliche The Guernsey Housing Association’s most recent success, we see what’s on offer at the new Pont Colliche development of 20 homes in St Sampson’s

20 Industry News All the property and construction industry news from around the island including appointments and acquisitions

21 Legal & Finance Feature Industry comment and analysis, including the impact of Covid-19 on the market

26 Industry Profile Lead conveyancer at Ogier, Nick Le Poidevin, marked 40 years in the industry this summer. We spoke to him about his career path and what he’s learned over the decades

32 Joanna Watts Following her firm’s success at the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards, we meet the founder of Watts Property Consultants

36 J G Architecture

We visit JGA’s new office to find out what inspired its industrial aesthetic, and how they hope the space will benefit the business

42 Health & Safety As consultation ends on a new industry approved code of practice for the island, we have all the information on what it might include

47 Gardens & Landscaping Feature Read expert horticulturist, Jack Etheridge’s tips for a nature inspired garden, and find out about the new tribute to Victor Hugo at Candie Gardens

54 Guernsey Design Awards The awards ceremony was virtual, but the successes were very real. Find out who picked up the trophies at this year’s Guernsey Design Awards

56 La Vallette

With the plans to regenerate La Vallette approved, we speak to the people behind them to find out what they aim to do with the well-loved area

64 Finishing Touches The recent rise in working from home has seen study spaces become a priority. From attractive office chairs to desk organisers, see our product picks

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

FOREST FARM When architect Paul Langlois and his interior designer wife, Anne, first saw Forest Farm, they knew they could create something very special with the unused barn. Fortunately, their clients agreed and it is now an impressive family home â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fusing the traditional Guernsey building with a modern extension to provide a house that is a pleasure to live in as well as to look at.

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FEATURE

Paul Langlois was involved with the owners from the very start of their house hunt. Having visited a number of properties, they couldn’t find the perfect opportunity – until they came across this site. For him, it was clear at that point that the search could stop. “We met on site on a bright, crisp December day and I think we all knew immediately that we had found ‘the one’. The combination of the house’s seclusion along with the fantastic views across Petit Bot valley meant that the clients loved the location, and we could see so much potential with the property and the site itself. Although the farm building had been unused for many years, it wasn’t in terrible condition so we knew we had a great starting point for the project.” While the original structure is still very much recognisable in the current building, it has seen substantial changes since that first visit.

Guernsey Property and Construction

“The topography of the site meant that the building was cut into the slope with an entrance on the upper ground floor and a lower ground floor with a separate entrance. When we first saw it, the upper ground floor was dilapidated living accommodation and the lower ground floor had been used for storing farm equipment.” While the interior of the building clearly needed substantial work and an extension was required to provide space for the family, Paul says the design of the house came relatively quickly. “The main entrance remains on the upper ground floor with a single storey extension to the rear containing the children’s bedrooms along with a ‘Jack and Jill’ ensuite bathroom, a utility room, WC and sun lounge. The kitchen and living space are also at that level in the original building. That means they can maximise the views to the east across Petit Bot valley.”

THE COMBINATION OF THE HOUSE’S SECLUSION ALONG WITH THE FANTASTIC VIEWS ACROSS PETIT BOT VALLEY MEANT THAT THE CLIENTS LOVED THE LOCATION, AND WE COULD SEE SO MUCH POTENTIAL WITH THE PROPERTY AND THE SITE ITSELF.

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The lower ground floor houses the master bedroom and ensuite, along with a guest bedroom and ensuite and a storage room, linked to the upstairs rooms with a newly installed internal staircase and a traditional ‘front door’ that leads out to the garden. Altogether, it provides a substantial amount of family living space. For Paul and Anne, however, designing a house is about much more than bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces. The husband and wife team work together to create a space that is both highly functional as well as being aesthetically appealing. Anne says that while Paul is responsible for the overall design of the house and she takes control of the décor, it is very much a joint effort. “We discuss the project together from the beginning, and both have a lot of input at every stage. Our partnership brings beautiful design but with a real focus on practicality. We would never design something that doesn’t work to actually live in.” That practicality comes through in a huge amount of attention to detail throughout the house, from built in storage and seating using the old building’s nooks and crannies, to a bespoke utility room that was carefully designed to meet the family’s needs. It’s all carefully thought through to make the house an easy place to live, but with an aesthetic that will also make it very enjoyable.

From first approach the house is striking, with the white gable of the old Guernsey granite building contrasting against the contemporary, dark timber clad extension and the rendered garage, allowing the three separate elements of the house to be clearly defined. When you step inside, the joining of the old and new is immediately apparent, something that was very purposeful for Paul. THE HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A SPACE THAT IS BOTH HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL AS WELL AS BEING AESTHETICALLY APPEALING.

“The main axis of the house defines the new and the original building. On the old side, the granite has been left exposed and the original openings have been retained so that the former farm building can still be read.

On the new side, plastered walls provide a contrast to highlight the difference.” Along with the granite, an equally important material in the house has been the use of glass. As you enter the house from the south, the north end of the hall has been glazed so you can see right through the building to the outside – look east and the use of glazing again allows you to see through the original building to the views beyond. It is thoughtful design from Paul, which also extends outside the house. “A pergola and path linking the parking area and house extends the internal north-south axis

Guernsey Property and Construction

through the whole site. We used the same tiles externally on the path and through the hall to accentuate this and blur the internal/external boundary. That use of axes to extend the building beyond its walls is an important design element for us in everything we do. It makes the house feel larger and connects the occupants with the landscape even when indoors.” With the stunning setting of Brae Barn, it was crucial to maximise the views throughout the house. Glazing and a cantilevered balcony on the east side allow for that, while the installation of new windows in the north gable provides a view from the dining area through the lounge to outside. Flat roof lights along the hall provide high natural daylight levels and views up to the sky while the sliding doors open the kitchen and dining space out onto the sunny south facing terrace, again blending the internal spaces with the outdoors. Inside, the principal rooms are open to the roof with large roof lights providing a dramatic, light and airy space. That feel is added to with

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the interior design, which Anne says had a very clear concept. “The overall aim was to create a pared back but warm, minimal interior to show the house at its best. We achieved it through the predominant use of soft white walls to allow the interesting architectural form of the building to take centre stage. There is colour in the house, but it is utilised minimally, such as the duck egg blue timber panelled kitchen wall and the yellow ochre in the master bedroom.”

WE THINK MORE SUSTAINABILITY SHOULD BE MORE ENCOURAGED IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY, EVEN IF IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE TO RETAIN THE OLD FOUNDATIONS AND WALLS FOR THE NEW BUILDING.

Along with the design showcasing the original building, interior detailing has also been added to reference that agricultural heritage – with a bespoke rustic oak panelled sliding door with exposed black running gear a key feature of the living room, along with the matching timber floor. For Anne, that space was very carefully considered. “While the living room is open and simply flows on from the rest of the house, it can be closed down if you want to exclude the noise from the kitchen or simply create a cosier atmosphere. Additionally, while we chose attractive but more budget-

friendly options in some areas of the house, such as the children’s bedrooms, this was a room where the clients chose to make some more extravagant choices – the wooden floor and bespoke sliding door are made from a beautiful French oak, which is simply a work of art in itself.” Lighting has been precisely engineered throughout the house and has been carefully thought through, with a combination of feature lighting in the kitchen and living rooms providing a real focal point for those spaces, along with subtle ambient lighting elsewhere using recessed uplights and downlights, floor wash lighting and step tread lighting. The build of Brae Barn was relatively straightforward, with the project begun in earnest in January 2019. It was finished exactly a year later, despite the extremely wet autumn in 2019 hampering progress. “Despite working in terrible conditions towards the end of last year, luckily we had erected a canopy over the house so the work could continue throughout the awful weather. We were also

ISSUE 4 AUTUMN/WINTER 2020

THE CONTRACTORS • Paul Langlois Architects • Ravenscroft Construction Ltd • Dorey Lyle & Ashman Engineers • ForeSite Surveying Services • AC Surveys Ltd • Energy Consultancy Services Ltd • Timber & Damp Proofing Specialists Ltd • Eco-Space • Bailiwick Windows and Doors • Stainless Steel Fabrications • Paul’s Joinery • Bonsai Group • D W Arundell & Co Ltd • Luxioso • Capelles Building Stores • Acorn Interiors

fortunate in that there were no real surprises with the build. We did have to rebuild the south gable due to defective masonry, which we hadn’t originally planned to do, but apart from that there was no unexpected work.” Even without added problems, and with the original building structurally sound, it was still a major build. The existing walls and lower ground floor slabs were retained but everything else was removed and replaced – with the south gable partially rebuilt. Platon membrane was laid internally over the existing lower ground floor slabs and up the walls to the roof eaves. All existing timber in the walls was removed to avoid any spread of rot, and the old timber lintels were replaced with concrete. Internally, the external walls were dry lined on a timber frame and insulated while externally the natural granite on the east elevation was cleaned with a mild acid. The natural slate roof saw new A-frames and purlins replicate the original structure, and is now highly insulated with large, solar operated Velux rooflights. The new extension used a timber frame built off a new slab and block walls with a highly insulated, natural slate, mono pitch roof with high level clerestory windows completing the structure. The work to the house has certainly improved its efficiency with the added insulation meaning it now meets higher standards than current regulations require. Electric underfloor heating has been added throughout the house, and photovoltaic panels have been installed to help reduce its environmental impact. The roof lights are solar powered to reduce the energy burden, while LED lights have been installed throughout the house.

light levels will reduce the need for artificial lighting and despite the large amounts of glazing in the kitchen and living spaces, Paul says the temperature of the house will stay well regulated. “We’ve put Velux window in the roof so the clients can simply open the windows and get a draw of fresh air through the house. Natural passive ventilation is a far better way of regulating temperature than mechanical means, and gives a much more pleasant atmosphere.” While the building itself is complete, there is still some work to be completed on the outside space for Paul and Anne’s vision to be complete. As always, landscaping is dependent on the seasons and, in time, areas such as the outside pergola will be softened by creepers and the car parking shielded from the house by hedging. But the real success of a house comes from how those living in it feel about it, and in those terms this home has certainly achieved its objective. For the client, the project has been an unqualified success. “Paul designed a scheme that was sensitive to our family needs and the site and steered us smoothly through the project from design and planning through to completion. Anne’s role in developing the design for the interior and exterior design palette took over seamlessly from Paul’s architectural designs, and the myriad of decisions required when building a house was handled by her with efficiency. Together, they have designed and delivered a beautiful, unique family home that we absolutely love.”

Thoughtful design has also replaced energy-heavy intervention in the house. The high natural

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

PONT COLLICHE Between poor weather during the winter and the island’s lockdown in spring and summer, the Pont Colliche project has posed more than its fair share of challenges for the Guernsey Housing Association and lead contractor, Rihoy & Son. But having overcome them, they say they’ve produced a housing scheme that will bring real benefits to its new residents.

Guernsey Property and Construction

It has been 18 years since the creation of the Guernsey Housing Association (GHA), and with nearly 1,000 properties on its books, the island’s need for social and affordable housing shows no signs of slowing down. As of August 2020, there were 143 people on the waiting list for its partial ownership scheme, and another 240 applicants for social rented accommodation, which the GHA runs in partnership with the States of Guernsey.

Trying to keep up with the demand, the GHA has completed the first of two major developments scheduled to finish in 2020. Located in Saltpans Road, St Sampson’s, Pont Colliche is a community of 20 homes, with 12 for rent and eight for partial ownership purchase. Having experienced delays due to bad weather, and site closures caused by lockdown, the build took longer than expected. However, the keys were handed over to

ISSUE 4 AUTUMN/WINTER 2020

the properties’ new owners and tenants in July.

for Employment and Social Security, which put up £1.65m. The remainder was covered by a bank loan.

“People do seem to be genuinely pleased with the finished project and I know that we’re really happy with it. As you drive into it, there’s a lovely open feel; the properties look good. Like all construction projects, there were a few challenges along the way, but we’re delighted with the outcome,” said GHA development officer Andre Quevatre. “There was a delay, obviously. We had to stop work because of lockdown and when we did return to the site, only limited numbers of people were allowed there at any one time, which made working difficult. Thankfully, the supply of materials wasn’t impacted on this particular site, though it has been a problem on other projects.” The £3.99m. Pont Colliche development was part funded by the Committee

The development’s eight partial ownership properties are a mix of two one-beds, two two-bed properties, and four three-beds. All of the rented homes are one-bed apartments, which are in huge demand. They’re also designed with disabled access in mind. “Many of the applicants for one-bed housing are older or more mature, which is something we take into consideration when we design the properties. For example, we look at accessibility, so six of the flats are on the ground floor and all of them have wet rooms,” he explained. PEOPLE DO SEEM TO BE GENUINELY PLEASED WITH THE FINISHED PROJECT AND I KNOW THAT WE’RE REALLY HAPPY WITH IT.

“Also, all of our properties are very, very well insulated - it goes way beyond the new building control standards, which came out in June. Although we do provide

heating in the flats, by way of electric heaters, a lot of residents won’t use them.” Energy efficiency is crucial for all GHA builds. Not only do its homes have to be affordable to buy or rent, they have to be affordable to run. This is why the association’s specifications are much higher than on an average build, said Robin Le Page, operations director for Rihoy & Son, the project’s lead contractor. “If you look at something like air tightness, building regulations require an air tightness figure of 10m3/h/m2 @ 50Pa. For the GHA, that figure is 2m3/h/ m2 @ 50Pa - it’s five times higher. With projects like this there is a level of insulation that you don’t tend to see elsewhere,” said Robin. “Making sure these homes are as energy efficient as possible is a huge priority because the better insulated they are, the less water and electricity

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

THE CONTRACTORS • Rihoy & Son

• Westglass 2000

• A7 Design

• P3 Facades and Interiors

• CBL Consulting

• Henderson Green • DW Stonemasons • WT Partnership • Bob Froome and • Sexton Green Sons • Norman Piette • Pulse Mechanical and Electrical

they use, which means they’re cheaper households to run.” To prevent the homes from becoming under-ventilated, an unwelcome side-effect of air tightness, the properties are fitted with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery systems, which provide fresh filtered air into the buildings, while extracting stale air. This prevents the build-up of moisture and airborne pollutants.

Guernsey Property and Construction

“We still had to dig a reception pit and a recovery pit, but it involved significantly less excavation than digging a trench to lay the drainage.”

Pont Colliche, which is named after an old footpath that existed between the main island of Guernsey and the then separate Clos du Valle, is not the only major development the GHA hopes to complete this year.

“Stopping work for two months wasn’t ideal. It’s not that easy to just stop a job and then jump back on,” Robin said.

“We put a lot of thought into designing homes that will help residents save money.”

The bad weather set us back about six weeks. So between that and lockdown, it was slow going. That said, we’re extremely happy with the finished build.”

By a stroke of luck, the UK specialists completed their work and left Guernsey just two days before the island went into lockdown.

“We want our homes to be energy efficient, from an environmental perspective, but it’s also very much about keeping costs down for residents,” said Andre.

The location of the 2,600 sq.m. site posed particular technical challenges. There is no main drain in the Saltpans Road - it is about 50 metres away from the site, and connecting to it was made all the more tricky by the amount of underground service cables. Digging the road up wasn’t an option.

“We used horizontal directional drilling, which required specialists from the UK. To put it simply, we drilled a hole and pulled the pipe through,” said Robin.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE ANOTHER 34 HOMES BEING BUILT FOR RENT AND PARTIAL OWNERSHIP PURCHASE ACROSS THREE SITES.

Clos Carre, Route des Clos Landais in St Saviour’s, comprises of 17 bungalows and houses, and it’s hoped residents can moved in by Christmas. As for 2021, there are further projects in the pipeline at Vallee Vinery, St Martin’s and Longfield, St Peter Port.

Work on Pont Colliche started on 29 October 2018 and finished in July 2020. In addition to lockdown, delays were also caused by particularly severe weather during the winter of 2019/2020.

“We currently have another 34 homes being built for rent and partial ownership purchase across three sites,” said Steve Williams, chief executive of the GHA.

“The weather was horrendous. We couldn’t get the render done or take the scaffolding down. It was so wet we couldn’t get the external envelope finished.

“We are actively working with States Housing on several land opportunities to try to ensure a steady flow of new affordable housing for the future.”

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GHA DEVELOPMENTS FOR 2020: • Pont Colliche, Saltpans Road, St Sampson’s: 20 apartments and houses, with 12 for rent and eight for partial ownership. • Le Grand Courtil, St Martin’s: Two new extra care apartments created within the existing extra care building with one apartment completed in March and the second in June, plus improvements to a residents communal room. • Shamrock Cottage, Les Mouilpieds, St Martin’s: an existing three bedroom bungalow being modernised and scheduled to be ready to rent by October. • Clos Carre, Route des Clos Landais, St Saviour’s: 17 bungalows and houses, with 10 for rent and seven for partial ownership, now due to complete in December 2020. • Likely completions in 2021: Vallee Vinery, St Martin’s: 16 houses, with nine for rent and seven for partial ownership, due to complete by May/June 2021. • Longfield, Maurepas Road, St Peter Port: Six houses, with two for rent and four for partial ownership, likely to be completed autumn 2021.

Guernsey Property and Construction

INDUSTRY NEWS

D&PA adopts Strategy for Nature reached, insofar as is lawful and proportionate under the Land Planning and Development (Guernsey) Law, 2005 and the relevant provisions of the Island Development Plan (IDP).

The Development & Planning Authority (D&PA) has adopted Guernsey’s Strategy for Nature Framework Document as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Supplementary Planning Guidance are documents covering a range of subjects which are provided for under the IDP, or another statutory plan, which give additional guidance for development on specific sites or particular issues. They assist developers, applicants and planning officers in discussions prior to the submission of planning applications and provide a context for the evaluation of planning applications.

This means the Strategy for Nature can now be taken into account when decisions on individual planning applications are being

Climate change mitigation is a planning consideration through IDP policies and the purposes of the Land Planning and

Development Law (2005) include ‘to preserve and promote biological diversity’. Adopting the Strategy for Nature as Supplementary Planning Guidance therefore supports these existing policies and legislation and gives further consideration to the natural environment in the development and planning process. Deputy Dawn Tindall, president of the D&PA, said: “This is a great example of how the ongoing review of States’ strategies can inform the interpretation of the IDP policies. We are, therefore, as a Committee very pleased to be able to adopt this Strategy to enable the promotion of the protection of our unique natural environment here on Guernsey.”

DLM expands team Oliver graduated from The University of Plymouth this year and impressed the team during a two week placement where he showcased his creative and technical abilities. He now joins the team as a Part 1 Architect.

DLM Architects has appointed Part 1 Graduate Oliver Toussaint to the Guernsey firm.

Oliver said: “I am a person that is passionate about design and love to solve problems in a creative way. I wanted to work for DLM as they take a modern and sustainable approach towards architecture, breathing a breath of fresh air to Guernsey’s architecture scene. I am excited to continue my architectural education alongside such a knowledgeable team.”

Managing director David De La Mare said: “We are delighted OIlie has joined the team. We offered a number of graduates placements this summer, with the disruption caused by Covid, the quality of Part 1 graduates was very high. Despite this Ollie really stood out. He showed high technical and creative ability during his placement and was also a great fit in the team. He joins DLM at time when we have a number of large and exciting projects, so we look forward to him starting his architectural career with us.”

Hirzel Street acquisition for CIPF The building, which spans 14,782 square feet, five floors and 20 parkingspaces, will be the headquarters of Oak Group Limited.

The Channel Islands Property Fund has acquired the Valley House office building in Hirzel Street for £7.7 million.

Guernsey Property and Construction

“Valley House is a modern office which has been comprehensively upgraded in the last year to meet the latest building requirements,” said Shelagh Mason, chairman of CIPF. “It is an ideal property to add to the portfolio of the Channel Islands Property Fund, which has a focus on investing in high specification commercial buildings.

“2020 has not been the year which was expected for the Channel Islands property market, but it’s positive to see that the residential market is picking up pace and that there is increasing activity in the commercial market.” CIPF’s portfolio includes offices in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

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Watts Property Consultants appoints chartered building surveyor In his new role, Mark will enable the firm to offer building consultancy, building surveying and contract administration services. He will also support the property management team and bolster the firm’s valuation services. Mark brings 23 years’ post qualification experience to the team and has worked as a building surveyor and valuer in Guernsey since 1994.

Guernsey commercial property specialist, Watts Property Consultants, has appointed chartered building surveyor and RICS registered valuer, Mark Johnson, to expand the firm’s service offering.

Modernisation of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital

Managing director, Joanna Watts, said: “We’re so pleased to bring Mark on board. His extensive experience will be invaluable in developing our service offering and supporting the team as we look to capitalise on new opportunities within the Channel Islands’ property market.

HSC has now reached the point in the programme where a preferred design has been selected and planning applications are being drafted. The first clinical areas are due to open in 2022 and the hospital is expected to be fully operational by 2027. The programme aims to resolve pressing clinical needs faced by the hospital in its current layout and will be in phases to minimise disruption to the site but still deliver within a relatively short timeframe - seven years in total.

Guernsey’s Committee for Health and Social Care (HSC) has reached another milestone in its PEH modernisation programme of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital (PEH).

Phase 1 includes the development of the critical care unit into a larger, more flexible unit; a refurbished post anaesthesia care unit (theatre recovery); new storage and chance facilities for theatres; and infrastructure

“Advising our clients when selling, purchasing, letting, valuing, developing and managing commercial property is a complex and multifaceted process. Being able to offer these services and combined expertise under one roof will make the process far more seamless for our clients.” Mark said: “It’s a really exciting time to be joining the business. Watts Property has an excellent reputation as a client focused and innovative business. It’s great to be part of this and I’m looking forward to developing their building consultancy and surveying services, as well as supporting the property management and valuation teams as they continue to grow.”

works including drainage, medical gases and electricity supply. Jan Coleman, director of hospital modernisation, said: “Building a hospital is an extremely complex programme and I am grateful to the staff from HSC and the MSG who have contributed so far to the various discussions and workshops that have resulted in the preferred design being identified. “A major capital project of this nature will act as a significant stimulus to the local economy and is a key element of the island’s Covid-19 recovery strategy. Specialist hospital development will require off-island expertise but will be supported by the local construction companies and will benefit the local economy.”

NP Group appoints new CEO The NP Group has announced John Bampkin as successor to Paul Rogers as group CEO.

The NP Group has announced John Bampkin as successor to Paul Rogers as group CEO.

John has many years’ experience in the builders’ merchant sector and an excellent commercial track record. He joined the NP Group following his most recent role as regional director of Jewson – one of the UK’s largest chains of building trade merchants. “I’ve been in the building trade business for all of my career, my last position with Jewson involved responsibility for circa 150 branches. To come to the NP Group will be a fantastic opportunity for me to understand the business,

share my knowledge and build on the excellent work that has already been done by Paul and the team here. I look forward to working with the management team to facilitate the company’s future business strategy,” said John. Paul will remain with the group in a consultancy capacity and as a non-executive director. During his tenure, the NP site in Guernsey has been substantially redeveloped with the wider Group also going from strength to strength. Paul said: “It has been a privilege to head up the NP Group during a period of huge change and I relish the prospect of assisting in taking forward the Group’s exciting plans for Jersey.” Guernsey Property and Construction

INDUSTRY NEWS

Ferbrache & Farrell expand UK real estate team

Experienced property lawyer Anna Douglass has joined Ferbrache & Farrell’s UK real estate team as counsel.

She moved to the firm from Collas Crill, where she spent more than six years working as a senior associate with primary responsibility for UK residential property transactions.

excited to join such an experienced and well-respected property team. This is a great opportunity to grow the UK real estate practice here,” said Anna.

Anna deals with all aspects of security work for private offshore banks, individual investors and asset managers in refinance of property portfolios. A dual Polish and British national, she also deals with all work relating to residential UK property, including investment buy-to-let property, new build developments, new lease work and work to rectify and extend old leases.

Head of Ferbrache & Farrell’s property department, Alastair Hargreaves, said: “Local property sales have seen an unprecedented spike since lockdown restrictions were lifted. We are also seeing very positive signs in the UK real estate, particularly as regards overseas investment. The addition of Anna to our team is hugely beneficial – she is very experienced and well-regarded. We are delighted to welcome her to Ferbrache & Farrell.”

“Ferbrache & Farrell has built a fantastic reputation within the industry and I am

Livingroom expands its open market team and lettings, and Amanda will be bringing her expertise to the open market, joining director Jason Hyland and Livingroom’s founder, CEO Simon Torode.

Livingroom Estate Agents has appointed Amanda Duke to its open market team in Guernsey. Livingroom’s Guernsey team works across the island’s local and open markets, in both sales

Further expansion at Cooper Brouard

Following the introduction of phase five of Guernsey’s lockdown exit programme, prospective island residents, who can buy on Guernsey’s open market, are allowed to visit the island for viewings under its ‘business tunnel’ policy. Livingroom’s team is also able to conduct video viewings for those who can’t, or don’t wish to, travel. Simon welcomed Amanda to the Livingroom team and said that she is joining at the perfect time: “Amanda joins us at a time of exceptional market activity so her experience

Cooper Brouard is continuing its planned growth with the appointment of an additional lettings and property management negotiator. Ross Yeates has joined the business, bringing with him over 10 years’ experience of local rentals and management. He said: “The thing I love about lettings and property management is that it is so varied, not just in the people you deal with but in the skills you need to draw on. It’s about being able to move quickly but pay attention to detail; to work with landlords and with tenants; negotiate firmly but be understanding of diverse situations and employ broad local knowledge as well as specific property expertise.

Guernsey Property and Construction

in people-facing roles will be invaluable as we manage huge demand. “The open market is equally as busy as the local market at the moment so growing the team is a logical step and the latest part of our growth journey in the Channel Islands. Amanda is a welcome addition to the team and I know that our clients are going to enjoy working with her.” Amanda said: “I’ve always had a real passion for property so I’m delighted to join Livingroom, which has such a strong reputation on the island and further afield. It’s a fascinating time for the housing market so I’m very much looking forward to meeting vendors and buyers and getting to work in such a dynamic role.”

“Cooper Brouard has a reputation for getting that mix just right, their hard work and exceptional service is driving their growth in this area, it’s an exciting time for them and I’m thrilled to be part of it.” Director Cathy Gallienne said: “We are very fortunate to be able to draw on Ross’ skills and experience at a time when we are seeing increased activity and business demand among the properties we are letting and managing. We know that he shares our company values of delivering a personal and tailored service to our clients and he will be playing a pivotal role in the future growth of the lettings and property management team.”

ISSUE 4 AUTUMN/WINTER 2020

Customer Service appointment at Skipton a Guernsey online retailer and he now feels the time is right for him to spearhead the organisation’s customer service. He said: “I am hugely fortunate in that Skipton International has a great infrastructure and key products to work with. As a people person, this is the ideal role for me.

Shane Konken has been promoted to head up Skipton International’s customer service team.

“My key goal is to improve and streamline our existing processes to make them even more customer friendly than they already are. With such a strong team behind me, and ongoing professional training support, I am excited to see what the future holds.”

Shane started his career at Skipton in 2016 following 10 years as operations manager at

Shane succeeds Kim Helmot, who is looking forward to retirement. Kim is a familiar face to

callers at the Guernsey office, having worked for Skipton International for 13 years. She was promoted to Customer Service Manager five years ago, something she says was a highlight of her career: “Having been with the organisation for so many years, I have been lucky enough to enjoy plenty of highlights. Receiving a diverse range of training courses has enhanced my skills and I was delighted to have been made manager five years ago. I will miss the regular customers and my amazing team greatly.”

Fitness hub to launch in Guernsey

A planning application to develop the Channel Islands’ first multi-tenancy premium fitness destination at the Island Bowl site on Victoria Avenue has been approved. Development work is set to start on Rock Health soon, with local building and property specialists already contracted to work on the seven-figure project. The design-led fitness hub, which is set to open its doors in 2021, will comprise seven contemporary exercise studios, modern and luxurious changing facilities, a relaxation lounge area and extensive parking. Guernsey-based commercial property specialists Watts Property Consultants acted as acquisition agents and are now instructed

in the lettings, with 45 per cent of the scheme already under offer. Luke Daynes, from Rock Health, said: “We’re thrilled to move forward with our plans to make Rock Health the Channel Islands’ first multi-tenancy fitness destination. “We have already had a very strong response from local and international fitness brands, who have been attracted by the centre’s contemporary design, convenient location and its potential as a premium community fitness hub.” Jo Watts, Managing Director at Watts Property Consultants, said: “It’s exciting to be working with Rock Health on such a unique project. It has been an unsettling time for the

construction industry but the scale of this development is a really positive story for the local economy and shows that Guernsey is very much open for business. “We have an active community in Guernsey and many islanders participate in sport and fitness activities. Rock Health offers fitness professionals and businesses the type of premium premises they need to grow their brand, in an environment which is purposebuilt for their needs and those of their clients. There is a real shortage of premises for the leisure industry in Guernsey and to have a product which ticks all the boxes will be a tremendous asset to the island as a whole.” The eight local market flats that are located on-site will be retained.

Guernsey Property and Construction

INDUSTRY NEWS

St James switches to electrical heating St James Concert and Assembly Hall in St Peter Port has taken its first steps to realising carbon neutral status by switching to electrical heating in the 200-year-old building. The initial stage has been completed and involved replacing two oil-fired boilers for the main hall and fitting electrical radiators and a heated air distribution system. Designed by local chartered consulting engineers, Henderson Green, and installed by Phase, who part-sponsored the works, the hall is now heated by imported, lower carbon electricity.

development as moving from oil to electricity reduces our heating costs and carbon footprint. The work was also scheduled so that we were still able to operate and keep the doors open to the public whilst the installation took place.” Vince Smith, head of energy solutions, Guernsey Electricity, said: “It was a fantastic project to be involved in and we are pleased to help this large community space transition to electricity, particularly as the supply is now from 100% renewable sources.” The project’s second phase will see the Dorey Centre also converted to electrical heating.

The first part of the project has come to fruition following fundraising by the St James Jubilee Foundation together with a small grant from the States of Guernsey. Jon Bisson, executive director of St James, said: “We are very excited by this recent

Celebrating

YEARS OF TRADING

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

What does the future hold? As DHS celebrates its 50th anniversary in Guernsey, managing director Martyn Duquemin considers its most unusual year yet, and stresses the importance of supporting local businesses through these turbulent times. From its humble beginnings, operating out of a small store in St Peter Port, DHS has been trading in the Channel Islands since 1970. Since then much has changed for the business. We are now trading out of a 40,000 sq. ft. storage facility with a multi-million pound turnover, have a large retail showroom and can boast some of the most experienced staff in our industry. DHS is an award-winning business, having won the Brand of the Year Award within our own National Group and taking the accolade of Industry Supplier of the Year at the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards in 2018. Our business continues to grow year on year and over the last five years we have expanded into building materials as well as the plumbing, heating, bathrooms and tiles that we are best known for.

THE STATES OF GUERNSEY HAS HANDLED THE PANDEMIC BRILLIANTLY AND SO FAR BUSINESS WITHIN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY APPEARS TO HAVE CONTINUED AS BEFORE.

This year has special meaning for all at DHS as it marks our 50th anniversary, something that we were all looking forward to celebrating with our customers. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we have had postpone most of the plans that we had in place but hopefully we can return to them when things get back to normal. Without a doubt, this year has been the most unusual trading year that many of us have ever experienced. At the end of April, one full month into the lockdown many of us had no real understanding of what the future held; some industries such as hospitality possibly still don’t. However, during this difficult time one thing has been clear, the islands are a great place to do business. They are a safe place to live and work and a stable environment which seems to avoid the large peaks and troughs seen in other jurisdictions.

hand. In our opinion, the key to ensuring that the States’ ‘Revive and Thrive’ strategy is successful is that we all need to protect local businesses and encourage everyone to buy local whenever possible, including the States of Guernsey itself. The High Street has been shrinking for many years, we have seen many big names go into liquidation over the past few years and I am sure that there will be many more to follow. The internet is having a detrimental effect on many industries and the merchant industry is no different. The perception from many is that the cost is lower on the internet but this is not always the case. Granted the ease of researching and the speed of deliveries is very tempting but at what cost to the island? Fewer jobs, less income tax take, less choice, and more waste. DHS carries almost £2m. worth of stock, giving our customers a huge choice. Our products are supported by local service engineers should anything go wrong with them and, above all else, we offer a free advisory service which is second to none and a fully insured design service something you will very rarely find on the internet. Investing in a new bathroom or heating system is a big decision for most of us, so when you do invest, you want to make sure the quality is right. True, you don’t want to overpay - but make no mistake, low quality products are a bad investment. DHS is a proud local business offering some of the best brands at competitive prices and a backup service that is second to none. We thank all our customers for their continued support and we look forward to serving the islands for the next 50 years and beyond.

The States of Guernsey has handled the pandemic brilliantly and so far business within the building industry appears to have continued as before. The housing market is also thriving which is a positive sign as these two industries often go hand in

Guernsey Property and Construction

Grow your savings with Skipton

Watching your savings grow is certainly rewarding. At Skipton we offer a range of competitive savings accounts giving you solid returns from an award winning bank.

Contact 01481 730730 Skipton International Limited (Skipton), registered in Guernsey: 30112, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Skipton Building Society. Skipton is licensed under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994, as amended. Skipton is a participant in the Guernsey Banking Deposit Compensation Scheme. The Scheme offers protection for ‘qualifying deposits’ up to £50,000, subject to certain limitations. The maximum total amount of compensation is capped at £100,000,000 in any 5 year period. Full details are available on the Scheme’s website www.dcs.gg or on request. To help maintain service and quality, telephone calls may be recorded and monitored.

L EG A L & FINANCE

TICK BOX. STANDARD ISSUE. RUN OF THE MILL. I WANT NONE OF THE ABOVE. Successful people arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t held back by convention. They avoid the predictable, using energy and ideas to achieve a success that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t defined only by how much money they have in the bank, but by a belief in living and working on their terms. This attitude makes us kindred spirits. If you like this approach, maybe we should talk.

Scott Philpott

Email: scott.philpott@investec-ci.com

Call: +44 (0)1481 706496

Minimum eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage. Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Investec Bank plc. This document is distributed by Investec stec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited which is licensed in Guernsey by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law,1994, as amended, and the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended, to carry on banking and investment business. Registered Address: Glategny Court, Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1WR. Registered Number: 5845. The Jersey Branch of Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission to carry on deposit taking business under the Banking Business (Jersey) Law 1991, ass amended. The Jersey Branch address is One The Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3QA. The Isle of Man Representative Office of Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited is regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority and its place of business address is Second Floor, The Old Courthouse, Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LD.

COMMENT

Construction and Covid-19: avoiding conflict Ogier partner Martyn Baudains explains why he believes a collaborative approach is needed to avoid construction disputes in the current climate. The potential for a dispute over construction projects has risen since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and could continue to be a risk for as long as the virus is in circulation. It’s essential that all parties concerned think carefully before pursuing lengthy and costly litigation, and, where possible, work on finding a solution that avoids it.

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CONSTRUCTION

The first thing that springs to mind for most people when we talk about Covid-19 is the period when we all had to lockdown. For some it made little difference to their work, but in most places it brought construction sites to a complete standstill. But it wasn’t just the construction sites that were affected – the manufacture of building materials and supply chains were affected too. Add to that the possibility of further lockdowns in any part of the world, possibly with little or no notice, and it’s possible that disruption to building projects could go on for some time yet.

MANY ISSUES THAT ARISE OUT OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS NEED DEALING WITH CAREFULLY EARLY ON TO AVOID THEM SPIRALLING INTO BIGGER ISSUES.

Construction projects are fertile ground for disputes at the best of times. The potential for a dispute has risen with these recent events. Many issues that arise out of construction contracts need dealing with carefully early on to avoid them spiralling into bigger issues – a failure to properly manage ‘bite-sized’ issues or frustrations at the outset can lead to larger, multifaceted, costly disputes further down the line.

HOW CAN PARTIES MANAGE OR AVOID A DISPUTE?

Open and frank dialogue between the parties early on is the simplest form of dispute resolution and an open conversation can quickly and cheaply put an end to some disputes. But if a matter cannot be resolved informally parties can become entrenched and a dispute can be expensive to resolve, especially when the dispute spills over into Court. The larger the project the greater the need for a quick, cost effective and commercial solution to avoid getting caught up in a costly legal dispute. The way to avoid costly legal action – with associated additional delays – is a collaborative approach.

TOP TIPS FOR MANAGING OR AVOIDING POTENTIAL DISPUTES: 1. Review your contracts and when considering changes or negotiating new contracts consider the effect of Covid-19, not only here but in other parts of the world. 2. When a dispute arises, or may arise, consider notifying your insurers. Some insurance policies require you to notify early or the insurer might refuse the claim. Insurers may appoint lawyers early on to try and prevent a situation from getting worse. 3. Act fairly and reasonably when administering contracts, again bearing in mind the impact of the pandemic elsewhere. Take a collaborative approach and discuss how additional costs might be shared; can works be resequenced or sectional completion added? Do you need an extension of time? Have relevant notices been properly issued? 4. Adopt a conciliatory approach to unfulfilled commitments – establish a dialogue. Reality test and optimise your position – weigh up the time and cost of an adversarial approach with the cost saving and benefit of a collaborative approach. 5. Keep careful records. Carefully document any discussions/agreements e.g. if agreeing to suspend or vary works, carefully record any discussions and agreement. 6. If agreement cannot be reached or looks unlikely, consider engaging the assistance of Ogier.

OGIER’S SERVICES

Our property expertise goes beyond transactional work – we are specialists in all elements of planning, construction and environmental law, including health and safety requirements. We are regularly called on to give advice to developers and landowners, providing a clear, responsive and commercially minded service that enables clients to take advantage of opportunities and mitigate risks. Our dispute resolution team has significant experience in dealing with construction disputes, acting for construction professionals, employers and the insurance companies. Guernsey Property and Construction

COMMENT

The return to the office Carey Olsen associate Kieran Ogilvie discusses the impact of Covid-19 on the demand for office space in Guernsey. With no on-island restrictions since 20 June, life in Guernsey, at the time of writing, has returned in many ways to as it was pre-Covid-19 – that is, no social distancing, no face masks, and all facilities open and operating as normal. The island, with its rounded economy, in part comprising a global leading offshore financial services and funds industry, and with a well-established, premium office space offering, can be looked at to consider what approach will be taken by businesses returning to the office post Covid-19 and what considerations the office sector itself may face in the future.

THE BENEFITS OF REMOTE WORKING, HOWEVER, SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED IN THE RETURN TO THE OFFICE. STAFF MAY PREFER THE FLEXIBILITY OF WORKING FROM HOME FOR AT LEAST PART OF THE WEEK, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS THEIR LIFESTYLE, COMMUTE TIME AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES.

When lockdown was introduced in Guernsey in March 2020, businesses had to quickly transfer staff to remote working and, for the most part, adapted to doing so fairly well. However, the complete lifting of on-island restrictions towards the end of June caused businesses to evaluate the remote working approach. In line with recent research undertaken by real estate firm, Savills, showing that 89% of respondents believe that physical office space remains a necessity, the majority of businesses in Guernsey have returned to the office but with more flexible and remote working options permitted. Factors considered relevant are: • Collaboration: there are many disciplines that rely on collaboration and team working in the same physical environment that video conferencing cannot recreate. The ad hoc sharing of ideas and discussions with colleagues and clients is less easily replicated remotely. • Social connections: many working from home have built up ‘social capital’ with colleagues and clients before lockdown, and that social capital would decline as time goes on. Maintaining and creating relationships is more difficult remotely. • Development: remote working is more difficult for junior staff to manage, with much practical training and support required and tending to be received from working closely with senior colleagues. • Separation: home working can create problems for parents juggling care for

Guernsey Property and Construction

children with work commitments, and the lack of separation of work and home lives can also adversely affect wellbeing. • Data protection: there is a recognition that processing personal data is more secure within a secured office space compared with the home environment. • Leases: many businesses are contractually committed to lease terms of a certain number of years and unless the lease expiry is in sight, firms are keen to make use of space they are obliged to pay rent for in the short to medium term. The benefits of remote working, however, should not be overlooked in the return to the office. Staff may prefer the flexibility of working from home for at least part of the week, particularly as regards their lifestyle, commute time and family responsibilities. For these reasons, the approach taken across many firms on the island has been to continue to permit flexible and remote working for the time being, on the understanding that the office remains the preferred default environment. The longer-term outlook for the office space environment is much more difficult to predict. The question of office and remote working generally will not be informed so much by the preference and wellbeing of staff, but by the technology available. The focus will be intensified on the ways in which new tech can automate certain office functions whilst retaining elements required for creativity or independent judgment and thought. It is that development that will most likely inform the progression of working practices and the consequent need for office space in the longer term. For now, however, it can be said that the approach taken in Guernsey tends to indicate that physical office space remains a necessity for firms to operate successfully in the short to medium term, but that flexibility around remote working is now integral to the working practice and wellbeing of staff.

Combining technical expertise with a commercial approach, our highly-experienced property team acts on a broad range of commercial real estate and development projects in Guernsey. Our work includes acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant agreements, financing and secured transactions, joint venture agreements as well as contentious and non-contentious matters, including planning appeals and other disputes. To find out more, contact:

Jason Morgan Partner

D +44 (0)1481 741563 E jason.morgan@careyolsen.com

Davey Le Marquand Partner

D +44 (0)1481 732009 E davey.lemarquand@careyolsen.com

With you every step of the way P R O P E R T Y L AW S P E C I A L I S T S CA RE Y H O U S E LES B AN QUES ST P ETER P ORT GY1 1B Z

BIGGER PICTURE careyolsen.com

INTERVIEW

INDUSTRY PROFILE:

CONVEYANCER

NICK LE POIDEVIN With 40 years of experience working in conveyancing in Guernsey, recently appointed lead conveyancer at Ogier, Nick Le Poidevin, has a wealth of knowledge regarding the sale and purchase of local property. He shared with us his career path over the past four decades, and what he’s learned along the way.

When Nick Le Poidevin left school in 1980 at 16 years old, his first job interview was for a role as a conveyancing clerk at local firm Ozanne Van Leuven & Perrot (now Mourant). Having impressed the late Roger Perrot enough at interview to be offered the position, it was the start of a long career for Nick in the industry. “When I started in the office there were nine support staff, five lawyers and me. Everyone was using manual typewriters except for the secretaries who had electric typewriters. We had one small photocopier, no fax machine and virtually everything was done by letter.” While the office set up may have looked fairly different to current work environments, Nick believes the training he received 40 years ago would serve a new starter today in good stead for a career in conveyancing.

Guernsey Property and Construction

“At the beginning, my main role was to undertake searches. I would also draft documents but everything had to be checked by my superiors and I had no client contact for at least two years. Looking back, I think it gave me a good grounding and I was certainly very well looked after. Conveyancing really is something you can only learn on the job – there are no exams and no books you can read. I had two people who mentored me – Cec Priaulx and Eddie Prentice – and they made sure I was properly trained from the start.” Nick freely admits that his conveyancing career came about by chance rather than design, but it was a fortuitous opportunity that turned out to be well suited to his personality and skills. “I enjoyed it right from the beginning. Cec and Eddie would often be laughing because I’d

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Conveyancer

constantly be asking for more to do. They would tell me something and I’d be questioning everything, always asking ‘what happens if?’ I have an inquisitive mind, which I think is really important for a conveyancer, along with a very high level of accuracy. While people obviously do make mistakes, the stakes are very high when it’s in regard to property purchases as there can be serious repercussions. Just one incorrect word in a document can make all the difference so there is quite a lot of pressure to not only get it right, but to get it right first time.” But when conveyancers like Nick do get it right, he says it’s a hugely rewarding job that marries technical knowledge with client relationships. “Buying a property, particularly when it comes to residential purchases, is a very important moment for many people. As a conveyancer, you’re dealing with them at this key period in their lives and it’s possible to build up quite a personal relationship. Having worked in the industry for so long, I’ve got a lot of repeat clients who I have dealt with many times. I feel that it’s a very important part of the job to build up a rapport and relationship with people.” As a conveyancer, Nick has a number of responsibilities when acting for a purchaser – all of which require attention to detail and a high level of accuracy. “Once the firm has been appointed and has reviewed the conditions of sale, we start with the all important searches. There are three elements to that. Firstly, the boundaries and current rights. It is important to not only look at the title deed for the relevant property, but to also research the titles of any neighbours. Boundaries are crucially important as you need to ensure that the deeds correspond with each other. I would also be looking for any rights as between the properties, for example, if you are dependent

FACTFILE

on a neighbouring property for access to your property I would be ensuring that the deeds of both properties reflect that.”

THE JOB

With those searches completed, Nick’s job is then to undertake more detailed title research in order to establish that any rights have been properly created. He often has to look a considerable way back to find the answers he needs.

A conveyancer is responsible for drafting the conveyance that will transfer a property from one owner to another. They review conditions of sale, carry out searches to ascertain title, and complete site visits at the relevant property. They will also often accompany the vendors or purchasers to the Conveyancing Court held at Guernsey’s Royal Court on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

“Prior to 1970, every document was written in French, which we often need to decipher to find the creation of rights and to ensure that we haven’t missed anything important. We are always on the lookout for rights that can affect the property, and there are sometimes some very unusual provisions, such as the right, in one particular property I can think of in St Peter Port, which allows for the neighbour to sit in a chair in another person’s rear yard and, in another case, a clause prohibiting the keeping of pigs on the property. More commonly, there can be clauses relating to the drawing of water from a well or clauses saying that an owner cannot increase the height of boundary walls etc.”

THE SKILLS Attention to detail is key as mistakes in conveyances can be costly and have major repercussions for vendors and purchasers. Research skills are important for Greffe and Cadastre searches. Local knowledge can also be useful when considering properties around the island.

THE QUALIFICATIONS No formal qualifications are required to work in as a conveyancer in Guernsey and there are no specific courses or training available outside the local legal firms. Most training is done ‘on the job’ with experienced practitioners guiding the trainee.

Vendors, purchasers and bond searches also need to be undertaken so as to ensure that the person selling the property actually owns the property that they purport to own and to establish whether there are any bonds (mortgages) secured on the property. “For conveyances from 1950 onwards, we can go onto the Cadastre system through Digimap to obtain copies of conveyances. But all other searches have to be done in person at the Greffe. All bonds, purchasers and vendors searches are completed manually, often literally by combing through pages of record books. It’s more labour intensive than I think many people would realise, but that research side of it is one of the things I really enjoy about the role.”

After so many years working at Mourant (through its various iterations), Nick has recently joined Ogier as lead conveyancer. But while the office may be new to him, the role and the people are very familiar.

I FEEL THAT IT’S VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE JOB TO BUILD UP A RAPPORT AND RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE.

“The legal property world in Guernsey is very small and I knew everybody well before I started, which is a very welcoming way to begin a job. I’m looking forward to continuing with the work I enjoy with this new team.” Guernsey Property and Construction

COMMENT

Guernsey property development – evolution or revolution? What does the future hold for property development in a postCovid 19 world? There’s a lot of talk about changing how we live our lives and especially the space we want to use, whether at home or at work. Scott Philpott of Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited concludes that whether this is evolution or revolution, the most successful development schemes will result from flexibility and close working partnerships.

The way we live and work has been transformed by the Covid-19 pandemic. There may be some, if not many, months to go before we achieve the heralded ‘new normal’, but property market data is beginning to emerge giving an indication of the opportunities for the future. Residential and commercial markets have been affected in different ways as homeowners, commercial tenants and landlords look again at how we live and work. The most obvious catalyst for this reappraisal is the acceleration towards more flexible working practices. As more employees and employers consider a new way of working, the space we use will become more relevant than ever. Our homes and our offices are shedding their old clothes and taking on a new fashion. This revolution presents opportunities for developers.

Guernsey Property and Construction

know his ‘back room’ team of lawyers, valuers, marketing agents and funders are prepared to play a proactive role in the success of the project.

For developers, this might accelerate or endorse their way of thinking to embrace the changing mindset of potential clients, as well as assembling project teams who understand and embrace the shifting priorities of their target markets.

In an island with a finite amount of land, securing a development site isn’t always straight-forward and sometimes, the developer needs to think outside the box and come up with a solution that works for all parties – they need to get the right deal done. This may involve, for instance, securing an option to buy the property, buying the site outright, or even entering into a joint venture with the property owner. Success in securing a site will be dependent on the track record and ability of the developer to deliver. Investec plays a crucial role here to work proactively with the developer to understand the deal, undertake an initial assessment and set out a proposed funding structure. Investec recognises that the quality and speed of service delivery is crucial to support the developer in the initial deal making.

SUCCESS FROM A STRONG TRACK RECORD At Investec, we have maintained a positive appetite to work with local property developers to create appropriately structured funding solutions and support their experience, determination and track record for delivering quality projects.

RESILIENCE IN THE GUERNSEY MARKET In Guernsey, recently published statistics for the property market show both resilience during lockdown and a swift recovery in market activity. In the residential market, there is an apparent shift The Haven towards informed purchasers who have a clear understanding

of their requirements and if possible, want to be party to the design of their home, perhaps to future proof it or just to create space that enables more efficient work/living space and investing in the latest technology. We are also more attuned to our environment and there is a growing desire to live in properties that are more energy efficient.

INVESTEC’S FOCUS IS ON A PARTNERSHIP BUILT ON THREE PILLARS: SERVICE, INNOVATION AND RELATIONSHIP.

Every successful development demands a collegiate partnership of architects and designers, project managers, main contractor, sub-contractors, structural engineers and quantity surveyors. The developer also needs to

DELIVERING ON EXPECTATIONS Investec’s focus is on a partnership built on three pillars: service, innovation and relationship.

Development sites can be secured in a variety of ways. The

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lender should play a key role in understanding the preferred funding structure of the developer in respect of the development site acquisition and subsequently, the development project itself and using their skill and experience, to arrive at a bespoke funding solution that meets the developer’s requirements. And finally, the strength of the relationship between lender and developer is crucial to a successful project. Inevitably, issues will arise during the course of a development project and if this relationship is strong, such issues can be quickly addressed and accommodated by experienced development lenders who can be trusted to present options and arrive at a mutually acceptable solution. Our highly experienced team is ‘hands on’ with all the local projects Investec is involved with; we are both responsive and responsible in our approach, working closely with the developer to give them the flexibility and confidence they need. With our knowledge of the Guernsey market and our access to intelligence and analysis of global economic trends, we are in a strong position to support appropriate development projects in the island.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL: INFINITY GROUP Paul Nobes of Infinity Group has a long-standing relationship with Investec. Infinity’s successful development of the former Hotel Dunchoille site into The Haven, a mix of contemporary and traditional apartments, was delivered on time despite the coronavirus outbreak. He says: “Every development is a journey and Investec came with us all the way, providing an innovative funding structure, informed guidance and understanding as the project evolved. Our relationship is built on trust and confidence enabling us to focus on what we need to do to deliver outstanding design and construction for islanders.”

The Haven

Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited is part of Investec Private Banking and a wholly owned subsidiary of Investec Bank plc. This document is distributed by Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited which is licensed in Guernsey by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under the Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law,1994, as amended, and the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended, to carry on banking and investment business. Registered Address: Glategny Court, Glategny Esplanade, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1WR. Registered Number: 5845. The Jersey Branch of Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission to carry on deposit taking business under the Banking Business (Jersey) Law 1991, as amended. The Jersey Branch address is One The Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3QA. The Isle of Man Representative Office of Investec Bank (Channel Islands) Limited is regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority and its place of business address is Second Floor, The Old Courthouse, Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LD.

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

WATTS PROPERTY CONSULTANTS When Watts Property Consultants won the commercial property agent of the year award at the 2019 Guernsey Property and Construction awards, it was a fitting tribute in a year that saw the firm celebrate its 10th anniversary. Following their award win, we spoke to managing director Joanna Watts about her career and how she has built up her business over the past decade.

When Jo Watts set up the thennamed Jones Watts Ltd in 2009, she did so in the belief there was a gap in the market for an independent firm dedicated solely to commercial property. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At the time, it seemed clear to me there was a need in the island for an independent firm. Some of the estate agencies had commercial arms, but I thought a purely commercial firm would be able to provide something different to the market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a strong vision for an agency that would do everything from valuation work to property management and deal with both

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landlords and tenants, providing a friendly and professional service with a multi-disciplinary team. At the same time, I had quite a technical background which I believed would be key to providing the service I was aiming for.”

In Guernsey, Jo went to work at property developer, Comprop, where she qualified as a surveyor and learned more about the local commercial property market. “At Comprop, I cut my teeth on Grade A office buildings, undertaking landlord and tenant work, dealing with lettings, agency work and general property management. It gave me a wealth of experience both in that type of work and the Guernsey property market.”

That technical background of Jo’s had been built up through a successful career in the industry, both in Guernsey and the UK. Having qualified with a first class honours degree in land economy degree from the University of Cambridge, she had studied areas as varied as law, economics, investment analysis, planning and architecture. “I’d always had a love for the built environment and my studies at Cambridge only consolidated my belief that it was the area in which I wanted to pursue my career. When I first graduated from university I worked at the major real estate management firm DTZ in London, which was very exciting and provided some great experience. Then, after various other roles in the UK and overseas, I moved back to Guernsey.”

With that experience under her belt, setting up her own firm seemed the logical next step for Jo, and she established the business in 2009. But her professional leap sadly coincided with a very difficult period in her personal life.

“I HAD A STRONG VISION FOR AN AGENCY THAT WOULD DO EVERYTHING FROM VALUATION WORK TO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AND DEAL WITH BOTH LANDLORDS AND TENANTS.

“I was planning to launch the business in August 2009 when my mum was suddenly diagnosed with cancer in the March of that year. She died within 11 weeks of her diagnosis so it was an incredibly difficult time as I was obviously grieving while having this lifechanging experience of starting my own firm. However, my mum knew what I was planning to do and was

hugely supportive so it was lovely to have shared the dream and vision with her.” Like many successful entrepreneurs, it has been the people behind her that have helped Jo make her firm successful from day one. In her case, friend and colleague, Viv Schreibke, who has been the mainstay of her team from the start. “When I was looking to set up the company I mentioned my plans to Viv. I said I needed somebody to run the office and asked if she could be that person. She’s now the finance and operations director for Watts & Co. Viv has enormous passion and vision and motivation and we worked really well as a team to get the firm established and build up the business.” In 2010, Jo and Viv were joined by Wing Lai, who she describes as an equally integral part of the team. Now the firm has grown to eight people, with its most recent appointment, chartered building surveyor Mark Johnson, expanding the services the firm can offer. Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE “As the business has grown, we have needed to keep moving forward and offering new services as the market demands it. We now have 400,000 sq. ft. of property under management and we have dealt with millions of pounds worth of investment sales. In fact, we have been involved in one way or another with pretty much every office building in St Peter Port.”

on many different levels. I think you really do have to keep your head and have a bit of grit about you to be successful in this area.” For Jo, that success also comes through having a broad range of income streams through the business. It’s something she’s been focused on from the start.

That experience stands them in good stead as they navigate the often tricky area of commercial property transactions. “Commercial property deals tend to be a lot more complicated than residential deals – there are a lot more issues to consider, ranging from planning, title and tenancy issues to change of use applications. Because there are a lot more matters to take into account, there is a lot more negotiation and case management

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ALONGSIDE OUR MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO WHICH HAS GROWN ORGANICALLY IN GUERNSEY YEAR ON YEAR, WE NOW ALSO MANAGE PROPERTIES IN JERSEY.

“We’ve made sure that as the company has progressed, we have built a balanced multidisciplinary business. We have always tried to offer all relevant services such as dealing with landlord/tenant relationships and areas such as rent negotiations, but in recent years we’ve expanded into areas such as residential valuations and mortgage valuations for the banks. We are on all the bank panels now for commercial lending, and an increasing number for residential. “Not only have we been a key part

of the team kick starting Admiral Park, but in recent years we’ve also been involved in a lot more investment sales. For example, we recently sold Carey House and we’ve been involved in the sales for Royal Chambers and Royal Bank Place. Alongside our management portfolio which has grown organically in Guernsey year on year, we now also manage properties in Jersey.” Jo has also carefully considered new appointments to ensure the services the firm offers are enhanced and potentially expanded. That has particularly been the case with the company’s most recent joiner, Mark Johnson. His appointment means that they can offer building surveying work on top of their other areas of expertise. “I’m delighted with Mark’s appointment and the expansion of our services. It’s an area that

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we were keen to move into, but we wanted to make sure that we had the right person who would fit into our team. Being a small, independent firm we are very nimble so once we decide to do something we are able to act on it very quickly. We knew Mark was the right person so we were able to recruit him speedily.” For Jo, that independent approach is crucial to how she runs her company. As part of the firm’s 10th anniversary celebrations in 2019, she decided to rebrand from Watts & Co to Watts Property Consultants. “As part of the rebrand we wanted to develop and launch a new website. Because we’re not answerable to a parent company or a large board sitting above us, we are able to make decisions like that without interference or delays. I felt that it was a worthwhile investment in the business that was necessary to ensure we kept moving forward.

competitors has also meant there are probably fewer players in the market now compared with when we first launched; it is certainly a sector that has evolved.” While the evolution of the industry has brought benefits for Jo, she admits that other changes, particularly in the regulatory environment, mean that there have been challenges along the way.

“We had only developed our website five years previously, but technology moves forward so quickly it was important that we had something that was better for mobile devices and was more efficient. The rebranding was also just a really nice way to properly mark our 10-year anniversary.”

“There is a lot more compliance now than there was when we started 10 years ago, which, whilst important, is time consuming and has also made the cost of business highe. That’s why we need to run an efficient and lean ship and operate as profitably as possible.

Having been in business for a decade, it’s unsurprising that Jo has seen some changes during her time at the helm, both in the industry and the market. “There are some new players in the market compared with a few years ago, such as the RED fund and the Channel Islands Property Fund. There is also quite a lot of new money and new investors in the island, who have confidence in our economy and have realised that it can generate positive returns. Dealing with investors like that can be very rewarding as the work becomes much more relationship based. As far as our industry colleagues are concerned, consolidations amongst our

WE UPHOLD TRADITIONAL VALUES WITH INTEGRITY AND RESPECT AND ALWAYS SEEK TO OFFER THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF SERVICE.

“I believe that there is still work for us to do inhouse in terms of processes and systems. We are always looking at increasing efficiencies and ensuring that we are as streamlined as possible. There are also other areas we want to develop and exciting schemes that will hopefully come online over the next 10 years.”

“When we had our fifth anniversary, we invited Giles Brandreth to speak at a dinner, which we held at the Farmhouse Hotel for all our clients. He gave a powerful, yet off the cuff, speech about the company, describing us as ‘as modern as tomorrow with a lot of time for yesterday’. “I remembered that the other day and thought that it really does capture who we are. We uphold traditional values with integrity and respect and always seek to offer the highest quality of service. Yet at the same time we aim to be progressive – we understand the importance of investing in IT and processes and in our staff and their training.” As for their award, it was something the team was delighted to receive. “It was a lovely evening of celebration and inspiration for the industry. As a team, we all really love what we do – we all share the vision of what Watts Property is and what defines the firm in terms of our corporate culture so we were really pleased to have that recognition and be part of the awards.”

But while Jo is already looking forward to the next decade, when asked to sum up the firm and its ethos, she says she looks back to their last major milestone.

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FEATURE

J G ARCHITECTURE As a design firm, J G Architecture is very aware of the importance of presentation. So when founder, James Gavey, was looking to move premises, he knew the new space needed to be something special. After a couple of years of searching, he found the ideal opportunity, and the team has recently moved into its new industrial styled space on the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s west coast.

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FEATURE

J G Architecture’s new home is a converted industrial unit a stone’s throw from Cobo beach. Even at first approach, the modern glazed frontage and carefully designed signage make it clear that the building’s humble origin as a builder’s store is certainly no more. In its place is a modern, well-designed unit that retains an industrial feel without compromising on style. For JGA founder James Gavey, it’s been a welcome move. “I really wanted to have a building where we could design the space ourselves, which isn’t very easy to find in Guernsey. Converting an industrial unit gave us so much scope to really put our mark on the design, and the location is definitely a bonus.” The firm’s previous office was a fairly compact space, with the team of

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four split over two small rooms and no meeting space. Those limitations directly affected what JGA was looking for in the new office – with open plan workspace and a substantial boardroom a priority. In addition, the design was carefully planned to not only meet the firm’s needs now but to factor in how that may evolve in the future. “Being able to have the space on two levels was definitely an attraction from the start, as it gave us the ability to separate our workspace above from the meeting spaces below and also add a wow factor when clients come into the office. For us, it was absolutely key that we have a good space for client meetings to not only ensure client privacy when discussing projects, but to leave the rest of the team in peace to continue working on other projects.”

For James, the wellbeing and morale of staff was an important factor in the design, with the use of the space carefully considered to ensure a good working environment.

THE DIFFERENT FINISHES THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING, ALONGSIDE QUIRKY FEATURES SUCH AS THE ABILITY TO ADD A LOFT NET FROM THE MEZZANINE SECTION, REALLY ADD INTEREST.

“We introduced skylights in the roof to improve natural light and ventilation, and we’ve incorporated items such as new chairs and sit-stand desks for the team to make their working lives more comfortable. We’ve also considered the practicalities of office life, so as well as the kitchen and toilets, we’ve put in a shower room to encourage staff to incorporate activity into their day.” Alongside the aim to make the staff’s working environment more positive, the building has also been designed to meet the needs of a working design office, with dedicated space for printing large plans and more space for storage.

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But while the layout of the building works on a practical level, it is the décor and finishing touches that really give it the impact. In keeping with the building’s origins, there is a definite industrial feel to the space, although the inspiration came from across the Atlantic. “We looked at different ideas for retaining the industrial feel and eventually settled on a New York inspired loft style. The different finishes throughout the building, alongside quirky features such as the ability to add a loft net from the mezzanine section, really add interest.” The bespoke look of the office has been designed to showcase to clients what JGA can offer, as they are able to offer interior design advice alongside their architectural services. “I think that personal tastes are important in this line of business, and this does show what I like. We’ve incorporated features such as crittall style windows, sliding doors and brick effect walls, which can serve to demonstrate to clients the type of things we could do for them in their projects. “The lighting design has also been particularly important in this space. We had a bespoke grid fabricated by an electrician for our boardroom, inspired by an idea I saw on Pinterest. These little quirky features have the impact and showcase what we can do.” While New York lofts may have served as the inspiration, the JGA office certainly doesn’t forget its Guernsey roots.

“We wanted to make sure we introduced some very local features so we have a stencil on the wall showing a local scene including the easily identifiable Town Church. We also have some artwork around the office from local artist Tiffany Matthews, and we are looking to develop that local input even further.”

WE HAD A REALLY GOOD BUILDING TEAM OF SUB-CONTRACTORS ON THIS PROJECT AND WE’RE DELIGHTED WITH THE RESULT.

From start to finish, the project has taken around 18 months. Planning permission had to be sought before any building work could commence, as the building use had to changed from industrial storage to office space. Once that had been granted,

work could begin to turn what was an empty shell into a modern office space. While Covid did cause some delays, James said the project was fairly straightforward without any unexpected surprises. “That smooth journey was in large part down to the team we had working on the project. We had a really good building team of subcontractors on this project and we’re delighted with the result.” That result may well evolve in the future, however, as the building has been designed with growth in mind.

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FEATURE

THE CONTRACTORS • M&R Construction • J Avery Electrics • Guernsey Trade Windows • Pure Plumbing • Norman Piette • Stainless Steel Fabrications • Channel Welders • CBL Consulting • Quantum • Rock IT

Before

• POS Interiors • Buster & Punch • Reclaimed Brick-tile • Peppermill Interiors • Loop • DWA Flooring • Carve Creative • Dowding Signs • Sound & Vision • Sure • Tiffany Anna Matthews • Jaine Vermeulen Gardens • The Drone Ranger After

The current team happily fits on the first floor, so there is still plenty of scope on the ground floor to open up more working space if necessary. For now, it’s mainly clients who will get to enjoy the benefits of that area. “The boardroom has been a key part of the design, both from a style point of view to serve as inspiration, and for the service it will allow us to offer clients as it gives us a great space to showcase our projects. As part of the build, we had a real focus on IT which will bring tangible benefits. “Design communication will improve dramatically with our new facilities. We can show clients

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exactly what we’re working on and provide 3D walkthroughs that will really help them picture how their design will look in reality.” But while James is focused on his clients and how they can benefit from the new space, he admits that he did enjoy running his own project from start to finish. “I had a clear vision from the beginning as to how I wanted the space to look, and it was very satisfying to then see that come to fruition. As a practice, we aim to do that for all of our projects and bring that feeling to all of our clients so that they are as happy in their space as we are in ours.”

JG Architecture Ltd are a friendly, open-minded Chartered Architectural Practice whose designs and spaces are inspired by people, context and light.

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COMMENT

Health and Safety in practice Almost 25 years after its previous version was developed, Guernsey’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been consulting with industry stakeholders on the new Guernsey Construction (Design and Management) 2020 Approved Code of Practice (ACoP). The HSE wants to find out what the industry feels would be a sensible approach to making health and safety accessible and effective. When Guernsey’s HSE began its conversations with industry on how to update the island’s code of practice, they outlined three options: to leave the original 1996 code in place; to adopt current UK regulations outright; or to find a middle ground similar to the approach Jersey implemented in 2017 and develop an island-specific code adapting the lessons learned elsewhere. Health and safety inspector, Matthew Coggins, has been the man in charge of the project and says the consensus amongst industry professionals was clearly to pursue the third option and develop a Guernsey-specific code similar to Jersey’s, which would benefit pan-island organisations.

AS FAR AS ENFORCEMENT GOES, WE WILL CERTAINLY HAVE A LEAD IN TIME TO ENSURE INDUSTRY CAN MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AND FACTOR THE NEW REQUIREMENTS INTO NEW PROJECTS.

“The current code of practice dates back to 1996, which was certainly accepted by industry as being outdated, and no longer fit for purpose. There has been a certain amount of confusion in recent years as HSE staff would be undertaking site visits and talking about modern standards, and the industry would still be relying on the outdated provisions. It put both sides in a difficult position.” With that situation ongoing, it has been clear that the 1996 provisions required updating, and the recent consultation has focused on how best to do that. For Matthew, whatever precise form the new code takes, it will certainly be an overall benefit to the industry. “We are keen to follow the UK’s example and promote Safety Schemes in Procurement, which will require checks to be carried out before any work commences. A central database will hold relevant information so a health and safety coordinator is able to simply check that and know that all relevant training, experience etc has been completed. We are aware that the requirement may be a little onerous at first, but we are hopeful it will develop a good health and safety culture at all levels.”

Unlike regulations, a Code of Practice is not legally binding. However, it is a quasi-legal document which does bring responsibilities for those in the industry, as Matthew explains. “If an industry professional follows what is in the ACoP then they will have complied with the minimum required within the health and safety ordinance. If an incident occurs, their actions will first of all be compared with the requirements under the ACoP and if they have met them then they will have met their responsibilities. It is therefore recognised within the industry as having legal standing without having the prescriptive nature of regulation.” Matthew admits that the feedback from industry on the ACoP has raised some concerns, including the financial implications of the new requirements and the way in which it will be enforced. “The intention is certainly not for the new code to be too much of a burden to industry – anyone involved in leading the project who wants to take on the coordinator role can do so, whether that is the designer or the principal contractor. As far as enforcement goes, we will certainly have a lead in time to ensure industry can make adjustments and factor the new requirements into new projects.” As well as the open consultation, the HSE has spoken with organisations such as the CIOB, GBTEA, Guernsey Chamber of Commerce and GOSHA. While the precise nature of the new ACoP is still be decided, what is for certain is that it will be updated much more frequently than its predecessor. The HSE wants to consider it a ‘living document’ that will be reviewed every couple of years to ensure it meets the needs of industry and achieves its objective of keeping those working within the sector safe. The consultation has now closed and the HSE will be considering the responses before finalising the proposed document. In the meantime, you can find more information and updates on the proposed Code of Practice at www.gov.gg/hse Guernsey Property and Construction

COMMENT

Team management in the age of remote working Following the recent sharp rise in people working from home, Scott Crittell of the Association for Project Management considers how to successfully manage a team from a distance.

IT REMAINS KEY TO FIND A TIME TO BRING TEAM MEMBERS TOGETHER: ALL TEAM MEMBERS MUST UNDERSTAND THAT WORKING TOGETHER MAY NOW REQUIRE EVEN GREATER SENSITIVITY TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS.

In the previous issue, I introduced the Association for Project Management (APM) as the Chartered Body for the project profession, which covers all industry sectors as a benchmark for progressive change. I now want to talk about one of the distinct skill-set areas, or ‘competencies’, of project management. The APM currently identifies 27 competencies that project professionals should understand and use.

will not be able to work as effectively in the day due to children or other distractions. Flexibility of working hours is also likely to be more normal as remote working becomes more prevalent. However, it remains key to find a time to bring team members together: all team members must understand that working together may now require even greater sensitivity to achieve success.

In the current climate, among the most important competencies is active team management, which remote working makes even more challenging. Teams are made of individuals and if even one individual is not fully integrated, the team will be less productive or sometimes, at worst, implode! It only takes one individual to spread discord and undermine the team’s operation.

Secondly, some team members may lack the right equipment or have poorer connectivity performance than others, which a team leader should quickly identify. Performance resolution would be a different article but it is relevant to mention providing IT equipment for staff homes as this moves business continuity into normal operation, and perhaps saves on dedicated recovery space. This may be important also in reducing stress for team members, who may be trying to use home devices which are not business-safe or which, perhaps, are in demand elsewhere within the household.

It is clear that while remote working has its place (even after the virus), it still poses new considerations for team management and productivity. Prolonged isolation can be stressful, with team members potentially filling contact voids with their own perceptions that may be incorrect. To prevent problems, ongoing meetings of the team as a group, and separately with all the individuals of the team, are needed. This will be time consuming for the team leader, but it allows a full assessment of the team collectively and of its members individually. It will also help to avoid any potential misconceptions. Sadly, having a chat over a coffee with one, some, or all of your team may not be as easy in the future, and it will take longer (when doing so remotely) to gain the same emotional connection or for everyone to feel included. Some will also need time and space to adapt to online meeting technology and to contribute in this manner. If someone is quiet, perhaps follow up with the individual after the call. There are two further considerations to mention. Firstly, you may find that your team members have different preferences for working hours. Some

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It seems clear that large-scale remote working has been a success and will surely continue as part of the future workplace. It will require us to pay more attention to the people though rather than the technology, if remote working is to be truly effective, which adds a new twist to team management. Reducing email communication and increasing time to use audio and visual media instead may help. Just don’t be surprised if a child, pet, or partner appears in the background, hopefully not doing anything too embarrassing!

COMMENT

WORKING WITHIN LOCKDOWN As the island moves towards a ‘new normal’, chair of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce Construction Industry Group, Tim Guilbert, reflects upon and records some of the experiences that he and others in the industry have had this year during the Covid-19 crisis.

Of course, I can only start by saying that none of us could have possibly foretold the way in which this pandemic not only swept through the world but swiftly affected every possible aspect of our business lives, not least by leading to the ceasing of trading for all but the smallest number of critical businesses.

WE CAN SAY THAT ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES OF THE LAST SIX MONTHS OR SO HAVE BEEN TOUGH AND VERY SAD THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN REFLECTIONS AND SUCCESSES TOO.

Quite understandably, the States of Guernsey and their health advisors were plunged into a completely new world and naturally found themselves thrashing around for every possible piece of evidence and advice to guide our Bailiwick through this torrid time. One has to say the emergency spawned a period, which at first appeared to be a new and exciting form of government with bold leadership, evidence-based logical, but cautious, advice, backed quickly by legislation and a different feel about the way in which business was done, including a new sense of working together. Sadly, as our emergence from lockdown has progressed and our new normal has become increasingly tangible, we have seen some return to the old way of doing things, but I, and many others with whom I have spoken, hope that the experiences of working together to overcome what was a largely unknown foe will in fact refocus our collective minds on working together in the future. So why might we say this? Well, for a start, I believe the Covid period showed that we have some amazing home-grown talents and an unbreakable spirit of standing shoulder to shoulder in times of trouble. Within days, everything from food banks to shopping for neighbours and just

remembering to ring the elderly had become the norm and surely nobody could have missed the tangible feeling of ‘Guernsey Together’ which was of course so much more than a mere saying! Many businesses reported what could have been called a catastrophic collapse of income and profitability and of course many business owners stared down the proverbial barrel of financial ruin. However, I experienced many phone calls with many such people and very few of those conversations consisted of the desperation we may have expected - with most rooted in hope and in confidence in the future. Of course, any summary of reflections of Covid would not be complete without acknowledging that there were also many successes. Some companies quickly adapted to do different things and quite a few people found a new “me” amid the turmoil, finding rare time for family and downtime in the lockdown that shall for ever colour their lives as we experience the new norm. So, I think we can say that although some of the experiences of the last six months or so have been tough and very sad, there have also been reflections and successes too. I’d like to finish by congratulating our government on what was a strong performance, both from leadership and a communications perspective, but also to urge those that are successful in the upcoming election to embrace the amazing skills and sense of belonging and togetherness that we as true Guerns possess and which we showed, once again, when faced with adversity.

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COMMENT

The 2000s: a decade of opportunities and challenges In the previous issue of this magazine, secretary of the Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association (GBTEA), Brian Singleton, considered the origins of the organisation and its historical achievements since it was formed in 1918. In this column, he looks back to records from the turn of the century to consider its more recent history. The start of the 21st century was a very busy time for the industry in Guernsey. Major States projects such as the building of schools and the new airport terminal coincided with a flurry of activity in the private sector including the Admiral Park development. It was a period of opportunity but also challenges.

LAND FOR INDUSTRY WAS STILL A MAJOR CONCERN AND WE CONTINUED TO LOBBY THIS POINT AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

2003: According to our president at the time, the industry was facing one of its sternest tests. He believed the construction industry in Guernsey was in danger of collapse if the States didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t act decisively and quickly. The problem wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t due to the industry overheating. Rather, it seemed the way the States was managing its projects was totally inappropriate for Guernsey. They were adopting UK practices with extremely expensive UK consultants. These practices made it difficult, even near impossible, and at the least very unattractive for local companies to tender for projects that they were well capable of carrying out. If this trend continued, we envisaged all States projects being carried out by UK contractors. The result of that would be the disintegration of our local industry, including no training or employment of locals, and all revenue going out of the island. This would filter down to all levels, affecting all local main contractors and their subcontractors. 2004: As the decade progressed, the appearance and nature of the building industry was quite different from that encountered at its start. When some of the large construction projects finished, including the airport, the Savoy development and the first phase of the Royal Hotel development, they were not replaced with projects of a comparable size. This resulted in a surplus of labour, especially as some of the UK workers

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involved wished to stay in the island. We had to ensure wherever possible that we used local labour, provided they had the requisite skills to do the job. The fact there were fewer major projects work and the States was cutting back budgets means that the industry was likely to continue at a lower level of turnover. This inevitably filters down to all levels of the building industry and we were already seeing smaller builders becoming short of work with less planned for the near future. 2007-2008: These proved to be challenging years for some members, with cutbacks in States expenditure bringing a declining workload to some sectors of the industry. 2008 saw the introduction of the Zero 10 tax strategy, although we were optimistic our members would meet that challenge and continue to prosper. A Waste Forum was established in which the GBTEA played an active part. Waste disposal was becoming an increasingly significant issue within the industry as waste charges continued to rise and land for disposal continued to shrink. The recycling of construction waste continued to be a growth area. Land for industry was still a major concern and we continued to lobby this point at every opportunity. 2009: Our president was unsure what effect the recession was having on our industry as the bigger firms were committed to the larger projects; however, these were starting to come to an end and they were looking to take on smaller works which have traditionally been undertaken by the smaller contractors. With this article taking us up to the turn of the decade, look out in the next issue of the magazine for the achievements of the GBTEA over the past 10 years to the present day.

AWARDS

GUERNSEY PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION AWARDS Covid-19 and our local lockdown has had a major impact on the industry this year, with projects delayed and work stopped on many sites. Following such a turbulent time, and with a certain amount of uncertainty ongoing, the organisers of the Guernsey Property & Construction Awards have made the difficult decision to cancel the event scheduled for Thursday 12 November 2020. “There is an enormous amount of work leading up to the gala dinner involving inviting nominations, submissions, judging etc and due to the very difficult position everyone within the industry is facing at the moment, it is not felt appropriate to hold the awards this year,” said a spokesperson for the organising committee. “It was also felt that to hold a gala dinner in November will be too early for those in the industry after coming out of a very unsettling period of time.” While the 2020 event has been cancelled, work is already progressing on planning next year’s gala evening, which will be taking place in November as usual. The organisers are determined that the 2021 event will be worth the wait, and with two years of successes to celebrate, the construction industry will no doubt be keen to showcase their achievements.

CATEGORIES With the 2020 awards cancelled, there will be even more competition among the entries in 2021 so it’s definitely worth planning your nominations early. While there may be some tweaks next year, the 2019 awards included the following categories:

• CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD • COMMERCIAL PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD • RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD • ASPIRING STAR AWARD • INDUSTRY SUPPLIER AWARD • ENGINEERING PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD • INNOVATION AWARD • LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

WATCH THIS SPACE The date and arrangements for the Property and Construction Awards gala evening in 2021 will be announced shortly and we will have full details in the magazine, along with the all important information on how to nominate and enter next year’s awards. Guernsey Property and Construction

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GA R D E N S & LANDSCAPING

Guernsey Property and Construction

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

PLANTING WITH INTENT Horticulturist Jack Etheridge, founder of Auburn Gardens, shares his passion for creating spaces inspired and influenced by the wild environment, and offers some advice to those looking for a more natural approach to gardening.

Wildflower meadows, woodland scenes, untouched prairies, an unmown field … nature is the world’s best garden designer.

area, governed by a variety of factors. These range from plant hardiness to soil type and from individual tastes to the effect on a client’s bank balance.

When I’m planning a new planting design, I always think of the above and ask myself: “What works in nature? What looks good, and can I predict which plants will thrive and which will fail?” Luckily, with Guernsey’s diverse wild areas, it’s easy to be inspired. There are many things to consider when introducing plants to an

Guernsey Property and Construction

FOR SOME SERIOUS HEIGHT AND A BOLD STATEMENT, TRY CALAMAGROSTIS KARL FOERSTER.

For a long while, I have been a huge fan of drift planting, also known as prairie planting. The basis of this involves planting large swathes of a restricted palette of plants into blocks, with normally no more than eight varieties in a standard sized bed. It’s almost as if a border or a planter is a blank canvas and you are the artist making large moving brush strokes across the soil with a

vast range of flowering perennials, ornamental grasses and even specimen shrubs and wild roses. Mirroring a natural scene may appear like an easy task, but it actually requires careful planning. It is important to consider the seasons, think about what your choice of plants will look like yearround and, controversially, not disregard certain forms of a plant which may traditionally be removed. While it may not be to everyone’s taste, try leaving spent seed pods and refrain from ‘dead heading’ every now and again - not only

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is there an unsung beauty in, for example, Echinacea flower heads that are ‘past their time’, but these plants can also be an important food source for insects and birds. Drift planting was brought to the contemporary garden design scene by my all time favourite garden designer, Piet Oudolf. He recognised the natural beauty in planting in this style and felt trapped by the traditional formal planting designs typically used in the industry. No longer were trimmed box balls, lollipop bay trees and perfectly pruned roses filling the show gardens at Chelsea. Drift planting is bold, confident and experimental. When setting out a new border or planter, I like to split the plant choices into three different tiers: a base line, mid line and top line. The base line forms the bulk of the border. This is usually ornamental grasses or some heavy-foliage shrubs; however, some grasses can be planted as singular specimens due to the size they can reach once established. In shady sheltered areas ferns make a great alternative. My favourites include Stipa tenuissima - also known as ponytail grass. It’s an absolute star, very easy to care for, can handle a fairly poor sandy soil and looks very dramatic in the wind, with its ‘ponytails’ being the seed pods later in the year that can double its size. Other grasses to try and include are Miscanthus sinensis - another reliable winner with thin heavy foliage for at least 10 months a year and tall feather-like wispy seed heads that appear later in the year - when they catch the setting sun they really sing - or, for some serious height and a bold statement, try Calamagrostis karl foerster; these work especially well at the back of a border or as screening. Mid line plants would include flowering perennials that have both interesting bulky foliage and

colourful flowers. These would include different varieties of Salvia for deep blues through to bright pinks and lush foliage. Don’t be scared to use Purple Sage in a border either. My other go-to choices would include Astilbe’s, Guara ‘Whirling butterfly’, Acanthus spinosis and even Agapanthus. Of course, there is always space for the local favourite Echium, I like to use the ‘bush’ variety, which is a perennial rather than a bi-annual, as it has the most intense vibrant purple spires which are absolutely adored by bees and butterflies.

LAST BUT BY NO MEANS LEAST THERE IS ALWAYS A PLACE FOR THE WACKY SHOW STOPPER ERYNGIUM BOURGATII - THE MEDITERRANEAN BRIGHT BLUE SEA HOLLY. ITS INCREDIBLE BLUE SPIKES CUT THROUGH OTHER SHADES IN THE BED WITH STARK CONFIDENCE.

Finally, the top line plants are the ones that sing out louder than the rest, the trumpet in a brass band. These plants are typically not as long lasting as the rest in the border, so it’s important to have a few appearing at different times of the year. In late spring assorted Alliums popping up through a bed is enough to get anyone excited for the summer with the perfect balls in a vast array of colours which will keep coming back year after year. My advice here is to buy bulbs as they are so much cheaper than potted plants and will settle in better. My other favourites are Echinacea purpurea, Verbena bonariensis and Echinops ritro, all of which

come with a dazzling array of vivid colours. They all like full sun and can handle exposed positions. Last but by no means least, there is always a place for the wacky show stopper Eryngium bourgatii - the Mediterranean bright blue sea holly. Its incredible blue spikes cut through other shades in the bed with stark confidence. A garden is not a stagnant space, and it definitely shouldn’t be treated as such. We naturally get too attached to ‘maintenance’ and keeping things just so, but when planting using the above ideas, you just can’t expect it to stay like how it looks on a plan, nor should you want it to. Let nature have her way. Some plants will thrive and some will die off, others will become entangled. Birds will drop blackberry seeds, the dog will bring in burs from burdock plants growing on the cliffs, or you’ll get excited at the discount area in the garden centre …. There’s an endless selection of plants to explore - far too many to include in this article - but it’s all about experimentation. Look to nature for inspiration, do some research, allow yourself some trial and error and I promise that you will never look back.

Guernsey Property and Construction

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

PLANTING THROUGH THE SEASONS Recent global events have seen many of us turn inwards and consider the island’s self-sufficiency, or lack thereof. While a world without imported food stuffs is inconceivable, many fresh fruits and vegetables can be grown much closer to home. If you have a garden with space for a vegetable patch or a small greenhouse, here is our guide to what you should think about planting over the next year. And bear in mind, decreasing the air miles often means increasing the flavour.

AUTUMN

September / October / November

As we move into autumn, it often feels like the natural world is dying back rather than looking to produce crops for our consumption. But with a well organised garden, you can certainly have a bountiful autumn harvest, and plant with an eye to the upcoming seasons. WHAT TO PLANT: With an eye to next spring, it is possible to plant a number of crops which will survive the winter. Some varieties of spring onions can go in now, along with onions for an early crop next year. Lettuce is surprisingly hardy and can be planted in autumn, as can spring cabbages. WHAT TO HARVEST: Autumnal crops include the squash and pumpkins we are used to seeing at this time of year. Potatoes are also available, along with runner beans and French beans.

EXTENDING THE GROWING SEASON Even when the weather gets colder, it’s possible to keep your crops healthy. You can protect many crops throughout the winter and early spring by using fleece, cold frames and cloches. Pots and containers can be covered with cardboard or hessian to insulate them, and can also be packed with straw or bubble wrap for extra protection from the cold. If you’re using a greenhouse or polytunnel, the crops will be sheltered but will still need extra insulation. Use deep pots or prepared grow bags inside the greenhouse for an extra layer of protection for your vegetables.

Guernsey Property and Construction

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WINTER

December / January / February

As the real chill of winter sets it, it obviously isn’t a season to be planting much. But it is a time when you can think about cultivating some crops inside, and that hard winter ground can still yield up some delights for the gardeners who have put the effort in earlier in the year. WHAT TO PLANT: There isn’t a lot that can go into the ground at this time of year, so it’s definitely a time to think about planning rather than planting. But you can put garlic out at this time, which actually benefits from a period of cold. Onions can also be a good crop to plant if you have a greenhouse. WHAT TO HARVEST: Winter crops are perfect for some comforting winter meals. Leeks are often ready at this time of year, as are parsnips, brussel sprouts and sprouting broccoli. Winter brassicas such as kale, cabbage and cauliflowers are also best harvested when ready now.

SPRING

March / April / May

For any gardener, spring is a busy time of year – and if you’re looking to get some fruit and vegetable crops in, it’s definitely a time to get your hands dirty. The hard work now will pay off later when those crops come through. WHAT TO PLANT: There is plenty to plant at this time of year, which can provide food for your table for many months to come. Spring is a good time to put in everything from brussel sprouts, potatoes, carrots and cabbage to the summer staples of lettuce, radishes and spinach. If you’d like some sweet treats over the summer, plant raspberries and other cane fruits early on in the season and don’t forget the strawberries. WHAT TO HARVEST: Early spring can certainly be described as the ‘hungry gap’ between the last of the winter crops and the start of the early crops. But as the season progresses, there will be more available. Early salad crops such as radishes and fast lettuces will be ready, as well as spring cabbage, broccoli, early peas and sprouting broccoli. If you’ve planted asparagus, you may also be in for a real treat in late springtime.

SUMMER

June / July / August

Summer is obviously an enjoyable time to be out in the garden, and there’s plenty you can do to be productive during the season. Many crops will need picking and caring for, and there is also lots to be done to prepare for the months ahead. WHAT TO PLANT: There is a range of crops that can be planted during the summer, from hardier produce such as calabrese and carrots to the more delicate peas, sweetcorn and spinach. It’s also a good time to put in beans and beetroot. WHAT TO HARVEST: You will really benefit from the fruits of your earlier labour during the summer. There are often some real treats during the summer months, including strawberries and raspberries as well as delicious peas and tomatoes. If you have fruit trees, apples and pears will also be available for picking later in the season. Guernsey Property and Construction

GARDENS & LANDSCAPING

New garden to commemorate Victor Hugo A statue of Victor Hugo has surveyed St Peter Port from Candie Gardens for more than 100 years. Now a new scheme will further mark the French author’s influence in the island, with an area of the gardens designed and named in his honour.

Victor Hugo’s exile in Guernsey has been marked by a statue in Candie Gardens since 1914. Now that statue will be surrounded by a fitting tribute to the famous writer, who penned works including ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Les Travailleurs de la mer’ during his time in the island. 30-time Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist, Raymond Evison, is designing a garden to honour the author, which will be located on either side of the stone steps leading down to the statue.

VICTOR HUGO HAD A DEEP FEELING FOR THE UNSPOILED NATURAL WORLD AND LOVED GARDENS THAT WERE UNTAMED AND POPULATED WITH BIRDS AND INSECTS. ELEMENTS OF THE GARDEN DESIGN REFLECT THIS LOVE OF WILDNESS AND NATURE.

The scheme has been supported by both the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society and the States Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services. The design is to reflect both Hugo’s passion for trees and plants and his unshakeable belief in freedom and liberty for all. For Raymond, it has been a carefully considered design project: “Members of the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society have provided detailed research into Hugo’s favourite varieties of plants, along with those reflected in his writing and that echo the people that were dear to him. We are taking particular care in the selection of plants and shrubs for the garden, sourcing varieties

from both Guernsey and France, to reflect Hugo’s French heritage and his adopted homeland.” Chair of the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society, Dinah Bott, believes that it will reflect the author’s personality: “Victor Hugo had a deep feeling for the unspoiled natural world and loved gardens that were untamed and populated with birds and insects. Elements of the garden design reflect this love of wildness and nature.” VisitGuernsey is keen to promote the island’s links with Victor Hugo and director of marketing and tourism at VisitGuernsey, Mike Hopkins, said: “We are extremely grateful to both Raymond and the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society for supporting this exciting initiative. This is one of a series of projects to be unveiled, which seek to celebrate the life and works of Victor Hugo through the creation of new and exciting Victor Hugo themed product initiatives and events for locals and visitors to experience and enjoy.” It was originally planned to plant the garden earlier this year, but the island’s Covid-19 lockdown affected the schedule. Planting is now due to happen shortly, with the garden due to be launched early in 2021.

THE STATUE Designed by Jean Boucher, the statue was made in around 1913 for the Sociéte Victor Hugo and was purchased by the French government for 30,000 francs (£1,291). The statue was shipped to Guernsey on a French government dockyard steamboat before being transported to Candie on a trolley pulled by a steamroller, and was publicly unveiled in a ceremony on 7 July 1914. The stone statue is mounted on a limestone base which sits on a block of Jaonneuse granite from a quarry at L’Ancresse. It weighs 9,800kg and is now a protected monument.

Guernsey Property and Construction

Innovative garden design | Bespoke landscaping | Qualified garden care

FEATURE

GUERNSEY DESIGN AWARDS 2020 This year’s Guernsey Design Awards presentation evening was another casualty of Covid-19. Rather than the planned ceremony, organisers put on a live video broadcast to announce the winners of the award categories. But the lack of ceremony was no indication of a lack of talent in the island, with a plethora of worthy winners picking up the coveted awards.

WINNER - PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER - HERITAGE Le Prinseau Architects: SOUP Architects Contractor: Homefield Services Client: Jamie & Julie Le Gallez

WINNER - SMALL PROJECTS (UP TO £250,000)

WINNER - SINGLE RESIDENTIAL NEW BUILD

Piemaran

Cedar House

Architects: Paul Langlois Architects Contractor: Ravenscroft Construction Ltd Client: Roger Langlois

Architects: Turnstone Architecture Limited Contractor: Wells Construction & Engineering Client: Mr & Mrs R David

Guernsey Property and Construction

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HIGHLY COMMENDED - HERITAGE

WINNER - SINGLE RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION/EXTENSION

Maison de Victor Hugo – Hauteville House

Les Massies

Architects: Arch-R Sarl d’Architecture Contractor: Les Ateliers Aubert-Labansat Client: Etablissement Public Paris Musées

Architects: DLM Architects Contractor: C A Duquemin Ltd Client: Mr N Carey

WINNER - COMMERCIAL

WINNER - PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE AWARD

Children’s Library Project

Icart de Bas

Architects: CCD Architects Contractor: R&D de Jersey Client: The Trustees and Librarians of the Guille-Alles Library

Architects: PF+A Contractor: JW Rihoy & Son Ltd Client: Mr & Mrs Peter Ball

WINNER MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Beauville Architects: Tyrrell Dowinton Associates Contractor: RG Falla Ltd Client: Guernsey Housing Association LBG

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

LA VALLETTE With planning permission granted for the ambitious plans to rejuvenate St Peter Portâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic bathing pools, we take a look at how the Vive La Vallette charity is hoping to breathe new life into the area.

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La Vallette Bathing Pools were once one of Guernsey’s busiest tourist hotspots, a safe yet scenic location for visitors and locals to enjoy saltwater swimming. Today, it remains a popular spot to eat ice cream and drink in the views, but it’s most frequently used by a loyal band of devoted swimmers who turn up to take the plunge come rain or shine. While a regeneration project was undertaken by volunteers in 2015, the Victorian pools still require constant maintenance and the changing facilities, built in 1930, would benefit from an upgrade. It might be a muchloved area, but it’s very much in need of care and attention. Stepping up to the plate is Vive La Vallette LBG, a Guernseyregistered charity proposing a £1.5m redevelopment of the area

into a multi-purpose space that can be used by the community 365 days of the year - all while maintaining its old-school kiosk feel.

WE’VE GOT A LOT OF IDEAS FOR THE SURROUNDING AREA, TOO. FROM STREET FOOD, MARKET STALLS THROUGH TO LIVE MUSIC, WE WANT TO MAKE IT AN IMPORTANT, THRIVING PART OF TOWN

It plans for the site to become a social enterprise, with refurbished changing rooms, and a café offering food with a focus on quality, health and affordability. Profits will be reinvested in the facilities and the surrounding area. Whether you’re in a bathing suit, work suit, workman’s boots or hiking boots, the idea is that everyone will be welcome to enjoy the area.

“It’s a site with enormous potential and we have the opportunity to create something that will benefit the whole community something that will inspire a sense of pride and ownership,” said David Warr, one of the founding members of Vive La Vallette. “The existing kiosk deserves to be upgraded to make the best of its wonderful location. What we aspire to achieve is a cafe that will be open all the year round, and to make the facilities welcoming and accessible. We have no desire to create something elitist.

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE Before

“We’ve got a lot of ideas for the surrounding area, too. From street food, market stalls through to live music, we want to make it an important, thriving part of Town.” In autumn 2018, six sites along the seafront were identified as opportunities for development by the States of Guernsey Seafront Enhancement Area (SEA) programme. The public was asked to submit ideas and in May 2019, Vive La Vallette was announced as the preferred party to reinvigorate the La Vallette kiosk and amenities.

After

“Together with a group of friends, we had the idea that La Vallette would be an amazing project. Once I mentioned the idea to Dave De La Mare, we only had about three weeks to put together and submit our expression of interest,” explained David, who is a retired accountant. The Vive La Vallette team is made up of 10 individuals with a variety of experience, including construction, art, hospitality and retail. Some of its members are also residents of the area and regular Bathing Pools’ users. Architect David De La Mare of award-winning RIBA chartered practice DLM Architects is the designer: “It’s hugely exciting to be involved in a project like this. It’s the opportunity to put something out there into the public domain for the enjoyment and benefit of people. “Architects often work on bespoke houses that only the client gets to enjoy, so most people don’t get the chance to see what good architecture does. On a project like this, everyone gets to experience it.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

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Respecting and protecting the pools’ existing users has been central to Vive La Vallette’s proposed plan, which combines the aims of improving their user experience with making it more attractive and accessible for new users. Planning permission has been granted to remove the kiosk structure and build a cafe in its place, which will sit on top of the existing changing facilities. The changing room building will be refurbished to bring it in line with modern building regulations. There will also be the provision of flexible space, which can be used for health classes, art exhibitions or performance.

Sustainability is key to the design, as is working with the existing structure and coastal environment. “The site itself is the biggest challenge. It’s obviously very exposed, so we’ve had to be considerate of that. There’s the weather, the tides, persistent winds and surf, and the footprint of the existing building and how that sits,” said architect David. IT’S HUGELY EXCITING TO BE INVOLVED IN A PROJECT LIKE THIS. IT’S THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT SOMETHING OUT THERE INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN FOR THE ENJOYMENT AND BENEFIT OF PEOPLE.

“The existing structure has stood the test of time in that location, so the question was how can we best utilise it? From a financial perspective, we can’t rip it apart and start again. From a historical perspective, it’s nice to add to the existing building and tie it into the topography of the land.”

The original structure was built around the rock. While the technology now exists to build through it, time and budget don’t allow for the use of it. “We’ve had to look at other areas around the site that aren’t really being used and find a way to knit our building into those spaces so it blends together. We want a balance of outdoor space and indoor space because that opens up the site’s potential.” Half of the money has already been secured and a fundraising drive will follow later in the year. The build could be completed by the end of 2021, if everything goes

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

to plan, according to David Warr. “There are a lot of practical considerations we’ll need to work out, such as how we keep disruption for users to a minimum. We don’t want the pools to be closed during the summer,” he said. “It’s also not a done deal just yet. We’re still negotiating the legal agreements with the States of Guernsey. We need to secure a long lease and reassurance that the pools will be maintained if we’re to justify the capital cost of the project. “The La Vallette project is an example of public/private partnership between government and a charitable entity and if successful, this model could be rolled out elsewhere and applied to other projects. The potential is very exciting.” In addition to settling on a legal framework, the team have had to navigate the court of public opinion. High profile projects come with intense scrutiny and La Vallette has been no different. But where the group has met with resistance, it

Guernsey Property and Construction

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has been keen to open a dialogue. “Right from the beginning, we’ve been talking to people who oppose the plans and asking what their concerns are. We’re still at the early stages and we want La Vallette to be for everyone. We don’t want to upset people. A lot of the time, concerns come from misinformation - rumours of a fine-dining restaurant, for example. Having said that, I think 90 percent of the feedback has been positive,” said David De La Mare. “As architects, criticism is as important to what we do as praise because you learn from it. Architecture is an art and like any art it’s subjective and everyone has different opinions. But as long as you can justify every one of your decisions, it’s very hard

HISTORY OF LA VALLETTE BATHING POOLS • Les Promenades des Terres, as it was originally called, was a walkway intended to go around the coast. Security concerns at Fort George, however, put an end to this plan. • In 1844, plans were submitted to build bathing pools to replace popular bathing spots that were destroyed by the expansion of St Peter Port Harbour. • In 1859, permission was given to build a promenade to Clarence Battery using infill from the harbour. The horseshoe bathing place was built. The ladies’ pool was completed in

1870, with a gent’s pool added six years later. In 1896 the children’s pool was completed. • In 1925, high diving boards were constructed at the ladies’ pool by the Guernsey Swimming Club but were removed in 1970. • In 1977 a proposal to abandon the gents’ and children’s pools, because of the ongoing maintenance costs, was voted down in the States.

• A volunteer group, La Vallette Challenge, was set up in 2015 with the aim of restoring the Bathing Pools and promenade to their Victorian splendour. • May 2019, Vive La Vallette was announced as the preferred bidder for the La Vallette kiosk and amenities and the La Vallette sites, with planning permission granted in 2020.

• In February 2014, all the pools were closed due the storm damage, with the ladies’ pool reopening in June and the children’s pool in July.

Guernsey Property and Construction

SERVICE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

From their showroom in St Martins Village, Luxioso offers their clients a whole world of possibilities for their homes and offices. With their handpicked range of suppliers to cater for all tastes and a range of budgets, they can not only design your ideal space but ensure the project runs smoothly from start to finish. Luxioso’s award-winning team of five in-house designers are truly specialists in what they do. The company is home to three kitchen designers and a bathroom designer as well as an interior designer, who work together to ensure their clients receive the best service possible.

So no matter the space you are looking to furnish, they have the professional experience to get it just right. Alongside that design expertise, the team at Luxioso supplies a range of furniture that can cater to all tastes. From the modern, elegant functionality of Cesar kitchens to the traditional heritage look of Davonport or the German precision of Schüller, the team can supply something that suits your space and fits your lifestyle. Their range of bathrooms ensure that one of the smaller rooms in the house is also one of the most stylish – whether you want the simplicity of Danish Dansani, the quality of Crosswater, or the Swiss heritage and attention to detail of Laufen.

Can you think outside the box ? www.luxioso.com | 01481 236 684 | info@luxioso.com

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“ Working with Luxioso was just a great experience, they designed

my kitchen with true thought about how we would use the space, for the family, and the result is stunning. Thank you to all the team “

Mr. Hogson

For developers looking to fit out their properties, Luxioso can help throughout the project – from planning the space to providing the furniture and managing the fitting if necessary. The team has a wealth of experience on development projects and can also offer a competitive development range of kitchens and bathrooms. They are happy to work with developers to support the project as much or as little as is needed, whether that is simply by supplying quality furniture or arranging for their team of expert fitters to ensure everything is just right. Luxioso have certainly made a name for themselves in the kitchen and bathroom market, but the company’s range of quality furniture extends to the rest of the home or office. Along with their wide range of bedroom options, the team can design and supply furniture for all rooms including bootrooms and utility rooms, children’s bedrooms. home offices and commercial offices. While everything in the Luxioso showroom says luxury, it doesn’t necessarily come at a prohibitive price point. The team has always been determined to have a range of suppliers to suit various budgets, although quality is always paramount.

That drive for quality extends to the appliances supplied by the company. They are a Miele partner for integrated equipment, and a main dealer for Bosch integrated appliances. Other major names they can supply include Franke waste disposal, Gerberit sanitaryware and the popular Quooker boiling water taps for kitchens. Luxioso know that providing a bespoke service is all in the details, so their expertise stretches far further than design and appliances. They can offer a full range of tiling and worktops including granite, Silestone, Dekton and laminates, and even a lighting range for the final finishing touches. As well as offering options from their global specialist suppliers, Luxioso also use a range of local suppliers to provide the stone and tiles for their projects.

While a visit to the spacious Luxioso showroom in St Martin’s for initial inspiration is always advised, the team has no limit to the options they can present you with, thanks to their specialist virtual reality software. Put on a pair of 3D goggles and you can be transported to your dream room with the 360 degree view system, Virtual World. This groundbreaking software allows you to see the design come to life, and the interactive design allows for instant changes. The only problem might be making a decision when you see how good everything they suggest looks.

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

FINISHING TOUCHES

White Brooklyn table lamp Next £38

The recent rise in home working has seen our study spaces become one of the most important rooms in the house. Whether you have a separate home office or you’re squeezing into your living space, here are our ideas to make working from home a more attractive option.

Jones grey ladder desk Marks & Spencer £199

Grey soft pad office chair Cult Furniture

Brandon desk lamp Acorn Interiors

£239

£85

Bronx bureau desk Next £375

Practico desk lamp Acorn Interiors £125

Box desk John Lewis £59

Doulton office chair Acorn Interiors

Shell office chair John Lewis

£398

£179

TIDY DESK, TIDY MIND? Get organised with our pick of the best organisers to keep your workspace in order.

Guernsey Property and Construction

A4 box file storm Cambridge Imprint

Vitra white desk tidy Nest

Gozo concrete tumbler Very.co.uk

£42

£29

£10

Out of Office set Ted Baker £24.99

www.pfaarchitecture.com

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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

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