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Education Department site bought by medical practice
The former Education Department building on the Grange has been purchased by Queen’s Road Medical Practice.
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The site will be redeveloped as the new location for the practice and is the first property to be sold by the States as part of its rationalisation programme. Redevelopment plans are underway, with the practice set to open in 2024. In addition to a doctor’s practice, the site will include an educational space and a dedicated social prescribing and counselling suite.
The new facility, which is 300 yards away from the existing site, is more than twice the size of the current practice and will feature more parking spaces, an accessible drop-off/turning point, an enclosed bike store, electric car charging points and a petanque court.
QRMP chief executive officer, Will Pierce, said the practice had been searching for a suitable location after outgrowing its current site.
“We are very pleased to have bought such a landmark building from the States, which will enable us to create a great environment for patients to visit and our staff to work from,” he said.
“I’m extremely pleased the sale has now been completed, particularly as the new owners will be developing it into a health and wellbeing site for the benefit of our community.”
The Longfrie surgery will remain as part of Queens Road Medical Practice, and the current Queens Road Surgery will remain open until the new site is ready to occupy.
GHA submits planning application for Fontaine Vinery
A detailed planning application for 91 new homes has been submitted by Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) for the Fontaine Vinery land, which is owned by the States. service. The development hopes to begin to tackle the current pressing need to supply more new homes to the many people in the island requiring accommodation.
The properties will be a mix of social rental and partial ownership targeted at aspiring first time buyers and homes for keyworkers needed to support the island’s health If planning permission is obtained within the next six months, construction could start in spring 2023 with the first homes being completed by summer 2024. The housing will then be completed and occupied in phases.
The design is a mix of two-storey houses with some three-storey one-bedroom apartments to give variation and make good use of the land.
The development aims to house single people, couples and some families with 50% of the homes being one-bed apartments, 30% two-bedroom houses, and 20% three-bedroom houses, plus three four-bed houses, as this reflects the waiting lists for rental and partial ownership.
A tender process for local contractors capable of building 91 homes will start in due course. Steve Williams, chief executive at GHA, said: “After an extensive design process we are delighted that our architects Create have submitted the planning application, and we can make real progress towards meeting the housing needs of people in the island who cannot afford or find suitable accommodation.”
Ladies’ Pool reopens at La Vallette
The Ladies’ Pool at La Vallette has reopened to swimmers after being closed for months for an extensive programme of repair and refurbishment works. Repairs included resurfacing the concrete steps and pool areas to make them ‘barefoot friendly’.
The team behind the Vive La Vallette project has also installed an assisted access ramp on the south side of the site to allow users with mobility issues to access the pool, although work is ongoing with that.
The work to the pool has included restoring the concrete poolside surface and steps, repointing the granite capping to the pool wall to reduce leakage, repairing and underpinning the pool walls, rebuilding the granite masonry inner face of the diving platform, and building a granite retaining wall at the foot of a steep grassy bank at the northern corner of the site. During the work, the pool was also dredged so that silt and sand could be dug out from the shallower northern half of the pool.
Now that the work has been completed on the Ladies’ Pool, the Children’s Pool has been closed for its own renovations. The works on that pool are expected to complete by July, so that the pool can be used during the summer season. However, Agriculture Countryside & Land Management Services have warned that large projects on historic sites such as the pools do have the potential to throw up unexpected challenges along the way.
New chief executive appointed for Guernsey Housing Association
Guernsey Housing Association’s chief executive, Steve Williams (pictured), is retiring next February, and his successor has been appointed. Victoria Slade will start this October to allow several months handover from Steve, who has been in the role since 2006.
Victoria is currently the chief executive of Cynon Taf Community Housing Group in South Wales, managing 1,850 properties. She will bring extensive knowledge in providing social housing and is very focused on delivering quality services to residents.
Chris Hill, chairman of Guernsey Housing Association said: “We are delighted to welcome Victoria and are sure that she will make a major contribution, working with our stakeholders, to meet the significant need for social housing in Guernsey.”
The Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure has submitted recommendations as to how to manage the anti-tank wall at L’Ancresse East.
The proposals to manage the 272-metre stretch would be funded from existing coastline management budgets until 2030. A Requête to pause the managed realignment strategy was approved in 2020. That Requête suspended the realignment until 2030 but required a significant amount of work on the wall to take place in the interim period.
The Committee has consulted with the Policy & Resources Committee, the requérants remaining in the Assembly, and the Vale Commons Council. An approach has been agreed, which will be met by existing coastline management budgets, which includes placing rock armour protection on some panels and installing more permanent fencing as a health and safety measure.
Regular monitoring of the wall will continue, with an update report to be provided to the Committee annually. In the event of a breach, the Committee would take immediate action.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, president of the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure said: “The recommendation in this policy letter is a straightforward, pragmatic proposal that simultaneously respects the spirit and main intention of the Requête, the Government Work Plan as prioritised by this Assembly, and the current constraints on public finances. It was developed through constructive dialogue with the remaining requérants. The Committee can implement this proposed new management approach within its existing budget, meaning the policy letter does not ask the States for any additional resources.”
Fort Doyle property for sale
The abandoned house at Fort Doyle in the Vale has been placed up for sale by local estate agency, Swoffers, at a price of £1,100,000.
The former shore station for Platte Fougere lighthouse was sold by the States in 2018 to a private company for £535,000. It was purchased by Tai Ming Ltd, which is registered at Beaucette Marina.
Swoffers’ listing for the property states that, “the current owners, in connection with Tyrrel Dowinton Associates, have secured a number of approvals to develop the site, ranging from three apartments, four apartments and also multiple occupation if required”.
It also states there is a possibility of creating “one bespoke home on site, given the panorama of views the property enjoys,” subject to required planning approval. Four schemes for the site have already been approved by the Development and Planning Authority, with the most recent last year.
Sealed bids for the property are being accepted by the realtor until 28 June.
Image courtesy of Swoffers
CIOB searching for talent
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is opening up the next group of categories in its annual search for the UK’s finest construction and built environment talent. Entries are now open for Rising Star, CIOB Team Award and an EDI – equality, diversity and inclusion – award for both individuals and companies.
The two EDI awards are a new introduction for 2022 and have been designed to recognise the importance of diversity in the workplace and those who create an inclusive environment in which all employees feel valued and can thrive. The nominations are expected to highlight examples of a commitment to embedding EDI in the construction sector.
CIOB will also be seeking nominations for their Rising Star award, an international category which highlights the achievements and early career impact of those who have been in construction for five years or less. Construction companies can submit their nominations for the CIOB Team Award. First introduced last year, it celebrates the collaborations of groups working together to meet a shared goal. Teams can be any group of three or more people working within the built environment within a single organisational entity.
The CIOB Awards also include the longestablished and highly-regarded Construction Manager of the Year title, which was won last year by Marc Burton of Garenne Construction Group in Jersey (pictured).
The CIOB Awards are free to enter and open to non-members, as well as members of CIOB.
Draft Development Framework prepared for L’Aumone
A Draft Development Framework has been prepared to guide potential development within the boundaries of L’Aumone House/ Petit Lande/Sherwood/Bru’s Retraite, L’Aumone, Castel. The site is located within the L’Aumone Local Centre, as set out within the IDP, with a site area of approximately 0.86 hectares (8.5 vergées).
To the west of the site are local amenities and services including a doctor’s surgery, a pharmacy, a convenience store and other employers’ premises. The surrounding built environment is predominantly residential with a number of fields identified as Agriculture Priority Areas to the north-west and south of the site.
Although not all land within the framework is currently available for development due to existing dwellings and ownerships, the land associated with the three dwellings ‘Petit Lande’, ‘Sherwood’ and ‘Bru’s Retraite’ have been included to ensure that any development is planned in a comprehensive way should circumstances change.
The Draft Development Framework has been prepared by Planning Service officers for the purpose of providing broad, comprehensive, impartial and practical planning guidance on how the Island Development Plan 2016 policies will be applied if any planning application is made for the site. Public consultation is welcomed, and anyone with an interest in the site is encouraged to have their say.
Houses planned for E&G site
A planning application has been submitted for an £8m project to demolish the former English & Guernsey Arms and build seven houses and 12 flats on the site.
The plans have been submitted by HVC, which says it wants to create a development which “can be considered spectacular and raise the Bridge’s profile from a residential perspective and may also encourage other future development in St Sampson’s.”
The former pub at the South Quay on the Bridge has been left in poor condition for a number of years, with the venue closed for some time. The application is for 19 residential units with a mix of one to three-bedroom properties to provide housing for up to 45 people.
The proposals also include parking for all units to help avoid more on-road parking in the busy area.
HVC says they would plan to commence work on site as soon as planning permission has been granted and a building licence awarded. The application is under consideration by the States Development and Planning Authority.
Mallard Development Framework
A Development Framework has been approved by the Development & Planning Authority for development of specialised housing at the Mallard site, Rue de la Villiaze, Forest. It is hoped that this will aid development of additional extra-care accommodation, nursing and residential homes.
The Draft Development Framework was the subject of a public consultation for six weeks, ending on 26 January 2022. A number of responses to the draft were received from a range of consultees including States Committees, agencies and the public.
Whilst there was broad support for specialised housing at the site a number of other concerns were raised including access to the site and the potential impact of traffic on local roads; the relationship
New dairy site identified
Land adjacent to Brickfield House in St Andrew’s, the headquarters of Guernsey Water, is now the preferred site if the States go ahead with construction of a new dairy. The project comes at an estimated cost of £22-26million. An area at Pitronnerie Road identified for industrial expansion is the only other site which remains shortlisted for potential use following an extensive assessment of 16 locations in public and private ownership.
The States’ Trading Supervisory Board, which runs the dairy, is currently preparing an outline business case for the proposed development having confirmed that a new dairy on a new site is their preferred way forward.
Preparatory work on the project has cost around £475,000 so far, including the time of States’ staff. More than a dozen sites were carefully evaluated before the between any new development and the existing complex; protection and enhancement of biodiversity; potential impacts on the amenities of adjoining properties; and the scale and form of housing to be provided.
All of the matters raised were fully considered by the Authority and several amendments were made to the draft in response to the comments received before the final Development Framework was approved.
The Mallard Complex is acknowledged as an important facility to the island and its continued viability is an integral part of the Development Framework.
Brickfield House site was decided upon.
Deputy Peter Roffey said: “The further detailed evaluation of options has concluded that a new dairy on a new site remains the optimum solution. Whilst a substantial refurbishment of the existing dairy may be technically feasible, it would not realise the same production efficiency savings as a new build, and estimated capital costs are greater, due to the increased complexity and continuity and safety risks associated with continued production on site throughout the duration of the works.”
Rihoy & Son working on PEH upgrades
HSC has entered a partnership with Rihoy & Son to undertake the construction of the first phase of a programme of essential upgrades to the Princess Elizabeth Hospital. Work has started on site following Policy & Resources Committee approval of the Full Business Case for this first phase of work, including the appointment of Rihoy & Son as principal contractor. The Guernsey firm was selected following a robust tendering process conducted within the local construction industry.
Phase 1 involves the refurbishment and extension of the old Ozanne Ward, extending the building’s footprint to the south. Scheduled to be completed over two years, the works will deliver a new purposebuilt Critical Care Unit (CCU) with increased capacity from seven to twelve beds to manage demand and support additional surgery, and a new Post Anaesthesia Recovery Unit with ten beds that can be swiftly converted to provide additional critical care beds (to support for example, any future pandemic demands or other emergency situations).
Additional extensive upgrades, including purpose-built maternity, paediatric and orthopaedic facilities together with modifications to the Emergency Department, are scheduled to be delivered in future phases of work beyond 2024, subject to separate Business Case approvals.
Restoration work underway at Candie Gardens
Works to restore some of the historic structures in Guernsey’s Candie Gardens are underway.
The historic gates and archway are being removed so they can be repaired and restored, with some of the design details recast. The oldest of the gates is the upper gate, which was installed on 3 March 1896, and described at the time by The Star as ‘a great boon to persons anxious to get home after the night fetes’.
The two glasshouses at Candie Gardens are also being restored. Both are currently closed to the public, and the restoration will mean they can again be safe and available for use. The oldest of the two glasshouses dates back to 1792 and is thought to be one of the oldest in the British Isles.
It is too early to give a definitive timeframe on the completion of these works because of the historic nature of the structures but it is hoped the repairs on the gates will be finished by the middle of this year, with one of the two glasshouses ready for use by the end of the year.
Emily Coule, acting senior environment services officer said: “Candie Gardens is a beautiful, green and historic space in St Peter Port and it’s great to see it getting back to its best. We’ve recently seen the restoration of the Candie ticket office thanks to the kind voluntary work from a member of the community. In the past couple of years we’ve also had Floral Guernsey re-planting the flower beds, and we know those floral displays will really shine this summer. And now we’re keeping that momentum going by getting on with some of the other important, historic parts of the gardens - the gates and the glasshouses - and we’re really looking forward to seeing those progress.”
Deerhound reopens after renovation
Forest pub and restaurant, The Deerhound, has reopened to the public following a major refurbishment of the property.
It’s the latest of a series of upgrades and investment across the Liberation Group’s establishments in Guernsey, with the Thomas de la Rue recently refurbished and the former Houmet Tavern at Rousse shortly due to reopen as The Puffin and Oyster.
Work began on the property in March and included major upgrades to the exterior and interior of the building. Patrick Anslow, general manager of The Deerhound, said that they were really happy with the speed and look of the refurbishment: “The Deerhound has needed a facelift for a while so the timing of the renovation was very welcome. The Liberation Group wants to be seen as primarily a pub company and this is a great uplift for the Forest as it’s something new and different for the parish.”
Latest Leale’s Yard plan submitted
Plans to build 332 houses, a multi-storey car park and a large supermarket have been submitted to planners in Guernsey for the long-running potential development at Leale’s Yard.
The Bridge-based site at Leale’s Yard covers about 7.5 acres (three hectares) and has seen a number of proposals over the years, none of which have come to fruition. It has now been unoccupied for 20 years.
The latest project is expected to cost more than £50m and would be the largest single development in the island.
Under the proposals all the homes would be modular housing, which would be built in a factory in Harrogate and transported to Guernsey to be constructed on site. The supermarket will be run by the Channel Islands Co-operative, which owns the site.
These plans are hoped to be more successful than previous attempts, as a development partner is already lined up for the project, with J W Rihoy & Son partnering with the Co-op.
The Co-op says that environmental sustainability is one of the key themes for the project, with plans for plenty of green and civic space. The buildings will be low carbon and low energy, and the development will include features such as solar panels, low energy heating systems, shared mobility transport schemes, and measures to promote active transport methods.
It is envisaged that the first homes and other buildings will be completed within three years of planning approval, and the whole development finished within five years.
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