Guernsey Property and Construction / Issue 8 by Rock and Small

Winter 2021

Issue 8

GUE R N SE Y

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION Seascape A coastal location to inspire its architect and owner

Vallée Vinery The GHA completes its latest development and looks to the future

Awards season The industry recognises the very best of its local talent

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE GUERNSEY PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION AWARDS

Right at home.

Everyone deserves a home they love; one that’s a place of refuge in a hectic world, and a source of pride and security. Whether you’re searching for the perfect place, or looking to make your current place more perfect, your mortgage or renovation loan should be as comfortable as the place you call home.

Let’s have a conversation about how Butterfield can make that happen.

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butterfieldgroup.com Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage. To apply you must be 18+ and resident in Guernsey or Jersey. All mortgages are subject to status and valuation. Butterfield Bank (Guernsey) Limited (“BBGL”) is licensed and regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission under The Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1994 and The Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, each as amended from time to time, under registration number 85. BBGL’s products and services are available in Guernsey and only in those other jurisdictions where they may be legally offered or obtained. BBGL is registered under the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2017, under registration number 11160 and with the Guernsey Registry under registration number 21061. BBGL’s registered office address is P.O. Box 25, Regency Court, Glategny Esplanade, St. Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 3AP. BBGL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited.

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 2021. 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.

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

While the winter season can be a traditionally quieter time for the industry, this year there is no sign of things slowing down with order books full and demand high throughout all sectors. But the impact of Covid is still being felt, with difficulties in sourcing materials and delays affecting many projects. The industry is certainly doing its best to overcome those challenges and this issue is all about celebrating the successes they have achieved during these difficult Covid times. That is exactly what the annual Guernsey Property and Construction Awards will aim to do when they finally take place, after a Covid-induced absence, on 4 November. Find out all the information about this year’s event and the finalists on page 4, and make sure you visit www. guernseyconstructionawards.com after the gala evening to find out who won. Elsewhere, the GBTEA recently held its own annual awards evening, which highlighted the young talent in the island. A number of apprentices were recognised at this year’s ceremony, and particular congratulations to trowel trades apprentice Shay Watson, who was named the overall winner. Find out more on page 44.

Speaking of winners, we couldn’t let this issue pass without marking the impressive achievements of one Channel Islander. Garenne Group executive director Marc Burton MBE was recently named the Construction Manager of the Year by the CIOB for his efforts building the Nightingale Wing of Jersey’s General Hospital in just 25 days. He shares his thoughts on the award and the project on page 32. Careful planning and a bit of good luck meant that our cover star, Seascape, avoided being too affected by Covid – coming in on time and under budget despite the island’s lockdown. We speak to its architect James Gavey about the development on page 8. Elsewhere, on page 26 we take a look at the Guernsey Housing Association’s latest development, and find out how the new building at the Bathing Pools is progressing on page 34. Finally, a huge congratulations to the finalists and winners of this year’s Guernsey Property and Construction Awards – I look forward to featuring you in these pages soon! Tamara Timothy Editor

Guernsey Property and Construction

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 8

04 Guernsey Property and Construction Awards It’s been a long wait since 2019, but the awards are back – find out all about this year’s finalists

06 Guernsey Chest and Heart This well-known local charity will benefit from this year’s awards, but they also want to give back to the industry

08 Seascape The coastal location as well as the clients’ request for lifetime living was the inspiration for this new build property

16 Industry news From new acquisitions to States decisions – we round up all the local property and construction industry news

22 Oliver Westgarth The demerger of CCD has seen local architect, Oliver Westgarth, set up a separate practice - find out about the inspiration behind StudiO

26 Vallée Vinery It’s taken some time, but the GHA’s latest development in St Martin’s has welcomed its new residents

30 Guernsey Design Awards Entries are open for the 2022 Guernsey Design Awards ahead of the ceremony next year

32 Marc Burton MBE We meet the Jersey-based recipient of the prestigious CIOB Construction Manager of the Year award

36 La Vallette

With work on the building at St Peter Port’s Bathing Pools continuing apace, we caught up with the project

51 Interior design Current trends and the social media accounts to follow are showcased in this feature, along with a peek inside one designer’s own home

Guernsey Property and Construction

AWARDS

THE GUERNSEY PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION AWARDS 2021 Following their Covid-related absence in 2020, the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards return this year with a host of achievements and individuals to celebrate at the gala evening. The awards ceremony at St Pierre Park Hotel on 4 November will recognise the people and projects who have made a real impact on the industry.

THE JUDGES An impartial panel of industry experts judged this year’s awards, shortlisting the nominations and deciding on the overall winner.

Following a public nomination period earlier this year, an independent panel of industry experts judged the submissions to decide on the finalists and winners of this year’s awards. The judges were looking for professionals who had demonstrated dedication and excellence in their roles and set the standard for the industry. The awards aim to recognise the contribution that the property and construction sector can make to Guernsey’s economic success. Alongside the seven categories that were open for public nominations, a special lifetime achievement award will also be presented on the night. The awards are generously sponsored by local organisations, including gold sponsor Ogier and silver sponsors Savills, HVC, the CIOB, Guernsey Construction Forum, Sheppards Estate Agents, Sandra Robinson Kitchens and Channel Island Ceramics, while the arrival drinks are sponsored by the Norman Piette Group. For more information on the awards and to find out about this year’s winners following the gala evening, visit www.guernseyconstructionawards.com

Guernsey Property and Construction

Martyn Baudains Partner and property lawyer at Ogier John Bampkin Chair of the Guernsey Construction Forum and CEO of the Norman Piette Group Paul Le Tissier Representing the Guernsey branch of the Chartered Institute of Building John Litchfield Managing director of Channel Island Ceramics Mark Farey Managing director of HVC Sandra Robinson Managing director of Sandra Robinson Kitchens Jon Sheppard Managing director of Sheppards Estate Agents

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SPONSORS THE 2021 AWARD FINALISTS

Gold sponsor

RISING STAR • Sarah Birtwistle • Madelaine Davies •Koen Le Prevost

Silver sponsors

LANDSCAPING/HARDSCAPING • Auburn Gardens •Bernie’s Gardening Services • Prime Paving

PROPERTY AGENT OF THE YEAR • Chateaux •Shields & Rutland • Sheppards

CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR • Grant Steer • Richard Spinney • Tim Pond

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UNDER £300K •Royal Guernsey Golf Club refurbishment – Paul & Anne Langlois •The Pool House, Wingfields – DLM Architects

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OVER £300K • Bohemia • Clos Carre •La Ferme és Frâses (former Strawberry Farm)

INDUSTRY SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR • DHS • Tarmac Services •Stainless Steel Fabrications

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

GUERNSEY CHEST AND HEART Guernsey Chest and Heart LBG is the beneficiary of the funds raised during this year’s Guernsey Property and Construction Awards gala evening. The charity has been operating in the island since 1974, offering free health screenings to thousands of islanders from its site on the grounds of Guernsey’s Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

Guernsey Property and Construction

Guernsey Chest and Heart is open to all islanders from Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. The charity also recently extended the age range it covers, so those aged from 25 up to 75 are encouraged to make an appointment. For manager Julie Jones, that was a natural progression for the service: “We’re always looking to improve what we offer and ensure that our service is relevant to islanders needs. People’s general health has improved so much that our previous upper age limit of 70 was no longer appropriate. We’ve now extended it up to 75 and very much encourage older islanders to pay us a visit.” Appointments can made for a full health check that involves everything from measuring blood pressure to cholesterol levels and body analysis. Clients are encouraged to visit every five years so that a full health record is kept and results can be compared. For Julie, that knowledge is power when it comes to your health: “We provide our clients with all the information we can on their health. If you collect data about yourself, then you have the opportunity to make lifestyle changes that are measurable and you are in control of that. Having the information puts you

in charge of your own wellbeing. I think we’re often fearful of the unknown, but once you have clarity it’s much easier to do something positive, or even have your mind put at rest.” The lifestyle changes that clients are often encouraged to make involve a range of alterations in areas such as diet and exercise. Julie said that people are often surprised at how simple some switches can be: “A lot of people don’t realise, for example, how many calories are contained in alcohol. We often find that following a visit here, people look to reduce their alcohol intake and that can make a big difference.” With clients’ permission, the results of the health screenings are shared with their GP, and any issues that are flagged are followed up with a doctor or specialist. The service is unable to see anyone with a pre-existing cardiac condition. The charity is funded completely by public donations, and Julie said they are very much needed: “We’re so grateful for islanders’ support, which allows this service to continue. We’re currently looking to raise money for some new body composition scales as ours need

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replacing. They’re very useful as they do a full weight analysis, looking at BMI, visceral fat, body fat, water, muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, metabolic age, bone mass and muscle quality. They cost around £1,600 each and we need two of them but they allow us to provide an up-to-date service so any funds raised at the awards will certainly be put towards that.” Alongside manager Julie, four screening nurses and two reception staff currently work for the charity. With demand high for their services, that staffing could be increased to allow them to fulfil their ambitions to extend what they offer even further.

IN NUMBERS Due to its limited capabilities because of the pandemic over the past two years, Guernsey Chest and Heart doesn’t have accurate recent statistics. But, as a guide to the numbers, in 2018 the charity saw almost 2,000 islanders, helping diagnose a wide range of potential problems. Number of clients screened

1,934

Number of new clients seen

498

Number of clients with a BMI greater than 30

GET SCREENED While all eligible islanders are encouraged to make an appointment at the medical centre to get checked out, Julie says she understands that it can be difficult or offputting to find the time to get to their site at the hospital. The charity is therefore very happy to visit companies at their workplace and set up a mobile clinic. “This is not just an offer for corporate environments,” said Julie. “We’d be delighted to come and set up at a construction site and screen all the workers there. As long as we can have a space for our equipment and somewhere dry to see everyone, we’re very happy to come wherever suits those in the industry. Please just get in touch and we can make some arrangements to come to you – it just takes 10 minutes per person for a blood pressure and body analysis check. But we would also encourage all employers to allow their employees the necessary time to come and visit us for a full screening as it’s such a vital check on their health and wellbeing.”

WHAT TO EXPECT An appointment at Guernsey Chest and Heart follows a very typical structure. Clients are advised not to smoke or drink caffeine for 30 minutes before their appointment as it can affect some results. Here’s what will happen during your appointment: • You will arrive at the centre on the PEH site and park directly outside in the allocated client spaces then check in with reception • Get introduced to your screening nurse and taken through to one of the four screening rooms • Discuss the information provided prior to the appointment to assess your risk factors, and what encouraged the visit • Hand over the urine sample all clients are requested to bring, to be analysed for protein and glucose levels • Have your height measured and stand on the body analysis scales

407

• Lie down on the couch where a finger prick of blood will be taken to monitor your cholesterol profile and sugar levels

Number of clients with raised blood pressure

• Have stickers put on your chest for a 12-lead ECG heart tracing with the instant results sent to your GP

214

• Have your blood pressure taken

Number of clients with raised cholesterol

Once all those tests have been carried out, the screening nurse will input the data into a risk assessment tool before sitting with the client and analysing the results. That discussion often centres on their lifestyle and any choices they can make to improve their health.

418

Number of clients with abnormal ECGs

The whole process should take about 35 minutes. After the appointment, you can go into the client portal and access your results along with their interpretation. Five years later, you’ll be invited back to repeat the process …

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

SEASCAPE

Seascape’s prime location on Guernsey’s stunning west coast offered plenty of inspiration for the architect designing this new build property. Its owners provided James Gavey with a brief for a house that would combine modern living with plenty of future proofing for their later years. The result – a home that met all those requirements while taking full advantage of its scenic location.

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

FEATURE

When James Gavey was asked to design a house for the plot that Seascape now sits on, the rundown, dated bungalow previously on the site offered little inspiration. Fortunately, the location of the plot and the owners’ brief gave the architect the opportunity to create something much more attractive. For the new owners, there were some important factors to consider with the new design. They wanted the house to be on two levels, but they also wanted to plan for a ‘lifetime’ home, which would allow them to still access and enjoy all parts of the house if their mobility became impaired. They also required four sizeable bedrooms as well as a double garage and plenty of living space. For James, it was an exciting challenge: “It was quite a

Guernsey Property and Construction

demanding brief, particularly to fit a four-bedroom house on a site of that size. Additionally, the houses in that area are all set fairly low into the landscape, so we couldn’t disrupt that too significantly with the new design. We had to be fairly sensitive in the way we approached the new building to ensure it was in keeping with the area, while also taking full advantage of its lovely location.”

TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE COASTAL VIEWS, REVERSE LIVING WAS A KEY PART OF THE DESIGN ALONG WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF GLAZING TO THE FIRST FLOOR, ALL CAREFULLY DESIGNED TO ENSURE EVERY PART OF THE HOUSE MAXIMISES ITS ASPECT.

That was done in a number of ways, including lowering the site to enable the two floors required and designing the roof in a sensitive fashion that reduced the ridge level and made the house less intrusive in the landscape. For James, that all helped when it came to the planning process: “We were delighted to have no particular issues with this project when it came to planning. We worked

with the planners from the preapplication process onwards and they listened to what we were trying to achieve and helped us reach that.” The final plans saw permission granted for a four-bedroom house set over two levels with a double garage, parking and outside space. To take full advantage of the coastal views, reverse living was a key part of the design along with copious amounts of glazing to the first floor, all carefully designed to ensure every part of the house maximises its aspect. Upstairs, the house provides a kitchen, a large living room, study and an ensuite bedroom as well as a separate toilet and a seating area on an extended landing space. Downstairs are three bedrooms (two of which are ensuite), a

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separate bathroom and a utility room. From the main hall, there is access to the courtyard garden and the double garage. But while the house met all the requirements the owners had set out, there was the other important factor to consider, as James explained: “The design needed to make sure that the owners could adapt their living for the future. A key part of that was installing a lift in the property, along with an ensuite bedroom on the first floor. That ensured that the owners can live on one level of the house if they require to do so, and can also easily access it while still enjoying the benefits of the property and its location.” With planning permission granted, construction was able to begin on the property and work started in November 2019 with the demolition

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FEATURE

of the old bungalow. Main contractor Infinity Construction had been involved with the project from early on in the process. Joint managing director, Paul Nobes, explained how their input was important: “We aim to support our clients from the start to the finish of a project. When a client first comes to us, we will take them through exactly what to expect from the experience – from advice on how much the build is likely to cost to analysing exactly how they want to live in the property. It’s really important that the builder and architect can work together on that, and we pride ourselves on our approach. “Throughout the project, we worked closely with the client. John [Nobes, joint managing director at Infinity Construction] was very involved with the interior design side of the house. He helped the client imagine what it would be like to live there, and as the build evolved and we had more

COSTS WERE CAREFULLY MONITORED THROUGHOUT CONSTRUCTION TO ENSURE THEY STAYED ON TRACK, WITH SAVINGS MADE WHERE POSSIBLE TO MITIGATE EXTRA EXPENSE ELSEWHERE.

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Guernsey Property and Construction

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

information about their lifestyle, we changed and adapted aspects of the house to make sure it worked perfectly for them. The kitchen layout and living room and study layouts have all been carefully designed by John to make sure everything from the seating areas to the lighting suits the clients now and also in the future.” While late amendments can often prove disastrous to a project’s budget, that was not the case with Seascape. Costs were carefully monitored throughout construction to ensure they stayed on track, with savings made where possible to mitigate extra expense elsewhere. As with many developments though, initial investment can mean long-term savings and the contractors didn’t scrimp when

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FEATURE

OUTSIDE SPACE With the west coast on the doorstep, the outside areas of the property were designed to be in keeping with its seaside location. Guernsey Gardens was responsible for the landscaping of Seascape and was given a brief to keep the outside areas looking harmonious with the coastal area. For James, it was another successful part of the project: “The planning for the outside space was looked at in detail as we were required to provide a landscaping scheme to the Planning Department when we were looking for approval for our plans. As with the rest of the project, communication was key and the landscaping work went very smoothly as we had an excellent project team in place. “The end result certainly adds to the attractiveness of the property and works very well with its location while offering the owners a fairly low maintenance outside space that suits them well.”

it came to thermal efficiency, as James explained: “The house is very high-performing in terms of its build. We installed highperforming glazing and we exceeded regulations in terms of insulation and air tightness. While the house isn’t built to Passivhaus standards, it is almost at that level so is very efficient. Obviously the location of the house on the west coast means that it can be very exposed to the elements so it was important that the windows, for example, were very high quality.” Elsewhere, costs were managed through pragmatic construction choices. A stepped raft foundation provided the base to traditional blockwork, which was the most cost-effective option. The hipped roof allowed the

Guernsey Property and Construction

ridges to be set down to comply with planning requirements, while a slate roof finish tied the house in with the area.

THE TEAM MADE SUCH GOOD PROGRESS THAT THE BUILD WAS COMPLETED TO ITS ORIGINAL ONE-YEAR DEADLINE – COMING IN NOT ONLY ON TIME BUT UNDER BUDGET

Like any project completed recently, Covid clearly posed its own challenges to the construction of Seascape. But, as Paul explained, they used the lockdown as constructively as possible: “Prior to the lockdown we had already been very proactive with regard to purchasing materials in advance and getting them to the site to be ready for when they were needed. During the shutdown, we ensured we used that time to order materials four months in advance of when we were expecting to need them. We wanted to make certain that everything was on island and on site at the right time

and avoid any delays, which stood us in very good stead when we started work again. “As far as the construction went, the lockdown occurred at a relatively good point in the project to stop work. We had the groundworks down and had half blocked the walls, with work about to start on the roof. As soon as we were allowed back on site, we had two people there and we were able to make good progress.” In fact, the team made such good progress that the build was completed to its original one-year deadline – coming in not only on time but under budget, and giving its new owners their dream home designed to last them a lifetime.

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THE CONTRACTORS • JG Architecture Ltd • CBL Consulting • Infinity Construction • Davies Associates

A SATISFIED CLIENT While those involved in the project are certainly happy with the end result, those who most matter are the ones living it. Luckily, the owners of the property are even more delighted with their new home …

• JF Construction • DRB • Guernsey Metals • M Squared Carpentry • C Eborall Roofing • P3 • Eco Screed

“James Gavey was indirectly responsible for an introduction to purchase a wonderful location on the west coast for our dream home. Subsequently, we invited JG Architecture to design a building that suited our requirements. We were consulted on a regular basis and ended up with what you now see, a gorgeous house. With very little objection, the planners and Building Control agreed with the submitted design drawings.

• West Coast Joinery • Window Service Centre • Jason Regnard Decoration • Adie Exall Stonemasons • Eco Installations • Island Electrics • Evolution • GFF • CucineZeroNine • Stainless Steel Fabrications • Guernsey Gardens

“Our choice of builder was again influenced by James, whose recommendation of Infinity Construction was a masterstroke. Having negotiated a build price, Infinity started construction on 11 November 2019 with the promise of us being able to take occupancy exactly one year later. Even though we had the intervention of a six-week lockdown, we moved in on the date agreed. The quality of work and the attention to detail could not be faulted, and the icing on the cake was that the project was completed well under budget. “Many complimentary comments have been made to us since moving in and we can only praise both JG Architecture and Infinity Construction for their professionalism and customer relations.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

INDUSTRY NEWS

Guernsey States spends £6.5 million on land for affordable housing While Kenilworth Vinery was bought due to its ability to accommodate a large development at relative speed, the Housing Action Group is also considering other sites, including some already owned by the States. Further updates regarding this work are expected.

The Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) could build up to 135 units of affordable housing on a site in the Vale, following its purchase by government.

the GHA’s previously comprehensive building programme had been slowing significantly due to the lack of appropriate development sites.

The States of Guernsey has agreed to purchase Kenilworth Vinery at a cost of £6.5 million. The site, off Saltpans Road, is designated a housing priority area under the Island Development Plan and already has an approved development framework, which is a pre-requisite to planning approval for a development of this size.

Deputy Peter Roffey, chair of the Housing Action Group and president of the Committee for Employment & Social Security, said: ‘The purchase of Kenilworth Vinery offers an immediate opportunity to get development of much-needed housing stock progressing quickly. It has been earmarked for housing for many years and is wellpositioned for this kind of development. We know that housing is a significant issue for the whole island and this development can help, but we also know that people naturally don’t want further development close to them.

The purchase was approved by the Policy & Resources Committee following a recommendation by the Housing Action Group, a cross-committee group that is responsible for researching options to provide quick and innovative solutions towards meeting the current increase in demand and shortage of supply for suitable and affordable accommodation. It is thought the 17-vergee site could yield up to 135 units depending on the layout and types of unit constructed. Building is expected to be completed in phases due to the size and nature of the site. Demand is currently very high for affordable housing in the island, with more than 500 households currently on waiting lists for properties. Prior to this purchase,

Guernsey Property and Construction

“We also know there is a general narrative of developments focused in the north of the island. While the facts don’t bear this narrative out in terms of actual properties developed in recent years, it is factual that the main centres identified for development are in St Peter Port, the Vale and St Sampson’s. We are mindful of needing to balance the needs of the whole island for more affordable housing, with those of localised communities understandably wary of development on their doorstep.”

Deputy Peter Ferbrache, president of the Policy & Resources Committee, said: ‘Taking action that can help address some of the significant issues currently being experienced in the housing market is not something a single States Committee can achieve in isolation. It will take a collaborative approach and that’s what we’re seeking to do with the membership of the Housing Action Group (HAG), each with delegated authority from their respective Committee. “HAG is intended to be a short-term working party that recognises the significant challenges that currently exist in many sectors of the housing market, whether that be in affordable housing, private rental and property purchase, and seeks to put in motion measures to readdress the current imbalance. Our initial work has had a particular focus on identifying potential sites where more affordable housing can be developed. By addressing pressures on affordable housing - the island currently has a waiting list of about 500 - it is anticipated that this may also reduce pressure on the private rental market, which we know currently has far more demand than supply.” No detailed plans are available for the site as yet, but it will be a mixed development offering partial ownership properties, social rental housing and key worker housing. Given the island’s demographics and projected needs, much of the site is likely to be developed into smaller one or twobedroom accommodation. It is also hoped that the land to the western end of the site, which is designated as a protected open space, can be developed into some form of public amenity.

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

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Davey Le Marquand Partner

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Ronez to move to Chouet If planning approval is granted, Ronez will use land at Chouet to quarry the island’s stone. The States of Guernsey approved the principle of keeping quarrying on-island by 27 votes to nine during a recent debate. Ronez’s current quarry at Les Vardes has provided for the bulk demand of aggregate since 1961 but reserves that can be easily extracted are expected to be exhausted by the end of 2023 and further work would still see the site completely depleted of granite resources within seven years.

There are no other economically recoverable reserves of stone within the island other than at Chouet headland. Following the vote, Ronez is drawing up a planning application to use the land at Chouet, which is co-owned by the States, for its quarrying activities. However, the site at the Chouet headland has a projected operational life of 30-35 years so the idea of importing stone is one that will need to be revisited in the future.

National award for Norman Piette employee The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has around 760 member companies who together employ over 207,000 people in the building materials industry. The Young Merchant Achiever award recognises anyone under 35 who has demonstrated an ability to go above and beyond in their business, coming up with and implementing new ideas and concepts or spotting new opportunities that really enhance the business. Norman Piette executive sales and marketing manager, Lindsey Hart, has been awarded Gold in The Builders Merchants Federation Young Merchant Achiever award, topping the poll from a shortlist of six.

The judging panel is made up of representatives from the BMF, trade press, the sponsors and the current chair of the BMF Young Merchant Group.

New biodiversity requirements for domestic curtilage applications All applications for change of use of land to gardens, also known as domestic curtilage, now have to be accompanied by information demonstrating environmental benefits in respect of biodiversity that will be incorporated following change of use. The requirement came into effect from 1 September 2021, following the Development & Planning Authority (D&PA) reviewing and monitoring the applications for change of use. Any applications received from that date will not be agreed unless the necessary information on biodiversity enhancement has been provided.

Guernsey Property and Construction

The new requirements reflect the availability of improved information relating to existing habitats through the 2018 Habitat Survey, the recent adoption by the D&PA of the Strategy for Nature as supplementary planning guidance and the agreed Government Work Plan work streams which incorporate the strategic objectives of the States in relation to the environment. If permission is granted, planning conditions will be applied to ensure that the proposed biodiversity enhancements are carried out within a reasonable timescale and then are retained. In some cases, planning covenants may be required to achieve this.

John Bampkin, Norman Piette’s CEO, said: “With a history going back over 280 years, we are one of the oldest builders’ merchants in the British Isles, but we also have a clear vision for our future and Lindsey’s win is evidence that we are succeeding in nurturing and developing young talent. That being said, the achievements themselves are all Lindsey’s. Since joining the company as a marketing assistant, she has progressed to managerial level because of her drive, enthusiasm, ability to innovate and to inspire others. That is why we put her forward for the award and why we think it is a much-deserved win.”

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Development Framework approved for Belgrave Vinery site point for the island, a former horticultural site with remaining spans of glass, and a number of parcels of undeveloped land. The Draft Development Framework was the subject of a public consultation between December 2020 and March 2021 with the responses informing the final Development Framework.

A Development Framework for residential development of the site generally known as Belgrave Vinery in St Sampson’s has been approved by the Development & Planning Authority. This site covers an area of approximately 6.26 hectares (40.58 vergées) and largely comprises the Fontaine Vinery and part of the former Belgrave Vinery, consisting of some temporary industrial uses, a cesspit emptying

The majority of the site is States owned and offers an opportunity for a mix of uses including a large proportion of affordable housing. The Guernsey Housing Association has therefore been involved in developing options for the site, where it expects to construct between 125-313 dwellings. Deputy Peter Roffey, president of the Employment & Social Security Committee, said: “As the president of the Employment & Social Security Committee and chair of the Housing Action Group, I know I speak on behalf of both bodies when I say how delighted we are that the DPA has now

Guidance for Tree Protection Orders reviewed

signed off the Development Framework for Belgrave Vinery. “The need for social and affordable housing in Guernsey is probably greater than at any time since the 1980s. While the solution will obviously require multiple housing schemes, this site certainly has the capacity to make a significant difference. The need now is for the framework to be converted into detailed permissions and actual construction as quickly as possible to provide new social rental, key worker and partial ownership homes.” Steve Williams, chief executive of the Guernsey Housing Association, said: “We are delighted that the Development Framework has now been approved and we are busy working on a detailed planning application to provide much needed housing for rent, partial ownership first time buyers, and key workers. We are aiming to start building the first phase next summer with completed homes from 2023 onwards.”

has also been updated to make it relevant to Guernsey’s tree stock. Following the loss during the 1990s of the greater proportion of the island’s mature trees to Dutch Elm disease, the remaining trees are considered of even greater importance as Guernsey has a very small proportion of woodland cover. The TPO guidance document has been subject to a consultation with targeted stakeholders including tree surgeons, agents that act of behalf of developers, Parish Constables and States’ Committees. Deputy Victoria Oliver, president of the Development & Planning Authority, said: “We are pleased to approve this guidance as it helps communicate to potential developers the TPO process, including which trees may likely be subject to a TPO on receipt of an application for planning permission. However, I would like to stress that this will not be used to delay developments.

The Development & Planning Authority has published guidance on Tree Protection Orders (TPOs), giving stakeholders and developers information relevant to Guernsey on how and when TPOs will be made.

This workstream was identified following feedback from the Planning Tribunal. Previously, guidance was not available publicly ahead of a planning application being submitted. The guidance document

“It also highlights the importance of protecting and managing trees, not just in preserving the natural beauty of our island, but also through other benefits such as our own health and well-being, providing habitats for wildlife and mitigating biodiversity loss.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

INDUSTRY NEWS

Norman Piette expands senior management team It is a new position at the builders’ merchant, and her role will focus on improving customer experience, expanding product ranges and raising brand awareness in the market. Mimi has previously worked as a chief operations officer, a strategic brand development donsultant, and advertising account executive in London and Guernsey.

Norman Piette has appointed Mimi Madell as executive manager of Lightside, covering the showroom, joinery, decorating and building centre departments.

GROW on the move

John Bampkin, CEO of the Norman Piette Group, said: “I’m delighted to have Mimi joining our executive team as we look to move the business forward successfully. She will play a pivotal role in this and her wealth of experience and impressive skillset will be crucial in ensuring opportunities are leveraged.

After 40 years at its site, the Guernsey Rural Occupational Workshop (GROW) has moved premises to allow for a major redevelopment of its facilities at Les Petits Quartiers in St Sampson’s. The charity is now based at a temporary site at Avondale Vinery in Oatlands Lane while work is undertaken on the £3 million project to redevelop its home. Planning permission was granted earlier this year for the development, which will provide a marked improvement in the facilities and opportunities GROW can offer. The charity provides a site for islanders with learning disabilities to train and work in a sheltered horticultural environment.

The potential of this department is great, and we are excited to fulfil this.” Mimi added: “Developing strategies for growth has always been a passion of mine. Although it originated in marketing, over the years my experience has taken it right across traditional departmental lines. So it’s great to now find myself at the heart of a business able to make real change, surrounded by a forward-facing team who are passionate about improving Norman Piette’s customer service and helping build a better Guernsey.”

The new facilities will see them add a new building to house a workshop and retail area as well as a canteen and office space for local charities. Car parking facilities will be improved, along with accessibility around the site. A café will also be built where attendees can be trained in food preparation and front of house skills as well as selling the produce grown on site. The development is estimated to cost around £3 million in total. Half of that was raised before work started with fundraising ongoing for the remainder.

Bursary for Guernsey student Jack, a former pupil at Elizabeth College, is studying Construction Management at the University of Reading. As part of the bursary arrangement, he also receives a paid work placement at HLG during the holidays.

A bursary from Channel Island surveyors, HLG Associates, has been awarded to a young Guernsey student. 20-year-old Jack Le Tissier now receives an annual grant of £1,500 while pursuing his university studies.

Guernsey Property and Construction

Jack has already been involved in a significant project in Guernsey, assisting in the project management of the construction of a new electricity substation at Beau Sejour, which will soon be producing a quarter of the island’s power. “I am the only one of my friends doing this kind of work. I spend every day of the week loving my job. I like being on-site, the variety and the fact that every day is different,” said Jack.

HLG Associates introduced the bursary scheme this year. Managing director Andrew Morley said they’re keen to help the next generation build a successful career in the islands: “The future of a thriving construction industry depends on the availability of a ready pool of skilled local talent, dedicated to delivering high-quality work and strong personal professionalism. HLG is committed to helping develop this talent and future. We are proud to continue offering a bursary scheme for students like Jack, studying or commencing a relevant surveying or construction-related degree.”

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MSG purchases premises Vignon Properties was formed by the founding partners of the MSG and the current partners wanted to secure a long-term base for outpatient services for the island.

The Medical Specialist Group (MSG) has purchased its premises, Alexandra House and Mill House, from Vignon Properties in a deal worth £7 million.

Dr Gary Yarwood, chair of the MSG, said: “We are very grateful to the founding doctors of the MSG who built Alexandra House in 1992 and later Mill House. But with the passage of time they have all now retired, so it was important for us as today’s partners to secure the buildings as medical practices. The deal achieves both security for our patients and the legacy of our pioneering founders.

Trafalgar Court sold for £55 million

“We are in a great location, close to the hospital for our consultants, and with space for clinics and for the parking that outpatients need. Securing our premises now allows us to go on to explore the possibility of developing Braye Lodge or alternative sites to meet the longer term needs of Guernsey patients, with an expected growth in need due to demography and technological developments.” The MSG runs up to 22 clinics at a time, with around 300 patients a day visiting the premises, along with their partners and families. More than 90% of patients arrive by car.

Trafalgar Court is the largest office building in the island at 113,713 sq.ft of Grade A space. The majority is let to two international financial organisations, Aztec Financial Services and Northern Trust. D2 Real Estate director Alex Titheridge said: “The pool of investors seeking to buy in the Channel Islands has definitely increased over the past few years. The lot sizes are attractive and occupational supply and demand dynamics are strong, so you tend to get long leases, steady rental growth and financially strong occupiers.

Admiral Park’s Trafalgar Court has been sold for £55 million to ARC Global (Guernsey) Holdings Ltd – a subsidiary of Global Net Lease Inc.

D2 Real Estate, working alongside JLL and acting for previous owners Stenprop, sold the property in a major transaction for the Channel Islands.

“This asset also has genuine asset management opportunities. In recent years there have been several new overseas entrants, from the Middle East, south-east Asia and now the US, which shows real confidence in the Channel Islands’ investment market and office sector as a whole.”

Admiral Park phase two work pauses The plans for phase two of the current Admiral Park development have been temporarily halted due to a change in circumstances with respect to the proposed tenant for the office building. Phase two is the final stage of the development and is designed to encompass a six-storey landmark office building, covered cycle spaces and an outside amenity area on the eastern edge of the current site to the rear of Trafalgar Court. Developer Comprop is due to invest £40 million in the project.

The plans were passed by the Development & Planning Authority in a fast-track process earlier this year. The work on phase one, which includes the Premier Inn, is continuing with the hotel due to open on Tuesday 1 February 2022.

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

OLIVER WESTGARTH A familiar face to those in the industry, Oliver Westgarth’s achievements were recognised when he was the winner of the Industry Professional of the Year award at the last Property and Construction awards in 2019. With the recent news of the demerger of CCD Architects, its former design director told us about his plans and ambitions for his new practice, StudiO Architecture + Design, and his journey to this point.

Guernsey Property and Construction

As design director at CCD, Oliver led his team on a range of highprofile community and arts projects, including the new ‘Children’s Library’, which is currently shortlisted for a RIBA design award; the complicated renovation of the Fermain Tower into boutique accommodation; and the recently completed Guille Allès ‘Story Tower’ project, which is proving popular not just for children’s storytelling but also as a wellbeing and meditation space in the heart of town. Alongside those projects, he and his team have worked closely with a number of local third sector organisations seeking to bring about positive change in the island, including Art for Guernsey (particularly on their bid for the Tourism information Centre as an iconic art venue for Guernsey), community centre groups, the Soil Farm, the Literary Festival, the Sarah Groves Foundation and others.

Those community projects are something the team certainly wants to continue to support, but exciting and visible as they are, the majority of their focus is on bespoke designled domestic buildings and houses. “After more than a decade at CCD it’s a really thrilling time for me and the team – we’re enjoying the excitement of a start-up, whilst having the comfort of a skilled, tried and tested experienced team and lots of commissions. All of our clients have come with us and the market is currently busy so we have hit the ground running. It’s a good position to be in. “There is a lot of potential in Guernsey and I have a number of exciting plans for the new studio, from its location to the services we’re offering.” The new studio is called ‘StudiO Architecture + Design’. For Oliver

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and his designers, it’s vital that the new studio has no particular set or prescribed style.

colleagues and I undertake the design process so I want to promote and develop that further.”

a thorough understanding of what is required technically, financially and logistically from projects.

“StudiO’s design solutions are always unique and come from a very detailed focus on the client’s brief and an equally detailed understanding of the site or building. It is a considered and careful design process that leads to sensitive solutions to each brief, which are inevitably always as different as the individuals commissioning the project.

Including ‘design’ in the business’s name is also no accident. Oliver and his design team have all trained and qualified as Chartered Architects, but say they consider themselves designers first and foremost, with their professional and technical knowledge supporting that.

“I didn’t take the straightforward route to qualifying as a Chartered Architect. Throughout and after my schooling in the UK I worked parttime jobs in the construction industry, usually as a bottom rung labourer, shoved into an attic space covered in fibreglass, up a scaffold with a kango or mixing concrete, and I loved it.

“Architecture is about so much more than just buildings, it’s primarily about people and ‘story’. You can’t strip it down to mere professional or logical processes, nor the technicalities.

“Practically, this also tends to lead to a fairly straightforward planning process, even on projects that might otherwise appear risky. Whether you are looking at works to a protected building or a newbuild, I strongly believe that if you do the concept work correctly the system is set up to support you.”

“Despite shelter being the most basic of human needs, architecture is utterly tied up with our psychology and philosophies. Of course you need the technical skills and the professional process to deliver it, but creativity is what brings the magic. I believe, and have seen, that everyone, without exception, appreciates it when they experience it.”

The name of Oliver’s new practice may seem simple, but it’s very reflective of his ethos and what he wants it to offer. For him, the use of the word ‘studio’ is crucial. “I regard us as an all-round creative studio. Solid architectural practice is, of course, our backbone but a studio has more creative, storytelling connotations to it. It’s how my

ARCHITECTURE IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST BUILDINGS, IT’S PRIMARILY ABOUT PEOPLE AND ‘STORY’

While good architecture and design and what it means is clearly a subject Oliver feels passionate about, he doesn’t prize aesthetics, or concepts, over practicality. In fact, his unusual background with a wealth of handson, practical experience has given him

“After post school travels, I went to Oxford Brookes and completed a three year undergraduate degree in Architecture which began to open my eyes to the beauty and breadth of the profession, particularly in a design and conceptual sense. Once you’ve completed your degree you then need a minimum year in practice, usually as an intern, before returning to take a postgraduate qualification. However, the industry is notorious for taking more than its pound of flesh, and I wanted to be active and handson, not stuck in front of a screen or making tea” After a helpful introduction from a local architect, Oliver met a man called Monty Ravenscroft, on a rainy day in a ‘greasy spoon’ café in South London, and a lifelong friendship was born.

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

“Monty is a designer of some of the world’s best moving glazed elements in architecture, as such he had lots of very talented architect friends, who had helped him plan an innovative building, squeezed into a dead bit of land in Peckham.

architects in the background and the tradesman. It remains a milestone in my life, showing what’s possible against apparent odds and exposing me to the meeting of the conceptual and practical which is at the root of architecture.”

“However, design detail was relatively light and Monty had no builder for the project and couldn’t afford anyone experienced or sane to get involved. So he employed me and I was grandly appointed foreman… my site office, at first, was quite literally a portaloo!”

Once complete Oliver continued to run a small building team, mostly working on conservation projects across the UK, for friends or family, but a year or so later he ended up in Italy.

The project caught the attention of Grand Designs, which featured the build. In fact, even after all these years, the project remains one of Kevin McCloud’s most memorable houses. “It was an absolute baptism of fire for me. It took almost two years managing a large and motley crew of tradesmen, as well as physically building the house. I undertook much of the detailed design as we went, and it was all innovative and unusual. I loved the hands-on work and the camaraderie. I learned so much from Monty, the other more experienced

Guernsey Property and Construction

“I wanted to explore the other end of the spectrum and try something more corporate. I was still in my mid 20s and all options were open. One thing led to another and I moved to Rome, washed, shaved, threw on a sharp suit, jumped on a red Vespa and began a role as a commercial agent at CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate and investment agency. Rome was fantastic. I learnt Italian, loved life and remained happily for almost two years working on huge projects, from Warner Brothers’ HQ, to commercial cinemas, malls and hotels, but as time passed I realised I wanted to be much more up close and personal with the architecture.

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“My one year in practice had now grown to over four when the opportunity cropped up to take me back in the direction I wanted. Work boots went back on and I reassembled some of the team, and we undertook a major extension and renovation of a protected farmhouse [Maison Frie au Four], in Guernsey this time. This was my first fully solo designed project which I also got to build, it was full of innovative details and the end result was very satisfying, although the challenges of trying to be both architect and contractor were clear, I was building by day and drafting by night and it took its toll.” By the time the project was complete Oliver had decided it was time to complete the second stage of an architect’s formal qualifications and focus on the architecture over the building work. Now classified as a mature student, and itching to study, he went back to London and two years later left the University of Westminster with a postgraduate

distinction. There he had studied within the acclaimed DS15 group, led by Professor Sean Griffiths (founding member of FAT) and Professor Kester Rattenbury (critic and architectural author). “In DS15 I met and studied with some fascinating and creative thinkers in architecture, it represents another milestone for me in terms of my own development. A lot of my thinking around the process, from micro to macro, from a door detail to a citywide master plan, developed at this time.” In the meantime, Oliver’s Maison Frie au Four project had caught CCD’s attention in Guernsey and he and his partner moved to Guernsey in 2010. He became a director of CCD in 2011, with a number of projects, including his own award-winning family home at Le Mont Saint, following over the past decade. Now, a new chapter opens with StudioO, with many more interesting projects no doubt to come.

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

VALLÉE VINERY The Guernsey Housing Association’s latest development, Vallée Vinery in St Martin’s, has recently welcomed its new residents. A mix of rental and partial ownership properties, the houses were in high demand when they were completed at the end of the summer, with all of them tenanted within a fortnight.

The Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) has built 16 two and threebedroom houses on the site, with nine for rent and seven for partial ownership. It’s a development that the non-profit organisation has been wanting to pursue for some time, as development manager Phil Roussel explained: “It’s a former vinery site which we cleared quite a while ago. We laid it to grass while we waited for planning permission so that we had a good idea of what we were dealing with and it looked a little better for the neighbours. “It took us three designs and around two years to get planning permission for these houses through a rounding off policy that classified this area as completing the neighbouring estate of States housing. There is still a field to one side of the site which will continue to be used for agricultural land as that area wasn’t classed as necessary to round off the site, so we don’t have permission at this stage to use it for housing.” The new houses are situated off La Route des Coutures in St Martin’s. The new development’s name comes

Guernsey Property and Construction

from the site’s former life as the GHA thought it was a good way to mark its history by retaining the identity of the original La Vallée Vinery. The houses themselves are a fairly standard offering for the GHA, with a real focus on build quality. For Phil, while the construction is key, they also do their best to make the houses attractive: “We have a standard specification that we give to the architect we are using on our project, and in this case he came up with these houses. They might not be the most architecturally exciting but they have got some nice features and, most importantly, they are good quality houses which have all the things you’d want from a property. “While we do standardise our homes in a lot of ways, we also try to add in little quirks to differentiate our properties. These houses, for example, have a diagonal wall upstairs on the three bedrooms and the stairs are a bit different to our other designs. These properties are also far more neutral in colour than our last development, which was quite bright.”

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Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

THE CONTRACTORS • JW Rihoy • GH Construction • T & C Roofing • NE Electrical • AFG • Access • Just Build It • Bob Froome

But the GHA is clear it is the quality of the build that is the most important factor, something Phil says the tenants living in these properties should benefit from: “The houses are blockwork with cavity construction and a very sizeable chunk of insulation in the cavity. As always, we have exceeded the building regulations by a decent margin. We also ensure they are air tight, so we specify an air tightness of two as opposed to the building regulations requirement, which has just been reduced to five. Altogether, it means the houses are very efficient and those living in them should have some very low heating bills.” Kelly Hind has recently moved into a three-bedroom partial ownership house after a considerable period on the waiting list. For her, it’s been a very good move: “I’m absolutely delighted with it, I love it. It’s a great space for my two children, and everything is such good quality, as well as having features such as the large attic which is so useful. We moved from States housing and this is wonderful in comparison. It’s so well-constructed and well-insulated that I don’t think we’re going to need to put the heating on this winter.” For Phil, that’s an achievement for the GHA. The non-profit organisation always has to balance meeting the desires of its tenants with ensuring that its properties have longevity: “The

Guernsey Property and Construction

quality of the build is really important to us. We never waste money on unnecessary items, but we make sure the house is really well built. Inside the houses, there are solid core doors that will stand up well to use, the staircase has been built as a nice feature, there’s a good quality kitchen. We try to use decdnt fixtures and fittings but at a reasonable price. It’s important to remember that the GHA needs to maintain these properties. Our mandate doesn’t allow us to sell them so we need to make sure they are in good condition for the next 40-odd years. “We therefore build them robustly so that they are easy to maintain. We also standardise things as much as possible, so we can easily replace anything that breaks such as a kitchen unit or door. At the end of the day, all of our houses have to reach the same standards but we do our best to make tweaks that will give them some individuality.” The GHA has a sizeable waiting list for both its rented and partial ownership accommodation, with demand high for the properties. For Kelly, the wait was certainly worth it: “We had been on the waiting list for quite a long time but that was partly because we were very keen to stay in St Martin’s. My children go to school nearby and this area suits us very well. I love this location and living in this parish so it’s absolutely perfect for us.”

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A KNOTTY PROBLEM Before work could start on the Vallée Vinery site, there was one major problem which needed to be dealt with. The most invasive plant in Guernsey, Japanese knotweed, had firmly taken root throughout the area. The plant is renowned for spreading rapidly and has caused issues throughout much of the island. On a derelict site such as the former vinery, it had been able to grow rampantly but could not remain if buildings were to be put on the site. While Kelly loves living in St Martin’s, the GHA was also keen to make sure that the parish welcomed the new properties. For Phil, making sure the houses benefited everyone was a priority: “We’ve taken quite a lot of trouble to make sure that the whole area looks attractive with planting and nice finishes. We also built new fencing for the States housing on the boundary of these properties to try to give them a benefit from the development as well. “Importantly, we’re also encouraging people to be in this area – we’ve put a walkway through the estate so that dog walkers can use it and when children are going to school they can come through here and then walk up the lane to school and stay away from the main roads. We want these houses to be part of the parish so we put the parish crest on the new sign. It’s really important to us that we build communities, not just houses.” The timeframe of this build obviously meant that it was affected by the Covid lockdowns, but Phil said the impact wasn’t as bad as it could have been: “We had got to a certain point before this year’s lockdown which meant that we had ordered all the materials that we needed and most of it was either stored on island or already on site. At the same time, the nature of the individual houses meant that as soon as work could start again, we got as

much labour as we could on site and were able to progress fairly quickly. “Rihoys certainly did the best they could in the circumstances and we were very pleased with them. We’ve obviously used them on previous projects and have always had a good relationship with them, but they were exceptional on this. When we do a build, we see it as a team effort and everyone pulls together to make sure we get a good job done.”

“When we bought the site, there was a substantial infestation of knotweed on it,” said Phil. “That needed to be sorted out before any work could begin. The way we looked to deal with it was by screening the ground to remove the rhizomes from the knotweed, which are the root fragments responsible for the plant’s spread. “Dealing with the knotweed was always going to be a challenge, but the main problem we actually had was the weather. When we came to screen the soil it was raining so it became very claggy and that method wouldn’t work. We had to hand pick the rhizomes out of the soil, which was very labour intensive and really not what we would have chosen to do.” Once the rhizomes had been separated, there was then the need to ensure that they were safely disposed of so that they couldn’t do any further damage, as Phil explained: “We disposed of the rhizomes offsite. The screened soil was then used to form encapsulated bunds around the site. Those were then sealed to ensure that the soil could not contaminate anything further. Then, wherever the knotweed was, we put a membrane in at around a metre deep which stops any remaining knotweed from affecting the site.” With the knotweed removed, construction could start on site.

Guernsey Property and Construction

AWARDS

Le Prinsaeu Winner of the heritage award and the people’s choice award in 2020

ENTRIES OPEN FOR GUERNSEY DESIGN AWARDS 2022 The 2022 Guernsey Design Awards, which celebrate outstanding design in Guernsey’s built environment, are now open for entries from individuals and firms throughout the sector.

The Guernsey Design Awards are held every two years and aim to promote distinctive, original, inspirational and sustainable design across a variety of categories, from building and landscaping to interiors and public art. The awards are sponsored by Norman Piette and were developed by the States of Guernsey Planning Service, Norman Piette and The Guernsey Society of Architects, and are supported by CIAT, with the judging panel comprising representatives from architecture, construction, related industries and the arts. Previous winners include contemporary and heritage residential builds, developments, social housing, landscaping, interior schemes and public art. Entries are limited to projects completed between 22 November 2019 and 26 November 2021, and judges will reward projects that have fulfilled the original brief, reached the highest standards both functionally and aesthetically, and which fit harmoniously into the environment.

Guernsey Property and Construction

The winners, however, aren’t all chosen by the judges. All of the shortlisted entries are eligible for the people’s choice award, which is given to the entry with the highest number of public votes. As well as the main categories, awards are given to the contractors responsible for the winning projects. Last year, due to Covid, the winners were announced via video on Facebook Live. This year, a presentation evening is planned for Friday 25 March 2022 at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts. However, following the success of last year’s virtual event, the 2022 presentation will also be broadcast online. The closing date for entries is Friday 26 November. For more information on the awards and how to enter, visit guernseydesignawards.com

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THE CATEGORIES The categories for the 2022 awards are: • Small projects • Single residential new build • Single residential renovation/extension • Commercial Heritage • Multiple residential development • People’s choice • Professionals’ choice

The judges for the 2022 awards, pictured at the 2020 awards’ commercial category winner, The Children’s Library L-R: Alun White (States of Guernsey Planning Service), Mitch Sneddon (DRP Architects), Steve Powell and John Bampkin (Norman Piette)

WHO CAN ENTER? The organisers say that submissions are invited from entrants whose works fall within, but are not limited to, the following categories: • New buildings • Extensions and alterations • Public realm projects • Designed landscapes • Works to protected buildings and monuments • Infrastructure works • Restoration projects • Lighting schemes • Public art projects • Conversion and refurbishment Conceptual projects such as masterplans or projects that are not yet complete cannot be accepted. Separate elements of a phased development will be considered. Entries are limited to the built environment in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Cedar House Winner of the single residential new build award in 2020

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

CHANNEL ISLANDER NAMED CONSTRUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR Jersey-based Marc Burton MBE, executive director at the Garenne Group, was recently named Construction Manager of the Year at the prestigious Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) awards in London. The accolade follows his recognition in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list for his achievement in building Jersey General Hospital’s Nightingale Wing last year. The national CIOB awards are renowned as the most prestigious in the industry, allowing those working in the sector to recognise the very best amongst them. This year, 77 highachieving construction managers in the UK were named as finalists in the 10 categories, with Marc featuring in the healthcare category. On the night, having received the gold medal for that sector, he was named the overall winner.

Guernsey Property and Construction

For Marc, it was a proud moment for himself, his team and his island: “I was very proud to represent Jersey’s construction industry and show what the island can achieve to a national audience. It was a great opportunity to promote Jersey and its talent. I may have been the face who won this award, but there was a huge team of people who made the Nightingale Wing project happen and I was certainly representing all of them.

I THINK IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION. PROMOTING THE INDUSTRY AS AN EXCITING AND VARIED CAREER IS A REAL PASSION OF MINE

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“On a personal note, I was also delighted that I had a colleague there on the night supporting me, and he actually won the award in 2008. I attended with him that night so it felt like things had come full circle.” Marc’s work and extreme dedication to the Nightingale Wing project were recognised with the award, but he said the process to the trophy was fairly demanding in itself: “The CMYA are the biggest awards in our sector, so it obviously has to be a fairly grilling process to get through. I initially submitted my entry in March and was then shortlisted and interviewed before being told that I was a finalist at the beginning of August.” But for Marc, the effort to enter was worth the potential rewards – not for himself, but for the future stars of the industry in Jersey: “One of the main reasons why I entered in the first place

was to try to help encourage more young people into construction. I think it’s so important to inspire the next generation. Promoting the industry as an exciting and varied career is a real passion of mine – it’s why I was involved with launching the ‘Design, Engineer, Construct!’ programme in Jersey, which succeeded in having construction and the built environment put on the school curriculum.

CMYA

THE CATEGORIES • Accommodation over four storeys • Accommodation up to four storeys • Healthcare • Higher education

“Now that ‘Primary Engineer’ is also in place, the island has a careers map for young people from primary school all the way through to completing a masters degree at Highlands College. It’s a viable option for young islanders to stay here in education and have a pathway into an incredibly varied, fulfilling career. I really hope this award will help encourage others to follow in my footsteps and see how rewarding construction can be.”

• Office • Public and leisure • Refurbishment and restoration over £10 million • Refurbishment and restoration under £10 million • Schools over £20 million • Schools under £20 million

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

THE NIGHTINGALE WING PROJECT

decision was very easy. Luckily, I had a relationship with the owner of the site which meant that he supported us using his land for the purpose.” With the sign-off from Jersey’s emergency council in place on 8 April, Marc and his team were ready to start the build just a couple of days later. For him, the entire experience was a credit to the island and the industry: “The reaction from the local construction industry was absolutely remarkable. In theory, and as a result of the industry lockdown, we had access to around 6,000 personnel from all sectors of the industry and we were overwhelmed with offers to help. Companies and individuals worked together to make sure the project could proceed and everyone was very happy to pitch in. “While we were working hard on site, we had a huge amount of support from islanders, from catering to practical help. One of our suppliers ran a competition where children drew rainbows and every single one of the 541 workers on site was given a picture. We displayed them in the staff entrance as a ‘wall of hope’ to motivate the healthcare staff who would be working in the facility.”

On Sunday 29 March 2020, during a J3 board meeting, the Garenne Group decided to offer Jersey’s government the benefit of its partner, Sir Robert McAlpine’s experience in building the Manchester Nightingale Wing. They certainly didn’t expect that on 4 May 2020 they’d be handing over the keys to a facility they’d built from the ground up. But that’s exactly what the States of Jersey had instructed them to do – commissioning a 180-bed field hospital to cater for the projected wave of Covid-19 cases in the island. It’s an unprecedented achievement in the Channel Islands, and indeed the Jersey Nightingale Wing itself was an anomaly compared with its UK counterparts. While the

Guernsey Property and Construction

With that team spirit, the hospital was built in just 25 days – something Marc is quick to credit to everyone involved: “I may have received the accolades for this project, but I didn’t build the Nightingale – it was a significant achievement for the whole team. We might have been a disparate bunch of individuals but we had one common objective and we achieved it.”

emergency hospitals throughout the UK were built in existing facilities such as conference centres and entertainment venues, Jersey’s was built on a greenfield site with a host of added infrastructure demands. But for Marc, the decision to put the hospital at Millbrook was certainly the right one: “When we first started looking at the project, we narrowed the potential sites for the Nightingale Wing down to a shortlist. While places such as Fort Regent would have seemed an obvious candidate, there was a host of reasons why it wasn’t suitable. When I spoke to stakeholders and realised that any site had to be within a four-minute ambulance ride of the hospital, the

COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS WORKED TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THE PROJECT COULD PROCEED AND EVERYONE WAS VERY HAPPY TO PITCH IN.

The Nightingale Wing was complete by 4 May 2020 and was on standby throughout the Covid crisis. By the spring of this year, with the pandemic response under control, it was decommissioned, allowing the area to return to its previous status as a playing field. The construction aimed to leave the ground able to return to its original state, but the project has certainly left a permanent mark on those who worked on it.

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FEATURE

LA VALLETTE The work to reinvigorate Guernsey’s historic Bathing Pools with a new community facility is continuing apace, with the charity behind the project, Vive La Vallette, hoping to have the major redevelopment complete early next year. Those on site have faced their fair share of challenges, but they are confident the facility is on track to be open for the public to enjoy. When building work started on site on 4 January this year, main contractor RG Falla knew that it had a challenging time ahead. What wasn’t planned was the island-wide lockdown that came into force just a few weeks later. Despite that initial setback, the team is delighted with the progress the project has made throughout the year. For site manager, Paul Salazar of RG Falla, it’s a challenging project, not least because of its tight deadlines: “The timeframes for this are that we want to have the changing rooms finished in time for them to be used for the Christmas Day swim, and we want to have the building structure finished by February

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2022. We would definitely benefit from some good weather over the winter to help make that possible as there’s an awful lot to get done.” What’s being put on site is planned to be a major improvement to the previous facilities, to encourage even more islanders to come to use and enjoy the area. Refurbished and improved changing rooms will remain on their original level, with a relaxed kiosk style café with a range of seating options and views out over the water on the level above. Above that will be a community space that can be used for anything from exercise to education as well as landscaping and a terraced area.

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

It’s a project that has evolved as the community has had its input, throughout the planning stages and during the work on site. For architect David de la Mare, that’s been both challenging and rewarding: “We have had to be quite reactive with this site as there have been quite a few tweaks and changes along the way. The important thing with this site is that it is a community project so we have to provide what works for the people who will be using it. “Our initial plans have varied considerably as the work has progressed – from adding bicycle parking and changing the landscaping plans to addressing the access and approach to the building and the pools. It has had to be a real team effort for us to listen to the community and to work with Paul to ensure all those ideas got translated to the work on the site itself.” Helen Bonner-Morgan is the community lead for Vive La Vallette.

For her, involving the community has been absolutely crucial: “The project started off as a fairly conceptual design, which was always planned to evolve as time went on. This is a major public project for the island so we have had to think very carefully about all the ways in which it can be a really relevant and fit for purpose building for the community. Throughout the whole site we have looked very carefully at how the space can be used to make sure it is as flexible and useful as possible as we want everyone to be able to enjoy it.”

WE WERE QUITE LUCKY AS THE GROUND WAS FAIRLY SOLID SO WE DIDN’T NEED TO DO ANY SHORING UP AND WE MANAGED TO DO THE EXCAVATION WORK FAIRLY EFFICIENTLY

While there has been plenty of thinking about the project, there has also been a lot of action on site. It’s been a busy period since the start of the year, and Paul is pleased with what they’ve achieved: “I think we’ve done really well to get to this point considering the constraints we’ve been working with. Whilst we have got very good access by road, which

is helpful, once you get to the site, access is all from the south for the whole length of the building, which is challenging. We have had to be fairly flexible and adapt some of the things we would normally do and move the programming around with the build.” As well as the access problems, the natural environment which the site sits within has caused its own issues. It was necessary to dig into the mound behind the original building to create room for the new toilets on the middle level, which was a major piece of work for Paul and his team: “We were quite lucky as the ground was fairly solid so we didn’t need to do any shoring up and we managed to do the excavation work fairly efficiently. That took about two weeks with a goodsized machine and a run of lorries removing all the earth from site.” Aside from the excavation, the build has involved an awful lot of concrete. While the team has tried to work

Guernsey Property and Construction

FEATURE

ACCESS FOR ALL One major improvement in the new facility will be its access for anyone with mobility problems. The building itself with be fully accessible, with sloped access into the main cafe area, and a lift to access the upper floors. There will also be disabled toilet facilities available to those using the building along with an accessible changing room and shower on the lower level.

around the old building as much as possible, a large piece of the old slab needed to be removed to allow room for the new internal staircase from the changing rooms and the lift shaft. Now the team is busy pouring floors and creating the new structure. But with the design incorporating large amounts of fair faced concrete, there is plenty of pressure to get it right. “There is a huge amount of reinforced concrete going in here which is very time-consuming but will hopefully be of benefit in the long run as it should last a very long time,” said Paul. “As the finished product won’t get rendered over or painted, what we pour is what will be seen so the quality is critical. We only get one chance to get it right so we have to make sure we do.” For David, the work will be worth it for the finished result, both aesthetically and from a practical point of view: “We are using fair faced concrete more and more for architectural reasons, but in this case it’s also hugely sensible from a longevity and maintenance point of view. This site is so exposed, it makes perfect sense to use concrete rather than something

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that would need repointing and replastering. Part of our brief with this building was to keep the maintenance costs as low as possible so the concrete fulfils that while still providing real advantages from a design point of view. “We’ve selected a smooth shutter to give the concrete a very flat finish that won’t hold dirt. However, as a raw material, it will still weather and blend into its surroundings over time. From early concepts, the proposal was developed as if it has been pulled from the topography of the site, nestling into the rocky mound with a formal linear frontage to the pools. Between this interconnecting structure varied pockets of internal and external space are formed, providing differing use and aspect to each. It offers a transition of spaces linking the surrounding landscape to the building, a physical connection to the Victorian pools and a visual one to the sea beyond.“ The project has been designed to celebrate the natural landscape it sits within, so the team is certainly hoping Mother Nature is on its side this winter.

Outside, providing disabled access to the pools was a challenge to those involved in the project. Now, subject to planning permission, they have managed to incorporate a ramp down to the changing areas and onwards to the water. For Helen, it was absolutely key that the site was as accessible as possible, even if compromises had to be made: “It isn’t a perfect solution as the gradient of the existing slipway means that an independent wheelchair user will still need some help to get up and down to the pools, but it is a great solution for the community. We consulted with a whole range stakeholders including Guernsey Disability Swimming, the occupational therapists, the States disability officer and Access For All so we hope that islanders will be happy with the solution. “Assisted access will be a real bonus for the many people who haven’t been able to get to the pools to swim before, and there is also the advantage that it will now be far better from a health and safety perspective when schoolchildren come down here to enjoy the site.”

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

HOW TO HELP The Vive La Vallette team is still looking to the community for fundraising support for the project, and welcomes any help islanders can offer. One way to support the project and have a permanent presence at the new facility is by sponsoring the cladding that will cover the outside of some of the building. Personalised wording can be engraved on the panels to reflect the person or group that contributed to the project. Like the rest of the building, the material has been carefully thought through to sit well within the ethos of the project. “The cladding is 100% recycled and has been extruded from black plastic household waste,” said David. “It’s a product developed for the construction of fish farms so it will not break down and pollute the marine environment. It’s also very durable and low maintenance. Additionally, the dark colour was chosen as it should absorb and retain the warmth of the sun so when people are sitting against it after their swim it should be a very pleasant experience.” If you would like to sponsor the project or support it financially in any way, visit the website, www.thebathingpools.com, where you can find more information on how to get in touch with the team.

Guernsey Property and Construction

COMMENT

Builder-tied plots: key things to consider Martín Casas and Piers Dereham, senior associates at Ogier in Guernsey, consider the issues that can arise when purchasing builder-tied plots. Sales of builder-tied plots have long been a feature of the Guernsey housing market. They are typically sold to a buyer early on in the development, either as an empty plot or with a partly completed house on it, and at the same time the buyer enters into a building agreement with the sellerdeveloper for the completion of the works. This differs from the approach taken in some other jurisdictions where a developer and buyer sign conditions of sale at an early stage in the development but completion of the sale only takes place after completion of the works.

IT IS BECOMING MORE COMMON FOR SELLERDEVELOPERS TO PROVIDE INSURANCE AGAINST DEFECTS IN THE WORKS.

The type of building agreement used here contains a fairly standard set of obligations that have become accepted over time. Despite this, there are potential pitfalls in entering into such an arrangement. Purchase price Because the sale usually completes before practical completion of the works, the purchase price is paid in instalments. A portion of the price would be payable on completion of the sale and then the balance in instalments at different stages of the construction. It is important that the instalment amounts represent the true value of the building at the relevant stage. Defects liability period A buyer would expect that any defects which appear in the building after practical completion are rectified by the developer at its own expense. Only defects reported during a limited period of time are rectified under this provision. This is called a defects liability or snagging period which usually the parties agree to last 12 months. We have seen provisions in some agreements that attempt to limit the scope of developers’ warranties to the duration of the defects liability period. This would prevent a buyer from making a claim outside the defects liability period. Limiting the scope of the warranty in this way would usually be resisted by buyers and their lenders.

Guernsey Property and Construction

Defects insurance It is becoming more common for seller-developers to provide insurance against defects in the works. This insurance normally applies to major defects only (e.g. structural defects and defects in the tanking or waterproofing). The advantage of insurance is that this guards against the risk of seller-developers becoming insolvent and being unable to rectify major defects. Drawings A building agreement should include a full set of drawings detailing the works. This will give certainty as to what the developer agreed to do and the buyer is paying for, and will reduce the possibility of a dispute. Retentions Building agreements used with sales of buildertied plots often fail to provide for the retention of a proportion of the instalment payments. This contrasts with situations where the buyer employs their own builder, where it would be fairly standard for a percentage of the building price (usually 5%) to be retained until practical completion and another percentage (usually 2.5%) to be retained until the end of the defects liability period. Buildings insurance The seller-developer should procure that the building insurance is adequate. Sub-contractors The building agreement should clearly set out which services will be provided by others (e.g. an architect). Any liabilities under the building agreement to be undertaken by a sub-contractor or consultant should be in writing and passed to the relevant subcontractor/consultant. The form of sub-contract should be consistent with the main building contract. Lenders In the past, banks used to take a somewhat relaxed approach in respect of this type of building agreement. However, we have lately seen a shift in this trend and a lender that is prepared to finance such a purchase would at least require the buyer to obtain a collateral warranty from the main contractor.

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ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

Skipton International joins UNEP Finance Initiative Skipton International has become the first Channel Island organisation in the banking sector to commit to the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), further strengthening its efforts towards a sustainable future. To enhance its current sustainability strategy, the Guernsey licensed bank now aligns itself to the UNEP FI’s ‘Principles for Responsible Banking’, which creates best working practice on topics from climate and nature to gender equality and financial inclusion.

WE ARE KEEN TO DEVELOP THE IDEA OF RESPONSIBLE BANKING WHILST CONSIDERING THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND THAT MEANS BEING A GOOD CORPORATE CITIZEN.

Skipton’s commitment to the Principles for Responsible Banking is an important step towards aligning the banking sector with the UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals. Almost 250 banks have joined this movement for change, which asks signatories to analyse their impact on people and the planet, set and implement targets and publicly report on their progress. The initiative aligns itself to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. UNEP FI’s vision is to create a financial sector that positively impacts and serves both people and planet. This is achieved through partnership between the global financial community and UN Environment Programme. UNEP FI and its partners work to strategically position the financial sector for the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable, inclusive economy under three industry frameworks: Principles for Responsible Banking; Principles for Sustainable Insurance and Principles for Sustainable Investment. In 2020 Skipton released its first Sustainability Report, communicating targets to its customers, stakeholders and the public. It looked to prioritise four of the UN’s Sustainable

Development Goals, building sustainable cities and communities, offering decent work and economic growth, undertaking responsible consumption and supporting peace, justice and strong institutions. Jim Coupe, managing director at Skipton International, said: “We are always looking for ways to build upon our existing goals and to give back more to the environment than we take, so signing up to this initiative was a natural progression for Skipton. By following the UN’s Principles for Responsible Banking, Skipton will be aligning itself to international best practice, while supporting Guernsey’s Green Finance agenda internationally. We are keen to develop the idea of responsible banking whilst considering the needs of our customers and that means being a good corporate citizen. Hopefully being the first Channel Island bank to sign up will inspire others to follow suit and cement our reputation as the community bank with heart.” Rupert Pleasant, chief executive of Guernsey Finance, congratulated Skipton International on joining the finance initiative. “It is excellent to see that Skipton International has taken this important step towards aligning the banking sector with the UN Paris Agreement on Climate Change and Sustainable Development Goals. “Along with the Guernsey Green Fund Regime, the Insurance Sector’s ESG Framework and moves towards putting sustainability at the heart of fiduciary duty, Guernsey’s financial services sector can proudly say it is ‘walking the walk’ as a jurisdiction at the forefront of green and sustainable finance in all its core financial services sectors.”

Guernsey Property and Construction

AWARDS

GBTEA RECOGNISES APPRENTICES’ ACHIEVEMENTS The Guernsey Building Trades Employers’ Association (GBTEA) recently held its gala dinner for 2021. The annual event celebrates the local industry and recognises the achievements of its young apprentices. GBTEA president, Paul Mason, spoke at the event along with guest of honour, Economic Development president, Deputy Neil Inder. GBTEA members, representatives from the Guernsey College of Further Education apprenticeship team and the nominated apprentices all attended the event. Each winning apprentice received an engraved tankard, a certificate of their achievement and a £150 voucher for R H Gaudion & Son Ltd. With six winners across the categories, the judges named Shay Watson as the overall winner this year. He was presented with the R G Falla Rose Bowl and also received a cheque for £300 from the firm.

Guernsey Property and Construction

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

THE WINNERS

SHAY WATSON

ARTHID WAENLOR

LUKE GAUDION

CATEGORY: Trowel Trades (and overall winner)

CATEGORY: Carpentry & Joinery

CATEGORY: Electrical Installations

Apprenticeship training with A J Watson

Apprenticeship training with Ravenscroft Construction Ltd

Apprenticeship training with Guernsey Electricity Ltd

Prize sponsored by UCF Civil Engineering Contractors Ltd

Prize sponsored by C A Duquemin Ltd

Prize sponsored by Guernsey Electricity Ltd

KOEN-JAMES LE PREVOST

OLLIVER BREHAUT

BRANDON COOK

CATEGORY: Plumbing & Heating

CATEGORY: Stone Masonry Skills

CATEGORY: Painting & Decorating

Apprenticeship training with Alexander Plumbing Ltd

Apprenticeship training with Stoneworks Ltd

Apprenticeship training with DB Décor & Property Maintenance

Prize sponsored by Domestic Heating Services Ltd

Prize sponsored by Ronez Ltd

Prize sponsored by P3 Facades & Interiors

Guernsey Property and Construction

COMMENT

Celebrating our industry’s success Caroline Gumble, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), reflects on how recent awards have highlighted the resilience of the industry through challenging times. It’s been a busy time, for the Institute and for the industry. But it’s also been a time of celebration, with many recent awards events, for an industry which has barely stopped since the pandemic began, despite facing some of the most challenging circumstances.

I APPLAUD ALL OUR FINALISTS AND, IN FACT, ALL THOSE IN THE INDUSTRY WHO DELIVERED THE HIGHEST OF STANDARDS ON THEIR PROJECTS, UNDER COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED CIRCUMSTANCES.

As is reflected elsewhere in the magazine, CIOB held the Construction Manager of the Year Awards (CMYA) a few weeks ago. I touched on this in the last issue and was reflecting on it in the run up to the awards - our sector is remarkably resilient. From the opening for CMYA entries in 2020, not long before lockdown in the UK, the CIOB team were astonished and delighted that the quality of entries didn’t drop at all and the same can be said of the 2021 competition. Many of the entrants faced huge challenges over and above already demanding day jobs. Those things don’t get reflected in the nominations. But the stories reach us at CIOB – I applaud all our finalists and, in fact, all those in the industry who delivered the highest of standards on their projects, under completely unprecedented circumstances. And, of course, many congratulations to Jersey-based Marc Burton MBE of the Garenne Group, now also a CIOB Fellow, who took home the overall CMYA trophy. I also want to mention one of the other awards we gave out on the night. The CIOB President’s Award went to Mark Farmer, a name many of you will recognise as he authored the influential report on the construction labour market, “Modernise or Die”, published five years ago. Mark’s award came about as his work – at the time of the report and since – has been instrumental in the culture shift we are starting to see with regard to a focus on quality in construction, including his championing of modern methods of construction in housebuilding and his drive to

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support innovation. Quality in construction has been a core theme of CIOB’s work for a number of years now and it was an honour to recognise Mark’s achievements with the President’s Award. I also have to mention the excitement around the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards – it’s time to turn our attention to the built environment stars working in the Channel Islands to celebrate their achievements. With the CIOB’s history of 40+ years of organising the Construction Manager of the Year Awards, I know that those making it to the shortlists of the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards will have earned their spot. Awards in our industry are not easy to come by and every individual and company making it to the finals will be among the leaders in their field, with a deep understanding of the potential impact of their work to raise standards, influence others and deliver for our communities and for society. So very well done to everyone who’s a finalist at the Guernsey Property and Construction Awards – good luck! The last few weeks of awards and events have been both heartening and humbling – I love being able to hear so many of the stories of those doing excellent and inspiring work to create and improve our built environment. CIOB in the Channel Islands We are now planning for our CPD and events programme for 2022, which may include an appearance or two from Marc Burton, and will provide a mix of virtual and face-to-face events. If you’d like to find out more about our forthcoming events, do feel free join our LinkedIn group “CIOB in South UK” or check out the events section of the CIOB website.

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

Planning for success Chair of the Guernsey Construction Forum, John Bampkin, has a heartfelt appeal to the States of Guernsey to engage with the construction industry when planning major capital works. I was delighted to read Chief Minister Peter Ferbrache’s words in the Guernsey Press recently when he was reviewing the first 12 months in office and his honest appraisal of the progress made (or lack of it) so far. The great news for the construction industry was the positive talk about moving forward: • Easing the housing situation through the States procuring land to build more houses • The development of the harbours • Building a new school and the Guernsey Institute • Fibre optic internet connection for all homes • Remedial works to the sea defences and shorelines • Selling off redundant States property for development

THE EVENING IN NOVEMBER WILL BE A GREAT CELEBRATION OF THE LOCAL TALENT THAT EXISTS IN THE BAILIWICK, PROVING OUR INDUSTRY’S ABILITY TO CREATE AND DELIVER OUTSTANDING PROJECTS FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION

This, coupled with an already very stretched order book for local contractors, and talk of runway extensions, hospital redevelopment and extension plus the release of more land for new private housing development bodes very well for all in the industry. The only issue is one that we at the GCF have been talking about for 12 months now – the capacity and capability of the construction industry locally to deliver these contracts. The GCF committee has been meeting with various deputies and civil servants throughout 2021 to discuss the one thing that will help us … a project pipeline plan. Without sight of the planned activities that are possibly coming our way, we cannot commit to taking on more young people to train up, as we need to understand the type of work to focus the training. We cannot invest with confidence in the right equipment and plant that will be needed. We cannot plan our resources adequately or our material supply and manufacture on the island to be in the best position to meet this potential tidal wave of demand.

The result … large amounts of contracts awarded to off-island businesses to design and build the projects needed. This will mean huge amounts of tax revenue lost. It will mean a lack of local expertise and understanding missing from the planning and execution of said works as we have experienced previously. It will mean higher costs due to the supply and demand effect. This does not need to happen, but despite the best efforts of the GCF committee to engage in dialogue and the promises made by various deputies and civil servants, we still have no sight of a pipeline plan. This is so disappointing, not only for the potential loss to the local economy and employment and training opportunities that go with that, but also when you look at the quality of the entries at this year’s Guernsey Property and Construction Awards, which prove our industry’s ability to create and deliver outstanding projects from concept to completion. Having only lived in Guernsey for 20 months, I am relatively new to the island, but I have been hugely impressed with the collaboration that exists in the industry and the high quality and professionalism of those individuals and businesses within it. I am also, as previously stated in these columns, hugely excited about the potential to develop the living, working, leisure and community environments that we so desperately need to secure a bright future for the new generations. With the right technology, this can be done in such a way that it doesn’t need to adversely impact our environment but this will not happen if we do not plan effectively. We will continue to blindly stumble down the road that we have always trod because the pressure of doing something will arise from the pressure of doing nothing and then we will find that we are not prepared for the challenge. If you fail to plan … you plan to fail! I appeal one more time to those making the decisions – please involve the construction industry.

Guernsey Property and Construction

COMMENT

Construction dust is not just a nuisance Andrew Mills, chairman of the Guernsey Occupational Safety & Health Association, looks at the dangers of construction dust and the risk it poses to those in the industry. Silica is a natural substance found in varying amounts in most rocks, sand and clay. Sandstone, for example, contains more than 70% silica, whereas granite might contain 15-30%. Silica is also a major constituent of construction materials such as bricks, tiles, concrete and mortar. Dust is generated from these materials during many common construction tasks such as cutting, drilling, grinding and polishing. Some of this dust is fine enough to get deep into the lungs of the person coming into contact with it. The fine dust is known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and is too fine to see with normal lighting. It is commonly called silica or silica dust. What is the risk to construction/property management workers? • Silicosis can cause severe breathing problems and increases the risk of lung infections. Silicosis usually follows exposure to RCS over many years, but extremely high exposures can cause acute silicosis more quickly. • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases including bronchitis and emphysema. It results in severe breathlessness, prolonged coughing and chronic disability. It can be very disabling and is a leading cause of death. Around 4,000 deaths are estimated in the UK annually due to COPD resulting from past workplace exposures. Within those figures, construction workers are a group considered significantly at risk. While the effects can be catastrophic, the volume of dust needed to cause serious damage is not large. Those working in the industry need to be aware that construction dust is not just a nuisance, it is a real risk to their lungs. Managing risk – guidance available Being aware of the dangers of construction dust also means learning how to control your exposure and manage the risk to enable you to work safely in the industry.

Guernsey Property and Construction

The States of Guernsey website has some helpful information, and I would recommend reviewing generally www.gov.gg/hazardous and specifically www.gov.gg/article/155625/OccupationalHealth-HSE-guidance where you will find helpful comments and guidance. As a supplement, the UK’s HSE has compiled its own guidance, which emphasises the importance of having a clear plan to enable you to properly control construction health risk. It recommends taking the following steps to ensure the safety of yourself and your colleagues: • Plan your overall strategy • Identify the health hazards linked to your work • Assess the significance of these hazards • Involve workers in managing health risks Once the plan is in place it is imperative to manage the risk by following the strategy. • Prevent risks before work starts • Control any remaining risk • Train workers Always be aware that ill health can be prevented by ensuring the controls are not only in place, but are also effective. • Supervise workers • Maintain controls • Monitor controls to ensure they are effective • Act to put any problems right You can find more useful advice and guidance at www.hse.gov.uk In summary, silica dust can cause permanent disability and early death, both of which are preventable if you take the right precautions. Remember that a serious workplace accident or illness have a negative effect on your business and more importantly have a huge impact on lives.

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

CLIMATE CHANGE – PROJECT THINKING Scott Crittell, a Chartered Fellow of the Association for Project Management, considers one of the most pressing issues of our times – climate change.

My first thought on this topic was – where to start? The reality is simple. Carbon emissions need to reduce by 45% from 2010 levels over the next decade to reach net zero by 2050. This means that Western industrial countries should limit climate temperature increase to less than two degrees Celsius above preindustrial averages by 2050. Everyone needs to commit to achieve the target and therefore avoiding climate change repercussions should become part of everyone’s daily lives.

THE BOARD SHOULD CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE FIRM’S BUSINESS STRATEGY AND RISK PROFILE

Owning an electric car is only the start. IFRS Accounting Standards are now factoring in climate change which affects every company filing accounts. Climate change considerations influence all aspects of a business from the office environment, new green legislation, government green initiatives and stock market reaction to environmental decisions that could even result in potential liability or investment lost for a firm. Therefore, if you work for any business, climate change must be factored into your strategy. All Guernsey company boards have been advised that by 1 October 2021, “The board should consider the impact of climate change on the firm’s business strategy and risk profile and, where appropriate in the judgement of the board, make timely climate change disclosures.” This climate change awareness should then disseminate from the board to all employees. As the project manager (PM) may work with a board in respect of strategic projects, the PM may also now be thinking of the climate change impact of the project they are working on and the business with which they are working. Why might this be relevant? The PM working on a project which is detrimental to climate change might then find their future employment options narrow.

stake in a project may also include an external regulator. The PM should now be aware of any climate change relationships across a project’s key performance indicators (KPI) that will interest all these parties and might be as simple as including a KPI to reduce the impact of travel by car, train or plane across the project’s geography. It may be beneficial to have a project management office (PMO) which acts as the keeper of green best practices across the business’s various project activities. The PMO then overlays these practices across all ongoing projects to ensure consistency in the business on green matters. These KPIs should be measurable and logged as evidence of a sustainable approach and will act as risk mitigants in respect of each project and on behalf of the wider business. In time, this may create new businesses with a dedicated remit to promoting positive impacts for sustainability and climate change. One such industry where climate change mitigation has been a matter of regulation (through SFDR, the sustainable finance disclosure regime applicable when dealing with Europe) is the fund sector. Speaking with Obsidian Fund Services Limited, a local company who has pledged a net-zero commitment from inception and are signatories with the UN Principles of Responsible Investment, there is a universal need for encouragement toward more responsible business practices where each individual business takes a proactive approach to embarking on a journey of minimisation regarding their CO2 emissions. Businesses will now be further enhancing their environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices in a view to achieving the global goal. In short, addressing the negative impacts of climate change will become an increasingly big part of our lives and business will be very much part of its solution.

Project sponsors, often referred to as stakeholders, are often board members, though those with a Guernsey Property and Construction

THE GUERNSEY PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION MAGAZINE IS THE GO-TO MAGAZINE FOR ALL THINGS BUILDING, LANDSCAPING AND PROPERTY-RELATED IN THE ISLAND. It covers all aspects of industry-related news, with insightful features from key island construction and property leaders, and analysis of government policy surrounding the real issues that affect Guernsey property, building and construction businesses. Published quarterly and distributed islandwide.

For editorial opportunities Contact Tamara Timothy on 07911 732398 or email editor@collaborateci.com For advertising opportunities email hello@collaborateci.com

TIME TO 2022 A PLAN YOUR DVERTI CAMPA SING IGN!

INTERIOR DESIGN With winter approaching, it’s time to step inside. Whether you’re looking to overhaul your interiors or are simply searching for the perfect finishing touches, the cold season is the perfect time to focus on your inside spaces. From the latest trends in interior design to expert opinion on what works where, here’s some inspiration.

INTERIOR DESIGN

AT HOME WITH... BECKY MACHON While most people saw last year’s lockdown as a challenge to endure, local businesswoman Becky Machon saw it as an opportunity. With her HR outsourcing business well-established, she used the extra time to focus on her other passion, interior design. From first setting up a website and social media presence last year, she has recently opened a permanent shop in St Peter Port. Becky’s love of interiors blossomed when she bought her first house, so she shared with us her design inspiration and aims when it came to her current home.

LIVING ROOM Like many period houses, the shape of the living room is quite quirky and the alcoves and fireplace make it very interesting when it comes to interior décor. This was one of the first rooms we completed in the house and we made quite a lot of changes to it, from putting in white washed oak flooring to repainting the mahogany cabinets. I wanted the windows in the alcove to be a real feature so we put café style shutters on the bottom half and Roman blinds on the top, which works really well.

KITCHEN The kitchen is my favourite room in the house. When we bought this period property five years ago, the current kitchen was actually part of a separate wing of the house so we knocked through to create a much bigger space. We all spend so much time in the kitchen so it was really important to me that it was an open, welcoming space. I wanted a neutral kitchen, but also liked the idea of having a very dark unit in the island, so I had light grey units installed on the side with dark grey in the middle. I think the contrast of colours and textures works really well. For me, details really matter, so we had Shaker style cabinets put in, but with a mix of silver knobs and cup handles to add interest. A range

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cooker suited the period style of the house, although I couldn’t resist having an American-style fridge freezer. The room is certainly a mix of the modern and the traditional, but it suits the way we live. I think lighting is so important in a room, so there are a couple of large pendant lights to add some interest, along with spotlights and LED strip lighting under the cabinets to ensure we can always get the right mix for the way we’re using the room.

ISSUE 8 WINTER 2021

BECKY’S STYLE Juggling two businesses along with the demands of family life doesn’t give Becky a lot of time for relaxing. Luckily when she does get the chance to sit at home, her style certainly lends itself to a sense of calm. “My signature style is definitely relaxed, neutral, earthy colours. I like to feel that my inside spaces can reflect the outside environment and I am always looking to incorporate stone, wood or natural elements, whether that’s at home or the products I’m sourcing for the shop.

Like the rest of the house, the living room is very neutral in colour and style. We have a three seater chaise and matching snuggle sofa in dove grey, along with modern glass pendant lights. The fireplace is original, and I love the fact that I can mix period features like that with my own style. We have had the coffee table, mirror and rug for many years and moved them to this house from previous properties. I’m a big believer that if you buy well, it not only lasts but you are less likely to change it and these wellloved items certainly prove that. Again, I think that it’s the small details that really tie the space together – I love to have a pop of green in the room, and a plant pot, vase or candle in just the right place can make all the difference.

“I also strive for calm when it comes to interiors. My life is hectic, most people’s lives are busy, and I think that the right interior design can help with that. My idea of calm is something that is neutral, soft and cosy but not cluttered and my house certainly reflects that.”

BATHROOM The house is still a work in progress and the downstairs bathroom is the room that we’ve completed the most recently. It was fully tiled when we bought the property, and I was very keen to remove the tiles and replace them with tongue and groove panelling. When I renovated this room, I kept the fixtures in the same place but replaced them with much more modern options. I also put in a sink unit, which was painted in the same colour as the walls above. I love using Farrow and Ball paints so the bathroom and sink unit is painted in Strong White, with Cornford White on the lower walls. The room is already lovely and light, but a mirror with wall lights has not only added interest but has made it feel even more spacious. Finally, a few finishing touches have meant that this is now my favourite bathroom in the house.

GET THE LOOK Many of the products Becky has in her own home can be found on her website, maisondemainhome.com, or you can find her on Instagram @maison_demain or Facebook for more styling ideas and interiors inspiration. Becky has also recently opened a St Peter Port shop for Maison Demain Home, which you can find in the Lower Pollet. Alternatively, if you want a more personalised approach, contact Becky directly for help and advice on interior styling.

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INTERIOR DESIGN

OUTSIDE INFLUENCES As the cold weather sets in and we all spend more time inside, it’s the perfect opportunity to cast a fresh pair of eyes over your interiors. This year, the trend is definitely for keeping it natural. From earthy tones to organic materials, and of course the ongoing popularity of house plants, this winter you can enjoy the outside environment while keeping the heating turned up. Whether you’re looking for a whole new look or just a few accessories to switch things up for the new season, here are some ideas ...

THE NATURAL APPROACH As we come to the end of 2021, natural materials are a big trend in interiors. Wood is a perennial for furnishings, but it’s becoming more of a feature in itself, along with materials such as cane and rattan. At the same time, issues such as sustainability and the environmental footprint of items are becoming ever more important to consumers.

GET GROUNDED Natural, earthy tones are big news for interiors in 2021. The greys that have dominated interior spaces for a number of years are being usurped in favour of a more earthy colour palette with rusts, ochres and mustards all popular. If you’re warming to this idea, there are plenty of easy ways to bring this in to your home, from new soft furnishings to paint colours or accessories.

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INTERIOR DESIGNS

PLANT POWER It’s a well-established trend that’s showing no signs of slowing down. Houseplants are an easy way to bring the outside in. But if you want to move on from a couple of pots on the coffee table, there is plenty of inspiration for interiors at the moment. From living walls to leafy prints on soft furnishings and green colour schemes, this fashion is still flourishing.

WINTER FLORALS Florals for spring might not be ground-breaking, but some winter blooms can really brighten up your home. While a bunch of flowers always lifts a room, this season you can make the florals a more permanent feature. Darker tones and textured prints make florals a very winter-appropriate choice that will happily see you through to next summer.

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KEEP IT COSY We all want to snuggle up in winter, and this year that doesn’t just mean a blanket on the sofa. Tactile textures are a big trend this autumn and winter and can add a really cosy feel to any space. As the nights draw in, materials such as velvet, wool, boucle and even sheepskin can make your interiors feel even more welcoming.

G UE R NS E Y

P ROP E R T Y A N D CONSTRUCTION Now’s the time to plan your 2022 advertising campaign. Discounted rates to appear in all 4 editions throughout the year. For more information contact Julie Todd at: hello@collaborateci.com

YOUR MAGAZINE. FOCUSING ON YOUR INDUSTRY. WRITTEN WITH YOU IN MIND.

INTERIOR DESIGN

INSTANT INSPIRATION Long gone are the days of waiting to hear what the current trends are – a quick skim of Instagram can give you all the inspiration you need. But so much choice can be somewhat overwhelming, so these are the accounts we think are worth a follow …

MAD ABOUT THE HOUSE

ELLE DECORATION UK

@mad_about_the_house

@elledecorationuk

Set up by author and journalist Kate Watson-Smyth, this has previously been named the number one UK interiors blog. Kate describes her rooms as telling stories, and there is plenty to read about on this account.

Many of the houses featured on this account are out of the reach of most of us, but the interiors can give us something to aspire to. If you want to daydream about the life you’d like to live, this is one to browse.

REAL HOMES

IDEAL HOME UK

@real_homes

@idealhomeuk

An account that does what the name suggests and offers style ideas for all our homes. The images inspire you to create more space and light in your house, with stunning photography showcasing a whole range of room settings.

Ideal Home is one of the best-known interior design magazines in the UK, so it’s no surprise that its social media is worth a follow. The posts cover every room in the house with ideas for décor and furnishings.

KEEPING IT LOCAL If you’re looking for some inspiration a little closer to home, you can find plenty of accounts to follow right here in Guernsey. The advantage – if you see something you like, you can pop straight in to get it …

BONSAI GROUP

ACORN INTERIORS

FIFTY SHADES OF GREIGE

@bonsai_group

@acorninteriorslimited

@fiftyshadesofgreige

Bonsai recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, but it’s certainly moved with the times and you’ll find plenty of inspiration on its account.

Offering an interior design service as well as a wide range of furniture, lighting and accessories, Acorn Interiors has plenty of ideas for your space.

As the name suggests, you won’t find much colour with this local interiors account. What you will find is a neutral aesthetic guaranteed to make your day feel a little bit calmer.

NOT ON INSTAGRAM? If Insta isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other online options to find ideas for your interiors. With the right search term, Pinterest is a great resource for ideas on every subject you can imagine, while websites such as Houzz or Architectural Digest will give you plenty of inspiration. Alternatively, follow some of your favourite accounts and magazines on Facebook for style updates.

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CCD CCD 4O Surveyors Architects Architects · ·Surveyors · Heritage Consultants Heritage Consultants

40 years of landmark architecture in Guernsey T 01481 726461 E mail@ccd-architects.com W www.ccd-architects.com

FEATURE

WOOD WORKS While it is one of the most traditional of construction materials, it remains widely used and extremely efficient. For thousands of years, the potential of wood has been maximised by those building construction projects. Wood has an array of benefits that often makes it an excellent choice to use in construction projects. Its thermal properties give it an advantage in terms of its resistance to high temperatures while its heat conductivity of wood is relatively low compared with many other materials. It’s also resistant to electrical currents, making it an optimal material for electrical insulation. Wood also contains highly sought after acoustic properties. It absorbs sound, rather than reflecting or amplifying it, which can significantly reduce noise levels in a space. Finally, wood’s tensile strength is one of the main reasons for using it in construction. It is exceptionally light in proportion to its tensile strength, and those remarkable qualities make it the perfect choice for heavy-duty material buildings such as structural beams.

KNOW YOUR WOOD

GREEN WOOD

Wood is generally classified as hardwood or softwood, with hardwood typically heavier and denser and used for the construction of walls, ceilings and floors, while softwoods are generally used to make more of the inner structures.

With the construction industry increasingly focused on its environmental effects, the impact of wood is an important consideration and responsibly sourced wood can be the green option when it comes to building.

Oak – a traditional choice, oak remains a solid choice for support beams and foundations. It’s a high quality, distinctive material which is strong, resistant to moisture and very durable.

Wood can be replenished through natural processes and, while growing, those forests are naturally and efficiently removing carbon dioxide from the environment.

Cedar – distinctive due to its grey appearance as it weathers, cedar is a popular choice for cladding many modern buildings. It’s extremely durable while natural oils within the wood help deter insect damage and rotting.

The life cycle of wood has a lower overall impact on the environment compared with many of its counterparts, and the wastewater production and environmental impact are significantly lower in wood manufacturing processes. Finally, when it comes to the end of its useful life, wood is biodegradable.

Pine – a popular choice in manufacturing and carpentry, pine is easy to work with. Although a softwood, it has the strength to support a residential frame construction. Accoya – it starts life as a pine tree, but this modified timber is produced in New Zealand. The acetylated wood is extremely dimensionally stable and durable, which makes it a popular choice.

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Guernsey Property and Construction / Issue 8

Articles inside

Seascape

Marc Burton MBE

Vallée Vinery

Guernsey Design Awards

Oliver Westgarth

GuernseyChest and Heart