New Bouet estate 'some of the island's finest housing'
A NEW era in local social housing has been ushered in following the completion of the Grand Bouet, the housing minister has said.
Officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a children's play area yesterday, the Rue Jamouneau section marks the culmination of seven years of work on the site and, Deputy Dave Jones said, it is some of the best accommodation money can buy.
'It is some of the finest housing in the island. Never mind social housing, this is a fantastic development. I am very pleased and somewhat emotional to be here.
'I am proud of the total development and, hopefully, it can remove the unfair stigma. This place was filled with hardworking families. It was never really a sink estate.'
The buildings' environmental credentials, he said, exceeded current standards and should result in a 40-50% reduction in utility bills on the previous flats. The Housing Department, in partnership with the Guernsey Housing Association, have completed 80 properties, 54 for letting and 26 for partial-ownership.
