Roseville wins top homes award

ROSEVILLE was described as a 'refreshingly interesting scheme' as it won the housing category of this year's Civic Trust Awards. Guernsey Housing Association chief executive Steve Williams said the accolade was richly deserved and a justification for the work involved in the Petit Bouet development.

'It's a great result and obviously recognition of a great design.

'The judges clearly liked it and looking at the other winners, it has been assessed against quality accommodation throughout the UK.'

A total of 24 award winners were announced at the event, which was compered by newsreader Fiona Armstrong and included a keynote address by Sir Peter Hall, professor of architecture at University College London's faculty of the built environment.

Moira Riochet, 75, was one of the first people to move in to the development more than seven months ago.

She was not surprised to hear of the win.

'I like it here. I've got a four-room flat, which is all I need. When I first moved in I thought about the busy road and thought I would never like it, but you don't hear it, really.

'It's nice and quiet and the buildings are of good quality. It's close to the supermarket and there's a hairdresser just down the road and if you need to go into Town, it's always easy to get a bus from Admiral Park.'

Andre Le Goupillot, 39, has also been at Roseville since it opened.

He said that apart from a few small problems, it was a good place to live.

'Most of the design is all right, but there are a few minor things they could have thought about a bit more, like not putting light switches behind doors on the wrong wall. It makes no sense to have put them there.

'But apart from that, it's a fantastic place compared to where I used to live.'

Civic Trust managing director Peter Bembridge was full of praise for the redevelopment.

'The site originally contained 28 unoccupied 1930s buildings and was subject to vandalism and fly-tipping. This new scheme encourages a community spirit, with good pedestrianisation and a community centre.

'Several fully-accessible disabled dwellings have an integrated car parking space and are well positioned within the community.

'Roseville occupies a steeply sloping hillside and carefully planned garden courtyards provide rest areas for pedestrians. This is a refreshingly interesting scheme.'

Environment minister David De Lisle said Roseville's win was a super achievement.

'The success builds on a considerable and impressive list of past winners and we would like to congratulate all involved.'

Past Civic Trust Awards have gone to the conversion of the Church of St James the Less, the Liberation Monument and more recently, in 2005, to Generali House in Hirzel Street and the Garenne Stand at Foote's Lane.