Guernsey Press

Les Bas Courtils development framework approved

BACKING has been given to a development framework that would allow at least a dozen homes to be built at Les Bas Courtils, St Sampson’s.

Published
Extract from the IDP Proposals Map showing the Les Bas Courtils housing allocation site outlined in bold.

The Development & Planning Authority approved the framework which sets out planning policies that will apply to the site.

It follows a four-week consultation which drew concerns on the level of protection for Les Bas Courtils House, congestion, the height of the buildings allowed, residential amenity and the density of development.

In total, 11 changes were made to the draft as a result.

The framework now makes it explicit that the protected buildings on the site must be retained and restored.

Public art also needs to be included in the scheme.

The development guidelines were also amended.

‘The use of sustainable and traditional materials such as stone, rendered block and slate roofs will be encouraged, but other materials may be acceptable especially where they can be demonstrated to have low embodied energy (e.g. material recycled from any demolished buildings),’ it now states.

‘Proposals for the incorporation of micro-renewable energy installations into the design of the development, such as solar tiles, is encouraged. A carefully designed lighting scheme has the potential to enhance Les Bas Courtils House while respecting the setting of the protected buildings and neighbouring residential amenity.’

The guidelines also look to protect the setting of the nearby Delancey battery and now suggest that it is unlikely that two or two-and-a-half storeys would be problematic in terms of building height.

  • The framework can be found at https://www.gov.gg/planningpolicy or is available to view at Sir Charles Frossard House.