Guernsey Press

‘Eyesore’ Town building could make way for private car park

AN ‘EYESORE’ derelict building in St Peter Port on top of a neolithic burial ground could be demolished to make way for a private car park.

Published
The building in the Lower Canichers, St Peter Port, has been derelict for 15-20 years. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 22028106)

The building in the Lower Canichers, directly behind The Swan Inn, has been derelict for between 15 and 20 years.

The burial ground was found by a team from the Guernsey Museum in 2005. Since that time, several applications for offices, as well as a three-storey car park, have been submitted. These contained plans to frame the archaeological finds behind glass at ground level.

Recently published plans submitted to the Planning Service at the end of May detail a potential office terrace and small underground car park.

Several applications have been made.

Architects Lovell Ozanne wrote that they have looked at many options during that time to infill the site with either an office or residential accommodation.

‘Due to the complexities of the site, these developments have not been viable.

‘At the same time the existing structure has become increasingly derelict and, for all concerned, I am sure you will agree it would be good to see this eyesore removed,’ director Andrew Male said in the most recent planning application.

The proposals include plans to create a void area below ground for parking spaces to be used by the offices adjacent and to rebuild the front elevation to a similar design as the existing build. The elevation will provide an amenity space for use by the office.

The plans state that:

‘The proposed works will protect the existing archaeological remains for the future and improve access.’

In 2007, departing chief archaeological officer Heather Sebire said she hoped to be able to re-dig the site.