Bridge users still want to see the area revitalised by Co-op

That was the view of Bridge users yesterday, who said they were disappointed, but not surprised, to learn that the Co-operative Society’s long-term plans to revitalise the area were no closer to fruition.

Outline planning permission for 300 of those homes and more than 1,000sq. m. of retail space expired at the end of last week, with no developers willing to take the plans forward.

‘I don’t think it [the Leale’s Yard project] will happen but I would like it to, it would be brilliant for the Bridge,’ said Vale parishioner Pamela Bowden.

‘The whole area needs developing, it could be such a nice area, with nice cafes with pavement seating and more going on in the evenings.’

Her husband Derek said he would like to see the retail experience improved.

‘If this area was pedestrianised it would attract tourists to the Bridge,’ he said.

‘You could have car parking in Leale’s Yard and that would take away all the cars from along here.’

Delancey Court resident Leslie Gallienne said there were parts of the Co-op’s original designs for the Bridge that he supported, and parts that he did not.

‘I thought 400 houses was too many. You would have 1,000 people living over seven acres of land.

‘But the area needs to be made more vibrant, people need to be given a reason to come here in the evenings.

‘You could pedestrianise this half [the retail side] and make it a nice place with cafes and alfresco dining and bring a bit of life here. I think a lot more could be done here if they put their minds to it.’

Bulwer Avenue resident Richard Davis said the area was in need of redevelopment.

‘It is a real shame, they should have gone ahead with their plans years ago, but everything seems to happen slowly in Guernsey,’ he said.

‘The Bridge does need a proper revamp as it has looked very tired for a long time now and does need redeveloping.’

A Nocq Road resident said she had got behind the original plans.

‘We live in Nocq Road and they were going to make a road straight to South Side, which would have been good for us. But they really need to stop dragging their feet.’

The long-delayed development has encountered setbacks ever since the Channel Islands Co-operative Society, which owns the site, was given the green light to create more than 400 residential units, new shops and public spaces.

Although its outline planning permission for part of the overall masterplan for the Bridge has lapsed, the Co-op does still have a year remaining on a full planning permission for 109 properties, 1,049sq. m. of retail space and road layout improvements.