Guernsey Press

Former Strawberry Farm could become ‘street’ of five houses

THE site of the former Strawberry Farm could finally be redeveloped after years of planning struggles.

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The buildings at the former Strawberry Farm have stood empty since it closed in 2008. Now the owner, the Fuller Group, is seeking permission to demolish the building and replace it with a ‘street’ of five houses within its footprint. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 22488946)

The latest application lodged by the Fuller Group is to build five dwellings in a ‘street’ layout.

Having gained permission for change of use and conversion of the buildings in 2017, the group believe this new application will provide a higher quality of construction and offer more sustainable buildings.

In a statement, the Fuller Group said: ‘The former Strawberry Farm site received planning permission for the change of use and conversion of the buildings to five dwellings in 2017.

‘Having achieved that permission, Policy GP16(B) provisions for permission to demolish and redevelopment the building.

‘The application put forward through Lovell Ozanne is based on the provisions of that policy and seeks permission for five new-build dwellings within the footprint of the same building and permission already obtained.’

The application is applying for the same area of building and a lower volume than the existing permission.

‘We consider this new-build development will provide for a higher quality of construction and design and ultimately a more sustainable building,’ the Fuller Group said.

If permission is granted, their application states they group believes work will start in mid-2019 and take at least two years to complete.

The site, which was a popular tourist attraction in its heyday, has stood empty since it closed its doors to visitors in 2008.

Since then it has been subject to a number of failed planning applications.

These included an idea submitted by the Fuller Group in 2012 to create a plant and fruit exhibition to showcase the island’s horticultural heritage, which would have cost more than £600,000.

The three-and-a-half acre site in St Saviour’s is situated in a residential area.

Some homeowners in the parish have previously opposed plans for housing at the site.

The new planning application states the proposed scheme should have no adverse impact on neighbouring property.

It states that a good standard of design will ensure the new development greatly improves the appearance of the site and it’s contribution to the local character of the area.