Parking concerns for proposed Strawberry Farm development

However, one nearby resident does not share the same view.

In the application for five four-bedroom houses, two spaces were allocated for each dwelling and six for visitors.

But a spokesman for the douzaine said it had discussed the plans at a recent meeting.

‘The douzaine does not object to the application to build five detached dwellings each with four bedrooms,’ they said.

‘However, we do object to the number of car parking spaces that are to be provided.’

The spokesman said it was feared the six visitor spaces allocated would be continuously filled by residents’ cars as it was likely each dwelling would need more than the two allocated spaces.

‘We understand that there may well be a desire to encourage people ‘‘out of their cars’’ but this is not happening in reality, only in the minds of those who wish it.

‘Consequently, the douzaine can only support the application if there is more provision for car parking.’

They thought it was ‘interesting’ that the area previously used as a car park would not be designated for parking as part of the application.

Maria Guille, who has lived close to the Strawberry Farm site for 12 years, welcomed the news that the site would not be used commercially. ‘I’m happy it is not a commercial development, the lanes are too small around here to have large coaches going through them often.

‘I have no objection to five houses [at the site], a maximum of 10 cars would be the least of all evils.’

Although she recognised that big trucks would be required in the lanes during the build, Mrs Guille said: ‘There’s building everywhere, that disruption would only be temporary.’

But West deputy and Economic Development vice-president Andrea Dudley-Owen was disappointed to lose the site to a housing development over a commercial one. ‘It is disappointing that this development has never reverted to horticultural or commercial use as was the intention some years ago.

‘I think that it is a lost opportunity to enhance our island’s tourist offering.

‘I understand there had been ideas of redeveloping the site to focus on horticultural and agricultural heritage and in the light of that it is a shame that we are instead losing this site to housing.’