St Peter’s property a burden on charities unable to sell it

Now the National Trust of Guernsey and Les Bourgs Hospice are planning to change three self-catering units on the site into residential in the hope of selling the St Peter’s site.

Mille Fleurs in Rue du Bordage was home to David and Jane Russell until their deaths four years ago.

They had run it is as a self-catering business and its two acres of gardens featured in international publications and attracted visitors from across the world.

The property was jointly left to the National Trust of Guernsey and Les Bourgs Hospice. But they have struggled to sell the unique site, which includes a four-bedroom granite farmhouse and three self-catering cottages. It is on the market for £1.25m.

Now the National Trust has applied to turn the three self-catering units into residential properties in the hope that will attract more attention.

The property has been advertised by a local estate agency since May 2016, but without any interest.

National Trust president Tony Spruce said the charities could not justify the cost of advertising it off-island.

‘It is of vital importance to both Les Bourgs Hospice and the National Trust of Guernsey that we dispose of the entire property as soon as possible, as the liabilities attached to the maintenance of the property are now impacting on our joint ability to use the funds which have so generously been given for the purposes they were intended,’ Mr Spruce said.

Mr Spruce said the charities could not afford to retain or operate the property.

‘Neither charity has the funds and, in the case of the hospice, the mandate to renovate, retain or operate such an undertaking,’ he said in a letter to planners.

‘As you will be well aware, the National Trust of Guernsey mission statement is to preserve and enhance the island’s natural beauty, its historic buildings and its heritage. We therefore never by choice enter the self-catering business, especially in modern buildings.’

There is one two-bed self-catering unit and one one-bed unit. The plan would be to convert them into residential and include some parking and garden for each property.

The planning application can be viewed at Sir Charles Frossard House.