Housing only likely use of St Sampson’s site
TWO of the three owners of large properties at Les Bas Courtils, St Sampson’s, have said they are interested in housing development on their sites, a draft development framework has revealed.
Frameworks aim to show how larger areas of land can be best used. The latest document has planners suggesting that the sites of Richmond House, Fleur De Lys and La Bas Courtil – which are close to the junction with Grandes Maisons Road – could be used to create a site for between 10 and 15 new homes.
The planners said they had looked at a variety of options for the sites, which together total 0.68 hectares and stand within the Bridge main centre outer boundary.
‘In practice however, given existing dwellings on and adjacent to the site, and the stated preference of the owners of Richmond House/Fleur De Lys to pursue a residential development scheme, such alternative uses are unlikely to come forward,’ the document states.
‘Although the owner of La Bas Courtil has indicated that they have no current intention to redevelop the property, it has been included within this development framework to ensure that any development on the Richmond House/Fleur De Lys sites does not preclude making effective and efficient use of La Bas Courtil in future should circumstances change.’
Two of the property owners were spoken to by the Guernsey Press, but did not wish to comment on the framework. The third was not available when contacted by the newspaper.
The sites adjourn Les Bas Courtils, a property which already has planning permission to be converted into five dwellings and which last year had a development framework approved for between six and 12 properties on the site.
The latest framework suggests that property could be joined with the neighbouring houses to create a larger development site. Exact details are not drawn up in the framework. But it does state that Richmond House would be kept, as it is a protected building, and suggests that any site access should be from Fleur De Lys or La Bas Courtil. All three properties have large gardens, which stretch up to the boundary with Delancey Park.
The idea of creating more housing got a mixed response from people living nearby.
One neighbour said he was not worried, as his windows looked out to sea, rather than towards either of the possible development sites, so he did not think the changes would bother him.
Sean Johnson, who has lived nearby for two years, was a bit more concerned.
‘Traffic would be the biggest issue,’ he said.
‘When I go into work, people do let you out. But it is harder in the evening.’
The draft framework can be viewed at www.gov.gg/developmentframeworks. Islanders need to submit any comments they wish to make by 5pm on Friday 29 March.
