‘Several years’ before Fontaine site is needed for new housing
WORK has started on a development framework for the Fontaine Vinery site in St Sampson’s, but it is likely to be several years before any building takes place.
The site has been used by a number of light industry companies, but the majority of those have relocated to Griffith’s Yard following a States resolution.
Three companies remain on the site and are due to be there until June as they wait for suitable accommodation to become available.
‘Property Services are working with the remaining tenants to relocate them to suitable alternative locations, including Longue Hougue, once the new household waste and recycling centre is complete,’ said a States’ Trading Assets spokesman.
‘The waste segregation facility at the vinery will continue to be used by a private waste contractor for a short period of time until alternative premises are available.’
Given the large size of the site, development will take place over a number of years.
‘The States’ Trading Supervisory Board are working with Employment & Social Security and the Guernsey Housing Association with a view to releasing of the land in a phased approach in line the with GHA forecasted housing requirements.’
The site’s use class will change to housing at the end of June, but GHA chief executive Steve Williams said it will be at least two years before it would have need of any space on the site.
‘We are interested in it,’ he said. ‘We’ve got a commitment [from the States] that we can have a look at it and we’re starting to draw up a development framework for it.’
But its size will probably mean that it could be a mixed-use site rather than entirely devoted to housing, he added.
‘We’ve got sufficient land for the next two years, but it takes a long time to find sites and get planning permissions.
‘The Fontaine is several years away, I think.’
