Team has big plans for La Vallette site
A PREFERRED bidder has been announced for two sites at La Vallette as part of the seafront enhancement programme.
Last year, the States’ Seafront Enhancement Area Steering Group invited suggestions from the public for six key sites along the seafront.
In response, the not-for-profit group ‘Vive La Vallette’ was set up and submitted a proposal covering two seafront enhancement sites at La Vallette which has now been announced as the preferred bid.
It includes major improvements such as a redeveloped kiosk, regeneration of the bathing pools’ facilities and a mixed use performance space.
Another part of Vive La Vallette’s proposal would see enhancements to the natural beauty and biodiversity of the area.
The group involves several islanders who are well known locally for their community work, including former vice-chair of the Guernsey Community Foundation Dave Warr, former Guernsey football manager Steve Sharman, and David De La Mare of DLM Architects.
‘We are really excited about the potential for La Vallette and our ideas for the area will take in the arts, the natural environment and physical and mental health and wellbeing,’ Mr Warr said. ‘This will be something not for an exclusive group, it’s for the whole community.’
The group is now being given a four month exclusivity period to further develop and confirm their proposal, a process which will include further engagement with the public.
The commercial terms are to be agreed and will be the subject of negotiation during the exclusivity period.
In the meantime, every effort will be made to ensure that kiosk facilities are available this year.
The two sites at La Vallette are the first of the 6 along the seafront to reach this key stage, but further announcements for the other sites are expected in the coming months.
‘We’ve had some really good suggestions for the two sites at La Vallette, as we have for the other four locations included in this project,’ chairman of the seafront enhancement area steering group Deputy Gavin St Pier said.
‘We’re really grateful to everyone who has contributed and we’re really excited by the Vive La Vallette proposals which can now be developed further.
‘The steering group is confident that the Vive La Vallette proposal is in line with the majority views of the public for how the area should be enhanced.’
He said it was a great chance to make a lot more of a potential-filled and beautiful part of St Peter Port.
