Guernsey Press

Town building set for demolition

PERMISSION has been granted to lift the road embargo for the site at the Lower Canichers, meaning demolition work will begin today.

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The derelict building is next to the Swan Inn in the Lower Canichers, St Peter Port. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 25035025)

An application to tear down the eyesore building behind the Swan Inn was first approved in 1993, and since then there have been numerous planning submissions.

Demolition work was delayed earlier this month when it came to light that the road was under an embargo until 2021 and could not be dug.

‘We [now] have all permissions in place regarding road embargo lifting,’ RG Falla managing director Mark Palfrey said.

‘We hope to start physical demolition of the existing build [today], but it won’t be heavy machinery, just hand picking from the top down.

‘Our method statements, safe working practices and environmental impact assessments have all been approved, so it’s a green light for the demolitions,’ he said.

The derelict buildings have been empty for decades, but planning permission is in place to demolish the structure and create a car park for office use and a terrace at first-floor level.

The road will be closed for 10 months while the work takes place.

During the closure the top section of Le Truchot will be reversed, and there will be no access to Le Truchot from St Julian’s Avenue past the entrance to the police garage.