Delisles will provide the parking necessary for expanded school at Les Beaucamps

Just four new spaces are due to be created on the site under the planning application to expand the school, which was submitted last month for consideration by the Development & Planning Authority.

But Deputy Graham said the £1m. purchase of Delisles Methodist Church, which is nearby, would provide the parking needed for the enlarged school.

‘The committee secured the purchase of Delisles Church which has a car park offering at least 40 spaces,’ he said.

‘This did not need to be included in the planning application, as it is already a car park.’

The planning application confirms that on-site parking will be provided for 75% of staff at both Victor Hugo and de Saumarez colleges. This complies with the States’ agreed policy, which says that all new developments in the island – including school extensions or redevelopments in any education model – can provide parking spaces for a maximum of 75% of staff. As such, it is not within the committee’s gift to increase the amount of staff parking on-site.

‘The proposals seek to provide parking for 75% of staff, however this is not a feature unique to the two school model,’ he said.

‘It is the maximum any new development is able to provide under the planning policies approved by the States, and supports the aims of the integrated transport strategy to reduce the island’s reliance on single use vehicles. This figure would remain the same in other education models and at any other site.

‘Additionally, it is important to note that currently 80-85% of staff drive to work. We are not anticipating or expecting all staff to travel to school by means other than car. However, we will be seeking to achieve a modest increase in the use of other modes of transport and maximising car-sharing opportunities.’