Government House plans to give greenhouse a new life
GOVERNMENT HOUSE has submitted plans to revive its lean-to greenhouse.
The Development & Planning Authority received the application on 2 March, with consultation ending on 31 March.
The wooden frame of the greenhouse is in poor condition at present.
Full permission was given in 2013 to demolish the existing greenhouse and erect a replacement.
Chief of staff and aide-de-camp to the Lt-Governor Major Marco Ciotti said: ‘The original intention had been to replace it with a replica in steel white-coated aluminium. However, in the interests of retaining the original character of the greenhouse and surrounding buildings, the decision has been taken that it should be replaced in wood. Some limited work has been carried out in the last two years, mainly with a view to maintaining safe access until a final repair option was agreed.’
In 2018, an application to erect a replacement glasshouse was withdrawn, as during the application the DPA revised the protection notice to include the glasshouse as part of the protected building.
Despite needing some attention the greenhouse still is of vital use.
‘The lean-to greenhouse is the principal propagation facility in maintaining Government House’s historic gardens.’
Many flower varieties and different types of vegetable are propagated.
‘Young plants are then planted either into the surrounding walled garden or the many beds throughout the grounds.
‘The central section of the greenhouse, which contains a hot box for seed sowing and propagation, is still in use.’
An assessment of historical significance was included in the planning application.
‘Overall, the current structure has been assessed to be of only minor historical interest. The original greenhouse is thought to have been constructed some time between 1867 and 1873, although it is possible that the current greenhouse is a 20th century replacement of the original,’ said Major Ciotti.
‘It has some interesting features including a vine ladder with three vines that grow from outside the greenhouse through special access holes built into the walls.’
Vine-ladders are only found in earlier lean-to greenhouses and are believed by the Guernsey Botanical Trust to exist only in Guernsey.
‘The section containing the vines is accessible and usable, although they have been pruned in preparation for the repair work. In addition to vines, the greenhouse also houses peach, apricot and fig trees.’
Government House has been the home of the Lt-Governor of Guernsey since 1925.
