Leale’s Yard and Saltpans developments approved

One related to guidance about how the 12-acre Leale’s Yard site could finally be developed.

It was recommended that it be a mixed site, with shops, restaurants and community uses close to the Bridge frontage on the east side of the site, while the western and southern sides would be for residential.

How the site is divided up will affect how many houses could be created, with the framework stating that between 50 and 350 homes could be created.

The second framework was for the 11-acre Saltpans site, most of which was previously covered in glasshouses.

It was estimated that this could have between 84 and 154 new homes, depending on how the site was developed.

Leale’s Yard was subject to a six-week consultation. The brownfield site is owned by the Channel Islands Co-Operative Society and has been largely disused for years.

It is hoped that now a framework is drawn up it will show what might be possible for the site under the rules of the Island Development Plan.

The society’s acting chief executive officer, Mark Cox, said they liked how the framework had been approached by the planners.

‘We welcome the fact that the intention has not been to limit the scope for the area, but rather to understand why past proposals have failed to proceed and to ensure, on this occasion, that the potential for Leale’s Yard to regenerate the area and unlock key long-term social and economic benefits actually happens,’ he said.

‘This development framework document and consultation has been more detailed than any previous exercise or comparable document for any other site in Guernsey.’

Mr Cox said the society was aware of its responsibility to the Bridge community and formed the Bridge Regeneration Company Ltd to act as a community development corporation.

Its task would be to support and revitalise the Bridge community by working closely with representatives of the States and other interested parties.

BRC CEO Charles McHugh said: ‘The Bridge Regeneration Company looks forward to working with the States, the douzaines and the wider community and to acting as a catalyst between the public and private sectors to enhance the Bridge.

‘We are committed to bringing the vision contained in the Development & Planning Authority’s Supplementary Planning Guidance to life.

‘We will have much more to say about this exciting development in the weeks ahead as discussions are continuing with the States of Guernsey to bring this important community regeneration vision to fruition.’

Any proposed development will likely result in the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment. It is proposed that legislation be amended to allow the development to progress using outline planning permission.

The Development & Planning Authority has lodged a policy letter to ask the States to this.

D&PA president Dawn Tindall noted that this was the first of four frameworks originally planned for within Town and the

Bridge to help regenerate underused areas.

‘The D&PA are very grateful for all those who took part in the consultation as the responses received not only resulted in

changes to the original draft but show there is real desire to see something happen with Leale’s Yard,’ she said.

‘Above all, there is an opportunity here to create an exemplar development that everyone can benefit from. We also hope the States approve the changes to the legislation to make development that much easier and support building on this site - the sooner the better.’

Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design’ has been leading the project team appointed to create the development framework.

Hilary Satchwell, from the company, said: ‘There has been a long-standing need to bring the Leale’s Yard site back into use and the adoption of this framework is an important step forward, bringing certainty to everyone of local expectations and acceptable parameters for new proposals.

‘While the framework itself is based on the principles of sustainable, delivery-led development, a mix of uses, community activities and housing types with good connections and public realm and open space, there is also a sensible balance between what must happen in any new development and elements that can still be flexible. This flexibility will be essential for unlocking the site and bringing forward new uses for the community.’