Controversial Les Blanches development finally under way

The £8m. development on fields behind Manor Stores in St Martin’s got under way yesterday, with the site being renamed Le Menage.

The project has been on a long journey through the planning system, with plans being rejected twice by planning political boards, despite the States’ professional planners recommending they go ahead.

There were public objections to the plans over concerns about traffic and the loss of agricultural land.

But the plans were finally given permission in 2017 for 26 new homes, with a condition that the work must start by November 2020.

Development company Vieux Moulin Ltd is working in conjunction with Ravenscroft Construction to deliver 26 new two-bedroom dwellings – 10 apartments for the Guernsey Housing Association, 12 chalet bungalows for those aged over 55, and four apartments available for wider ownership.

The 10 apartments being built in partnership with the GHA are to be offered under a partial ownership scheme that offers first-time buyers unable to get their foot on the property ladder an affordable route to home ownership.

The schemes allow qualifying tenants to own a share of the property, while paying rent on the remaining share at a reduced rate providing a viable route to home ownership.

This is due to a planning covenant, which meant that part of the site would have to be offered as affordable housing.

Meanwhile, the 12 houses and four apartments will be for those over 55 to help existing homeowners to downsize.

Each ground-floor dwelling has been designed to accommodate wheelchair use. Furthermore, to reduce the carbon footprint and to reduce running costs, each home will be highly insulated to reduce energy bills.

Vieux Moulin Ltd spokesperson Catharine Walter said they were delighted to get the development under way and boost the island’s economy.

‘We need economic enablers such as this home-building project to help get our economy back on its feet,’ she said.

‘The link between poor levels of home ownership and poor levels of social mobility is well known. The acute lack of affordable homes here in Guernsey means that for many young people living in the island the prospect of owning their own home is becoming increasingly elusive. The economic crisis we now find ourselves in means this issue is likely to become more entrenched. That’s why this project is important.’

She said they have been sensitive to the local environment in their design.

‘This is a positive development for St Martin’s, a positive development for the people of Guernsey, and a positive development for the island’s future prosperity,’ she said.

The site comprises of two areas of land – Courtil Colin Martin and the other at Le Menage – the latter was chosen as the development’s new name.