Planners give La Vallette project the green light
PLANS to regenerate the changing rooms and kiosk at La Vallette are one step closer, after planning permission was granted.
The Vive La Vallette Group has been on a longer road than planned for the project, after the application was held up by Covid-19.
The team is now applying for a building permit, while continuing the negotiations with the States for a commercial lease for the site.
David Warr, from VLV, said they were very grateful to DLM Architects for helping them get planning permissions, as well as the VLV team.
‘With government now promoting Revive and Thrive this would be an ideal project to demonstrate that Guernsey is back in business and investing for the future.
‘We are hopeful therefore that we can conclude negotiations with government and get spades in the ground on a timely basis,’ he said.
The permission is now valid for three years. There are also other restrictions, such as providing details of how they plan to deal with traffic, what colour and type the cladding will be and also protecting trees while the work takes place.
They must also produce an ecological mitigation strategy.
This last item was suggested by La Societe Guernesiaise.
‘Just to give a brief idea of some of the considerations, there are bats in the area and they may be in the building or at least affected by other issues such as external lighting,’ a La Societe spokesperson said in the planning report.
‘The soft cliff areas may support solitary bees and other invertebrates, the works on any trees and other natural areas may be subject to timing issues e.g. nesting birds.’
The disability officer welcomed the design, which would make the site more accessible, but did query why there was not a large changing cubicle, which could be used by a person with disabilities or families.
There were seven letters objecting to the project, raising concerns about how it would harm the natural beauty of the area, increase traffic problems and that the scale of the proposals were too big.
David De La Mare from DLM Architects said he was glad the plans had been approved. ‘We have worked closely with many of the users of the pools, the Planning department and various consultants, and we thank them for their support,’ he said.
‘The feedback from Planning was very positive, in particular their comments regarding accessibility and the final design of the building. We are pleased that they recognise and support the vision to develop La Vallette as a community asset which is welcoming to all, complements the natural beauty of its location and respects the environment. Accessibility and inclusiveness are part of the core values.’
