Eleven houses can be built on Vale agricultural field

Planning permission to create the homes on Camp Dolent, on Tertre Lane, has been granted. The application, which was made by Framework Developments Ltd, was for seven two-bedroom homes and four three-bedroom ones.

These will be broken up into four semi-detached homes and a terrace of three houses.

This follows the approval of a development framework in 2018, which advised that between eight and 12 dwellings could be created on the site, depending on design.

There were 10 letters of objection to the application raising concerns about the new houses overlooking existing properties, the loss of existing public parking along Tertre Lane, not enough new parking being created and general over-development of the area.

The Vale constables and douzaine were also very concerned.

‘The fact that planners designated this green field for development is still a matter of deep regret when numerous brown field sites remain undeveloped,’ they wrote.

‘It is also noted that this proposed development extends the site boundary line into the green area behind by a considerable amount.

‘What is the point of having designated green areas if they can so easily be ignored?

‘On this point the douzaine are firmly of the opinion that the green area boundary should be respected.’

They said the semi-detached homes held some merit, but they were not sure if these were the sort of homes people would want.

‘Especially as they will be unaffordable to a vast number of people looking to get on the property ladder,’ they said.

‘The terrace of three houses at the east end of the site appear to have been shoe-horned in to increase the density of houses.’

Traffic & Highway Services gave the project their backing, saying people would be able to safely access the site.

THS also noted that while eight unofficial spaces along Tertre Lane would be lost, there was regulated long-term parking on Route des Coutures, which is within 40m. From observations carried out by THS staff, the parking spaces within Route des Coutures are not heavily utilised outside of the peak-time around 2.45pm, when many spaces are used by Vale School parents.

In their considerations, the planners noted that two- and three-bedroom homes were currently needed in Guernsey.