Guernsey Press

Vale has grand designs for former Quayside site

A MAJOR development on the site of the former Quayside store, which would take up a large chunk of the current road at Northside, has been put forward by Vale’s constables.

Published
Last updated
Vale senior constable Richard Leale outside the former Quayside store. The parish has put forward radical plans for redevelopment of the site. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 29096289)

Senior constable Richard Leale said regeneration of The Bridge area had been held back for too long because of procrastination over Leale’s Yard.

The parish would like to see consideration given to demolishing the former Quayside building.

It could be rebuilt with the frontage approximately where the white line currently is in the centre of the road.

A waterside plaza could then be created there with al fresco eating, restaurants and coffee shops.

The road would be diverted around the back of the development which would also provide a traffic calming measure. Parking could be moved to the back of the new building.

‘The plans that were approved for new retail down there were very good, but they are probably obsolete by now,’ said Mr Leale.

The former Quayside shop at Northside. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 29122125)

‘This would allow for some housing to be built on the first floor which might make it a better prospect for the developer with build costs easier to recover’.

Some of the homes could then overlook the marina.

One had to be realistic, he said, and it would seem appropriate if the States ceded the seafront side to the developer in exchange for land adjacent to Trafalgar Road being ceded by the developer to the States.

‘People have been waiting for things to happen at Leale’s Yard for about 20 years,’ he said.

Vale Constables have a vision for a huge redevelopment of the old Quayside building. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 29122128)

‘We were told that the concrete lampposts on The Bridge had become dangerous. We [with the Constables of St Sampson’s] chose replacements as we have to pay for them, but now Guernsey Electricity are telling us nothing can be done until Leale’s Yard is sorted out.’

Another suggestion would be to move Marine & General Engineers to where the temporary marina was at Longue Hougue in order to open up another piece of land.

Quayside owner seeks guidance on development

A DRAFT development framework for the site of the former Quayside store has been requested by its owner.

The site is owned by a subsidiary of J&D Norman, whose general manager, Adrian Norman, said that it wants to agree ‘the opportunities and constraints of the site’ so a comprehensive plan for its redevelopment can be prepared and assessed before a formal application is made.

The company was given permission in 2016 to provide 5,000sq. m. of retail space split into three, with the two smaller units being about 600sq.m and 1,000sq.m.

But Mr Norman said this permission has lapsed due to lack of interest from occupants and a new application would have to be made under the Island Development Plan.

J&D Norman had not been consulted on the Vale constables’ ideas and so had not been looking into its financial viability or feasibility.

‘It is unlikely that the retail-led schemes that we have been investigating to date would justify such large scale infrastructure works, however a more residential/hospitality-led scheme could perhaps make it worthwhile,’ he said.

The company does not own nor have any rights over land outside of the old Quayside/KDP site.

‘Even if in-principle discussions were positive with the States of Guernsey there are extensive design, heritage and infrastructure considerations which could all prevent such a scheme being even remotely viable’.

Mr Norman said a number of possible alternative uses have been considered by the company and assessed against whether they would be allowed under the IDP and whether or not they would be viable.

‘We are awaiting feedback from the [Development &] Planning Authority on whether a development framework will be produced for the site,’ he said.