‘Belgrave Vinery – if not there then where?’

A development framework for the site has recently been approved, paving the way for a big residential development just down the road from another development at Pointues Rocques.

Deputy Roffey, who is the chair of the new States Housing Action Group, said the area’s infrastructure was probably better equipped to deal with the development than other possible locations.

‘It is very close to our main arterial road, which admittedly can get very busy at times, but I don’t think there’s anywhere in Guernsey now where if you built a significant number of houses there wouldn’t be concerns about the impact on infrastructure.

‘I’m very sympathetic to people who feel that Guernsey is already over-developed, but at the same time there is undoubtedly a really significant housing crisis and people living in inadequate properties, and people spending far too high a proportion of their income on accommodation.

‘We can’t just ignore that, we have to tackle it, and this is an area that has been zoned for housing for donkey's years, literally decades, so it would be perverse if we didn’t press on and use it as part of the solution to that big problem.’

The Belgrave site could represent a big win for the Housing Action Group and a States which has promised action.

It is proposed that the Guernsey Housing Association would build homes for rent, partial ownership, and key worker homes, particularly for health workers.

A care home is also planned because of a shortage of care beds.

The Guernsey Housing Association along with States Housing currently have 300 applicants on the joint waiting list for rented homes.

A further 200 applicants are on the list for a partial ownership home.

The vision is that this development will be phased, and phase one will include about 40 homes.

Steve Williams, chief executive of the GHA, said there were still obstacles to overcome, but spades could go in the ground next year.

‘I would hope that we can get in the detailed planning application for phase one in October, and then hopefully within five of six months we’ll get planning permission, hopefully, and then I would aim that we could at least start construction by June next year.

‘And then the first homes should be rolling off and ready for people to move in starting from 12 months later.’

The main access point to the site will be at Le Murier Road by the St Sampson’s Douzaine room.

An access point from Vale Road was ruled out, but there remains potential for a link road with Victoria Avenue.