Town regeneration ‘needs public-private investment’

The new St Peter Port Regeneration Areas development framework is published today, aiming to provide a streamlined path for planning applications for those areas.

Development & Planning Authority president Victoria Oliver hoped the framework would incentivise more private-public collaboration with the aim of delivering positive regeneration for the areas of the Lower Pollet, South Esplanade and Mignot Plateau, and Mansell Street and the Bordage through to Trinity Square.

Deputy Oliver laid out a two-pronged approach for the future. She said investment was needed in public areas, and it was the States’ responsibility to decide how much and when to invest.

Second, she said, joint public-private investment and regeneration ventures hold key opportunities for Town, and needed to be explored.

She said these ideas, facilitated by planning guidance offered in the framework, would more than likely be triggered by interest and proposals from the private sector.

‘We’ve included case studies in the document to help guide ideas and applications,’ she said.

‘We’ve got to open up new ideas, and the more ideas and proposals that come forward, the better the outcome.’

Ideas include increasing open and green spaces, prioritising pedestrian areas, using upper floors as housing, and promoting the redevelopment and reuse of key sites and buildings.

Deputy Oliver said it was her hope that the States will go on to create a body to ensure momentum from the new frameworks was not lost.

‘I think this document has triggered a lot of interest and put a spotlight on these areas for regeneration,’ she said.

The States reported a large public response during the consultation phase, and Deputy Oliver said the comments were generally positive and engaging.

The States also held a virtual Youth Forum workshop to gain insight into what younger people wanted to see in the areas.

‘We’ll always have those in the community that don’t want change, but the changes can be as simple as tweaking a small things to make town better,’ she said.

‘If we stay still we’re actually moving backwards. I think change is scary, but it doesn’t always have to be. We have to look to the future to protect what we love about the island and enhance the areas that are not so good.’

With this regeneration and development framework, Deputy Oliver hoped it would keep the places and things people love about Guernsey vibrant for years to come.

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Lower Pollet

The Lower Pollet area is seen as an important location for mixed use properties. It could become more vibrant and people friendly by developing its role as a key arrival point into town centre.

Suggested enhancements included:

Upgrading and developing the North Plantation and its surroundings into a well-integrated public open space surrounded by restaurants and activity where people can enjoy views towards the harbour.

Improving open areas like the taxi rank and La Plaiderie.

Improving pedestrian connections generally around the harbour front and High Street to help people get around more easily, safely and comfortably on foot and to access other modes of transport nearby to connect the area to office areas to the north, and shops and restaurants to the south.

Increasing the opportunity for town centre living to lift the overall vibrancy of the area and to make better use of under-used upper floors of mixed use and generally under-used buildings.

South Esplanade and Mignot Plateau

Key developments, intensification opportunities and better use of ignored and unused spaces would turn the South Esplanade and Mignot Plateau areas into a well-connected, people-focused destination for the town and provide key locations for appreciating the harbour and its activity.

‘Mignot Plateau should be a main public attraction for both residents and visitors to the island to enjoy the unique views and vantage point, and utilise the historic venelles. There is an opportunity for development in this area to attract visitors and residents,’ the document said.

‘South Esplanade should be a well-integrated multi-functional public open space where people can comfortably sit out and enjoy views and access to the harbour, providing an inviting and pleasant gateway feature and usable space within the Town. The sensitive redevelopment and intensification – or perhaps creative reuse – of some buildings along this frontage would help achieve this.’

Mansell Street/Le Bordage

The Old Quarter needs a new breath of life, and it has been suggested for use as a unique destination for small, specialist businesses focused on arts, food and technology.

Trinity Square serves as an important gateway into town from the south-west, and regeneration plans should consider ‘making more of its role as a well-integrated and well-used public open space’.

Mansell Street shop units would benefit from a unified strategy to develop a long-term identity as a destination-facilitating activity, ensuring long-term viability.

As with other areas, converting upper floor spaces into residential properties has also been suggested as a solution to increase overall vibrancy.