Nothing negative about houses on Mallard site – architect

While it is likely to be up to a year before formal designs are submitted to the Development & Planning Authority, Lovell Ozanne’s consultant architect Andrew Ozanne said that now the DPA has published a framework for the 14-vergee site, ideas for what might go there are already being considered.

He said he was passionate about the project, which could see 12 affordable homes, such as those owned by the Guernsey Housing Association or the Housing 21 group, running along the perimeter of the site to the north, the other side of the access track that leads behind the Venture Inn.

The rest of the site, which extends as far as the trees bordering Le Rondin School to the east, could have between 20 and 22 one- and two-bedroom homes.

Properties would be designed to have minimal maintenance needs and be insulated to a high standard.

‘These units will be very, very efficient and the aim is to make them very attractive,’ he said.

‘The idea is to introduce housing into the parish so that people can stay in the parish.’

He said he struggled to find a negative aspect of building houses on the site.

‘The Vale and St Sampson’s have real concerns about traffic impact but here you have a main road and very good bus connectivity.’

The Mallard complex would remain as it is, including the cinema, and sufficient parking would be created for it and the new homes.

About 40% of the Mallard site, the part to the south of the building, is prime agricultural land and will not form part of any housing development.

Mr Ozanne could not say when the plans might be ready but expected their drafting to be a year’s work.

With an 18-month build time likely, if all went well the homes could be ready for occupancy inside three years, he said.

. The framework, which can be viewed at www.gov.gg/MallardDraftDF, is open for consultation until 5pm tomorrow.