Prohibited roads idea to address traffic issue

Developing the former greenhouse site near Delancey Park has been a long-running saga over the past decade, with the most recent application for 68 new homes backed by the planners, but rejected by the Development & Planning Authority's political board at an open planning meeting last year over concerns about safety and traffic.

Now a revised application has been submitted to try to tackle these problems.

That includes making part of Robergerie and all of Rue des Pointues Rocques into prohibited streets, in a bid to reduce traffic.

The number of car parking spaces on site would also be cut from 133 to 115. The site would also support driving alternatives, with electric bike charging points, covered bike storage and a car-sharing scheme.

The route 13 bus would also be redirected along Route St Clair to provide a regular service to the Bridge and Town, via Admiral Park.

PF+A director Peter Falla has been part of the design team putting together the latest plans.

‘Environment & Infrastructure and Traffic have come up with some solutions,’ he said. ‘That was the biggest hurdle.’

He said the prohibited streets status would cut the traffic on those roads, which are quite narrow.

‘Those roads are quite well used by people who don’t live in those streets, so we hope this move would help keep residents happy,’ he said.

He did not think reducing the car parking on site would be an issue.

‘In terms of sustainability, we have to be going in the right direction,’ he said. ‘Cars are a bit of an issue in Guernsey. Historically we relied on them, but the younger generation are more open- minded to car-use alternatives.’

There were also some tweaks to the design to address concerns raised.

This includes moving a block further away from the western boundary and increasing planting there, after there were concerns about possible overlooking. Some homes on the eastern boundary have also been moved.

It is expected these plans will go to an open planning meeting within the next few months.

Mr Falla said he was disappointed the politicians had rejected the previous plans.

‘We hope these will be given the proper consideration,’ he said. ‘We have got a real housing shortage.’

The site is a housing allocation areas, where new housing is meant to go.

The applicants – Mr R Plumley, Messrs Gabriels, Asparagus Tips Too and the Guernsey Housing Association – are also appealing against the proposal which was rejected last year, which would be looked at by an independent tribunal.

‘So we have two bites at the cherry,’ Mr Falla said.

‘I think we have addressed all the issues now. We remain positive about the plans and we trust the planning process.’