Les Ozouets redevelopment could soon be taking shape

But worries have been raised about how people will travel to the site.

Education, Sport & Culture are in the process of converting the former St Peter Port School site into a campus for the Guernsey Institute and Sixth Form College.

While the existing Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts would be kept, the rest of the site would be cleared.

A new three-storey main building containing most of the accommodation for the Guernsey Institute and GTA would be connected to the performing arts centre, while to the north would be a new two-storey construction and engineering building. To the north-east would be the new three-storey sixth form centre.

A new sports building and MUGA pitch would be also be built, as well as a small, single story horticulture building.

There were 11 representations made.

Many were concerned about the traffic impacts on the site.

Guernsey Bicycle Group opposed the plans in their current form as they felt active travel had not been considered. They said that students should be encouraged to use active travel, rather than drive.

‘The money allocated to 70 parking spaces for sixth form students could instead be spent on cycling facilities (storage space, showers and clothes drying areas for staff) and the area saved used for more green and communal space,’ they said.

The Health Improvement Commission agreed there needed to be more cycle infrastructure, stating that the allocation of cycling spaces was predominantly based on current travel patterns of students and staff.

‘A significant increase in demand for cycling spaces and facilities is predicted in the coming years,’ they said.

‘It is recommended that cycle facilities should be increased accordingly.’

They were also concerned that the car park was next to the MUGA, meaning they would come into the campus.

The public were also worried about the 400 car spaces, saying that it showed there would be a huge increase in traffic.

Traffic & Highway Services did raise some concerns about planned cycle routes and proposed changes to Le Friquet/Les Baissieres.

The planners supported the application and said in their report the quality of the design was high, and they supported trees being kept.

‘The street frontages are well considered and will enhance the appearance of the site.

‘Overall, the visual impact of the proposals is acceptable and respects the character and visual amenity of the surrounding locality.’

The project will be considered at the open planning meeting next week, alongside the Pointues Rocques application.

Filter plans

Traffic & Highway Services would like to install a filter on the Le Friquet/Les Baissieres junction.

The plans had proposed putting traffic lights on the junction, but THS suggested a filter junction would be better.

THS said a filter would reduce delays on the Les Baissieres arm of the junction.

‘Additionally, a filter would be desirable in reducing approaching speeds, especially given the sub-standard sightline of oncoming vehicles at the junction.’

THS said it would look to try the filter on a 12-month trial basis once the campus was operational, with a full student and teaching body.

If the trial proved not to work, then it would support traffic signals instead.