Planners back homes for Pointues Rocques

Planning officers have given their backing to the latest housing scheme for the former vinery site, with politicians on the Development & Planning Authority set to give a final verdict next week.

The project on a St Sampson’s vinery site had stirred up strong feelings, with 125 representations and two petitions with nearly 100 signatures between them.

While some signatures were in support, a significant number continued to oppose the scheme, with worries about over-development, lack of green space, increased congestion and loss of parking.

However, those in support liked that the scheme would widen the nearby Robergerie road.

Planners in their report noted that the site was specifically allocated for housing and the 68 dwellings represented a density consistent with the approved development framework.

Traffic in the densely-populated area has been a concern throughout this site’s planning history, but the planners were content with the mitigation proposed.

‘Further refusal of planning permission for the proposed development of this site on traffic grounds would be unreasonable and unsustainable,’ they said.

The planners added that they had considered all the concerns raised by representors.

‘None would justify refusal of planning permission.’

St Sampson’s constables said they were disappointed to have to make yet another representation, when they felt the new scheme did not differ significantly from the previous one which was refused at an open planning meeting in October.

‘We have been inundated with parishioners’ concerns regarding this application,’ they said.

More than 50 people attended a Saturday morning surgery in April and the parish had also received ‘endless’ emails, letters, telephone calls and office visits.

‘They were expressing concerns and disappointment that, once again, they have to defend this part of their parish from over development in the small lanes especially. We have not received one communication which has been in support of this application.’

They felt the traffic impact assessment was out of date and did not consider some projects.

The parish also highlighted that permission had been given for more than 60 homes in the near neighbourhood, along with light industrial units off Braye Road and a nursery for more than 50 children at Les Ozouets.

La Societe Guernesiaise were also concerned, with worries about the loss biodiverse habitats

‘Overall, we feel that the housing density is high and as a result, the opportunities for soft landscaping and retained green space are low.’

While traffic was a serious concern for some of the neighbours, Traffic & Highway Services there were no significant traffic management grounds to oppose this specific development, when considered in isolation.

The open planning meeting will be held at Beau Sejour next Wednesday, starting at 9.30am. Only those who have previously made representations and apply in writing are allowed to speak, but anyone can attend and listen.

Pointues Rocques

The 2.5 hectares site was first considered for housing in 2006.

In 2017 an application was submitted for 50 flats, 20 new dwellings and 13 affordable houses, sparking a protest march of more than 300 people.

In early 2019 a development framework – which aims to guide what could be done with the site – was published by the DPA. It estimated between 75 and 125 dwellings could be built on the site.

In 2019 the earlier scheme was superseded by a proposal for 32 dwellings, 10 flats, 10 maisonettes and 16 affordable houses. The planners recommended that it was approved, but at an open planning meeting the DPA rejected the scheme for several reasons, included increased traffic.

This decision is subject of a planning appeal, which is in abeyance pending the outcome of the current application.

The latest application is from Mr R Plumley, Messrs Gabriels, Asparagus Tips Too Ltd and the GHA.

There would be 68 homes, which would be a mix of one, two and three-bed flats, houses and maisonettes. Of these, 16 of the one- and two-bed houses would be affordable.