Bordeaux Vinery could become five homes
REDUNDANT buildings to the north of Bordeaux bay could be converted into five new homes, if the planners approve.
But the rest of the large vinery site will have to be used as gardens, because the project architect said their hands were tied by planning law, meaning they could not put more houses on the site.
A planning application has been submitted for Bordeaux Vinery. The glasshouses have already been cleared.
On behalf of the applicant, Mr Hobbs of Jason Hobbs Architectural Services Ltd said in the application that just the block-built outbuildings remained.
‘The vinery site is redundant and no longer of benefit to the land owner,’ he said.
‘The central block-built structures have remained.
‘A structural engineer can prove the structures can be converted without major disruption.’
It is proposed that the single-storey buildings will be converted into five one-bed units.
Mr Hobbs said the new houses would be local market and this was a desirable setting.
‘We see more recently that the States are about to consider the development of land beside the hospital for a high number of dwelling houses on green open land,’ Mr Hobbs said.
‘Unlike the latter, this development will enhance a redundant area of land. Due to the nature of the former vinery, vehicular access to the site is very good with movement on and off the land being very safe and would not cause any worries towards traffic movement.’
The project is limited because it is using a planning policy that means the existing buildings will be converted.
Mr Hobbs said the site would have benefited from a higher level of development, but they were restricted by the planning policy.
The limited options in planning policy is due to new housing being directed to the main or local centres, such as Town, the Bridge and Cobo. This site is outside the Bridge centre.
‘We certainly do not have the freedom to dream up further development as our hands are tied,’ Mr Hobbs said.
‘It would be most disappointing to see any departures of the policy by the States when we are governed by the same written documents.’
He added that the proposal would tidy this site up while also providing much-needed accommodation.
Access to the site would be from Les Petils, Rue de Cocagne and Rue du Bordeaux.
n The plans can be viewed at www.gov.gg/liveplanningapplications.
