Building high-rise flats ‘could solve island’s housing problem’
HIGH-RISE accommodation could help solve Guernsey’s housing problems.
But planning rules would need to change and any development would have to be carefully designed, the Guernsey Housing Association chief executive Steve Williams has said.
The comment comes as the Population & Immigration Policy Review is published, which warned that 300 new people will be needed each year to keep Guernsey’s workforce stable.
And to do this, the report said that more dense housing was likely to be needed to make better use of land.
Cour Du Parc is Guernsey’s only tower block of flats – an 11-storey building located in La Charotterie, built in the 1960s.
The GHA took on the structure in 2013.
After a refurbishment it provided 50 flats, housing about 80 people on a relatively small footprint.
Mr Williams said under the current Island Development Plan it was unlikely that Guernsey would see any more high-rise buildings, as there are few other places where one would suit its surroundings.
‘We’re all restricted by planning requirements – it has to fit in with the surrounding area,’ said Mr Williams. He said that buildings any higher than four or five stories likely would not be suited to the surrounding area.
‘[Cour Du Parc] works there because it is in a valley and it is hidden almost, and all the buildings down there are quite tall,’ Mr Williams said.
But the population report said a review of the IDP would be needed as part of the changes to ensure enough housing could be created.
Mr Williams said the GHA was open to creating well-designed high rise structures, if the IDP allowed.
‘We want to make best use of the land,’ he said.
‘There is limited land on the island and it’s expensive to purchase and use.
Making better use of the land could provide good quality accommodation.’
He understood that high-rise housing can have a poor image – but with good design it could work. He added that it also required extra features, such as lifts, sprinklers, fire safety systems, carpets to muffle noise and security, but these were all manageable.
Cour du Parc has proved to be a success, with Mr Williams saying they had no problems renting or selling the affordable housing, despite there being very limited parking. He said that all came down to having well-designed accommodation.
Mr Williams said parking was often a priority for property hunters, but he was in favour of people moving away from cars and using other options such as public transport or bicycles, which could be supported by developments.
‘If we reduce that [car parking] then we can get more homes or more open space.’
The GHA currently have two large-scale planning applications in with the planners - for 131 homes at Kenilworth Vinery and 91 home at Fontaine Vinery. The structures would go up to three stories and between them have more than 330 car parking spaces.
Mr Williams said as this stage they would not want to amend the designs based on the population policy review, as it would delay the projects by a year and there were a big need for more social housing now.
But in the future, if the policy’s suggestions are adopted, he said the ideas could be used to shape future designs.