P&R applies for 66 homes in controversial field near PEH
PLANS to build 66 homes some 500 metres away from the hospital for key health-care workers have been submitted to planners.
The controversial field known as Le Bordage Seath, situated next to the Duchess of Kent House and subject of prolonged debate last summer, could see 66 one-bed units for key workers built on it, with up to 120 car parking spaces and cycle shelters, and the potential for a second phase of the project in the future.
The application has been submitted by the Policy & Resources Committee as a plan to attract health care professionals to the island through delivering quality key worker accommodation.
‘The majority of the Policy & Resources and Health & Social Care committees believe this is the best practicable option as many areas of health and social care look to avoid reaching a crisis point as a result of recruitment and retention difficulties which are being experienced both on-island and more widely,’ said Deputy Peter Ferbrache, president of P&R, in the application.
The initial proposal for developing the site was met with consternation from some deputies who disagreed with building on a designated agricultural priority area, despite the convenient location adjacent to the hospital.
Deputy Dave Mahoney, property lead at P&R, said yesterday: ‘There is a clear need to develop more of this kind of accommodation urgently and having listened to the professionals, the closer these units are to the hospital, the more they are likely to suit the demands and needs of staff and the more likely they are to support vital recruitment.’
As it did in the summer, Health & Social Care is backing the project.
‘We need to do everything possible to attract staff so we can continue delivering these essential services which are under more and more pressure,’ said president Deputy Al Brouard.
‘Being able to offer the right sort of accommodation in the right location is a big part of that.’
A tree in the middle of the land will be retained, and primary access to the proposed site will be re-modelled with the Duchess of Kent House.
In putting the plans forward, the committee is relying on planning policy S5, which would exceptionally secure permission on the grounds that the project has been clearly demonstrated to be in the interest of the health, or wellbeing, or safety, or security of the community, or otherwise in the public interest, and that there is no alternative more suitable site available.
