Charroterie site could have double the number of flats

The land was bought for £1.7m. in August, with a plan for Guernsey Housing Association to build key worker housing.

It has planning permission for a three-and-a-half storey building with 25 dwellings, but it had been expected that a larger project would be put forward.

Now plans for 54 units are being proposed.

Guernsey Housing Association chief executive Vic Slade said they needed to make the best use of the site.

‘There is currently huge pressure to provide more affordable housing, so it makes sense to maximise use of the space on the site to provide as many homes as we can, while making sure that we protect design and space standards,’ she said.

‘We recognise the urgent need to deliver this much needed key worker accommodation, so we’re pursuing the revised development as a top priority.’

The new development will be known as Domaine des Moulins.

Scoping work has been undertaken to determine the feasibility of the higher density development, as well as its financial viability. The conclusion was that it should be pursued.

The GHA is working with architects to submit a planning application soon.

Subject to planning permission, it is expected that the development will be completed in early 2026.

Changing the design will delay the scheme by 12 months based on a previous time frame.

But this delay is considered worth it to achieve more than double the number of homes for key workers.

Employment & Social Security president Deputy Peter Roffey said he backed creating extra housing.

‘Having supported the purchase of this site last year, to help address the severe shortage in key worker housing that we’re experiencing, I’m really pleased that there is the potential to more than double the number of homes that this site can provide,’ he said.

‘This decision was a no-brainer, as it also delivers better value for money for the States.’