DPA president gives reasons for Castel Hospital listing

Three days after the news broke that the move was being considered, DPA president Victoria Oliver issued a statement on behalf of her committee.

‘I’ve heard first-hand this week about the difficult associations some islanders have with the Castel Hospital,’ she said.

‘However, as an authority, we are required to take an objective approach under planning law to protect and enhance Guernsey’s heritage of buildings, monuments and sites of historic, architectural or archaeological importance.

‘The authority has a statutory duty to do this through the protected buildings list.

‘When deciding if a building has sufficient special interest to be included on the protected buildings list, whether that is historic, architectural, traditional or another interest, it is judged against set criteria.’

Parts of the hospital complex dates to the mid-18th century, with additions made in the 1800s and 1990s. However its future has been up in the air for a while.

‘Given the historic and architectural interest of this building, the authority agreed to list parts of it as a protected building,’ said Deputy Oliver.

‘The full details of what is and isn’t listed on this site will be published in the normal manner once they have been shared with the Policy & Resources Committee, who have the responsibility for the States property portfolio. This will happen in the next few days. At that time, members of the community will be able to view the details of the decision.’

P&R is keen to redevelop the site and has made its feelings of the potential listing clear, calling the move 'absurd'.

However the Castel parish has a different view. Senior constable Kelvin Hudson said it was unaware the DPA was considering the move, but welcomed it.

‘We were contacted by a concerned parishioner, who was keen to see the Castel Hospital listed to prevent many of its architectural features being lost in a future redevelopment of the site, and these concerns were discussed at a recent monthly douzaine meeting,’ he said.

‘The douzaine resolved unanimously to support the parishioner’s view and we wrote to the DPA accordingly.’

Mr Hudson said the douzaine would be pleased to see a redevelopment of the site, albeit one that retains its original features.

‘The douzaine has no strong views on what should happen with the site although something in line with its original use would be good, so perhaps a residential home for retired people,’ he said.

‘I would like to say how pleased we are that the DPA gave consideration to the request to list the buildings and that they approved it.’