Planners take issue with work on listed building

In a relatively rare move, the planners imposed an interim compliance notice to stop all work inside and outside La Hougue Du Valle – a large Victorian-style building north of the Bridge – immediately.

This allowed them to then impose a compliance notice on its owner David Collas, who was not listed as living at the property.

That notice detailed the scale of the breach the planners were concerned about.

That included the removal of a ground floor window, render from many internal masonry walls, and from within window reveals, as well as the removal of ceilings throughout much of the dwelling, including within the sloping eaves and eave partitions.

The planners also stated that a Victorian fire surround and firebox at first floor level, and fireplace surround at second floor level, have also been taken out, as well as skirting boards, window sills and several internal doors.

Part of the property’s vinehouse was also taken down and a lot of glass removed.

The property gate is also been removed.

While many of these sorts of changes would not require planning permission in an ordinary property, there are more stringent restrictions on protected buildings.

The whole building, together with the roadside wall and railings, conservatory and store, are all listed. The site has been on the protected building register since 1990.

There is no record of any planning applications for the property on the States planning websearch, which details applications since 2008. The notice ordered for all work to stop until appropriate permissions and licences are granted.

Attempts have been made to contact Mr Collas. There did not appear to be any work taking place at the property when it was visited by the Guernsey Press, but there was a skip outside the property.