Plans to convert former bank in St Martin’s into 14 flats

And it has been suggested that it would be a good site for key worker housing.

Lloyds Bank, on Grande Rue in St Martin’s, closed last December and permission was granted this summer to change the use of the building from a bank to administration offices.

But now a fresh application has come in from property freeholders Esher Investments, a local property investment and development company, which proposes converting the structures into 14 one-bed apartments.

Principal scheme architect Ricky Mahy of Create said it was possible the flats could be used to house key workers.

The site is about a mile’s walk – or a four-minute drive – from the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

The States has been looking urgently at increasing housing for key workers in a bid to help with recruitment.

‘The application represents the private sector working to assist with a problem currently reliant on the public purse,’ Mr Mahy said.

‘These are small, carefully formed apartments, highly efficient and sustainable with reuse of existing building.

'They can be delivered quickly with a low-carbon footprint. The application addresses key-worker accommodation problems which will relieve pressure on long-term local market housing – the units are expected to be for rent.

'While currently a private sector scheme, we welcome engagement with any of the States agencies in need of key-worker accommodation.’

The States Property Unit said: ‘We have received an approach from the developer and look forward to discussing the opportunity with them should planning permission be granted.’

Guernsey Housing Association, which is responsible for providing social rented and partial ownership housing, is aware of the development.

Chief executive Vic Slade said there was a need for high-quality, key worker housing.

‘We always look at opportunities and key worker housing is a massive issue at the moment,’ she said.

The existing building is a purpose-built bank, dating from about the 1970s.

Currently it consists of a banking hall and offices, along with a large basement with a vault. On the first floor there are currently two, two-bedroom flats.

While the building is closed, the building remains let to Lloyds Bank until early 2024.

Under the proposals, 13 units would be created in the main building. One of the flats would be in the driveway archway, which would have a new roof.

Some of them would have the bedrooms separated from the living space by a door, but the rest are studio apartments.

They would have storage in the basement.

The fourteenth one-bed flat would be created by converting garages at the rear of the main building.

The minimum statutory residential unit size is 30 sq. m.

The flats all comply with this, but eight of them are under 34 sq. m, and one of these is only 30.77 sq. m.

There would be parking at the rear of the site.

• The plans can be viewed at https://www.gov.gg/liveplanningapplications.