Senior deputy concerned at flow of building work
DEPUTIES are starting to question the flow of capital construction projects, especially housebuilding, following the revelation that the States will be asked to fund direct purchase of completed homes at Leale’s Yard.
Former Policy & Resources vice-president Heidi Soulsby is among those questioning industry capacity for such building and has called for a proper practical plan for capital works, as well as greater detail on how much the States expects to put into the Leale's Yard project.
‘I’ve always been supportive of Bridge development,’ she said on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
‘Now government's getting involved I need greater understanding of how it fits with developments on States-owned land. Timescales key here in terms of borrowing and capacity.’
Deputy Soulsby also revealed the expected funding for the project could be more than £30m.
‘So far we’ve been told government contribution is up to £30m. but don’t know how made up. If includes 110 units plus flood defences and other utilities, I suspect more than that,’ she said.
Deputy Soulsby has also questioned the potential use of modular builds for Leale’s Yard housing, and raised what part the Guernsey Housing Association – notably absent from communications over discussions so far – might play.
Deputy Lester Queripel has also asked written questions about priority sites for housing and when building might start on those bought by the States recently.
In response, P&R highlighted its Leale’s Yard plans and said it was in talks with the construction sector about ‘how the States can better manage and phase work so companies can establish a workforce to meet sustained demand’.
