GHA reveals plans for 10-storey development at La Charroterie

It has come up with new plans for the former CI Tyres site which will see the development go 10 storeys high, with 57 flats, 32 more than were originally proposed for the site.

The GHA took on the empty site on La Charroterie in August 2022 to create key worker housing.

The site had planning permission for 25 flats in a three-storey building. But the GHA wanted to do more.

GHA chief executive Vic Slade said the latest plans had more homes than it had initially thought possible.

‘We thought we might be able to achieve 54 one-bedroomed apartments on the site, but with sensitive design, that’s increased to 57 – without compromising the space standards of each home,’ she said.

‘It wasn’t until the detailed design work got under way that we understood how the form of the building might work against the cliff profile and the area of biodiversity importance above.

‘The architects have worked hard to balance form against function – profiling the building to make sure that visually it’s not a big, homogeneous block against the road or skyline.’

The latest application proposes a building which is six storeys at the front, stepping up to a 10-storey block at the back.

Architects Lovell Ozanne drew up the plans and in the application said the block had the potential to set a precedent for multi-storey residential developments in central St Peter Port.

Listed neighbouring properties are about three storeys high.

Nearby Cour du Parc is also a 10-storey tower block, also managed by the GHA.

A typical flat will have a double bedroom, a small kitchen/living area and bathroom.

On about the fifth floor there could be a bridge connecting the tower block to the wooded cliff behind.

The higher elevations of the taller block will be clad in green terracotta tiles to blend in with the environment.

The site would have 20 parking spaces, which would be underneath the tower block. There would also be room for about 50 bicycles.

‘The site has limited parking, but is on a main bus route, and there will be provision for electric vehicles, plus storage and charging for e-bikes,’ said Ms Slade.

It is proposed that tree clearance would take place in early 2024 and cliff stabilisation work would also start next summer.

If permission is granted the main build programme would start in October 2024.

Ms Slade said going back to designs had delayed the project.

‘But by more than doubling the amount of homes, with a sensitive design, we feel it’s worth the wait,’ she said.

The plans reveal the proposed name of the new development – Domaines Des Moulins. The name is a nod to the history of the area, as there used to be a windmill at the top of the hill and watermills along the valley.