Environmental groups welcome P&R’s change on green field
Two organisations are celebrating the scrapping of plans for significant key worker housing on a green field by the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
Policy & Resources announced this week confirmed that it would not be moving forward with its predecessor’s plans for the field.
The National Trust said it was one of many organisations and individuals which had objected to the proposal to develop the Bordage Seath site.
It said that it was not against development per se, but it had to be done where there was minimal damage to the island’s environment.
‘Clearly, in this case, there are better alternatives, a fact that the States has now acknowledged.’
President Mike Brown added that the trust supported the proposed developments for housing at the old CI Tyres site in La Charroterie and at the site of the Braye Lodge Hotel on the Ruette Braye.
‘The CI Tyres site is built into a cliff so it wouldn’t be an eyesore, while Braye Lodge is ideal because it’s in a bank so the height of it is masked, plus digging up the Tarmac leading up to the site won’t damage the environment. Both of these sites are close to the hospital so workers would be able to walk or cycle to work, and the housing would provide increased footfall for bars and restaurants in St Peter Port, so it’s a win-win.’
La Societe president Trevor Bourgaize said that the organisation had campaigned hard for the Bordage Seath application to be withdrawn, and so was delighted.
‘We didn’t want to see building on agricultural land, our policy is almost always to oppose any increase in curtilage.
‘The other pleasing thing is that so many others felt strongly about this too.’
He said building housing at the CI Tyres site made perfect sense, and was eager to see further developments in Town.
‘There are areas in Town where you could quite easily knock down some non-important buildings and build a block of eight to 10 flats.
‘Key worker housing would almost lend itself to Town too due to the potential economic benefits for hospitality and restaurants that would come with more housing.’
He added that La Societe could make representations over the potential key worker housing site at Les Oberlands.
‘It depends whether the project aligns with the States Strategy for Nature. We will have to look at it.’
