‘Get spades in the ground at Leale’s Yard’ - Vale constable

States funding for the scheme could be under threat from a proposal from Deputy Andy Taylor, who wants half the money set aside for Leale’s Yard and the Bridge to be spent on the development of a sixth form centre at Les Ozouets.

‘The States should get spades in the ground,’ said Vale constable Richard Leale.

Deputy Taylor’s idea has sparked worries that the long-awaited regeneration of Leale’s Yard into housing and commercial units will be held up again.

Mr Leale said that the douzaine was going to discuss the requete shortly, but he personally felt it was well-intentioned, but misplaced.

‘They should approve Leale’s Yard going ahead, not cut the budget,’ he said.

‘I think the States shouldn’t be going back to something weeks after it has been decided.

‘They just need to get on with it.’

He was still hopeful that the regeneration of Leale’s Yard would go ahead, which will allow the Bridge’s rejuvenation plan to continue.

‘It will help to rejuvenate the Bridge because the boarded-up windows and empty shop will disappear.

‘There is a shortage of housing and that needs to be addressed.’

A Vale douzenier posted on the parish website that the proposed requete was puzzling.

‘Leale’s Yard is essentially self-funding apart from work government has to do in any event, while a school will do nothing to regenerate the Bridge, accelerate the building of flood defences or resolve the island’s housing crisis.’

The comments come as there are signs of activity on the former industrial site. An archaeological dig has already been carried out and hoarding has gone up around the front of some of the buildings on the Bridge, including the former Health Connections and Go charity shops, for security and safety purposes.

Both Omnibus and the Coop were working with the Development & Planning Authority and the law officers to formalise the outline planning consent for the scheme.

Leale’s Yard was initially bought by the Channel Islands Co-operative Society in 1998.

In April 2022, plans were unveiled to develop more than 300 homes, a new Coop food store, other retail space, a multi-storey car park for more than 300 vehicles and various civic and green areas on the site.