GHA could buy Pointues Rocques site
THE Guernsey Housing Association could buy the controversial housing site at Pointues Rocques at Delancey.
The 15-vergee former greenhouse site, in multiple ownership, has been put forward for a housing development for some years, but that led to considerable opposition.
At one point more than 120 homes were proposed for it.
Eventually plans for 68 homes were granted permission by the Development & Planning Authority in July 2022 and the site was placed for sale on the market in May last year. The price has not been publicly disclosed.
The GHA has been given support by the States to progress negotiations with the landowners that could see 68 units of private market and affordable housing.
The association’s proposal for the site includes provision for the requirement that would be triggered under the GP11 policy within the Island Development Plan.
Under this policy, 30% of the residential area would need to be developed for affordable housing. 15 homes had previously been mooted.
But if the GHA proceeds with a proposed joint development venture, it intends a mix where just under two-thirds of the units would be affordable and the remainder of the units made available for private market development.
Negotiations between the GHA, landowners, and potential developers will take place over the coming months and will look to further negotiate the terms of the deal that will be presented back to the GHA board, Employment & Social Security and Policy & Resources for final agreement.
ESS president Peter Roffey said that the development could make inroads into meeting both the island’s private market and affordable housing requirements, due in part to GP11.
‘It is encouraging to see the role that the policy has played in these negotiations to date, to secure affordable housing units and support the viability of private market development at this site,' he said.
GHA chief executive Vic Slade added: ‘There is still work to be done, but with support from the States, and collaborative working with the landowners, we have an opportunity to bring forward more affordable, general needs homes than might otherwise be possible on this site.’
The States will discuss suspending the GP11 policy later this month, following the promotion of a requete led by Deputy John Dyke.
