States unlocks a private estate with a £1m. deal

There has been little public news on the Briarwood site since a planning application for 26 homes on land around the Grande Rue car park was approved at an open planning meeting in March 2023.

But now the States has spent £1.1m. buying Briarwood house itself, while developer Infinity and its backers have spent £1.7m. buying the land behind it.

Infinity managing director Paul Nobes said originally the purchase of the site, including the Briarwood building, which his company did not need, would have made the project unviable.

But by only having to buy the land it needed, Mr Nobes said the purchase had unlocked the site.

‘It has taken a long time, but we are really pleased to see it moving,’ he said.

Mr Nobes said that its plans had changed to a mix of two and three-bed houses and flats.

‘Originally there were 18 houses on that piece of land, so we want to do more of a mix,’ he said.

‘We are looking at what people want to buy in that area and what planning is wanting – they are trying to get more two-bed units, so we are trying to fit in with those demands.’

It is hoped that a revised planning application will be submitted within the next four weeks, with hope for permission to be secured in the spring, as the principle of housing development has already been agreed for the site.

Enabling works are set to start next week, with the main thrust of the work expected to start in the new year.

Mr Nobes said he did not expect there to be any disruption to parking at the start of the project, but there may be some as the project progressed.

The car park, which has a footpath to the nearby primary school, is a popular pick-up point for parents.

States Property Unit confirmed its purchase of the Briarwood building, which the States has previously rented.

‘The States has purchased Briarwood House to achieve a key objective of unlocking the development of a nearby site into much-needed housing,’ a spokesman said.

‘The structure of the deal guarantees prompt development of the housing units and much improved pedestrian access to St Martin’s school from the public car park, while also securing a valuable asset for the States that is currently utilised by the Children’s Convenor – with plans in place for them to remain.’

As well as the land behind Briarwood, Infinity, along with its investors, will also be creating housing on the southern side of the car park, behind existing homes.

Mr Nobes said work on both sites was being phased to try to keep disruption to a minimum.

Originally the refurbishment of the car park was offered as an alternative to providing affordable housing under GP11. Mr Nobes said while GP11 had gone, he was standing by the offer to refurbish the car park and would also be paying the States a previously agreed £250,000.

‘That way everyone gets something.’

Even if work starts soon, it will be three years until all the homes and the car park are expected to be completed.