Former deputy criticises Coop’s Leale’s Yard plans

Mrs Lowe, a States member for 26 years from 1994, mostly for the Vale, believes the plans – which include building 296 one and two-bedroom flats in buildings up to six storeys high – would lack sufficient communal space to appropriately accommodate the number of people who would live and work at the development. She said this could be more than 870 people.

‘It’s definitely good news having apartments for families that the island community so desperately needs but not to the detriment of their health and wellbeing. They need space,’ she said.

Among the other proposals in the application are the construction of two office blocks, one commercial unit, one large food retail outlet and 336 parking spaces, including a multi-storey car park.

Mrs Lowe was unimpressed that, so far, no current deputy appeared to have publicly scrutinised the plans, adding that in the past, Vale and St Sampson’s deputies would have established what effect such a development would have on their parishioners.

She said the number of people who could live there, coupled with the other buildings planned for construction, could have a ‘staggering’ impact on those based on the site.

Among her main concerns was whether there would be enough parking spaces planned when factoring in those who would be commuting to work in the proposed offices, as well as visitors and shoppers.

‘If just one person out of the potentially 870-plus people living in the apartments had one car, that would leave just 40 parking spaces for all of the rest of the development,’ she said.

‘40 spaces, when the number of people living, working, visiting or shopping could be thousands daily. Where will all these people park? We know the Environment & Infrastructure Committee and the States as a whole want people to walk, cycle or bus, but being realistic must form part of these plans.’

She also said, having looked at the planned road, pedestrian and cycle paths on the site, it was not clear how fire engines might access the buildings.

‘The access wasn’t that clear as to whether it complies with the requirement under building control. This must be looked into and addressed by building control and Fire & Rescue before any plans are finalised.’

Mrs Lowe said that the use of site poles would have helped in reflecting how the six-storey buildings would impact on the look of the Bridge and surrounding area.

‘They would have assisted before the plans reached this stage, bearing in mind the buildings are higher than the buildings at Admiral Park.’

While she appreciated that pressure existed with regards to getting accommodation built, Mrs Lowe said it would be ‘far better’ to face a delay and get it right.

‘No doubt the planners would be the ones blamed if the DPA rejects this unrealistic plan, whereas the applicants need to recognise plans must be realistic for all those living, working or visiting Leale’s Yard,’ she said.

‘Of course the bottom line on the accounts is important, but when dealing with people on where and how they live, the future long-term cost on their health and well-being must be taken into consideration. If not, there will be a cost to the States and society in years to come from those making use of the services dealing with health issues.’

n A revised outline planning application for the redevelopment of the site was submitted in September. The consultation period has now closed, but the application has not yet been determined.