Development of new social housing is ‘at last accelerating’ - Roffey
The development of new social housing is ‘at last accelerating’, the States was assured yesterday.
The sluggish rate of housebuilding in the private sector has been compounded by the completion of only one new unit of social housing since the start of last year.
But Employment & Social Security president Peter Roffey told the Assembly that the island’s affordable housing development programme was starting to turn a corner.
‘Re-energising the programme from a standing start has been my committee’s top political priority throughout this term. It has proved hugely frustrating, but there are now signs that hard work will soon be bearing fruit,’ said Deputy Roffey.
His latest update statement on the committee’s work outlined the current status of various long-awaited housing projects.
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He said that 14 units of specialist housing at La Vieille Plage were being made wind- and watertight. Ground works were ‘well under way’ at Oberlands Road, where 15 units of key worker housing will be built alongside private housing in a joint venture between the Guernsey Housing Association and Infinity Construction.
‘Crucially, at Parc Le Lacheur, it looks as though, at long last, we are close to a resolution of issues with flood mitigation, which will allow the GHA to crack on with up to around 154 housing units,’ said Deputy Roffey.
‘The intention is to develop this large site in phases to ensure that the first homes come on line as soon as possible.’
He said the GHA was working up the final details of a scheme for 57 units at Domaine des Moulins, the former CI Tyres site in La Charroterie, and was also exploring alternative and faster construction methods to speed up the development.
Discussions were continuing with other States committees and landowners about Braye Lodge and the Pointues Rocques housing development site.
‘There are several designated housing sites in close proximity in the north of the island, which between them have the potential to deliver 1,000 or more new homes,’ said Deputy Roffey.
‘The committee is keen to make sure that these sites can be developed sympathetically and effectively, bearing in mind the things that these communities will need and the impact they will have on surrounding neighbourhoods and infrastructure.
‘The committee, working closely with the Development & Planning Authority and Environment & Infrastructure, has appointed Savills to work with key stakeholders, such as the douzaines, the owners of the sites, utility providers, the GHA and States subject matter experts on topics such as biodiversity and transport, to ensure that these sites work alongside each other and the surrounding areas, as well as delivering on the States’ key housing objectives.’
He said a framework for these developments was due to be produced in the first three months of next year.
