Builders needed for temporary villages
THE search is on for contractors to build temporary villages of modular housing for islanders and guest workers in a bid to give the island an economic boost.
The States has set aside some £5m. for the project and gone out to tender for contractors.
But it has not said where it might look to site such developments.
Proposals for the villages were initially made by the senior committee in November’s Budget debate, with the plans later being amended in order for the villages to include local workers as well as guest workers.
‘It’s a very high priority,’ said Policy & Resources Committee president Lyndon Trott.
‘We have accelerated the procurement process to enable both aspects, particularly the aspects regarding a construction village, as expeditiously as possible.’
Asked in the States where such a village would go, Deputy Trott said that the locations would be site-specific and site-dependent.
‘It will depend which site comes out the ground first. The key part of this process is the procurement of the village and that is being fast-tracked as quickly as possible.’
‘The Policy & Resources Committee is working towards setting up temporary “construction village” and a temporary “housing village”,’ the States Property Unit added.
‘The construction village would provide temporary accommodation for contractors and sub-contractors supporting major development projects, while the housing village would provide temporary accommodation for a broader user base. The invitation to tender for the construction of these villages is open until 28 February.’
The move follows concerns being raised by industry about the shortage of construction workers and the challenge of finding them suitable accommodation.
There is also a shortage of affordable housing in general, including for key workers. The hope is that the temporary villages would allow for the fast delivery of housing as interim short-term accommodation.
This week planners revealed eight new possible sites for affordable housing, as part of the Island Development Plan review. But those changes will not even be approved by the States until at least next year.
