Deputy supports plans to build on site he part-owns
A States deputy has said he would fully support plans to build on the site of a vinery he part-owns, as long as it was used for affordable housing which included local people.
Regency Vinery in St Martin’s, near jewellers Catherine Best, was identified as a possible housing site in the latest version of the Island Development Plan.
The site was bought by Deputy Aidan Matthews in 2017 before he became a deputy.
‘I’m really excited that the site has been chosen as a possible site for affordable housing, but at the same time, really concerned that the right type of development takes place,’ he said.
‘It’s got really good potential as a site for affordable housing.
‘Of course, with the hospital nearby it could be useful accommodation for nurses, but I’d really like to see that some housing for first-time buyers could be included too, because the island is so desperately short of that.’
Deputy Matthews said despite the need for key worker accommodation, he would like any housing built to be available to local people.
‘I don’t agree with restrictive policy that doesn’t let locals access housing options when people recruited from overseas can,’ he said.
‘The whole concept of so-called “key worker” housing needs addressing.
‘It’s a difficult balance, but the likelihood is we’ll need much more housing if we’re to keep our services running, but I also have a young son and like all parents I worry there won’t be any housing he’d be able to afford when he grows up.’
Most of the site is currently disused, apart from a storage unit that is used by local music events, but it still contains many of the concrete footings and pipework from its past as a vinery.
Deputy Matthews only came to buy the land as he had a right to park there that was in the deeds of his house nearby.
When the owner, who lived in the UK, put it up for sale he stepped in to protect his parking space and also make sure local music events had continued free use of the storage area.
The IDP review will be discussed by the next States assembly and Deputy Matthews said that during this term he had been exceptionally careful to declare interest at committee meetings, and withdraw from any committee-level discussions where there was a potential conflict.
‘If I were in a States meeting where the IDP was discussed, I would declare my interest according to the rules before speaking, and even though the current rules don’t require it, I would abstain from voting on propositions where I have a conflict,’ he said.
‘Apart from my house, this is the only financial interest I have.
‘On a small island, it’s always bound to happen that some members’ interests will be in potential conflict.’
Deputy Matthews said that ideally he would like to see low-impact, sustainable development that respects the natural environment on the site.
‘And also doesn’t overlook or impact my neighbours too much,’ he said.
‘I’m really interested in the modular or “pod” type of buildings, as so many existing projects have taken years to get started, meanwhile right now people are finding they can’t afford rent increases and can’t find a place to live.
‘Anything that can help get homes built more quickly has to be worth looking into.’
