Proposal to turn Carey House flats into office space rejected
Seven flats at the top of an office building, which have stood empty for more than 15 years, will have to be kept, planning officers have ruled.
There are four floors of office space inside Carey House on the seafront at Admiral Park, but the top floor contains seven residential flats – none of which are lived in.
The building's owners have been advised by planners about submitting a change of use application to turn the flats into office space for nearly 15 years, but this was the first application to be submitted.
Two deputies objected to the proposal, arguing that residential units should not be lost when there was a shortfall.
The planners noted there was a general presumption against losing residential units, except in exceptional circumstances.
The applicant argued that accommodation was substandard.
The two-bed flats have not been occupied since before 2008, the units have no fitted kitchens or bathrooms, and there is no running water.
The building is occupied by law firm Carey Olsen, and the applicant argued that the confidentiality and security of the information in its office was of paramount importance.
During office hours clients and visitors are required to sign into reception, and access to the top floor was only by an entrance from the office.
It was also noted that if the flats were fully occupied, they could become home to up to 30 people, which would disturb office operations.
The applicant did not support the idea of the accommodation being used by staff from the law firm, as their guests would also then have access to the common parts of the building at all times of the day and night.
It was noted that if the flats were built today, they would be required to have an independent alternative escape route, and it was claimed it would not be easy to create one now.
The planners noted that when the flats were built, the residential units would have been fitted with kitchens, bathrooms and had access to running water, and noted that these had been removed at cost 'for an unknown reason'.
‘Furthermore, the use of this floor for the intended office purposes would no doubt require some works to provide such facilities, particularly the need to provide access to running water and sanitary facilities. Works to fit or reinstate these facilities cannot be considered an unreasonable upgrade.’
Planners also rejected the argument about access and security concerns, stating there were successfully-operated mixed use schemes elsewhere in the island, and residential units brought vitality to an area.
No evidence was provided to show what options had been explored to create an independent access.
‘Across the industry it is claimed that Guernsey is currently experiencing a housing crisis and finding suitable residential accommodation as part of relocation packages is often difficult making it difficult to recruit personnel,’ the planners said.
‘Although the applicant does not consider it to be possible for the security reasons identified, there is no reason as to why through improved security measures the residential accommodation could not be used to accommodate employees.’
Overall, planners found the application had failed to prove there was no reasonable way of upgrading the accommodation to provide satisfactory living conditions.
