The Guernsey Housing Association intends to move forward to develop more than 150 homes on the Parc Le Lacheur site along Saltpans Road in St Sampson’s.
Work on the Guernsey Housing Association-owned site – better known under its previous name of Kenilworth Vinery – has been prevented in the past due to concerns about flooding in the low-lying area caused by the over-topping of the sea at the Bridge.
But it said that work to be carried out by the Environment & Infrastructure Committee on concept designs for flood defences would enable the association to progress the site.
It will submit an outline planning application towards the end of this year which will provide proposals for the layout and density of Parc Le Lacheur, as well as outlining proposed green spaces and transport infrastructure such as roads, footpaths and cycle paths.
GHA chief operating officer and deputy chief executive Lisa de Kooker said the news was a ‘significant step forward’ for the site.
She said the housing being built would likely include a mix of social, rental and private units, adding there would be no blocks comprising just one tenure type.
As part of the planning process, she said a series of public engagement events would be held to inform people on what the development of the site would look like.
‘This will give residents and business owners a say in shaping the masterplan, helping to make sure it reflects local needs and priorities.’
GHA chief executive Vic Slade said that it planned a ‘genuine joined-up approach’ to deliver new homes.
Employment & Social Security president Peter Roffey said his committee was relieved to see that progress at the site was being made, adding the news was set to be the first of several major housing announcements in the next few weeks.
‘Parc Le Lacheur is just one of three or four sites in this area that will ultimately benefit from the installation of a flood defence,’ he said.
For the flood defence itself, site investigations at the Bridge will be carried out to determine ground conditions, drainage and layout.
These will inform the concept design, which will be followed by detailed design works before construction is able to begin.
E&I president Lindsay de Sausmarez was hopeful the concept design would be completed later this year, with previous assessments having explored the option of a low wall in the middle of the road layout where currently there is a low chain separating parking and the road on the Bridge.
‘The defence is not going to be this enormous, intrusive structure,’ she said.
‘It will fit in with the aesthetic of the Bridge and do an important job in providing protection for businesses and future housing developments, including the former Data Park site on the Saltpans, and Leale’s Yard.’
She said her committee had worked closely with Bridge business representatives in determining what defence would be best for the area, adding that they had been ‘very supportive’ of the work.
While such a defence would provide protection in the short and medium term, Deputy de Sausmarez said a larger flood defence would be needed in the longer term to guarantee protection from flooding, should sea levels rise to a greater level than expected.
‘The Guernsey Development Agency’s plan for a large flood defence built across the harbour mouth of the Bridge is the sort of defence that would be required in the long term to ensure we can cope with a rising of sea levels that is greater than anticipated.’
You need to be logged in to comment. If you had an account on our previous site, you can migrate your old account and comment profile to this site by visiting this page and entering the email address for your old account. We'll then send you an email with a link to follow to complete the process.