Plans have been submitted for 21 new homes on the former Guernsey Motor Spares site off La Gibauderie, which include 45 parking spaces shared across the two- and three-bed houses.
While neighbouring residents recognised the need for more homes, there are serious concerns among them about the loss of the existing spaces on the site which have been used by people living in the area.
Many residents currently rent spaces on the site, with one resident confirming that 48 paid parking permits will be cancelled.
‘That’s 48 cars on this road without spaces,’ said resident Richard Jarvis, who fears the new development will add significant pressure to the already congested area.
Developer Walter Property bought the site for £1.75m. in November 2023.
In response to concerns about parking, CEO Eleanor Saunders explained that the design’s inclusion of two parking spaces per new property was a direct effort to avoid creating further parking problems.
She acknowledged that many residents had the ‘luxury’ of parking there under the previous owner for many years, but the company’s insurance policy required them to stop this. She appreciated that the situation was not ideal for residents.
‘But we don’t feel it’s one that we can be responsible for or provide the solution necessarily,’ she said.
She added that the priority remained providing new homes for the island without adding to the local traffic burden.
There is on-street parking in the area, such as on St Jacques, Gibauderie and Rosaire Avenue, but this is often full.
Many of the nearby homes have walled front gardens, but few have been converted into parking.
Resident Shanine Levrier said this was due to planning rules.
‘There is one positive,’ she said. ‘Potentially they would stop on-road parking and it would allow us to park in our gardens because previously we have been blocked by planning from doing it.’
The site is in the conservation area of St Peter Port, which means developments need to respect, conserve and, where possible, enhance the historic area.
The Guernsey Press has seen a planning refusal, where a home in the area had planning permission for a parking space in the front garden refused because removing a section of the roadside wall would have a ‘significant detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the conservation area’.
Faced with this issue, it has left questions about where the displaced vehicles will go, with one resident stating they often have to park far away for a space.
‘This area is bad enough for parking as it is,’ said Mr Jarvis.
Beyond parking, residents expressed worries about increased traffic and the disruption of the construction phase. Concerns were raised about the demolition of the existing buildings creating noise, dust, and mess over the 18-month period. Residents acknowledged Guernsey’s need for more homes, but felt the development was not being managed with a full understanding of its effect on the existing community. As one resident concluded, there is a sense that ‘there’s not much we can really do.’
Housing competing with cars on developments
Work could start on 21 new homes in Gibauderie early next year, with the homes ready by mid-2027, Walter Property CEO Eleanor Saunders has said.
She said the aim of the project was to create a ‘community feel’ with individual gardens and private parking.
The company hopes to start work in early 2026, with an estimated 18-month build time. The proposal includes a one-way traffic system that would see vehicles enter from La Gibauderie and exit onto Upper St Jacques, where an existing granite wall would be ‘scalloped’ for improved visibility. The developer says they are liaising with Traffic & Highways regarding the one-way system.
St Peter Port senior constable Diane Mitchell noted that the parish would likely discuss the plans at its next meeting.
‘My understanding is that there’s 21 two- and three-bedroom houses going there, which would fulfil a lot of people’s hopes for affordable housing,’ she said.
‘I don’t think there’s going to be any objections.’
She acknowledged residents’ concerns about the loss of parking permits.
‘But if people are homeless, then something has to give. I can understand their concerns, but I think housing at the moment is more important than car parking.’
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