The owners of the derelict hotel in St Martin’s have been served the island’s first-ever Land Amenity Improvement Notice.
They have been given nine months to clean up the site and make it safe, or risk a fine, and the States doing it themselves and passing on the bill.
St Martin’s senior constable Dave Beausire said he was absolutely delighted to hear the news.
‘It’s been long overdue. It’s a blot on the landscape and we are thrilled it will be finally be cleared up,’ he said. ‘It has been in that condition for far far too long.’
He said the parish had a similar problem with two other derelict former hotel sites, Idlerocks and St Martin’s Hotel, both of which are now in the process of being demolished.
Idlerocks was an example given by the Development & Planning Authority of how the new powers, that came into force almost a year ago, had helped to persuade the owners to clear the site.
‘It’s great that the third one is finally being sorted out,’ he said. ‘Cleaning up the site is a start and hopefully this might be the push they need to sell or develop it. Whether that’s for housing or hospitality depends on what the demand is, but it’s a great site on a main road and it could benefit the whole of Guernsey.’
One developer, who preferred not to be named, said he had previously been offered the site to buy, but at what he called a ridiculous price, compared to other sites on the market.
‘Maybe something like this, where the States take action against the owners of these derelict buildings will help bring these desperately needed sites to market,’ they said. ‘Hopefully the owners of St Margaret’s Lodge will now think about marketing the site at a price where it is feasible for it to be bought and developed, and avoid the clean-up costs, which could be quite substantial.
‘I think we are all hoping that the DPA use these new powers on other derelict sites that we have across the island, especially with the need for housing being so dire.’
La Societe Guernesiaise president Trevor Bourgaize also welcomed the use of the notices, adding that are many places across the island that could do with tidying up.
‘We want the island to look the very best it can,’ he said. ‘But we would really hope that if these sites are tidied up or developed, it comes with the result that biodiversity gains can be made.’
The Guernsey Hospitality Association said it was important that properties across the island, not just hotels, did not fall into a state of disrepair and damage a visitor's view of the island. Private houses are not within the scope of these notices.
‘From both a community and visitor perspective, the condition of buildings in prominent locations inevitably shapes people’s impressions of Guernsey,’ said GHA president Alan Sillett.
‘Well-maintained properties contribute to the island’s reputation as an attractive place to live, work and visit, while derelict sites can have the opposite effect.’
He said he did not want to comment on the specific circumstances surrounding St Margaret’s Lodge.
‘However, we support the principle that buildings should not be allowed to deteriorate to the point where they negatively affect the surrounding area. Ensuring that sites are either maintained or brought forward for redevelopment is important for the island’s overall appearance, and for maintaining confidence in the visitor economy.’
DPA president Neil Inder said the authority were also considering using the improvement notices on a number of premises in town.
St Peter Port senior constable Diane Mitchell said although they were no hotels, there were shops in the Mill Street area that she would like to see the notices applied to.
‘Some have been empty for a long time and are not in a good state of repair,’ she said. ‘I would absolutely love to see the same action taken here. It would make such a difference to the attractiveness of the area.
‘I think Deputy Inder is on to a winner with this.’