A professional team of master planners have been appointed to draw up a development scheme for a large chunk of the north east of the island and exploratory works have started to provide an engineering solution to the flood risk in the Braye du Valle.
But there is still no firm timetable for the construction of any new housing either on Leale’s Yard, or the neighbouring sites owned by the Guernsey Housing Association.
The project to develop the area covered by Leale’s Yard, Parc Le Lacheur – the former Kenilworth Vinery – and the Saltpans is being led politically by a three-strong oversight group of deputies Steve Williams, Adrian Gabriel and Yvonne Burford.
Deputy Burford said they realised the urgent need to tackle Guernsey’s housing crisis, but also had to consider some wider issues.
‘This is one of the most significant brownfield regeneration opportunities available to the island,’ she said.
‘We want to deliver homes and other improvements as soon as possible, and while we will move as fast as we possibly can, the decisions over the coming 12-18 months will have implications for many decades to come, so they need to be properly planned.
‘Rushing into inappropriate or poorly thought-out development would be a false economy that risks falling through or failing to meet the needs of the community.
‘Our focus is on developing a coordinated, evidence-based plan that delivers not just homes, but also the infrastructure, flood resilience, transport links, public spaces and economic opportunities needed to create a successful and sustainable community.
‘This is an opportunity to breathe new life into a long-underutilised part of the island, creating a place where people can live, work and spend time, while supporting local businesses and improving the experience of the wider Bridge area.’
Deputy Burford was dismissive of claims that it would have been better to leave the development of Leale’s Yard to the private sector instead of the States buying the controversial site.
‘Leale’s Yard has been allocated for development for over two decades. During that time there have been many proposals and promises for redevelopment. However, the reality is that none of those proposals were delivered,’ she said.
‘The States’ acquisition created an opportunity for a fresh look at Leale’s Yard alongside neighbouring Guernsey Housing Association and private sites as part of the wider regeneration programme.’ The vice-president of P&R says that real progress is now being made on a planning vision for the wider area. ‘Significant progress has been made in establishing the masterplanning work,’ she said, with a professional team appointed following a competitive procurement process.
‘This work is not slowing down the provision of new homes because housing can’t be developed until the site is cleared and the infrastructure has been properly planned, and the building phases themselves will in any case be phased, so there aren’t any significant time gains to be had by focusing on Leale’s Yard alone at the masterplanning stage, compared with masterplanning the wider site.
‘There would be plenty of downsides to taking a more short-sighted approach, though.’
The States political oversight group on the project is promising that the masterplanning process will be very transparent, with plenty of engagement with the public and key stakeholders.