A listing, lest we forget

So it may have to be with the redevelopment of the Castel Hospital. Despite understandable concern, even anger, from the Policy & Resources Committee over the listing of the former hospital, moving dangerously close to dereliction, any such redevelopment of the site is going to have to make the best of it with certain features of the original building maintained.

Despite their ‘frustrations’, P&R has decided not to appeal the listing, and will aim to work with it in terms of drawing up a development plan for the site. Hopefully that proves to be a sensible, and sensitive, move. For example, is Guernsey better off for having retained many of the original features of the Market Buildings?

There was little concern expressed about the future of the former country hospital when P&R property lead Deputy Dave Mahoney outlined his plans for property rationalisation some 18 months ago. The population was probably resigned to losing the Castel, given little reason to love the place. Ire was focused instead on the wish to create larger homes on a neighbouring field.

One may ask questions as to why, and how, the Castel Hospital was left unlisted for so long, and then suddenly listed at this point?

But now this development needs to give the island what it needs, while sensitively remembering what it once had.