Multi-storey car park could free up space for key medical workers’ housing
I SAW a photo of a deputy standing in a large area that used to be a tyre store down Charotterie and he stated proudly that a new multi-storey building for key workers is going to be built. This land has been bought for £1.7m. – wow.
Why not build apartments only for young Guernsey people on that land?
I offer a positive suggestion for accommodation only for hospital nurses, doctors and care home staff.
This below proposal was based upon:
Using a full morning of my time, I went along with a tape measure and measured each car parking space plus drive-in areas at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital car park and the total area came to about 2.4 acres.
I propose that a multi-storey metal car park be built on some of the parking spaces very close to the PEH. It could easily be built, with cascading flowers, and would melt into the surroundings. All nurses, doctors, hospital staff and patients would then walk a very short distance to the new car park as opposed to the current hike up the road.
After the car park is built, ‘unused parking areas’ are left, so build high-quality apartments for key workers who mostly work at the PEH. Apartments with large windows please.
The apartments:
l The States of Guernsey already own the land – no need for £1.7m.
l Convenient to key workers at the PEH, particularly at night.
l Only for hospital and care home staff – not for other so-called key workers, bar staff/bus drivers/bed-makers/waiters/toe-nail cutters.
l Close to existing infrastructure – electricity, drains, roads, access.
I have asked many Guernsey people to attack this proposal for using the existing hospital car parking area and they all think it is great, but at the same time everyone tells me that:
l the ESS committee would never think of such an idea themselves and hence it will never be done.
l people tell me that the Planning Department would absolutely not allow it as it is not close to a shopping centre.
l Not as much money to be made by property developers, hence not a chance.
Rex Ferbrache