Data park site sold to developer
LAND earmarked for the Guernsey Data Park has been sold - with the new owner promising to develop new plans for the site.
The 14.67-acre site located off Route Militaire has been sold to RED fund, a real estate developer backed by private investors, all with Channel Islands’ links.
Andrew Haining, chairman of RED fund, said the site was the ideal acquisition for the fund. He said the fund would work with the planning department to identity the future make-up of any development, with traffic concerns taken into consideration, but stressed no definite plans had yet been drawn up.
‘Our aim is to identify sites that have stalled or need significant investment, acquire them and then realise their potential. The fund is backed by investors with a real passion for the future success of the Channel Islands and has a network of experienced and professional advisers which enables it to tackle what some might see as difficult sites,’ he said.
‘We know how unsettling the last few years have been for neighbours living around the site and now that we have acquired it, our intention is to work with our advisers in conjunction with the planning department and identify what the future make up of any development will be.’
He added: ‘It is a large site surrounded by houses and businesses and we are mindful that some roads particularly to the north and east can become congested and this will all be taken into consideration. At this point, we have no definite plans as to what might or might not be included.’
Mr Haining said further updates will be given later in the year once plans had progressed.
The site was marketed by Watts & Co on a best bids basis. A spokesman for the administrator Deloitte said it was delighted that a buyer had been found for such an important site.
‘The site was a rare opportunity to acquire a large industrial development which had already been cleared and was ready for work to begin. There was a great deal of interest from a number of parties and we wish the new owners every success.’
Prior to Guernsey Data Park Ltd going into administration, works had already been undertaken on the site. This included the removal of built structures, the clearance of asbestos, the decommissioning and removal of below ground storage, waste oil and oil tanks and the creation of the main access road onto Route Militaire. Outline planning consent had also been granted based on the existing development brief.