Former pub could become housing

Tuesday 24 May 2022

A planning application has been submitted for an £8million project to demolish the former English & Guernsey Arms and build seven houses and 12 flats on the site.

The application states that the former E&G pub site at the South Quay on the Bridge "has been left in poor condition for a number of years" and that the redevelopment would be a "socio-economic enabler" for the area.

The plans have been submitted by Havard Group of Companies (HVC). It said it wanted to create a development which "can be considered spectacular and will raise the Bridge’s profile from a residential perspective and may also encourage other future development in St Sampson's".

“There is a lack of appropriate sites on the Bridge that suit residential development. We feel it is important that this rare and privileged opportunity is seized and that quality and diverse accommodation is constructed," said HVC.

Pictured: The planning application includes an existing block plan (left) and a proposed block plan. Credit: Tyrrell Dowinton Associates Ltd.

The application is for 19 residential units with a mix of between one and three bedrooms to provide housing for up to 45 people.

"We would anticipate the one-bedroom properties will appeal to the younger generation, downsizers and offer accessible open plan living environments," said HVC. 

"Two-bedroom properties will again appeal to the younger generation seeking to get a foot on the housing ladder, while the three-bedroom townhouses are likely to appeal to families."

The proposals include parking for all units, which the company said would minimise off-road parking. 

"We have created a mezzanine deck so that all the on-site parking will be under cover [or] not visible."

Pictured: If approved, there will be 19 residential units with a mix of between one and three bedrooms. Credit: Tyrrell Dowinton Associates Ltd.

HVC is confident that the development "will not feel overcrowded".

"The general vista will be of landscaped gardens. That mezzanine also acts as a natural flood catchment and the two ribbons of development either side follow the urban forms of the Bridge and make best use of shadowed areas by creating houses which people need."

The company said that an oak tree on the site would be preserved.

"The oak has real character and we will endeavour to provide circular seating around the base of the trunk in due course.

"Naturally, the oak tree will remain a prominent part of the site’s general appearance...set within the wider conservation area...and live beyond its forecasted 40 years. It currently has no management whatsoever and is surrounded by hard standing and parking of all types of vehicles. 

"Amenity was a key starting design factor based on establishing where to build in terms of urban design and context. From there, along with the oak preservation, we factored in key issues such as outlook, interface distances, privacy, access and internal layouts.

"Each property has its own private space and at least two routes to the central communal amenity area and the large communal amenity area around the location of the existing oak tree, which includes benches, landscaping and a petanque court."

Pictured: Plans include a communal garden with a petanque court. Credit: Tyrrell Dowinton Associates Ltd.

HVC intends to commence works "as soon as planning permission has been granted and a building license has been awarded".

"We need to commence works by quarter four 2022 to avoid making any of our current valued team of local operatives redundant."

The application is now under consideration by the States' Development & Planning Authority.

The company said it intended to use "all local sub-contractors" and that the "vast majority" of the £8m. investment would be spent locally. 

The full planning application. (FULL/2022/0931) can be found HERE