Select a region
Alderney's Braye Harbour could be redeveloped with six key themes already highlighted as possible ways of driving the work forward.
A Braye Opportunity Area MasterPlan has been compiled with The States of Alderney unveiling its "long-term vision" for the harbour area, with a programme of public consultation now getting underway.
The island's General Services Committee has described this as “an exciting and inspiring vision that we want to share with everyone”.
Pictured: The work done so far to create The Braye Opportunity Area MasterPlan' has included six ideas for developing the area.
The six ideas for developing Braye Harbour and the wider area have been built into a framework to "build confidence for private and public investors to work in partnership with the community and the States in the medium and long-term to deliver a social and economic transformation of the harbour area, unlocking potential growth over the next 10-15 years", says the MasterPlan.
It is said to present "an opportunity to deliver a scale of growth critical to improving the economic, social and environmental needs of the Island now and in the future".
If any of the ideas are taken forward it could bring together the harbour's current uses comprising of residential, commercial, recreational, and industrial sites, with other island utilities. The report also envisages reconfigured harbour uses, new leisure and tourism facilities, retail, and hospitality opportunities, as well as diverse employment uses that would create unparalleled benefits for the island as well as the wider Bailiwick said GSC Chair Lin Maurice.
“The MasterPlan is a road map for guiding future development and investment," she said.
"It provides us with a clear vision of what the area could look like in the future and gives us greater clarity on how to unlock those opportunities to improve the prosperity of the island.
“This is an exciting and inspiring vision that we want to share with everyone on the island. It is respectful of the area’s character and the special uniqueness of Alderney will not be compromised in any proposed development. The intention is to futureproof our social, environmental, economic and commercial resilience and prosperity.”
A marina is included in the high-level plan, although it is not currently considered a high priority.
The plans show an extension to the Commercial Quay that ultimately will improve docking for commercial shipping together with the opportunity for passenger ferries and small cruise ships to dock, while also creating a space for a small marina with separate walkways to portside.
This has already led to comments from one States Member who is clear that Alderney should not focus on a new marina at the expense of its plans for an upgraded airport and new runway.
To be clear, large ferry option will not be able to replace air transport which is fundamentally essential for Alderney. The island would be unable to rely on just sea passenger transport links. Airport number one for travel.
— Alex Snowdon (@AlexSnowdon5) April 10, 2024
I look forward to public consultation on MasterPlan. https://t.co/w4hgvErpPl
Alderney States Member, and Representative in the States of Guernsey Alex Snowdon said this morning that there could be a problem caused by this new report with the focus on the harbour and marina in particular.
"The airport is number one, the ferry is not number one," he said.
"(The airport) is part of the 1948 Agreement, it is fundamentally important to us. Alderney's airport is the oldest in the Channel Islands because we are that bit more remote, and sea transport doesn't work all year round for our residents.
"(A ferry service) is not going to be able to replace aviation services so I hope people don't get too carried away with (that idea), because it just won't happen."
Mr Snowdon's concerns over the harbour being given any priority over the airport could be well founded, as the report does propose creating numerous new facilities at Braye Harbour which would add to the overall impression formed by visitors.
This could include a "welcoming visitor centre", ferry terminal, and customs office.
The harbour is identified as a good location for these as Alderney currently "lacks this water-side visitor infrastructure and amenities".
More yachts and cruise ships could visit the island if an "enhanced harbour appearance and setting" are created, according to the MasterPlan which also states that "extending the Commercial Quay will offer increased scale of freight, cargo and passenger vessels including small cruise ships".
But is the cost for a new airport and runway appropriate for the size of the population? #Sealinks are much more realistic, appropriate and proportionate. @Govgg @gavinstpier @CarlMeerveld @steve_falla @gabriel4gsy @HeidiSoulsby @PeterRoffey5 @chrisblingsy
— Chad Murray (@capt_murray) April 10, 2024
Mr Snowdon again stated that the airport must not be discounted as it is inherently essential to the island and visitors.
‘The Braye Opportunity Area MasterPlan’, was formed after stakeholder workshops and one-to-one consultations with people who live or work in the area, as well as consultation with the community.
It is to be used as a framework for transforming the Harbour and western end of the Braye Bay area in partnership with the commercial and business community, investors and developers.
Discussions were held with local stakeholders before the MasterPlan was drawn up by strategists, economists, urban designers, planners and architects from Avison Young Ltd and Maccreanor Lavington, and approved by the General Services Committee (GSC) in March and confirmed by the Policy & Finance Committee on 9 April.
The full Braye Opportunity Area MasterPlan can be read HERE.
A physical copy of the report can also be read at the Harbour Office.
There will be a public drop-in at the Island Hall’s Anne French Room on Saturday April 27 between 10:00 and 13:00. This will include an opportunity for people to discuss the MasterPlan and ask questions of States Members.
The States of Alderney is now reviewing the high-level short-, medium- and long-term programmes and projects within the MasterPlan.
They'll then be prioritised and time-lined, ready for each project’s business case to be submitted in priority order to include, but not limited to, benefits, costs, risk and issues, resource requirements, and funding options.
The timeline for each business case is dependent on priority and size, as some of the projects are likely to be substantial and may also require additional financial support and/or partnerships, and therefore will require further analysis and feasibility work.
Pictured top: A bird's eye view of the MasterPlan for Braye Harbour.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.