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The public are invited to the first open planning meeting in over a year to consider the plan to build key worker flats in a town high-rise.
The Guernsey Housing Association want to build a ten-storey building with 57 flats one-bedroom flats, primarily for health staff, on the former CI Tyres brownfield site in Charotterie Mills.
Planners have granted permission for the development with 19 conditions attached, but final sign-off will need to be given by the political members of the Development & Planning Authority next week.
The applicant will need to submit more information before work can begin, including a contamination study, ecological protections for the neighbouring woodland area, details on aesthetic materials, landscaping, and lighting among other things.
The open planning meeting is being held in the Saumarez Room at Beau Sejour from 14:15 on 19 March.
The planning report published ahead of the meeting revealed 22 letters of representation from the public mostly criticising the plans, with 17 of those coming from the management company and residents of the La Charroterie apartment complex over the road.
An Open Planning Meeting will be held at 2.15pm on Tue 19 Mar in the Saumarez Room at Beau Sejour where the application for Domaine des Moulins (former CI Tyres site) will be considered.
— States of Guernsey (@Govgg) March 12, 2024
The meeting agenda and planning application reports can be viewed at https://t.co/aPSMWSlaqx pic.twitter.com/kEhC6eXwZu
Residents fear the limited parking spaces included – 20 for 57 units – will lead to overspill and unauthorised parking in their underground area and on nearby streets, which some say is already an issue.
The loss of trees and increased traffic were also raised as concerns.
At least two residents were supportive in principle but concerned future residents would be crammed into the building.
Non-residents raised similar concerns, saying transport sharing schemes are wishful thinking, and the design would amount to an “unsightly towering monstrosity”.
A proposed woodland pathway connected to the building was also said to be unsuitable and dangerously steep by those opposed.
Others praised the plan for building upwards and adding much needed housing stock for the island.
The National Trust was wholly supportive of it due to use of brownfield over greenfield land, while La Societe Guernsiaise asked for careful consideration of environmental offsetting and native planting in the woodland.
Only those who have already submitted a written representation and requested a slot at the meeting will be able to make a verbal representation.
You can read the planning report HERE.
Pictured (top): A Lovell Ozanne render of how the site would look from La Charotterie.
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