Preferred bidders for four of those sites (Round Top Stores, the States Offices which house the Tourist Information Centre and two at La Vallette) have been announced. Discussions are ongoing with interested parties for the two other sites (Vivier Bunker and North Plantation) and the States is expected to make further announcements for both of those in the near future.

The Steering Group has now announced 16 statements of intent, which it wants to fully investigate the benefits and deliverability of. That list includes an extraordinarily wide range of possible projects, from enhancing the contribution of Guernsey's arts and retail sectors, to supporting the fishing industry and making the island a "premier destination" for super yachts.

Pictured: It was recently announced that the RED Fund was the preferred bidder for the building that currently houses the Tourist Information Centre. 

Some of the statements are conflicting - increasing the environmental contribution of Guernsey’s east coast and supporting the cruise liner industry, for example - reflecting the broad range of views there are in the States for how the seafront should be developed. 

Deputy Barry Brehaut, member of the SEA Steering Group, said the over-arching aim is to position Guernsey's east coast as a world class maritime location.

“Our ambition is to see the seafront do more both for our economy and our wellbeing. We started by looking at six specific sites, but this was always just going to be a starting point," he said. "We now need to look at the much bigger task of how we develop the seafront as a whole to achieve the many ambitions we and the community have. Our seafront is one of the jewels in the Bailiwick’s crown and we mustn’t lose what makes it special, but there is no doubt it is has unrealised potential and it’s time we got on with doing something about that.”