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GHA hopes to add rental and specialist housing to Leale's Yard

GHA hopes to add rental and specialist housing to Leale's Yard

Friday 08 April 2022

GHA hopes to add rental and specialist housing to Leale's Yard

Friday 08 April 2022


The Guernsey Housing Association hopes to reach a deal with the Co-op to include partial ownership and rental properties in the new scheme for Leale's Yard which the retailer unveiled yesterday.

The Association's Chief Executive, Steve Williams, pictured top, who has extensive experience leading and managing large-scale developments, is welcoming the planning application for Leale's Yard and wants to join the Co-op and its development partners to help deliver the scheme.

Mr Williams said the Association has maintained "a keen interest in the development for a long time and hopes to be able to reach an agreement with the developers to provide housing for partial ownership for people who struggle to afford to buy privately, and for rented accommodation, which would include key workers".

The proposed scheme for the 13-acre site behind the shops on The Bridge seafront includes around 320 homes alongside a new Co-op food store, other retail space, a multi-storey car park and green and civic areas.

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Pictured: The Co-op intends to deliver its proposed scheme in partnership with various developers, including Rihoy & Son, which would oversee all construction projects.

"It is very promising to see the outline planning application submitted for new homes, a new store and retail space on this redundant land," said Mr Williams.

"The development of Leale's Yard will be extremely positive, bringing new life and investment into The Bridge. 

"As we can all see, there is a tremendous need for new homes, particularly for first time buyers and for people looking to downsize to an easily-maintained property.

"This planning application now needs to convert into spades in the ground with urgency - to deliver the design [and] to benefit local people who need a home now.

"This project will revitalise The Bridge for the good of the whole island."

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Pictured: Steve Williams believes that the proposed scheme to develop Leale's Yard will help rejuvenate The Bridge if it is approved by the Development & Planning Authority later this year.

The Co-op hopes to secure planning permission this year and open the new food store and the first homes on the site within the following three years. It anticipates completing all development work within five years of planning approval.

It is estimated that the proposed scheme would require £50million of private sector investment during construction and spending of £150million on local facilities management services after construction. The Co-op has said that it does not require any funding from the States to deliver the scheme.

However, Express reported yesterday on Deputy Peter Roffey's call for the States to consider limited financial involvement in the proposed scheme to purchase some homes for key public sector workers, such as teachers and nurses.

Express reports today on support for that idea or a similar idea expressed by Deputies Andy Cameron and Adrian Gabriel.

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Pictured: The Guernsey Housing Association hopes to submit a planning application this summer to build more than 100 homes at Kenilworth Vinery in the Salt Pans, near Leale's Yard, after the States purchased the former vinery for £6.5million to be developed for social housing.  

READ MORE...

Co-op plans "good for homes, good for business, good for community"

Leale's Yard proposals receive mixed reviews from Bridge businesses

Latest plans out for Leale's Yard - with 300+ homes and a new Co-op

Parishes welcome Leale's Yard plans to help rejuvenate The Bridge

Strong support for Leale's Yard plans from senior States' members 

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