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An attempt to convert the top floor of the building which houses H Samuel in the Arcade into flats has been rejected as the wider plans, which included upgrading the shop area, would "result in substantial harm to its special interest".
The owner of numbers 8,10,12 and 42, Commercial Arcade had applied for planning permission to convert the second floor in to two residential units, alongside internal alterations to retail and ancillary areas.
The application was rejected because of the "extensive alteration to the fabric of a protected building," had the work been allowed to go ahead, which would have included the "partial demolition of that building" which the planning officers said "would result in substantial harm to its special interest."
Numbers 8,10 and 12 are the side of the building which faces the pharmacy, Balloonees, Eleven and Fletcher Sports in the Commercial Arcade, while No. 42 makes the corner opposite the steps which lead down to Church Square.
Pictured: No.8-12 Commercial Arcade.
The building is owned by Sterling Properties Ltd, who through their agent Hunt Brewin had wanted to create two one-bed flats, while upgrading the current shop areas.
The work would have included changes to the basement, by removing a staircase and putting in partitions to form a kitchenette and bathroom area. Internal walls would have been removed on the first and second floors, with new doorways created and stairwells altered.
No alterations were proposed to the 'external fenestrations' and the owner said the work was necessary to prevent the property from becoming obsolete.
The work was rejected though because the building is right in the middle of what is deemed as the Main Centre of St Peter Port.
The Development and Planning Authority said the proposed changes and the "limited positive contribution to the vitality of the Main Centre would not outweigh this harm and would not be sufficient to rebut the presumption against demolition or destruction of or of any part of a protected building set out within Policy GP5 (Protected Buildings) in the Island Development Plan and Section 35 of the Land Planning and Development (Guernsey) Law, 2005."
Pictured: Number 42 Commercial Arcade.
In its rejection of the planning application, the D&PA said it supports the potential upgrading of retail space, but the historic core of town must be protected.
"There is generally policy support for the upgrade of existing retail units and the creation of residential units on the upper floors of buildings within the Core Retail Areas, and the Island Development Plan recognises the balance that needs to be struck between protecting the historic core of Town and ensuring that retail units provide modern, fit for purpose accommodation.
"The current proposal would however result in extensive alteration to the fabric of a protected building, which would amount to partial demolition of that building and would result in substantial harm to its special interest."
Pictured: H Samuel in the Commercial Arcade.
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