Ideas roll in for Seafront

Friday 30 November 2018

Ideas have been coming in from the public about how they want the Town Seafront to be developed.

A new online forum-like platform set up by the States is allowing people to post their ideas, and allow others to comment on them.

Six areas have been highlighted by the Seafront Development Steering Committee for development: La Vallette Kiosk, La Vallette, the Vivier Bunker, the Information Centre, The North Plantation and the Round Top Stores.

Organisations with stakes in St Peter Port have also been using the opportunity to push for more development in Town, and also have ideas of their own.

The Town Centre Partnership is one of those groups. They organise numerous different Town-centric events throughout the year, and also work with the douzaine and the States on various projects. 

Pictured: Jack Honeybill, Executive Director of the Town Centre Partnership.

Jack Honeybill, the partnership's Executive Director, had a number of ideas, particularly for the North Plantation.

"I have to say, the first thing we would like to see is a decision on the pedestrianisation of this area, the North Plantation. It isn't being used to its maximum potential and could be a lot more," he said.

"It is a prime example of somewhere that could be a lot more, but if anything is going to succeed here, they have to get on with it."

Mr Honeybill has been pushing for pedestrianisation of the North Plantation for some time, with the Partnership already investing in infrastructure to facilitate the change. It would require shops and restaurants on the plantation to change their delivery hours, however would also give those businesses opportunity for things such as alfresco dining. 

"The problem is here, if this is going to be resurfaced, which it should, it will need to be resurfaced and all of the remaining infrastructure will need to be purchased and installed. Then there is planning permission etcetera etcetera - it is all going to take time.

"At the end of the day, we would really like to see something happen sooner rather than later, whatever it is."

The Seafront Enhancement project is focusing on six different areas.

Another idea Mr Honeybill has suggested is the installation of bridges which link up all of the piers. He said this would allow more people to travel from pier to pier quickly, which would support any businesses on the arms, and it would also create a long walk around the harbour for people to enjoy.

Other popular ideas on the States platform include support for gardens and "green lungs" open spaces.

One user, Hanna, said of the North Plantation: "I would like to see this wonderful green space kept in essence. There are a number of people who are set on turning everything in to a cobbled plaza with granite benches. Lots of people already enjoy this area for eating lunch and watching the world go by perhaps we could enhance this simple yet very important theme of taking time out to enjoy green space in our towns, in our busy lives."

Another recommendation was to turn the current information centre into a boutique shopping arcade, while another was to covert the Vivier Bunker into a social club with a top floor sea view. 

An example of one of the ideas on the States' website.

Itzhoo, another user, said the best way to approach the entire project would be to "think big". 

"The entire seafront of St Peter Port exists because our Victorian forefathers had the energy, imagination & foresight to undertake a massive project to create a new harbour & road on reclaimed land. They would expect us to adapt & build on their work to make the area serve the needs of 21st century islanders," he said.

"What I am suggesting is a raised walkway/boardwalk covering most of the area reclaimed from the sea in the 19th century. Because it would be reserved for pedestrians, mobility vehicles & possibly bicycles the structure would be relatively cheap & easy to construct. Imaginatively designed*, it would greatly enhance the appearance of the town, especially from the sea.

"Funding the project would be straightforward if the developer [either the States or a private developer] could charge for parking, bearing in mind that hundreds of extra spaces would be created. For all the noisy protests against pay parking, I have no doubt that Guernsey commuters would have no hesitation paying for reserved, covered parking spaces & that a pricing structure could be devised for short-stay parking that would be acceptable to shoppers & tourists."

To read more of the ideas people have so far submitted, click here.