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Property Services are looking to release a "considerable area of land" at Longue Hougue for new industrial compounds, with longer-term site planning still some way off.
It has been described as an "interim measure" while the States takes a longer-term view of the way the site should be used.
The plans have been revealed in response to Rule 14 questions from Deputy Gavin St Pier, who wanted to know what progress has been made on a 2018 States resolution to make publicly-owned land available for “basic open yard facilities” and “heavy industrial purposes".
Griffiths Yard has proved to be focus of these efforts and following an assessment of available sites, it started to accommodate firms who were being evicted from the Fontaine Vinery.
"At this time Griffiths Yard was leased to M&G limited although they were not fully utilising the space," said a spokesman for Property Services. "An agreement was reached with M&G for a phased release of the site and disposal of many of the derelict and beyond repair boats stored on the site and the relocation of others.
Pictured: Deputy Gavin St Pier asked what progress has been made on a 2018 States resolution to provide more open yard facilities for heavy industrial purposes".
"An initial nine compounds were granted planning permission on 23 February 2018 and were fully occupied by 1 June 2018 by nine tenants. The remainder of the yard was handed back to the States of Guernsey on 1 September 2018.
"Prior to this Property Services had undertaken an open process to identify the demand for open compound storage, as a result of this a further 13 compounds were created, all of which are now occupied with one small industrial unit and yard currently being offered to the market. The works to transform Griffith’s yard provided space for much of the early demand for this type of space."
It has been reported, however, that there is still unmet demand for heavy industrial land.
Longue Hougue is allocated in the Island Development Plan as a Key Industrial Expansion Area. Although this designation was made five years ago, long-term answers for maximising use of the site are yet to be answered.
"In order for any significant development to be considered a comprehensive Development Framework would be required, which is considered to be premature at this time due to the not yet fully defined future strategic uses of the site," said Property Services.
"However, Property Services have been working with the DPA for some time to enable an interim use for additional compound space including heavy industrial compounds. A planning application is currently under consideration by the DPA, which should release a considerable area of land for additional compounds until such a time as the strategic use for the site is defined."
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