"Unsafe" properties to be demolished

Wednesday 22 May 2024

Five "dilapidated" houses are to be knocked down - 16 years after a survey found them to be "unsafe" and said it would be "uneconomical" to repair them.

The terraced properties at Whitegates in Alderney were built in the mid-19th century but have fallen into an irreversible state of disrepair in more recent years, the States said.

Numbers 1 - 5 Whitegates were part of the States of Alderney Social Housing Portfolio, until they were transferred to the Alderney Housing Association (AHA) in 2010.

They were already know to be suffering from some age related problems by then, after a 2008 survey of the properties at Whitegates deemed them to be in an “extremely poor condition”.

Pictured: Numbers 1-5 Whitegates are to be demolished. (Pictured by Alex Snowdon)

That report highlighted fundamental issues with the building’s condition at the time, including its damp, timber decay, structural movement requiring possible underpinning, and the danger of their proximity to the main road.

The report concluded that refurbishment of the properties would be uneconomical and recommended demolition.

However, that was not done at the time with the AHA handing ownership of the properties back to the States in 2019.

A further survey in 2021 revealed that the properties had fallen into further disrepair and the advice of the 2008 survey – that it would be uneconomical to undertake refurbishment – was reiterated.

Now, the General Services Committee has resolved to have the properties demolished and one Alderney States Member is concerned about what could happen next. 

Sad to learn 5 terraced properties at Whitegates on Alderney are to be demolished. Used to be great housing for islanders now I fear the site will be sold off cheap. I hope this isn't the case and housing will be available for islanders at the site to help towards housing crisis? pic.twitter.com/E4ppcaAdJi

— Alex Snowdon (@AlexSnowdon5) May 21, 2024

During its May meeting, the GSC agreed that "in the interest of public safety, the uninhabited properties 1-5 of Whitegates should be demolished as soon as practicable".

The demolition is subject to cost and planning approvals but States Works are going out to tender for the demolition work suggesting it is finally going to happen.

States Member Alex Snowdon expressed his concerns about this via X (Twitter) soon after the demolition news was confirmed.

He referenced the island's housing crisis and said he hopes they won't be "sold off cheap".

"I hope this isn't the case and housing will be available for islanders at the site to help towards (the) housing crisis?" he posted. 

Pictured top: Numbers 1-5 Whitegates are to be demolished. (Pictured by Alex Snowdon)