Vallette could become new Town Hub

Thursday 27 December 2018

The owners of the former Strawberry Farm have unveiled plans for the Vallette that could see it developed into an "outdoor recreational space", with a huge range of activity areas, new residences, a restaurant and work studios.

The Fuller Group has recently submitted their ideas to the States in an Expression of Interest as they wanted to "regenerate and enhance" the area past the Octopus Restaurant.

Part of the proposed plans. 

If the plans were to be approved and carried out, the Vallette would have a variety of uses, all with a focus on outdoor activities and leisure, and all theoretically funded by a new retail and restaurant outlet, work studios and residential accommodation. 

Alex Fuller, the Managing Director of the Fuller Group, said: "Fuller Group propose the formation of a public private development company in order to facilitate the significant investment in public facilities to boast the islands recreational and tourism offering."

In short, the key objectives of the new plans are:

• Regenerate and enhance the extended area of La Vallette from The Octopus Restaurant.
• Develop into an outdoor recreational space and vibrant part of St Peter Port building on it’s origin as a location for outdoor recreation and leisure and cultural activity. 
• Through sensitive measured development enable the financing and viability to avoid the need for direct investment by the States or Tax payer other than the contribution of the land.
• Sensitive development and proposed uses that will bring vibrancy to the area and complement the site and is historic use as an important local leisure and recreational site.
• Partnerships with local business to develop the proposals and to facilitate and operate a much improved outdoor leisure experience. 

The Bathing Pools at La Vallette have recently been totally developed thanks to fundraising. 

A bathing pool facilities building with a potential restaurant and spa inside would be the key structure. That would be alongside development of the Promenade with the possibility of a second cafe, retail, and studio offices, and a street food park. 

Then when it comes to the recreational side of things, the Fuller Group want to see a whole range of things. A playground, zip wire, pétanque area, floating waterpark and a waterspouts hub are just some of the ideas. 

The Fuller Group's plan for the funding of this idea. 

"Such a proposition is not without challenges. Fuller Group suggest such proposals needs to be looked in the context of a wide St Peter Port master plan," Mr Fuller said.

"A key issue and limitation of La Vallette is the limited space and limited capacity for parking and service areas for business. Viable solution do exist to this but this needs to form part of a large town planning solution. These proposals on concepts which required further detailed analysis and feasibility study and significant further cost and investment, a further stages work taking only if genuine commitment and purposeful intention exists. The formation of a States Development Corporation with a clear remit would be an appropriate starting point."

Advantages to the States of Guernsey that the plans are expected to have.