When do we really expect Leales Yard to happen?

Thursday 21 March 2024

“Housing is our top priority,” repeated Deputy Lyndon Trott in his very ‘first’ update as President of Policy and Resources this term.

It’s a mantra he continues to reel off, but what does it really mean? His statement gave some insight into the work being done to tackle the island’s continued issues with housing, but first he told the Assembly how badly the island has failed in addressing the issue so far.

“Last week's publication of the Property Stock Bulletin shows there was only a net increase of 94 units of accommodation last year,” he said.

"This is nothing short of failure which cannot be allowed to continue.”

He continued in this vein later in debate as he replied to a question by Deputy Lester Queripel about the Castel Hospital, and whether it has been considered for housing.

“We need 721 additional affordable housing units and there was a net gain of 94 last year – we need to concentrate on the big, high-volume sites – Castel Hospital is a distraction, this is a high-volume game.”

And the biggest player in that high-volume game?

Leales Yard...

Ask traders down the Bridge – as I have done many times in this job – and you’ll find most people think Leales Yard is a case of “I’ll believe it when I see it”. The possibility of developing Leales Yard has been kicked around for more than a decade.

The most recent foot forward was the reveal of plans in 2022 to develop the site into more than 300 homes and a fully realised, new public centre. And while outline planning permission was granted by the DPA, apart from a few boards it doesn’t seem like much is happening.

But then again... the public don’t get to look behind the scenes all that much and if Deputy Trott is to be believed spades could be in the ground by the end of this term.

Pictured: Deputy Trott.

"The States and the Guernsey Housing Association have, over recent years, taken positive steps to acquire land. It is now a case of ensuring spades in the ground as quickly as possible,” said Deputy Trott.

He said work is ongoing to fast-track flood defences at the Bridge to allow work to go forward on Leale’s Yard, among several other sites in the area.

"The committee is looking to bring proposals to the States as soon as possible on Leale's Yard, so the Assembly can make an informed decision on the potential purchase of homes on the site.

“We remain reliant on the provision of further information from developers – so we cannot confirm the timeframes at this stage.”

The Channel Islands Coop and its development partner – Omnibus Investment Holdings – are responsible for pushing forward the development, and in his role as P&R President Deputy Trott said he’ll do everything in his power to get this development finally on track.

He said the States have contracted ARUP to refine technical aspects of the Leales Yard development, a revelation which Deputy Andy Taylor chose to pick apart.

“Omnibus Investment Holdings has confirmed to SOG that it has not gotcapacity to proceed with Leales Yard on their own – this is why theyhaven’t put forward a planning application yet - however Deputy Trott said private consultants ARUP have been contracted to assess and refine technical aspects of that scheme – is taxpayer money being used to progress the technical aspects of a private scheme?”

Deputy Trott said he wasn’t sure what the point of the question was and said the use of the firm was entirely legitimate.

Unperturbed, Deputy Taylor returned to the question again later, arguing that Deputy Trott hadn’t actually answered him.

“Is a state appointed and state funded consultancy firm being used to refine the technical aspects of the Leales Yard development?”

Deputy Trott had even less time for the question the second time round: “My intention is to do all I can to get this project going with spades in the ground... because of this I will not be playing games of this type... the developer will be properly challenged at every level.”

When?

Plans were first discussed for Leales Yard in 2008 and there have been several false dawns since.

In November 2022, the Development & Planning Authority granted outline planning permission for the project which will develop over 320 homes on the site, a supermarket and retail store, a car park, and green and civic space within five years. It attached a strong list of planning conditions before it could go ahead.

Writing in 2022's annual report, Chief Executive Officer fo the Coop Mark Cox said that they had worked tirelessly with their development partners to progress plans for the site.

“I am sure islanders in Guernsey will join me in feeling both excited and eager to see work begin on the Leale’s Yard site, which is due to commence in 2023,” he said.

"[The project] will bring a new lease of life and positivity to this previously tired and dilapidated area of the Bridge. This is an exciting development for CI Coop members and the wider Guernsey community.

Gates have now been installed, and boards erected, but spades are yet to get "in the ground". With a Policy Letter expected in the 'second quarter' of this year perhaps 2025 could be the year for Leales Yard...