Housing at Frossard House not a priority

Frossard House is the home of Guernsey's civil service

Guernsey's top political committee has rejected a request to look at building housing in the car park of the island's civil service headquarters in the next five years.

Employment and Social Security (ESS) had requested to move the project to the short-term part of the affordable housing development programme.

Currently Frossard House Car Park is earmarked as part of the long-term consideration, meaning it would be considered in seven years or more.

On social media ESS president Peter Roffey said Policy and Resources (P&R) had said no to his committee's request.

Deputy Roffey said: "The request was to build above the car park area, having decked the area to retain below ground level parking.

"Eventually Sir Charles Frossard House itself could also be used but that would be longer term once States services had been moved."

He suggested there are "several options" for civil servants to work if the site was developed.

P&R Vice-President Heidi Soulsby said: "Whilst I wanted it to be pursued the clear message we got was that there was no capacity to look at another site right now on top of those already identified and agreed by the States in the housing plan."

What's the current programme?

Seven projects have been earmarked as short term priorities, to be worked on in the next five years, in the affordable housing development programme:

• La Vieille Plage - 14 specialised units forpeople with learning disabilities.

• Fontaine Vinery and Duval Vinery -133 homes.

• The former CI Tyres site - 57 homes.

• Kenilworth Vinery - 131 homes.

• Rue de Dol extension - Around 30 homes.

• Sir John Leale Avenue - 1 home.

• Braye Lodge Hotel - around 50 homes.