P&R supports modular housing for Leale's Yard

The States' top committee considered the developer's proposal to use volumetric construction

Policy and Resources (P&R) has said it supports a type of modular building technique for the new Leale’s Yard development in St Sampson.

The States' top committee considered the developer's proposal to use volumetric construction at its most recent meeting.

The technique, which is common in the UK and elsewhere, is a type of pre-fabricated building where large pre-built sections are built in a factory and then assembled on-site.

P&R said the technique was a first for the Channel Islands.

It said it was supporting efforts to "bring homes on stream sooner" at Leale’s Yard as it was "frustrated" by challenges it faced getting the process to move "at the pace required".

P&R said: "The committee is satisfied at this stage that the States' interest in purchasing these units can continue.

"The developer has been heavily engaged in this process to date and the committee believes it understands these are important and conditional matters that must be addressed affordably and to the committee's satisfaction in order for purchase terms to be settled."

The committee said it hopes to finish its work, including financial and contract negotiations, by the end of the year, but added this was "reliant on a number of parties and factors outside its control".