Plea to turn derelict greenhouses into new housing

Blue Diamond Group said the site could have space for more than 200 homes and a park

The Blue Diamond Group has asked for a change to Guernsey's planning policies to allow a large housing development on the site of derelict greenhouses in St Peter Port.

The retailer suggested zoning a site at Les Baissierres for housing as part of its submission to the review of the Island Development Plan.

Andrew Ozanne, a consultant at architecture firm Lovell Ozanne, said the site "will never be returned to commercial use" and "would provide a lot of housing opportunity".

Under current planning policies, the site cannot be zoned for housing as it falls out of any local centres.

In his submission, Mr Ozanne criticised the use of greenfield sites - those that have never had developments on them.

He said: "I am sorry that the planning authority has chosen greenfield sites for easy giveaways for housing developments, but those greenfield sites are enjoyed by people.

"So using spaces like this, redundant glass is the best option in the short and long-term."

Mr Ozanne criticised the use of greenfield sites for housing

The site sits between two local centres, in St Peter Port and L'aumone.

Environment and Infrastructure President Lindsay de Sausmarez has argued against developing outside of local centres, warning it could lead to more "ribbon development".

"Ribbon development causes real problems, because it means getting the infrastructure right is really hard," she said.

"If people are spread out like butter over toast it makes things like organising good bus routes really difficult."

Mrs de Sausmarez said more "vibrant communities" could be created by focusing developments in one area as it meant they had better access to transport, infrastructure, education and other social opportunities.

She argued current planning policies already had enough space zoned for housing.

The site at Les Baissierres is unused and has laid derelict for more than a decade

The site at Les Baissierres is unused and has laid derelict for more than a decade

Mr Ozanne said "we could create parkland, have solar energy from roof use and do an incremental mixed use development".

The plans have scope for 120 one- and two-bed extra care units, alongside 117 one-, two- and three-bed affordable homes, as well as an area for communal facilities.