Plans to build key worker housing near hospital

A total of 21 apartments could be built including 15 for key workers

There are plans to build new private and key worker accommodation next to Princess Elizabeth Hospital, Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) has said.

GHA said it had secured an agreement with Infinity Construction Limited to build accommodation at the Oberlands field site.

The agreement includes GHA buying 15 apartments for key workers from Infinity, which will build another six apartments for the private housing market.

GHA said the site was "ideally located" for people working at the hospital and, together with developments on the Domaine des Moulins and Braye Lodge sites, would "greatly assist the recruitment of key workers to help the island continue to deliver essential health services".

'Win-win arrangement'

Chief Executive of the GHA, Vic Slade said: "If this model is successful, this could be an approach that may be followed on other sites, [including those owned by the GHA], that would see the development of both affordable housing and private market housing alongside each other."

Deputy Peter Roffey, president of the Committee for Employment and Social Security described the plan as a "win-win arrangement" that would not only add to key worker units, but would also include units for the private sector, "helping with much needed supply in that market too".

The site already has planning permission, but Infinity has submitted a revised application and - subject to approval - it is estimated the build would take 18 months and work on site could begin as early as next spring.