Guernsey Housing Association plans changed due to concerns

Neighbours' concerns were behind a change to an application to build 15 homes, according to the head of Guernsey Housing Association.

It aims to build 12 two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units at the former Longfield Centre site off Maurepas Road, in St Peter Port.

Steve Williams, chief executive, said in the first draft neighbours had questioned the closeness of the houses.

He said the changes meant their homes were no longer so easily overlooked.

Mr Williams said: "I was not keen to reduce the number of properties - land is scarce in Guernsey at a very high price and we want to make best use of the land... but there was some scope to alter the design.

"We've angled the properties round by 45 degrees, we've moved them further forward, we've lengthened the gardens so there's a lot less overlooking issues."

First-time buyers

He said a spokesperson for the neighbours had thanked the association.

However, Mr Williams said it did not mean there would no opposition to the revised plans.

The association has been working with the States on redeveloping the area.

Previously there were three States-owned houses and the Longfield Centre, a school for children with learning difficulties.

Mr Williams said the plan was for 10 of the properties to be rental and the other five be available for partial ownership, which is open to first-time buyers.

He said: "[In Guernsey] there's no real area where you can develop where you're not going to impact on somebody in some shape or form and it's trying to find some sort of middle ground."

If the plans are approved the work is due to be completed by autumn 2014.