States buying Leale's Yard is 'very positive' says Constable

GUERNSEY PRESS/PETER FRANKLAND

"We've been waiting for something like this over the last 30 years or so and it's really encouraging that government has finally seized the initiative to get this much-needed regeneration of the whole Bridge area finally under way," said Richard Leale.

"As a douzaine, we weren't aware of the work behind the scenes that led to this announcement but we're delighted that the new States at last has control over the future of this important site and, by extension, the future face of Guernsey's 'second town'."

Inevitably, he said, questions remained over the shape the development would take and the timescales involved but the news was very positive overall and he expected people would welcome it, not least because it meant that new homes would be built there.

In its release on Tuesday, Policy and Resources said: "Plans for mixed used (commercial and housing) development on Leale's Yard will remain as established in the development framework for the site. However, the overall layout and design may change from the outline planning permission already in place."

Discussions
Mr Leale said that, and the fact the Co-Op was retaining part of the site to develop its own housing, clearly meant there would be some changes to what had already been planned for Leale's Yard. "We look forward to being involved in the discussions about that," he said.

"The previously-approved plans for homes, offices, open civic spaces and extra parking clearly had a lot of community support and I think it is essential that the States looks to retain the key elements of what made the 'old' Leale's Yard plans such an attractive development."

On a practical level, he wondered whether leadership of the site would now pass to new deputy Steve Williams' Housing Committee and whether there would be any involvement with the Guernsey Housing Association and the Guernsey Development Agency.

The States has already stated that its immediate focus will be on infrastructure improvement in the area - including new roads to further develop infrastructure upgrades already submitted for The Saltpans site.

Mr Leale said that transport, traffic management and infrastructure issues were of critical importance for the north of the island and these needed to be worked through in detail with the Vale and St Sampson's douzaines.

"So, yes, the States' purchase of Leale's Yard does pose a number of questions but it is undoubtedly very positive news and we look forward to playing our part in finally making it happen."