Public parking lost as green field gets green light for homes

The approval, which has been widely criticised by those living in the area and the Vale Constables and Douzaine, means that Framework Developments Ltd can go ahead and build seven two-bed properties and four with three bedrooms.

Parish concerns and "deep regret" that a charming area of open land was being developed when many brownfield sites remain in the parish were ignored by the Development and Planning Authority in its latest decision, reported in today's Guernsey Press and Star (headline below).

Despite the density of homes and vehicle use in the area, States Traffic and Highway Services said people could safely access the site, which is just off the Bridge and pictured above.

Of the eight parking spaces that will be lost, Traffic said people could use Route des Coutures, which it said wasn't heavily utilised apart from when parents collected children from the Vale School at 2.45pm.

The announcement is a worry for the Vale Douzaine because it furthers concerns that easier-to-build greenfield sites are being prioritised ahead of brownfield areas to the detriment of the parish and its residents.

Those concerns are worsened by the lack of action over Leale's Yard, which the Douzaine believes should be developed as a priority as part of a wider Bridge regeneration scheme.