Leale's Yard 'will go ahead' as States buys site

This removes the uncertainty caused when Policy and Resources pulled out of a £35m. deal in April to support the Channel Islands Co-Op and developer Omnibus with the scheme. Omnibus had planned to build more than 300 new homes on the site, with outline planning permission for the project granted in 2023.

In an announcement this morning, the States said it and the Co-op have agreed a deal "that will ensure the long-awaited development of Leale's Yard can be progressed."

Government will buy the majority of the site for £4.5m with an aim of starting demolition work within 12 months. As an immediate priority, the States said it will focus on infrastructure improvement in the area – including new roads further developing the infrastructure upgrades already submitted for The Saltpans site.

Design change
Conditions of sale have been signed, and both parties expect the conveyance to be finalised in court on 14th August 2025.

The Co-op will retain a small section of the site to develop for housing and has committed to beginning this work within 18 months.

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.

Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, the new president of the Policy & Resources Committee, said: "We've long recognised Leale's Yard as strategically important for the regeneration of the Bridge, the delivery of critical infrastructure and much-needed additional housing. The new P&R Committee is fully supportive of the decisions taken to date and is keen to prioritise its progress this political term.

"The first priority is to improve the transport network in the area, both around and through the site, as that's crucial for its long-term success in addressing the traffic impact. We are very keen to deliver the best mix of housing that the island needs, alongside other aspects that will support the regeneration of the Bridge, and won't waste any time in moving this forward."

• The Vale Constables and Douzaine have yet to comment on this morning's announcement.