Support grows for Constable's 'grand designs' at the Bridge

Richard Leale pictured outside Quayside

Richard Leale was featured on the front page of today's Guernsey Press calling for an end to the delays that have so beset redevelopment of Leale's Yard and regeneration of the Bridge area generally.

As well as demanding action on the brownfield site (in which he has no interests), Mr Leale called for the former Quayside property to be demolished. It could then be rebuilt with the frontage approximately where the white line is in the centre of the road so a waterside plaza could be created with south-facing al fresco eating, restaurants and coffee shops.

The road, he said, would be diverted around the back of the development which would also provide a traffic calming measure. Parking could be moved to the back of the new building.

‘The plans that were approved for new retail down there were very good, but they are probably obsolete by now,’ said Mr Leale. 
‘This would allow for some housing to be built on the first floor which might make it a better prospect for the developer with build costs easier to recover’.

Some of the homes would then overlook the marina.
 One had to be realistic, he said, and it would seem appropriate if the States ceded the seafront side to the developer in exchange for land adjacent to Trafalgar Road being ceded by the developer to the States.

‘People have been waiting for things to happen at Leale’s Yard for about 20 years,’ he said.


What we need
Reacting on social media former harbourmaster Chad Murray said: 'Yes. This is the kind of thinking we need," and he urged the States to take forward the suggestions. 

The Guernsey Chamber of Commerce agreed, saying "great idea" on Twitter.

And Vale deputy and president of the States Committee for Economic Development Neil Inder was also supportive. "Does it for me," he said. "Can't see this becoming retail. People in town keep towns alive."

Mr Leale also suggested that Marine and General should be moved to free up valuable Bridge space and be relocated to the reclaimed area at South Side.

A businessman involved in maritime development agreed and prepared a mock-up of how that could work by extending the harbour (below).