The Guernsey Housing Association has submitted a revised planning application for the development of the Domaine des Moulins site.
The application is seeking the maximum number of households that could be housed through this development, more than double what had been currently planned under the existing planning permission. Originally the site was intended to provide 25 units, but this has been increased to 57.
The proposed increase in the number of units has been designed sensitively to take account of existing planning policy, the surrounding area, neighbouring properties and the adjacent cliff face, without compromising the space standards of each home.
Victoria Slade, Chief Executive of the Guernsey Housing Association said: “It was important to ensure that the large structure won’t look out of place. As such, the architects have worked hard to ensure that the development fits into the surrounding environment without sacrificing on functionality.
“There’s been some really good joint working between different parties to test the design and incorporate feedback, such as working with an Architects Panel, also working closely with Planning Services, ACLMS and Environment Guernsey.”
The submission of the planning application is an important step in the delivery of much needed Affordable Housing units to the Island and it is intended that these units will be used for health key worker accommodation due to the site’s proximity to the Princess Elizabeth hospital.
Peter Roffey, President of the Committee for Employment & Social Security said: “There is an identified need for housing units on the Island, both on the private market and the Affordable Housing market, and it was agreed to seek to maximise the number of units on this development site so that the maximum number of households could be housed through this development.
“Therefore, the Committee felt it was worth the GHA taking the time to develop an alternative design for the site due to the additional number of units that can be gained.
“Providing keyworker housing is a priority for the Committee as it helps to address the cost to public finances in respect of recruitment and retention of permanent staff, which ultimately helps to reduce the cost of supplying health care to the taxpayer. Keyworkers are essential to running core public services that we may all need at some point in our lives.”
It is anticipated that work on the site will begin by summer next year.
Picture Credit: Lovell Ozanne.
