The States of Alderney has commissioned independent experts to develop ‘The Braye Opportunity Area MasterPlan’, an imaginative proposal providing a long-term vision for Alderney’s Braye Bay and Harbour area.
The MasterPlan will be prepared following review of existing uses within the area and a programme of consultations with local stakeholders.
Current use comprises a range of residential, commercial, recreational and industrial sites together with Island utilities. The area also includes some important heritage assets including Fort Grosnez.
The States of Alderney Island Plan identifies the economy as a key priority and specifically refers to the Island’s two ‘gateways’ – the Harbour area and a regenerated Airport – as essential to economic growth and prosperity.
The General Services Committee (GSC) has commissioned Avison Young and partners Maccreanor Lavington Architects to prepare the MasterPlan which will provide the vision and conceptual layout for the area to guide future development and unlock potential growth. Work has already started with collation of key data as well as initial collaboration with GSC representatives, the Harbour Office and States Works.
Further key events will be taking place next month for existing and potential future stakeholders to contribute to the review by sharing their thoughts and aspirations for the area. This will include commercial and recreational users and local residents as well as the RNLI and the Border Agency. In addition, an online survey will provide the opportunity for all residents to contribute as part of a wider consultation exercise.
The results of workshops and surveys, combined with insights from other jurisdictions that the consultants will bring to the review, will lead to the production of a draft MasterPlan by the end of the year. This MasterPlan will be shared with the community in due course.
States Members Bill Abel and Bruce Woodhead are GSC representatives for the Braye Opportunity Area project. In a joint statement, they said: “This is a key strategic location for Alderney. A MasterPlan approach will provide us with a clear vision on what the area could look like in the future which will give us greater clarity to guide future planning decisions and unlock those opportunities to improve the prosperity of the Island.”
The 2017 Land Use Plan (LUP) provides a description of the main areas in the Braye Opportunity Area together with the existing character and development principles. A copy of the LUP can be found here.
Pictured: Braye Harbour. Credit: Alan Perk