Appeal against refusal of 11-house plan for Route Orange

Friday 25 November 2022

A plan to build 11 homes on the site of a single home off Route Orange will be assessed by an independent inspector after the applicant appealed a decision to refuse permission.

Late last year, plans were submitted to knock down a large bungalow called Melrose and various outbuildings and replace them with seven four-bedroom and four three-bedroom homes.

The property is on the northern side of Route Orange, making the corner with the drive to La Moye Golf Club, and has extensive gardens.

At its meeting on 29 September, the Planning Committee said it was minded to refuse the application, a decision that it confirmed at its meeting on 20 October.

Going against the recommendation of the assigned Planning Officer that the application is approved, the group of politicians refused permission on the grounds that it was contrary to a number of policies set out in the Bridging Island Plan.

One of their objections was the over-development of the site.

The applicant, Melrose Homes Limited, has now lodged an appeal, which itself has generated a number of public comments.

Pictured: An artist's impression of the proposed development. (MAC Architectural Services)

Some are in favour: “I’m not sure there are many places left in the island more suited to a family housing estate like this,” wrote Chris Martins.

“In terms of family setting, you have La Moye Primary and Les Quennevais Secondary on your doorstep, beach access five minutes away, the cycle track to the rear, and a swimming pool and playing fields five minutes away.”

Others are against.

“I’m not opposed to development on this site – we all know that there is a huge need for family homes in the island – but what I am opposed to is the sheer scale and overdevelopment of the site in these proposed plans,” wrote Abigayle Searson.

Pictured: Melrose is close to La Moye Primary School. (Google Maps)

The appeal application is not the only one relating to a property on Route Orange which involves a single property surrounded by land possibly being demolished to make way for multiple units.

An application to demolish Fair Acre on the opposite side of the main road is also going to appeal following a rejection by the Planning Committee.