Fresh plans to replace physio centre with homes

Tuesday 27 September 2022

Updated plans have been put forward to demolish a physiotherapy centre and replace it with a four-bedroom and a three-bedroom home.

Proposals to demolish and replace Reaction Physiotherapy on La Rue du Froid Vent in St. Saviour were put forward last year, but refused in 2022.

J Design Limited, acting on behalf of applicant Judith De Carteret, have now put forward new plans in which both houses have been redesigned and re-sited, while additional measures have also been introduced "to overcome potential overlooking issues."

The proposals also state that the homes will have a "passive solar design" and include the "highest standards of thermal insulation", and energy-efficient water, heating and lighting systems, as well as "passive solar design".

The latest three-year 'Bridging Island Plan' also requires that developers prove the need to demolish a building, rather than refurbish it.

According to the firm, "there is no market for the sale of this building with either its current use or for any alternative commercial use". They also point out that it has "numerous defects", including a roofdeck containing "deleterious material", damp and mouldy walls, and collapsed and water-damaged ceilings.

"For a successful conversion all of the above defects will need to be rectified. Due to the presence of deleterious materials the whole flat roof including the structural decking will need to be replaced and the existing swimming pool structure will need to be removed and structurally filled," the demolition statement explains.

"Although these works have not been fully costed it can be seen that the nature and extent of these repairs are not economically feasible and are likely to have a cost which may exceed the buildings value."

A traffic impact statement submitted as part of the application also predicts a reduction in traffic in the area resulting from the development, while an initial ecological survey by Nuture Ecology identified that there were records of protected species near the area, but that impacts on them would likely be "negligible". However, Nuture said that more assessments of the area should be undertaken.

The planning application, which has been graded as 'Major', remains under consideration by the Planning Department.