New homes knock back for States

Monday 23 February 2015

Plans to redevelop La Collette flats, creating 88 new homes, have been rejected by politicians, against the advice of their own officers.

Andium Homes, which replaced the former States Housing Department, had applied to knock down the five low-rise blocks at La Collette flats, in Green Street. The 1960s grade 4 listed flats are made up of 59 homes and the plan was to replace them with five new blocks providing 147 homes.

Planning officers argued that the new flats would provide better quality, affordable accommodation, that they were in an area earmarked for new homes and that there would be a more public space for residents. Andium has already refurbished the high-rise block at La Collette. 

But, the Planning Applications Panel, made-up of politicians, voted three-to-one against the proposal for the new low-rise blocks, as they were worried about the size of one of the new blocks, and the impact it might have on its neighbours. Their decision will now be reviewed by Planning Minister, St Martin Deputy Steve Luce.

Andium Homes is run by an independent Board of Directors, but is wholly owned by the States. It was set up last year, with a remit to bring the Island's social housing stock up to the UK Decent Homes Standard within the next decade. The States agreed to borrow £250m to fund their program, the first time the Island has decided to take on this type of debt. 

At the same meeting, the Panel also rejected plans for eight new flats on the site of Sierra Madre Villas at Havre des Pas, but agreed to give developers another five years to convert the Fort D'Auvergne Hotel (also at Havre des Pas) into 37 apartments. Original permission was given in 2009, but work still hasn't started. 

The Panel also gave the States Development Company another three years to start building 59 flats on the 'Zephyrs' site next to the Radisson Hotel, which still hasn't started since the original go ahead was received in 2010. 

Planning Applications Panel

Constable Juliette Gallichan (chairman)
Constable Philip Le Sueur (vice chairman)
Deputy Jeremy Macon
Deputy Richard Rondel
Deputy Graham Truscott
Deputy Russell Labey