A proposed eight-storey block of 12 flats could be built behind the Bridge, with views across St Sampson’s Marina for those living in the upper floors.

Designed by ‘Island Land’, the proposed multi-storey block would replace a building behind the Bridge, near one of the entrances to Leales’ Yard, itself the centre of redevelopment plans.

The Design Statement suggests keeping the current footprint of the existing property, and building up, exceeding the current height of the office block which used to be home to Citizens Advice Guernsey.

Pictured: This building could be replaced by a taller structure offering 12 flats over eight floors.

The charity moved out at the end of last year and reopened its offices at the Grow Hub in January.

With the building it used to occupy now empty, the Island Land proposals suggest “(maximising) efficient use of brownfield land to deliver much-needed housing at a time of acute housing pressure”.

The 250m2 plot would offer 12 apartments just 40metres behind the iconic Bridge parade of shops and other businesses.

Pictured: The design provided by Island Land in its planning application shows what the high rise building could look like behind the Bridge.

While the appearance of the Bridge itself would not change at all, the new high rise block of flats would be visible behind the Bridge Motor Shop, Black Sabre wine merchants, the RNLI charity shop, the Roll Bar and Harbour View Chinese takeaway.

The developers say the “site lies within and on the periphery of the Bridge Conservation Area, approximately 40 metres behind the principal frontage of the Bridge. 

“Though the area is characterised in parts by traditional two- to three-storey buildings, it also contains a rich mix of taller structures that speak to its industrial and maritime heritage.”

These taller structures include the twin chimneys and fuel tanks of the nearby power station, nearby Church spires, the Weighbridge tower, and warehouse gables, other tall chimneys and water towers from the stone crushing era, the Mont Crevelt loophole tower and Vale Castle, and harbour cranes and other infrastructure linked to the port economy.

“This punctuation of vertical elements, coupled with the discontinuous nature of the roof lines of the frontage, creates a diverse and distinctive roof scape which the proposed building would contribute to in a manner that is contextually justified and visually coherent,” say the developers.

Pictured: The plans are now subject to a public consultation before the DPA makes a decision.

The plans are now with the Development and Planning Authority for consideration.

A public consultation on the proposals opens on Friday.

The plans can be viewed at gov.gg.