Other conditions attached to the planning permission include the usual stipulation around building work starting within three years and any work can’t go beyond what has been approved. There’s also a fifth condition focused on conserving and enhancing the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, with the new houses being built adjacent to L’ancresse Common.
The planning conditions state that the western boundary wall running along the road has to be completed before anyone can move in, and that the stones used to build the wall must be approved by the Development and Planning Authority before work starts.
The Donkey Divers shop at L’ancresse was owned by Steve Bougourd, who rented the premises for around 15 years from Mrs E Collas who owns the land and buildings.
Last September, Donkey Divers moved out of the L’Ancresse to a self contained property in St Andrews where Mr Bougourd offers equipment for sale along with equipment servicing, and suit repairs.
Prior to Donkey Divers moving in, the retail premises housed ‘Super Savers’ – a grocery store run by Peter Blaize. Prior to that, it was a cafe and even earlier L’ancresse Stores.
Many memories were recently shared on the Facebook forum ‘Guernsey Days Gone By’ with people recalling Mr Blaize and other people who had worked there over the years.