After nearly two centuries of reinvention, collapse, stalled plans and last-minute reversals, Leale’s Yard has suddenly been catapulted to the top of the States’ political agenda. Express tracks how it got there – and what being a “super priority” really means…
A trip back in time…
The long-running effort to develop Leale’s Yard has moved through three distinct phases: an industrial peak, a quarter-century of private-sector gridlock, and the recent 2025 move into public ownership.
This week, it was listed as one of the island’s five “super priorities” in the proposed Government Work Plan 2026-2029 – the blueprint for what will be prioritised and delivered over the next political term.
How did it get to this point though, and what does that categorisation mean?
In 1835, Mr J. Leale’s Establishment was founded on the Bridge, beginning the site’s life as a commercial, and later heavy industrial, hub.
The site slumped, declining towards dilapidation and dereliction throughout the 20th Century, as industrial activity waned.
Then, in 1998, the Channel Islands Co-operative purchased the 12-acre site for just under £4m, and then they waited, planned, and looked at what the site could become.
In 2019, the Coop sought a multi-million-pound States subsidy to begin work – the request was denied.
Three years later, in the April of 2022, a major new plan was submitted for more than 300 homes, a new Coop store, and a multi-storey car park. Outline Planning Permission was granted in November that year, but with strict conditions.
13 months later, the States agreed in principle to invest £35m to support the development and flood defences.
Hitting a wall… and finding a new opportunity?
However, in February 2025, the project hit a wall when the modular housing manufacturer planned to undertake the development effectively withdrew from the market.
Facing new risks and a change in construction methods, the States withdrew the £35m funding the following month.
A change of fortune for the forgotten site was needed, with decades of uncertainty seeing little to-no-work at the once prominent location.
In July this year, The States of Guernsey announced a new path for Leale’s Yard, and one that was sure to be divisive amongst the community. They landed on an agreement to buy the lion’s share of the site for £4.5m.
The sale was formalised in court the following month, and the Coop retained a small section for their own separate housing development.
Fast-forward to now…
Then, just last month, the States opened the tender for the demolition and clearance of the site – though concerns were raised internally by the Scrutiny Committee.
That was followed at the end of last month by comments from President of Housing Deputy Steve Williams, who said the States were interested in using modular or pre-built homes, describing this means as “the only way to get impact this term”.
That brings us almost up to date… with the latest twist being the site now designated as a “super priority” under the new Government Work Plan.
Its inclusion alongside other crucial topics such as delivering tax reform, funding a sustainable healthcare system, and landing on a plan for a development of the Harbour, shows how highly the States regard the site.
If approved, the Government Work Plan commits the States to achieving “significant visible progress”.
Specifically, this means working to demolish and clear the site, develop a detailed plan for it, and establish enabling infrastructure to allow for the start of housing construction during this political term.
While the GWP policy letter acknowledges that “full development will take time”, P&R hope Leale’s Yard’s designation as a “super priority” will be a deciding blow in determining the fate of the forgotten former hub in the North West of the Island.
